[Closed] Cotic Soul..... Now I understand !

Problem is, other bikes just tend not to feel the same again after a good steel hardtail.

Agreed. Who needs FS !

Agreed, just sold my FS to fund a nice steel hardtail 29er 🙂

[i]Problem is, other bikes just tend not to feel the same again after a good steel hardtail. [/i]

And then ride an equivilent Ti HT, and there really is no going back.

Don't need to hear this lalalalalalala

P.s photos?

They really are rather good aren't they? I took mine down some stupidly big rocky descents with 2.5" rubber fitted, then cleaned up, stuck some skinny rubber on and did an 80k xc race three days later. It just does everything and rides like a bike should.

stupidly big rocky descents with 2.5" rubber

I still can't quite believe mine.. I keep thinking it must just be new bike honeymoon period, but then every time I take it out it surprises me again with how excellent it is..

I'm a proper sceptic when I see things getting as much hype as the Soul has.. but it's totally warranted..

I effin' loves it..

Can't wait for tomorrow afternoon to get out on it again, look for some new ascents to slay, skip down some old descents with a fresh spring in my step, and then turn around and ride back up 'em again..

Getting interested here.... what forks are the "optimum" length for one of these, and as I can't find it anywhere else, what does a medium Soul frame weigh?

Generally accepted that they ride good with between 100 and 130 of travel, though the new ones are rated up to 140. Mine stays at 130. Medium frame is 4.4lbs.

I have had three of the buggers!!

Can't see myself ever being without one. 😀

I found eventually after much messing around that 125mm - 130mm is best for me.

I think a medium weighs 4.4lbs

Was surprised how well a 140mm fork climbed and cornered on a Soul, but concluded it has as much do with forkset up and fork type. Currently running 20mm 140 Revs with more sag than usual, slow rebound and more negatvie air until i bother to space it down to 130. Less sag and a less plush set up didn't quite work as well for me in anything but fast gentle corners.

I run Magura Thors, set up nice and soft. It climbs fantastically with the forks wound down and then pop the travel out and ride off the side of your house! I've had a set of Reba's on it as well and it's a lovely bike with 100mm forks, but an adjustable 100-140mm fork just brings another dimension.

I'm getting more and more attached to mine, after 18 months together. Tomorrow it's going out for a pootle with the wife, last night I went on a "how much singletrack can I ride in a hour from my house, and how many Strava segments can I make a mark on whilst doing so" mission, and last Tuesday we rode some bermy droppy jumpy DH tracks before joining a fast group singletrack ride.

I have Float 140RL forks which are closer to 130mm Revs in length. Run them fairly firm and the rebound middling (much slower than I used to). 711mm bars, 50mm stem, flat pedals, dropper post, sticky Rubber Queen on the front, fast X-King on the back (both big volume tubeless 25/28psi), and on corners I'm very much weighting outside pedal and inside hand and making sure it's the rear that drifts first. I guess it's built up more like a lightweight BFe than a typical Soul build but at ~26lbs it doesn't feel a drag uphill and it is surprisingly smooth when you're munching the miles in the saddle.

And then ride an equivilent Ti HT, and there really is no going back.

Geometry and design are 95% of it, the material is only the last 5% IMO. And it's all too easy to make a poor Ti frame, whereas it's much harder to cock up a steel frame I'd say.

And I own a very well made and designed Ti frame, but it really is probably only 5% [i]better[/i] than the steel frame it replaced (Like for like swap too). It's over 1lb lighter though, which is useful, and it really is rather nice! But a good steel HT frame really is still where it's at for number of bangs for your buck.

Here you go. Pictures from today.... and yes I'm running a 3x9 but it's what I had on the old HT it wasn't that old and it's in good nick. Planning to run it into the ground and then change it to a 2x10.
I've gone just above mid rebound on the forks, especially with the fast rocky descents today but gone with with less sag. Seemed good enough.

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I have finally decided to get a Soul instead of a Bfe, but can anyone recommend a decent/fairly inexpensive pair of forks with adjustable travel up to 140mm with a tapered steerer?

