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Back in 2013(?) I bought an XL blue ex demo Solaris frame direct from Cy - even picked it up.
I built the frame with 100mm Rebas, Hope/Flow wheels, 2x10 XT (remember those days) Ardents etc.
I wanted a 29er version of my Soul.
I never really gelled with the frame/bike as I found it a lot stiffer and not anywhere close to the feel of the Solaris.
Coming up to two years ago I picked up an XL orange mk1 Solaris from the classifieds. It had clearly been well loved and ridden and needed a bit of TLC. I bought the frame with the intention of a retro esque build but I never got around to it.
Roll on to today and idle hands this afternoon broke out the spares box and built the frame up with a similar build to the original. I’ve gone 120mm Pikes rather than the 100mm Reba, a layback post rather than the Reverb and a 1x10 set up. It’s actually most of the original build kit inc wheels but with a few hidden gems inc a Pace BB that I had forgotten I had 😊
I’ve not ridden it yet but this evening I have been looking at geometries.....compared with my XL Sherpa (now sold) the Solaris is actually longer in the TT, shorter in the ST but is steeper in both ST and HT angles. Edit: I think with the 120mm fork the HA and SA will have slackened off but I’ve no idea by how much 🤷🏻♂️
I currently have an 80mm stem on there that will need changing. I think the original build ran a 70 or and 80mm stem.
Despite being shorter my Sherpa ran a 50 .... I’ve no idea how that worked 🤔
I’m looking forward to getting out on it once it’s all buttoned up to see if my original thoughts have changed. I’ve had a bunch of 29er frames since the first Solaris so it’ll be interesting to see how it compares.
If you’ve read this far and thought where’s the bloody pics ...... tomorrow ......😂
Well I await photos with baited breath, but mostly I just wish I had enough space to garage and hang on to all my old bits. Have to sell or throw them so jealous of your parts bin bikes!
Very fond memories of my 26inch Cotic simple, Deffo got a soft spot for their hardtails.
Ha. The parts were mostly moved from one build to another. The only reason^ I had a builds worth of bits is that none of them fitted my Chameleon.
^ This is of course the same for all the other “spares” 🙈
My 2014 Mk1 Solaris is now built built with rigid carbon forks, 2x10 gears (40.28 x 11-42......) mudguards etc and is a crappy weather and/or bikepacking mule. The Mk1 MAX that replaced it is 1x11, 120mm forks, dropper and two sets of wheels (29 and 27.5x3") Love them both. No pics.
I had a mk1 Solaris for 5 years (till bike thieves decided I’d had it too long 😩)
Ran it both with 100 and 120mm and preferred the latter.
Look forward to seeing more in terms of pics and ride feedback.
Ah wow look forward to seeing the pics!
I bought a MK1 blue Solaris about 18 months ago, maybe longer. £150 for the frame and it was (is) in really well looked after condition Its absolutely superb. Admittedly I only use it for training rides along the canal, up forestry roads and out with the kids/family but I really do like it. 120mm fork on the front. According to the Cotic website they were originally designed around a 60mm stem. Built mine up with full XT 2x10, Revelation RLs, Guide R's, Chromag Fubars and DT Swiss wheelset. Won't ever sell it. Its old and unfashionable now with its 135mm rear but it's functional, it works and I like it 👍
Bit late to update the thread .....
So this was my original build of my Solaris:
Which morphed subtly into:
Which was then sold and that morphed into:
Which then morphed into:
Which brings me to my Solaris build ..... That I haven't taken a picture of yet ....
Aaaaaaand finished:
I've kept hold of my Mk1 solaris too - 120mm rebas, 2 x 10 XT with XTR shifters, nice fresh wheel build on pro 2s. It's worth nothing, and is a great bike, so have no plans to sell it...