[Closed] SolarisMax Setup

https://flic.kr/p/2koFpiv

These are the two builds of mine. Original setup similar to yours - 140mm McQueen, 41mm 27.5 rims tho with 2.8 tyres. Brilliant for two years in our local woods (FoD) but also Quantocks, Black Mountains, etc a few times.

Now I have my Nordest, it's been rebuilt for my 19 year old daughter. 29s, 2.35 less aggressive tyres, shortened fork to 120mm etc. It's a lot lighter and feels very sprightly. I will put a proper bar on it (660 for here, she doesn't like 780s much!) and give it a go.

I always preferred it on chubbies. Tried it on 29s a few times and it wasn't as much fun. Now I run the Nordest on 29x2.6 which is basically the same. So be interesting to see how it goes for both my daughter and me. She definitely was keen on a lighter/less gnar build.

I'd be interested to hear what you think of how it rides with the smaller tyres and shorter forks - I absolutely love the way it descends at the moment, so don't want to loose too much of that, but a bit more sprightly on the flatter trails & roads wouldn't be a bad thing

I had a MK1 I ran on a 120mm fork (and chubbies) in the local woods and it was absolutely fine. That was with 11-12psi in the tyres.

I also ran RIMPACTs in the 27.5s. Left them out on this build. It if stays a bit dry this week, we'll go out and try it round the local woods. It's a 20 min ride there, so would be a good test.

I've got some Hunt Trail Wides on mine with 2.6 XR4 Bonty tyre on the front and a 2.6 Purgatory rear. through the summer I ran a slaughter 2.3

Fork is a 2016 Yari - originally at 120mm but I couldn't ride more than 20 miles without neck ache. Set to 140mm now

Over the last week I dragged the plus wheels out for frozen fun.

I love it. Not the lightest. Not the fastest, but has a utilitarian quality that I like. Probably the bike I pull out of the shed the most. I did 2700 miles on it last year - Everything from all day map crossers to a quick smash in the woods.

Mine is quite close to your (OP) original build; 140mm coil Helm, Stans Arch rims, 2.5 WT Minions. I'm also lucky enough to have a Big Dog set up slightly lighter, with a narrower bar, similar wheels, lighter tyres but with a 120mm air fork. Both are 29ers, with the rest of their builds nice but not sparkly. There is a distinct difference between the two and with similar ish riding intentions to perhaps yours, I use the lighter built bike far more now that I'm mostly riding from home. The lighter build has also in the past done great service as a packing bike for modest multi day rides. One day we'll get back to that.....

@mccraque - same here - I ride it far more than any of my other bikes, 2314km last year vs 944km on the full sus, and everything from laps of the local woods to bike packing the SDW!

Mines on a helm air at 140mm, 2.6” wtb tyres on trail wide Hunts. I ride only in the Lakes, steep up techy down so this works fine for me, and it’s been brilliant so far.

I’ll have to figure out how to post pictures these days but mine is built up fairly light without going out and out on weight saving parts.

120mm 32mm Sid (old), 11sp drivetrain, lightish wide rims. I like big, fast tyres in summer which dull the zip a bit but carry speed once you’ve got it. Rekon 2.6 up front and I’ve a new 2.4 aspen waiting to go on the back for this summer. It’s something I’m quite happy to ride across the north downs, try and chase mates on fs round the Surrey hills and then ride home.

I’d try a change of tyres first- cheaper to add rolling speed than trying to ditch weight. Changing the fork travel is free on x fusion, isn’t it, so try that before spending hundreds on a Sid? Or buy the Sid, find you don’t like it and sell it to me for cheap....

Those wheels would pep it up but you might find a bit wider lets you support those big fast tyres I mentioned better. I’d still do them before the forks though.

Changing the fork travel is free on x fusion, isn’t it, so try that before spending hundreds on a Sid? Or buy the Sid, find you don’t like it and sell it to me for cheap….

It is, but these forks can only be adjusted 140 - 170mm, so already on the lower limit - its the weight saving on the SID I'm tempted by, about 500g I think.

Fair point. You could drill an extra stop if you’re feeling brave?

The sids should be great- I’d love a set- I just suspect tyres and wheels will make the bigger difference initially and for less money.

I think you can drop the Helms to 120/130mm now... might need a new (more recent) part though.

I really want some of those SIDs with the 35mm stanchions for my Soda... but they are spendy.

I've got 120mm forks (yaris, no no weight saving), dt swiss Xm421/350 wheels and currently running DHF/DHR tyres. I've put 2.1 rekons on for XC duties and I can recommend vittoria barzo's for full on tow path stuff- they roll really well and are light.

Only only got rid of my barzo's because I bought non-tubeless by mistake

I'm currently running one with Helms set to 130, with 2.5/2.4 Verdict/Judge on the standard SS/i29 wheels. It's great for the local stuff I have from my door, albeit I've only had it since autumn.