Have been looking everywhere for some Sektor RL QR15 tapered and can't bloody find any!

What's your budget ?

Vortexracing - Member

I have had three of the buggers!!

Why?

Serious question, I've had an original since they first came out and it's carried on being the great bike it always was - why have you had 3? Have they broken?

excitable1 - About £400. I did think about getting some Rev's or Sektors and just dropping them to fixed 130mm?

Any suggestions?

It's the bike I miss... TBH I sold it for the right reasons, and replaced it with bikes that ticked the boxes better for me, but truth is not one of them was as good. Differently targeted, but not as good at what they do. Ragley Ti is the only other hardtail I've tried which can hold its own compared to the Soul

So now I have a Soda.

Ah, a pang of nostalgia and jealousy for the Soda. I sold mine for a Solaris. While the Solaris is better for me, I so wish it didn't have to be one or the other. It's not that it is much better than a Soul, but boy does it make you feel special.

Allterraincycles have Fox Float 140 RLs for £400.

Beat me too it Chris.

mather01-There are quite a few places selling 2011 Fox forks with big discounts. Also try your LBS. I got mine with a big discount because simply because someone wanted a different fork on the bike they'd ordered. unused with £200 quid off !

Went for a ride earlier and could not stop smiling.

Rev's dropped to 130 on mine, 2.4 conti MKII front and rear, 711 bars, built in a similar vein to chiefgrooveguru's by the sounds of it. Guessing a similar weight too. Absolutely can't get enough of it, don't feel that it stops me riding anything short of a full on gnar downhill course. Just so zippy and responsive yet comfortable and forgiving. Now I'm gushing...

Cough.....Prince Albert.....Cough.... 🙂

Question, and humor me here. Are all Souls steel?
Rode with a guy today and saw his Soul, said to him, cool, old Skool steel, to which he said, no, it's ally.
I was confused at it looked like a steel bike, but not being an expert on em didn't want to comment.

Question, and humor me here. Are all Souls steel?
Rode with a guy today and saw his Soul, said to him, cool, old Skool steel, to which he said, no, it's ally.
I was confused at it looked like a steel bike, but not being an expert on em didn't want to comment.

Yes. I hate to think how wobbly/heavy an alu alloy frame with tubes that skinny would be!

why have you had 3? Have they broken?

First one was a custard one (MK1), fancied a change after 2 years and the piece of mind that the newer frames (MK2)had a warranty for 140mm forks, which is what I was using at the time.

Then when the new one came out with the ability to us a dropper post (MK3), I went for one of those.

and non have ever broken.

Then when the new one came out with the ability to us a [b]PRETTIER[/b] dropper post (MK3), I went for one of those.

😉

OP great to read of you having fun on your bike. That's what they're for.

120mm Rebas on mine, had thought of spacing down to 100mm but cba, does all I need for uppy-downy mincing around the Surrey Hills. (But Cy says 100mm rocks and he made it).

Not so enamoured with Mk 3 looks myself, like the skinny tubes of my Mk 2, in proper orange.

(Still fancy a Ti HT tho. Just do).

Thank you. I love you all. Smiling a lot.

😀

I want the Soda back! To add to my Cotic Fleet :-/

Souls sound ace, anyone want a 456ti for one?

No thanks - I'm enjoying having my Soul dialled in to my liking far too much, I keep finding that glorious state of fast flow (buzzing the tyre of the bike in front or having a restful wait for everyone to catch up at the end of each stretch of singletrack) on recent rides! 😀 But I'm sure someone will...

Got a Souls and a Soda. Love them both. Would consider an offer for the Soda.

Put a soft Thor (100 to 140)on the Soul, fantastic.

I keep meaning to take a decent current photo of it when it's shiny but it's rarely clean for long, so here's one from an unusually chilled ride yesterday (predecessor relegated to wifebike in the background):

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stop it! Stop it! I'm building a cheap hardtail at the moment, and keep thinking....that frame would be perfect....

Don't think... Just do..

