I like steel hardtails, currently got an 18″ On-One 456 Evo2 which i love, value for money, the geo is great and it will pretty much do anything i want. I also have an older 16″ On-One 456 which i use as a SS with rigid forks for day to day use and very light recreational riding. im thinking of changing the smaller 16 as sometimes i think its a little on the small side.

I have been looking for another 456 but i keep seeing Cotic Soul and BFe’s spoken of highly. They arent all that disimilar aside from the price obviously. I get that the BFe is a heavier duty Soul.

What are peoples takes on the similarity. Experiences?

I’m in the minority because I didn’t really like my BFe; it was stiff, harsh and felt heavy to ride. I much preferred the Slackline that twas placed it.

A mate of mine loves his BFe though.

I went from 456 to Soul after a test ride, never regretted it and still use it regularly despite having an FS alternative.

The bfe felt very solid and I guess unresponsive. Can’t compare to a 456 but as above the Soul is a beautiful thing and a joy to ride – also ride mine instead of a full suss.

45650b?

You can pick up an older Soul frame for not much these days and probably get the money back re-selling it if you don’t like it.

Are the older Souls capable? Im a heavy guy at 95kg. Light trail and day to day business. Ive no experience atall with any cotic frames. A used frame will be the option i think.

Thanks for the info

I’ve got a Mk 1 Soul and another 10kg on you. Incredibly surefooted frame, even built up with burly wheels etc., it doesn’t feel heavy.

As above, if you don’t like it in 3 months time, someone else will take it off your hands for the same money.

Matt

I’d defo get the Soul mk3 and in trademark orange. Fantastic bike and a decent used one shouldn’t cost you the Earth. Its a very capable bike and mine coped with most stuff I threw at it. Super comfy too.

In fact it replaced a decent 2012 Trek ex8…and felt it was the better bike!

I’ve just picked up a good condition XS mk3 for the wife with Hope headset and BB for about £245.

I had a 456. Fun bike, but heavy and harsh. Replaced it with a C456, much lighter and more forgiving, but I never really enjoyed it. Now have a Soul and love it. Lovely feel, comfortable, fun handling. My hardtail (C456 especially) tended to only be used when the FS was bust, but now I’ll use the Soul as a genuine alternative.

Got an old Mk1 Soul, built up bling now and a lovely 25lbs or so. My lad has an Inbred with the kit that used to be on the Soul, and now he’s ridden both, he’s pestering me to find him a second hand Soul

The thing to do is get a demo on something similar to what you want. I’ve had people try my Solaris and they cant tell the difference between it and a garden gate. Get a go on one and see what you think. I love my Solaris but I reckon there would be a few steel hardtails I could build that would tick all the boxes.

Cotic frames…worth the effort?

There’s no effort. I’ve a Soul mrk 2 it’s mine I tell you. Mine 🙂

I haven’t ridden the current models but I absolutely loved my Soul, proper masterpiece- only my Ragley Ti could match it as hardtails go and it had an RRP 3 times as much so that’s only fair 😆

Didn’t really rate my BFe at all, it just didn’t have the things that made my Soul special,I just thought it was a lump. Better geometry and handling than a 456 but similar uninspiring feel/character. It’s not just about being made of steel, or posh steel, it has to be designed right and made right.

2012 Bfe lovely lovely lovely. I have a very nice Transition Covert which I should ride more but the Bfe is so good. I am fully signed up Cotic fan, have been bidding on 2012 Soul 26ers to put alongside the BFe and the Flame looks very nice too 8)

Beg,borrow or steal a Soul,I’ve been riding mtb’s since 1984,but out of all of them my absolute favourite is the above.

Ive recently swapped out an inbred for a solaris mk1 that i got from on here, only difference is the headset reducer and the seatpost, it is lighter, snappier not life changing, but definitely an upgrade. Feels like 1 or 2 gears higher most of the time. But could be mind tricks. I now want to upgrade wheels, forks, etc to save more weight, its a slippery slope…