[Closed] Cotic soul replacement...

I sold my mk1 soul n bought a bfe, then went back to a soul as the bfe was a bit stiff. By which point the soul has been CEN'd and seatpost uprated to take a dropper....

It just wasn't as good, and no HT I've ever tried has that feel the the original soul had.

Keep it.

Not ridden one, but I love the idea of a Sanderson Town Crier.

Earlier this year I replaced my Soul MkII with a 27.5 Production Privee Oka.

It's OK but it's not quite a Soul. I ride it more than my Trance but something is not quite there - and I can't put my finger on it.

It may be that the weather was gash for the first few months after I built it up in January. It feels faster than the Soul but it's not as grintastic. It may be that I'm running 140mm forks and it would be better with 120s. Not sure.

Previous to the Oka I'd tried a 26" Pipedream Scion but it felt dead. Same metal and geometry as the Soul but slighty bigger chainstays and it just didn't work. Free to a good home.

I tried a friend's 29" Stanton Sherpa and that was amazing. So fast and fun. I think that will be my next bike.

Same story here old mk2 Soul and moved to 29. My first choice would have been a Sherpa as heard they are close to a Soul in feel.

In the end got an older Genesis High Latitude ('15). Really enjoying it. Read someone describe it as a big wheeled bmx and that is spot on. Always looking for stuff to jump off etc. Back end is stiffer than Soul and helps climbing but supple over rough stuff. 29er wheels improve everything too. Not the latest geometry but still fun. Cheap as chips too. Its not a Cotic Soul but always look forward to riding the Genesis.

Onza Payoff another option

Titus Fireline is very playful and sprightly for a 29er and not long in the top tube like the latest bikes. Very capable bike with a 120mm fork.

I would love to keep it but it's a large ,and is too small.

Stanton Sherpa!

I’ve had mine about a year now.

Rode 56km on Monday around Surrey Hills and it was comfy, climbs well, descends well, rips chunks out of corners, manuals stuff, wheelies amazing so yeah it’s a hoot and will munch miles!

Its got changeable drop outs, current 142x12 bolt rear but I can get boost drop outs or single speed.

Stanton offer a number of builds or frame & fork or rolling chassis.

You’ll love it.

I’m in the process of stripping my (large) Sherpa to build up a Mk4 LS SolarisMAX.

i find the Sherpa too short (with a 55mm stem), but it was livelier than the mk3 Solaris.

mk1 souls were designed around 70-90mm stems so will feel/be short by today’s standards. New one is definitely longer. Moving to 31.6 down tube makes the trans more direct/bb area stiffer.

New soul?

I have one and think its great. I haven’t riden the old version so cannot compare.

just sold my mk2, loved riding it but 26" wheels made it an effort to keep up with friends, replaced with a SC chameleon, aluminium but the ride is just as good, dare i say more fun..

@whatyadoinsucka was thinking of a sc chameleon . The only thing holding me back was some folk say the short chainstays make it tricky on steep ascents. How are you finding it ? Really would like one, guy kestevens review sold it to me.

Dumb question but... to what extent do you think the wheel size is a factor in it feeling "like a soul"? A 29er just won't feel quite as a sprightly as a 26" (??) because the wheels need more effort to get rolling etc...

In which case, what about a 27.5"?

@nicko74 I understand, but I would really benefit from a 29er as my legs are far too long and it gives me a high centre of gravity. Looking for a sprightly 29er..

@bigad40 cheers, was thinking of a sherpa

@flapflup it was that same video that put the seed in my head, i managed to bag a good deal and ended up buying the 'D' spec, sold off lots of bits including the rockshox fork and put on the bargain fox rhythm 34 130mm (german site)

i've not noticed the short chainstay, it descends great, climbing i got my best time up cutgate last weekend even with a 5 min mechanical due to smashing my derailleur, i'm running the 27.5 plus 2.8" tyres (18-19 psi), think i'll go to 29 wheels eventually, but i'm having enough fun for the time being. weight wise its slightly over 13kg (my 26 cotic felt lighter, the 100mm reba fork is circa 1/2 kg lighter)

climbing with the bigger tyres the grip is far superior, but it'll never be as fast uphill as my 10.5kg lefty,

it really doesnt feel like a hardtail, and feels like a favourite armchair when descending with nil boneshake.

if you are near stif cycles or pedal and spoke in peaslake i'd definately say go for a test ride.

@whatyadoinsucka

Great info,cheers.  I'll look for a demo ride like you say.