I'm currently building my 3rd Soul, had to sell the first due to needing dosh.. Built another when I had cash, selling it to my brother and building the new updated frame.

Without question the best bike I have ever had!

There seems to be a singular lack of black on this thread...

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Been through many guises, must rank as one of the oldest bike (well frame) I've had.... 😳

love my simple and my soul, don't think I'll be getting rid any time soon!

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Not worth nearly ten grand in my opinion..... http://shop.18bikes.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s443p725&rs=gb

ooh.. are we doing pics now..?
If you insist..! 😀

Cy says 100mm rocks and he made it

here's mine with a 100mm suspension corrected (445mm a-c) exotic carbon fork

It does indeed rock.. and this evening I rekindled my love of flying sideways down loose sinuous Dartmoor descents, and then looking for the more technical lines on the climb back up instead of the easiest..

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I tend to agree, have tried mine with 140, 130, 120, 115, 100, and 80 (and zero of course) travel forks and ~100 is where it's at, I know a lot of people are running longer forks on theirs but 100 - 110 seems to be the sweet spot, for me at least!

I'm at 120mm ... so I really should try 100? It's going to make that much difference? (Would I even notice ... rooty XC and ST).

Worth every penny of ten grand.....!!

Another Simple Soul owner here (see what I did there?). Love them both. The forks on my Soul are getting really rattly and nasty but I just don't want to be without it for a weekend (they really need sending off).

Can't do pics but one's black (all scraped and battered from use) and one's orange.

I am 29er curious enough to say that I'd like to try a Solaris once just to see how different they are, but that's all.

PS 115 on my (U-turn) forks is about right. 130 for when it gets bigger downhill.

overrated pile of poo! nothing but 5 yrs of misery 🙂

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has anyone ridden a soul and genesis altitude / latitude? I've been told they're similar and I have one, but while it's a good bike I don't seem to love it in the same way as you guys love these souls. Is it me or the bike?

Sorry to join in on this self-congratulatory thread but I have just built a new Soul and have ridden it about 4 times up to press and am like all the contributors in love with it. I have written several times on here about being disatisfied with the 456 that preceded it mainly due to a Soul test ride. Bike shops and manufacturers need to be more aware just how important test rides are in influencing peoples decisions. Previously I thought how much better can a steel HT be than another steel HT but after a test ride I knew I had to have a Soul. Took a year but I am a happy man.
One thing that surprised me was that the 140mm Rev fork from the 456 seems to work better on the Soul, far less wandery on a climb even though 120mm is quoted as the ideal.

Here's mine with 120mm Rebas, I keep thinking about full sussers as I've never owned one and the Soul is my only bike, but then I ride it and all the thoughts dissaper as it just so much fun!

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I've not used my Soul much as it was bought and built up as a single speed winter bike but if it's half as much fun as my BFe, it's going to be fantastic!

I built mine up 2 years ago running a 120mm Fox Float RL and I find it spot on. It's my only bike and to be honest, I've never found myself in a situation where I've felt under-biked. In all honesty, my skills get out of depth way before the bike ever will.
I would post a pic to continue the joy, but I'm new here and I've not quite sussed that bit out yet.... 😳

Got 2 oldish Souls, 16 inch version for mrs, 17.5 " version for me running fox 120mm 70 mm stem up front Stans Crest tubeless 9 speed 2.25 f 2.4 r tyres and still only weighs 23.5 lbs as lightweight single track woods bike.
Puts a smile on anyone's face that rides it, such a cheeky bike!!

I've made my mind up. If the one I'm negotiating for second hand falls through, I 'll order a new one. It's gonna have Reba 120s on it.

tomd - Member
has anyone ridden a soul and genesis altitude / latitude? I've been told they're similar and I have one, but while it's a good bike I don't seem to love it in the same way as you guys love these souls. Is it me or the bike?

Good question. I've got an Altitude and think it's possibly the best bike I've owned. I prefer riding it to my FS despite the FS being very good. I'd be interested in a comparison between the Soul and the Genesis as well.

