[Closed] Who has a Soul and what do you do with it?

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This is mine today on Craigower (near Pitlochry).

Build is Dual Air Pikes knocked down to 120mm travel, XT/XTR bits, SLX brakes, Hope/XM819 wheels, Thompson Post and RF Atlas bars and stem. Neither heavy nor light, a great compromise for me.

It's a bike for riding, really. I've raced it XC, commuted on it, done 1 hour local spins and 60 mile all day rides.

EDIT: It's got a 2.1 Ignitor front/ 2.35 HiRoller rear on it as well - both UST.

Fox F120's thru-axle plus bits from my full suss namely Hope Mini Pros with carbon levers, Hope Pro 3's, CK headset, Thomson stem/seatpost, carbon bar, XT. Trainee sister of gnarrr - wuss around Swinley Forest on the fire roads 🙄

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Only a few weeks old so we're still getting to know each other 😉

was built up with full XT, thompson and a set of u-turn Revs. rode all sorts and everything.

now 34-16 SS with rigid carbons. riding thru' the grit and sh1t of winter.

truly excellent at everything. can't imagine ever selling it.

140mm revs, Hope Mono M4, Panaracer Rampage 2.35 on mavic/hope, XT drivetrain and thomson bits. For general trail riding. Comes out reasonably light and is ace 🙂

mines on bombers at 120mm (was on old flexy 80mm sids), Xero session freeride wheels, (woollyhatshop), old hope mini's 180/160, mix of Xt(shifters&cassette), deore(rear mech as xt one died), KMC chain and fsa carbon cranks, kore lite stem and post and k-force risers,
tend to ride XC with a bit of Agressive XC when am feeling brave!!
absolutely Love it!!

and as per first post its in Buuilders tea too!!!
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I sold my Soul to the devil 😀

mine has changed from this

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to this

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However, just today it's gone back to the Pikes.

for the 2nd time this year, when riding through thick mud locally, the clearance between the arch on the Reba and the tyre is not enough and the front wheel just stops.

plus I am sure the bike descends much better with the 140mm Pike on. Most riding was done with the Pike at 125mm the 140 was just for DH.

The damping on both forks are spot on (Blackbox on the Rebas and Pushed on the Pikes), it's just I have to put my weight less backwards when descending at 140mm.

It get used for all sorts Lakes, locals, Wales (natural and trail centres). I would have no doubt in taking it anywhere.

TBH I could never see myself without it (or a new version).

weighs 25.14lbs with the Reba and 25.9lbs with the Pike.

changed the wheels and tyres to 355's hope hoops and Nobby Nics both ends.

going to put a RC31 rigid fork on it and try racing this year 🙄

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Built to last! ~28 lbs.
Talas (run pretty much at 100 all the time, 120 only very occasionally), XT, Tech M4's (deore rear been replaced), 90m stem (got a 70mm X4 still to fit to 'match' the pin). Wheels are Pro II's with 321's. Tyres have been changed but will be changed again as Ardent 2.25's are pish in the mud. Also running Flatboys.

I use it as my oh look all you boys are riding full suspension I'm only on a hardtail you don't really expect me to ride [i]that[/i] do you? excuse bike. 😀

Probably the best hard tail I've owned. If something were to happen to this one I'd have to get another one as a replacement.

Mine is actually Custard, have had it since summer 07 so greatly pre-dates the builder's tea colour.

If it dies, as it surely will, as I ride it loads and everything has a lifespan, the only decision will be Soul or Soda 🙂

the only decision will be Soul or Soda

given the price of the new soda then it would be a Soul for me i'm afraid

given the price of the new soda then it would be a Soul for me i'm afraid

I see what you mean. Would be incredibly hard to justify a Soda now.

the only decision will be [s]Soul or Soda [/s]Orange or Black

I [i]could[/i] be tempted with a new Soda. But I'd have to be feeling decidedly flush at the time though...
But for a Soul no choice: orange for sure.

Double post

Orange for me as well i think

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reba team 120 maxle
full xt
thomson post & stem
gobi
monkeylites(now mid rise)
hope hoops/nobby nics
salsa qrs/fsa orbit xl1
as much wooded singletrack as i can get away with! love it.