I reckon having one burly and one more XC-biased wheelset (with appropriate tyres) would be nice to have, though I think in the OP's position I'm not sure I'd go for a sea change on forks - as good as the SIDs would be I just think you're going from one expensive and not easily switchable extreme to the other. I'd look at something you could easily change travel on between 120 and 140 to cater for the range of abilities of the bike, though I guess if you're set on weight saving your choices here may be limited.

I’d look at something you could easily change travel on between 120 and 140 to cater for the range of abilities of the bike, though I guess if you’re set on weight saving your choices here may be limited.

This is a good idea which I hadn't considered... will look into it, thanks! Maybe something like a pike with 2 airshafts, or a shorter travel X-Fusion fork.

Helm air might give the best of both, with perhaps a better performance in the 'big' setting? Easily dropped to 120. just a thought...

Got mine set up for all round use, from steep rocky built stuff to long xc rides. Settled on 130mm 34s, 29" Flows with a 2.6 Butcher at the front and a 2.3 Ground Control at the back. Will probably swap to a faster rolling front tyre for the summer. I've not tried it with different fork lengths or 27.5+ but haven't see any reason to over the 2 years I've had it.

I had my SolarisMax built up with 140mm pikes, and light yet seemingly strong carbon wheels. Changing the tyres was a good way to drop some weight and change he character of the bike, but it did take some getting used to with less grip.
I also have some steel rigid forks which I dropped in when the Pikes were off being serviced, when it was hellishly muddy, when I was riding for a week somewhere flat, or just when I fancied a change. For me that was a great way to get two bikes from one.
In your situation I would start with some faster tyres, and consider a rigid fork. I'd keep the other bits for when you get to ride more interesting stuff again.

Photos of both set-ups here:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/the-lets-see-your-29er-hardtails-rigids-thread/?channelcanyon

I used to have a SolarisMax, mid-weight build with a Fox 34 and I swapped between lighter and more burly wheels and tyres.

I think your plan is sound, but I'd start with the tyres (as suggested above) - you will feel a lot more benefit than just the weight difference, assuming they are also less knobbly and sticky.

Then I'd probably get a second wheelset so you can swap between trail and enduro modes quickly.

And if you like it but still want it lighter, change the fork as well.

Maybe consider a 34 at 130mm as a compromise, still pretty light.

Hmm, I can't seem to find the sweet spot for my SolarisMax either. It does feel like a tank after my Soul. At the moment I have Trace forks and some cheapish wheels. So probably looking for lighter wheels and tyres and forks if the budget will stretch

I might as well share my write-up on the bike again, as it addresses wheel/tyre-swapping and the effect on the character...
http://unduro.co.uk/mtb/review-cotic-solarismax-mk-2-a-hardtail-for-all-occasions/

I'm doing something very similar, hoping to get two bikes out of one with
two sets of wheels. One with an internal width of 30mm with 2.5 dhf front, 2.3 aggresor back (bought 2nd hand what, they came with) and second 25 width with maybe racing ray/ralph combo that seems to be a good xc setup or even thunderburts as more of a gravel/no mud bike. Haven't received my frame yet so it's all pure speculation!
Sounds like the more downhill setup will be great but not sure if the bike will be much fun on road/gravel rides even with lighter wheels as the reviews of the bike seem to praise the descending aspect.
Would really like to try a rigid setup too just not sure if the bike is too slack to get the most of it...

Btw chakaping, I read your review a while back, one of the positive write ups that made me want to get one so thanks 🙂

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Had mine set up with Fox Rhythm 140, Hunt trailwide 29" wheels and Sram eagle gearing. Running tubeless Maxxis Ardent 2.3 front and rear and they feel like a great all round combo though I would maybe like to try something a little faster rolling on the rear when the weather allows. Recently considered changing my frame to a short travel full suspension but going to try this for a while longer and see how it goes.

I have mine set up similar to the OP and did almost 100k on it last weekend and gotta admit it was a struggle on long flat sections. Took in mainly road, fire-roads and the odd single track i dont think travel was the issue it was more the massive tyres. Some 2.1s or similar would have been so much quicker. On a normal weekend ride (non lockdown) its amazing but it really doesn't like to plod a long. The best way i could describe this bike is its a hardtail someone forget to tell was a hardtail.

When I first got it I went 130mm McQueens with xm481 (30mm internal?) rims. I had issues with the low (or high, I forget now) speed compression spring being too ‘light’. But I ran it (hr2/ardent tyres).

I then sold it on and got a SodaMAX which I run with same wheels but 2.6 spec tyres and a Helm at 130mm. I love this bike.

The mate I sold the SolarisMAX to then decided to also get a SodaMAX (I might have goaded him on a little, well quite a lot actually!) so I bought it back and built it up as a bikepacker with B+ wheels, x-fusion 120mm forks and 2.8” maxxis/wtb rubber. I’ve stuck a 29er with a vigilante on the front once or twice but I prefer the HR2 at present (on a scraper 45 rim). Rear is a hope 35mm job.

