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My hobbies budget is perpetually in the red, so I recently built up a Stanton Switchback as a cheaper alternative to a enduro / DH full sus. I'm really happy with it, but at 6'5", it's hard work riding it further than about 10 miles, and not the easiest bike to ride uphill. That's fine, because that's not what it's for.
I'm now eyeing up my Trek Fuel EX9 (26" wheels) - it's very capable but now relegated to XC duties. I have half a mind to sell it while it's in good shape and has some value, and replace it with another steel hardtail for longer days. Or maybe I should just ride it more??
The Cotic Soul stands out, what else should I look at?
Slackline?
Why another hardtail and not a trail full suss?
At 6ft 5in I'd suggest looking at (and getting a demo on) the XL SolarisMAX.
Just been riding mine for a week in Scotland, it's a very versatile beast and the bigger wheels will be suited both to bigger rides and your stature.
It can also take 27+ wheels for a notably different riding experience.
A major part of changing my current full suss is to avoid the costs of maintaining one. I also can't afford a new trail full suss (which would be very nice), and a 2nd hand one will need work sooner than a new one. I could just keep the one I have, and run it into the ground...
The SolarisMAX looks great - what are the main differences to the Soul (apart from wheel size)?
650b Orange P7 is fun, trouble-free and good for 30 milers in the Pennines as well as cheeky steep stuff.
Cotic solarismax would be high on my list. What about the Pace 529 as well? They look great and geometry looks good.
And if the SolarisMax feels too small, the Pole Taival is quite close geometry wise, just one size bigger (L Taival with a 140mm fork is similar to a XL Solaris with 120mm). Biggest difference apart from the fork is the several degrees steeper seat tube angle.
The SolarisMAX looks great – what are the main differences to the Soul
Longer chainstays.
Better balanced IMO, and more so on the XL I'm sure - where the front is even longer.
Would a Vitus Escarpe not be a similar price to most of the hardtails mentioned?
On longer rides intend to take my enduro fs bike rather than my hardtail.
At 6’5” I’d def try a Soul before buying as Cy doesn’t yet do one in XL. (I’m the same height as you with an XL Solaris, old geometry) Would also look at the Pace frames depending on what wheel size you fancy.
OP - I am thinking of selling my XL Solaris Max frame for a more XC machine. PM me if interested.
I would consider the Pace Cycles RC529 Singletrack world have recently undertaken a review and there is also a review on YouTube by Guy K,
I ride a Pace RC127 has a single speed bike and rate the bike highly compared to other steel HT bikes