Still in love with my custard soul - had it a good few years now

Yesterday I swapped the 100mm Maguras which have been on there a while for some 120mm bolt through SIDS, will be interesting to see how the ride is affected when I ride it tomorrow night

Just a couple more pay cheques and I'll be in the club...well in theory. I'll have all the parts and then have to figure out how to put it all together...I was rather good at mecano as a kind tho.

To be honest I didn't get it either till I finished building mine and took it for it's first outing. Stunning to ride and I think they are stunning to look at 😀
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Here is mine running 120's. Built it for local trails so no faffing with camelbak etc. Since building it I have not wanted to ride my Five.

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I'm convinced. I pulled the trigger with CY today, and my frame lands on Friday. Reba 120s, SLX 2x9 etc etc. 8)

you won't be dissapointed

I bought a Soul in early 2010 direct from Cotic - it's a black one, running XTR / XT, Hope & DT wheels, Thomson finishing and DT XMC forks. It's a lovely bike and I just wish I had some photos to show!

I later swapped my road bike for a black Cotic X earlier this year - I just couldn't be doing without discs on my daily commute. Again, it's a great bike - with a bastardised Tiagra / SLX transmission, XT disc hubs and Avid brakes setup.

Flying the flag for black Cotics!

Black? Pah. An orange X joined my orange Solaris today. Actually, I think you can have too much of a good colour - black would have been my choice too if the deal hadn't been so good.

i'm running my soul on 100mm tora's.
i love it

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Good question. I've got an Altitude and think it's possibly the best bike I've owned. I prefer riding it to my FS despite the FS being very good. I'd be interested in a comparison between the Soul and the Genesis as well.

Don't get me wrong, I like my Altitude and I've used it for all sorts of riding. However, when I get going on the full sus it's just a lot more fun for me. If I take a corner or rough section too hard on the FS I end up laughing with joy. On the Altitude I end up in the ditch. The Altitude is great for week day rides and just getting out riding because it costs half as much as the FS.

My Soul is built up with 120 Maxle Rebas but has been sat in the garage unridden for the last 2 months since my new bike turned up 🙂

Also have a Turner Flux with 120mm Rebas too, also unloved at the mo

Scapegoat - well done. Pics tomorrow please!

[b]Scapegoat[/b] - You'll not be dissapointed.

Went for my first proper night ride around Cannock last night. Awesome.

Definitely didn't stop and take photos at any point 😐

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Nice to see some more Brown (Espresso) bikes on this thread. Thought I had the only one!

Must try running a 120 or 100mm setup. Currently running a pair of Rev's at 140mm with the intention of dropping them down in the first month of putting it together. 2 years on I'm still enjoying the pop off the front end and can handle the climbing not being top drawer.

Great bike, wish I had a bit more flowy single track to do it justice..!

It's here. It's in the stand. The Cube has been stripped and the bits all cleaned. The bits and pieces I ordered to complete the build have failed to materialise, so no trick coloured gear cables or helicopter tape.

Bugger.

I've got the stuff I need to service the Rebas I bought the other day.

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My pride and joy. Brilliant bike.

vorlich:

What size chainings and chain device are you running and how are you getting on with them?

Also what tyres are they?

Lovely bikes the Souls, if I had gone with a small instead of medium it would have been a keeper for a long time I think.

Curious here,,,,,,

have a '10 Orange Crush which I find great, really stable- only thing I struggle with is switchbacks- but not really an issue.

what's the big step up with the soul compared to the crush, or 456 or other similar rigs?

is it one thing -such as the geometry or is compliance in the frame or what?

What size chainings and chain device are you running and how are you getting on with them?

Mud X on the rear super tacky high roller up front.

Both now replaced, Mud X was great but had worn down, decided I wanted more volume so went for Conti RQ, which I am reserving judgement on, and a Hans Dampf up front which I've been very impressed with.

is it one thing

not really, it's more like a million little things that make a big difference overall.

Managed to get a start after tea this evening. Half past ten saw the maiden voyage along the village and back again.
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11.3kg, 25lb without pedals. Feels really raked after the Cube, and I finally know what people mean about the feel of steel.
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