New Soul. 120mm Floats with 15mm hubs. Stans 355 rims with tubeless High rollers. Magura Louise's, Xtr shifters which were a fantastic indulgence and my favourite rapid rise rear mech.

Was great fun on Nant-yr-Arian today.

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Loving everything posted so far! My Soul frame is on order, I was planning to transfer as much as possible from my old bike but this thread is full of temptation - keep it up!

In the process of getting beefed up (and yes I know, the front tyre is on the wrong way round)

It's been used for everything from xc racing to uplift days and is currently my go to bike for the majority of my riding.

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Mine is built to be light but tough, so it can do pretty much anything i can do on 2 wheels. It's an 09 model so 130mm Revelations, Roval Traversee wheels, 2.1 Nevegals, 18-speeded with SLX, and a Gravity Dropper. All in, a little under 26lbs IIRC without sacrificing utility or toughness Great for local XC, absolutely bloody fantastic at Glentress, and did just fine on the lift assists at Fort William. Bit crap at commuting 😉

I did have 140mm Revelation maxles on it, quite liked the travel but the maxle didn't do much and they were a fair bit heavier so I went back to the QR 130s. Sometimes it gets a carbon seatpost in place of the dropper, and carbon forks, and then it's a very different beast, not as capable but a lot of fun.

Sold mine and bought a Prince Albert

Can't do pics I'm afraid and would probably cause some upset if I could 'cos mine's a bit of collection of bits - Revs, Pro II on 719 at the back, Stan's Flow on Pro II at the front, Easton / Thomson bars stem and post, Hope M4's, XT cranks, Sram X9 gears and Continental Puncture Speed Kings.

Use mine for the odd race and whenever I can as I absolutely love it. It has transformed even my leaden riding.

I've got full XT on mine, Hope ProII's on Bonty Mustangs, Magura Marta 180/160's, Bonty Rhythm finishing kit, SDG Ti-Fly saddle. Up until I become an adopted Northerner, twisties spec was Maguraa Menja 100's, Bonty XR2.25" tyres, 670mm bars. These days it's got Thors, CrossMark rear, High Roller or Swampthing 2.35" front and 710mm wide bars. Running tubeless and XTR pedals it's easily under 26lbs.

I went from an 853 prince albert to a soul. The soul is a more lively ride, but I think the pa was indestructable! Parts change a bit, but currently running a reba at120mm, and can't see me dropping this back to 100mm. Blue hope hubs on 719's, nice wide bars, louise brakes, mix of slx and xt with some carbon fsa cranks, 80mm stem and an inline post. It's my only mtb so it does everything and always puts a smile on my face!

Cy, out of interest, what would the head angle on my Soda be if I had 140mm Thors on there? I'm debating whether the Soda with Thors on, a 2.4' tyre up front and 2.2' on the back would be fun to take on my trip with Joyriders in Spain later in the year?

My Soul is a bitsa.

Magura Phaons
mavic 71somethings on hope hubs
hope mono mini brakes
big wide Salsa moto bar
thomson stem
Easton post
spec BG seat
LX ht2 chainset
SRAM rear mech, lx front
complete mongrel which deserves a nicer build but it rides great.

My only MTB so gets used for everything off road

I have one. Built it 5+ years ago, so it's still running all the kit from then (105mm bombers, permanently binding Juicy 5's, XT hubs on 717s). Nice bike, and on occasion I get into it, but I've never managed to find its sweetspot.

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Early Soda (have had a Soul as well) - current spec above, a hair over 24lb. It's been lighter, it's been heavier - this seems a reasonable compromise for most things. Still my favourite bike. Climbs as well as my fitness will allow, far more capable DH than it has any right to be.

What do I do with it? Ride it for the most part. 🙂 Surrey Hills singletrack, Peaks epics, proper "mountain biking" in the Pyrenees.

Not seen your Soda for AAAGES Joh, that's a sweet set up you've got there.