The SodaMAX is definitely nicer to ride. Guess it’s more than just wheels/forks though.

I will have a buckshee set of Trace HLRs myself (once the Helm 150’s show up) so will try them out FS&G’s when I can be arsed.

Btw chakaping, I read your review a while back, one of the positive write ups that made me want to get one so thanks 🙂

Happy to help.

I still don't see there's a better all-round hardtail out there.

Weirdly I miss the MK2 more than the MK4 though, maybe because it was that bit lighter and more nimble for the local trails and xc racing.

I know what you mean about the older models. I think I almost have enough parts kicking around to build my mk1 up again. Aside from the fact I don’t have room, I’m tempted to try and build it as it was originally before it got a slackset, longer fork etc.

On forks- does anyone have solid numbers for the weights of the Sid ultimate, select and then the lightest pike? I figure if a chunk of the weight saving of the ultimate comes from the teenie tiny damper, I might prefer the older, bigger, cheaper and potentially more reliable one. At that point how much more weight do you add to get to the pike and have that adjustable travel?

Weirdly I miss the MK2 more than the MK4 though, maybe because it was that bit lighter and more nimble for the local trails and xc racing.

This!! I sold my Mk2 and bought the Mk4 thinking it would be the same but better.

Well...it is different. Not sure about better. The old one got used for Offroad Duathlons, Brighton Big Dog - Was more nimble and lighter.

I like the new one a lot. But just wish I hadn't sold the old one. You can't ride (or store) 'em all, I guess...

Just chipping in - I've had the Hunt XC Wides with Conti 2.4 X Kings on since I built mine up (first full shipment of frames I think) and I've never troubled them despite being clumsy, so that would be a way to add a bit of zip. I think my Rhythm 34s add a chunk of weight (they were so cheap it's unsurprising) so I wouldn't mind trying a lighter 120-130 mm fork myself.

Not going to mess about.

My solarismax is a 2020 frame with 2019 130mm rct3 pikes, full xt.
Bought a rolling chassis with xcwides, media raved about them, they seemed ...OK.
warranted the wheels after 3mnths due to free hub failure due to normal winter water/mud (I don’t jet wash bearings) and unprecedented amount of dings on tame local trails.
No quibble exchange, hunt recommended endurowide.
Unfortunately they killed the bike, it just felt dead and sluggish.
I don’t understand the love for hunt wheels as in my opinion the claimed weight of the wheels ignores the fact that all the weight savings have been made in the wrong place, rims are heavy and cheese, thin spokes snap and basic hubs are not up to the job.
Sold the endurowides after not many rides.
Had some pro4s XM481 built and rotating same tyres 2.6 specialized hillbilly, butcher, slaughter, eliminator when conditions permit, bikes been transformed.
Yes, they are more expensive wheels but Im certain they will be cheaper in the long run.

The bike is a reasonable weight for what it can do as a good all rounder, I really can’t think of anything I need to change.

Any suggestions for light tyres that might suit the SM ? Hopefully something that won't puncture at the sight of a rock.

What I take from this thread is that what is missing from Cotic's line-up is a more traditional xc frame, bit more conservative in angles, a bit more sprightly. Or is that just me? BFE is very gnar and Solaris seems quite gnar, needs something bit less gnar. 🙂

I built my Solaris Max up with 120mm Pike Select forks, Hunt XC Wide wheels with 2.5 Vigilante up front and a 2.4 Trail Boss at the back. Full Eagle X01 AXS groupset and a Syntace carbon seatpost as I don't use a dropper.

I was toying with the idea of swapping the Pikes for some of the 35mm SIDs but never got round to it. I might stick some lighter tyres on these wheels for the summer and see how it rides then see about changing the forks to drop a bit of weight after that.

It's currently running singlespeed for the winter slop but haven't managed to get out on it as much as I'd have liked to during the bad weather.

I felt like that for a while with the SM but I think it’s only in direct comparison with the old one, not an absolute thing.

Thing is, if you don’t build it up too heavy it’s only really one notch along from the old one at the racey end- (cliche apologies in advance, it’s the only way i can think of to explain it) if the Solaris covered Xc race, through xc to trail then the SM is xc, to trail, to *more trailier*. It’s still an excellent bike for just riding around on and I’d happily do everything I did on the old one.

IMO What Cy and co have done a really good job of is expanding the upper limit of what the bike can do without much loss at all at the other end.

Yeah, I don't think there's a need for a more-XC version really.

You could just size down and build with lighter stuff to get to pretty much the same place.

Soul mk5 owner here so similar bike. Agree that wheels/tyres make a massive difference to the character of the bike.

Local tow paths / fields with my quick mates on xc bikes I run a vigilante up front and a rock razor on the rear (really rate the rock razor). Just about keep up with them

Peaks / Ambergate - I swap out to some DT Swiss M1800 30mm with 2.6 Bontrager SE4's and flat pedals. Same mates now on full suss bikes and I still just about keep up with them. Bike feels completely different - more rowdy/playful