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Hi all,
Any reason to not buy a gen 3 frame for obviously a lot less than a new gen 4 from a future proofing point of view?
There are differences but I can't see anything major.
Geometry looks pretty well the same. Tli know there is a slight difference to the seat tube allowing a longer dropper.
I think the travel might be 120mm rather than 125mm (gen 4)?
Gen 4 are on sale as the 5 is coming. Not ridden the 3 but have the 4 and it's awesome.
I think the travel might be 120mm rather than 125mm (gen 4)?
No, it's 125mm, the specs are still on the Cotic site:
https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/flareMAX3#frame
The best reason to buy a Gen 3 is the Supernova Orange colour... that aside, it's a brilliant bike, but I haven't ridden a Gen 4, so no idea how they compare directly. The only downer for me is that the kinked seat-tube slightly limits dropper, erm, drop if you have average to short legs, due to slightly curtailed insertion depth. I ended up having to seek out a low stack saddle to make it useable with the Bikeyoke post I had. The Cane Creek shock option is worth it and Cotic's base tune and set-up advice are spot on ime. As is the brand's customer service.
Edit: sorry, I see you're already aware of the dropper thing, doh.
from a future proofing point of view
From that point of view, no reason at all. Same component compatibility. Same support with spares.
Reasons to go Gen4? Smaller jump in sizes, welded and painted by two nice men in Scotland, more seatpost insert, different colours.
I've a Gen 2 and rode a Gen 3 as a demo just as lockdown descended.
My Gen 2 has been brilliant and the only thing I'd note is that while mine is a large (I did try both L and XL originally, but settled on the L), when I demo'd the Gen 3 I found that the XL was a better fit.
I believe it's because I've long, long legs for my height while my arms are more proportional - consequentially the steeper seat angle on the Gen 3 is keeping the saddle nearer the bars at the lofty height I run it.
Gen 4 is slightly steeper seatangle again on the largest two sizes (IIRC).
Cheers all.
I'm 185cm tall, perfect leg proportions (well I like to think so) and ride a L solarismax, so I think (believe/hope) the dropper insertion would not be an issue with a L gen 3
I'd probably be running it with a 120mm fork initially as that is what I have, not ideal but heho
Just triple check the dropper insertion issue.
Definitely a bit of a moan for the owners I know.
Go for it!
Just bought a cheaper MK4 on eBay and it's been brilliant!
Bags of confidence and fits me right in XL.
No worries with 120mm fork.
Been running a SID on mine and it's a little ripper!
Be wary of crank length though.
I put 175mm on mine and with the lower BB I find I have been clipping the cranks a lot,maybe because of the 120mm forks.
Thanks,
Max.
Regarding crank length I quite like the idea of getting some of those short hope cranks, one day