In response to the Soda question, you can't put Thors on a Soda - the new frames are max 120mm to keep 'em light and tight in the brave new world of CEN regs. If you want to know about head angles, have a play with our [url= http://www.cotic.co.uk/geek/ ]Cotic Geometry Widget[/url] on the Geek page of the website.

squin, having just come back from joyriders (November), I can honestly say that that spec it will be spot on and fantastic.

that would be great on a Soul, but looks like Cy says no. 🙁

for the new ones anyway

Thanks Cy, my Soda is the original one so I presume Thors would be alright?

Cheers Chucky, sorely tempted to take the Soda.

2010 Soul here

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Fox F120's
Thomson/Easton finishing kit
pro2 hubs on 717's
XT drivetrain
nevegal / bluegroove combo
Formula Oro's

Don't know the weight.

Use it for general xc, with marathons, sleepless etc... later in the year.

Squin - Thors won't be OK on your old Soda, they were specified for maximum 130mm travel forks.

Thanks Cy, I'll probably opt for Revs then. Got Reba'a on at present and it's nicely quick handling but am thinking more travel for Spain. I suppose that the real answer is to buy a BFe! 😉

squin - You don't need a BFe for the big mountains, but something bolt through on the front will be a revelation (no pun intended) compared to Rebas. Get some big tyres (I like Bontrager Big Earl 2.35" tubeless for mountain taming on the Soul) and you'll be well away.

squin - You don't need a BFe for the big mountains, but something bolt through on the front will be a revelation (no pun intended) compared to Rebas. Get some big tyres (I like Bontrager Big Earl 2.35" tubeless for mountain taming on the Soul) and you'll be well away.

Currently have an Altitude 30 on loan with maxle Reba Races on. Very tight and light fork!

Put your saddle up, wind your fork down and give it some stick 🙂
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did your rear wheel survive that drop, looks like the trajectory is straight into those huge blocks !!

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My Soda shortly after it was built (couple of years ago!). Spec now is push'd rev's, slx cranks, xt gearing/brakes, monkeylite cnt bars, bontrager racelite carbon seatpost, stans arch/pro2. It's my only mtb so gets used for everything - quick local blasts, big days in the hills, trail centres etc etc. Great bike.

I'm thinking of selling mine to the devil 😉

The great thing is they're super-versatile. We use Sodas as our race bikes on the AQR team but when I had a Soul it was much more of a trail bike build.

Mine's not far over 21lb with Durins / Olympic / XTR / KCNC stuff...
(Excuse the GPS on stem!)

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdymond/4356172627/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdymond/4356170887/in/set-72157623222172902/

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The Soul's my only MTB, got the original in '05, present one in '06.

It's built to stand my 100kg+ bouncing about on it;

Float XTTs at 130mm, Hope/321s, Swampthing Single Ply tubeless, Hope Mono Mini, Thomson stem, Easton bars, I-Beam post/Bel Air saddle, XT gears.

Love it.

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100mm Sid races on mine, full XT, XC717 rims, thudbuster LT seatpost - weighty but comfy for fast cross country/singletrack.

Had a soul, but replaced it with a soda.
Xtr kit with crosmax st's.
I love it!
Better kit than i need, but you are only here once!!!

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mine

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ve ever had

mine

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ve ever had. 😆

09 Soul
Coil Pikes (at 120mm)
Pro 2's with 5.1's (10mm back end)
Mono mini's
Carbon seatpost (bit of a revelation that one!)
XTR cranks, Xt everything else
Swifter than a greasy goose
Used to have a full suss as well but didn't need it for where and how I ride :-), gets used for everything except riding to work.

Carbon seatpost (bit of a revelation that one!)

why is that Stiigy, is it MUCH better than sya a Thomson.

Only asking because i'm thinking of splashing out on one to save alittle bit of weight and get a bit more 'cushy' ride.

I did think about a carbon post when I was building mine, but went with the Thomson. I'm interested to know if it makes a difference.

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This is how mine is currently built up. Most of the original kit was moved onto my Enduro so it's just built up with what I had lying around: Float 100RLC's, BB7's, XT shifter/brake units, XT double and bash (22/32), XT front mech, Deore rear mech and cassette, Deore/X221 wheels, Larsen TT's (since replaced with Speed King 2.1's), Thompson/Easton/FSA/Hope & WTB bits.

It's the only bike I have currently fitted with mudguards so tends to get used in nasty conditions. Within the next few months it'll get completely rebuilt around some longer forks.

Sorry I've just got in from work, I find the carbon post a lot more comfortable than the thomson I had before, the thomson was great on the full suss but the carbon just seems to take the edge off the err 'judders' a bit. Sorry I've been to the pub so probably don't make a lot of sense 🙂

That makes a lot more sense than most posts on here Stiggy, p!$$ed or not 😆

cheers, carbon one it may be then.

and don't aplogise for being at the pub, I wish I was.

Cheers everyone

Im not sure its helped me decide what I want but Im enjoying the thread 🙂

After years riding FS I need a hard tail
It looks like it might be a Soul and will prob be at the longer end of the fork spectrum but not too hardcore

Now if I take a look under the sofa cushions how much more do I need for a Soda and would it be worth it...........

Look hard under those cushions as it will be well worth it!

@iamsporticus - you'll be spot on with what you're talking about. The great thing about the Soul (in my biased opinion) is that because it's not pretending to be a race bike or a jump bike, but just a bike for riding around on, it wears good solid kit really well. Get some 120mm forks (maybe with adjustable travel if you fancy), get some SLX or XT, get some nice wide tyres, fast rear/grippy front and you'll be loving it.

The new Soda is very Soul like in it's responses. I stiffened it up along the length of the bike so it's about the same stiffness in torsion as the Soul these days. (Torsional stiffness along the length of the frame is what most people perceive as the 'ride feel' by the way). People were beginning to complain about wayward behaviour on the original design as bar width, tyre grip and fork stiffness progressed. The new one feels quite similar to a Soul when pushing on, but a bit softer edged and a lot lighter. I've always said the most noticeable and giggly difference between the two frames is the weight. A Soda just lights up in a way a Soul never would. It's also very, very pretty in the brushed/blast graphics finish 😉

Big tyres all the way!

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Built last summer - still the same (Had Larson TTs on in the summer, Bonty ACXs at the mo) - Magura Menja 130AM, XT, XT on Mavic 717 wheels. Old LX discs, 70mm stem - think it's about right - maybe trying 80mm.

Only mtb so does everything from trail centres, peaks/lakes/dales and also endurance events (Wiggle, SITS etc)

Damn fine bike. Was out on Sunday and some red sock rambler even mumbled as I rode past "that's the best bike - the Cotic"! Peed my mates off a bit!

Some nice looking bikes here.I considered a Soul as my next frame until I realised they didn't do it in adult sizes ,19inch? way to small even with a 400mm pin

Thats a point Cy, why nothing bigger than 19"? Limited demand?
Im 6'5" and i just dont think a 19" would be big enough.

Apparently not enough of us big sods bought the xl they used to do quickly enough so they dropped it from the range.Shame as they look really nice

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'09 small Soul in Builder's Tea, or as I tend to think of it, Flesh... Old photo - I've sorted out the stem height and length since.
Magura Durin 120 fork, full XT gruppo, except for XTR shifters.
All bearings are Chris King, as he makes them just up the road a bit.
Seatpost, stem and bars are Ritchey XCS in wet white, which would look a lot cooler with a tan seat, but what can you do? Stem is 90 mm. I'm 5'7''
Stan's Arch 360 wheels, King hubs, 2.5 tubeless Nobby Nic tires (no 'y', as this is America and all...).
My only bike and I love it. Mostly medium and long-distance XC (15 to 80 miles), good Pacific Northwest singletrack. good fast bike, climbs like a dream, even more fun going down, and a blast on technical stuff - rocks and roots, drop-offs and such. I rarely pine for a full suspension. If I were to replace it I'd go with a Soda, and if the Soda came in SS i'd already have an order in.

Hmmm - apparently I have a little more to learn about posting pics on this forum. Guess you've all seen hot looking Souls before anyway... 😕

Slugfarm - interesting to hear you say if the soda came as a singlespeed you would have your order in already. I have a Simple and is the best bike I have owned in 20 years of mountain biking .... but a titanium Cotic singlespeed!! I would be right behind you.
I am a bit worried to hear Cy is no longer making Simples and is reassessing them. I know Cy is not a singlespeed fan but please dont forget about us!

The XL thing has been explained before, but basically not enough demand. I sold 4 frames in 2 years and then had to sell off the other 5. If 10 of you got together and gave me deposits I'd put an order in with the next build, but that's the only way it'd work.

I'm not forgetting singlespeeders at all, but just need to think about what people want out of the Simple now that's it's reached a natural break in production. It's another one that's on the borderline of sensible production due to numbers sold. It seems to fall between two stools - i.e. not cheap enough and too nice to be a suck it and see SS (the Inbred has that covered), but not nice/boutique enough for people who swallow the pill and go off and buy Spots and IF's and such like. I also want to make the frame end/disc mount area work better because post mount brakes disagree with it in some ways, and the adjusters are good but fiddly. I'm designing a lot of other stuff right now so it's bottom of the list for the moment. Sorry.

Designing other stuff Cy? Ooh do tell?

How about a nice balance bike for my little one?!

Good to hear the Simple will not be forgotten. A higher end Cotic ss would be interesting (although my Simple is great and I cant imagine it much better!).
I would agree though that the adjusters are fiddly - I put on a surly chaintug which just ended up being easier to deal with. The disc mount is fine for my XT brakes (cant imagine why you would need any others - they have worked flawlessly for me for 2 years).
Maybe a titanium option with a split chainstay to allow a belt drive all with the new Soda tubeset and perfect Cotic geometry would be ideal.

Would you consider a 29er singlespeed? - it seems to be a common direction for them or would this be a big no no in the Cotic world?
Lots of things to think about I would imagine. Best of luck with future projects. I look forward to seeing what will appear.

Thanks everyone!

It looks like most are running 100-120mm forks
With a few Pikes screwed down to 120mm too

In fact only Cy seems to be running at 140mm, although he didnt actually say if his Thors are reigned in or not

Any reasons for this?
Doesnt it like the geometry at 140 or do you lot just happen to have smaller travel forks knocking around the shed when you built your Souls up?

Coming from a full suss again I am looking for a more undiluted ride but I dont want to end up regretting it when its rocky and so am curious about running at 140mm myself

Cheers

Having read it but not yet contributed to the thread, here goes!
I've a small 08 Soul in black, XT gears, Hope mono mini's, and Hope stem.
I've put Rev's on them, coil U turns with q.r. and really like them. Living on the side of a steep valley, I wind down to 100mm for the outward journey of ups and 130mm to return home. Being a Class I pootler rather than speedster, it also means i stop and take in the scenery whilst U turning! I find at 100mm it climbs well without lifting or being light up front and at 130mm gives a bit more stability on the return home.
I originally went for Rev's as at the time following discussions on here and comments from Cy about Pike's being beyond the bike's recommended travel ( the 08 is a Mk I frame, 130mm max. not the current 2010 version ) and it would invalidate the frame's warranty. They were also a cheaper option and my first foray into modern forks!
I'm now seriously considering going to the new frame, and when finances allow, can update to Pikes', mainly because of a maxle option, but have to think a bit and open mothballed purse.....
From the Cotic website, Cy has apparently released frames to the mag's for reviews. Might hang on for a read.
As my first new bike since '96, it's been a total revelation. I really enjoy using it and am very impressed.
my tuppence!
Q

My Soul frame arrived last month and it's currently fitted with the commuter / winter spec that you see here:

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I ride a short distance (4 miles in total) to work every day, then off-road at weekends and some touring in the summer months.

Realistically, you only "need" one bike for my sort of use. After years of multi-bike ownership, I returned to where I started all those years ago: with just one mountain bike. I haven't been "credit crunched" or anything, but there's definitely a happiness and purpose that stem from having just one well-loved bike!

The Soul is slightly longer than my old Pace RC305 and all the better for it while riding to work. I've not had a chance to fit it with my DT Swiss XMC130 forks, but with the rigid forks currently fitted it's been a very competent steer off road too.

Here's to the summer and some good weather. My pannier rack and slick tyres await!