Do I need a BOOST chainset? Reading conflicting opinions, and they seem harder to come by as groups of much cheapness. Still can't decide GX Eagle or XT either.
in my discussions with Cy he told me to convert my non-boost slx double to a single as ‘it would be in the right line anyway’. Now, as previously admitted, I didn’t exactly radge it up on Sunday but I didn’t drop the chain (and the clutch was off 😞).
but I think you probably would, why not drop Cotic an email, I’m sure they’ll be happy to advise. Or even give them a call, I’ve always found them helpful.
Website says none boost for clearance up to 32t, but any bigger needs to be boost to clear.
‘ Chainline: 50mm (regular cranks) for up to 32t chainring, 53mm Boost chainline for up to 36t chainring’
On another note, ‘mid-June delivery’. Is that to get to customers doors by mid-June or is that the containing arriving at Cotic?
Im not 100% but I think ocean freight is 4 weeks behind air.
i guess clearing customs adds a certain unknown...
Re cranks here’s the answer I got from cotic
“Thanks for your interest in the SolarisMAX. You can fit a 30t non boost chainring and 32t might fit due to small variations in the chainstay bend but all other sizes need to be boost.”
Ta, shall look for boost then to be safe.
Do you get to have one of each bike, kelvin? For “research”?
Far from it! How many bikes can you ride at once? Anyway, the demo fleet means I can have a good ride on any size of any current/new model… and so can you! As it happens, I'm replacing an old old 26" Soul prototype with one of these new Solari(s). Only need one hardtail, and I've been waiting for this updated big wheeler for aaaaages… just like lots of other people. It has everything I want in a modern steel hardtail. Everything.
Aye kelvin, but what colour, eh?
🤪
Going to test ride the Soul vs SolarisMAX next week - can't wait
two excellent bikes StuF, I started on a Soul and currently ride a mk1 Solaris....both brilliant. I'm sure modern versions will be superb..... I might even test ride the new Solaris when time allows to see if worth the change
@metalheart, I still haven't picked which colour to go for, all three options have come out so well… I'll probably end up going Cosmic Black, because it's two looks in one… super subtle in most light, and then "bang" when the sun comes out.
I've previously tried the new Soul at Easter - I went there with the idea to prove that it wasn't that much better than my Cove HandJ from 10 years ago and I didn't need a new bike.
Oops, it was loads better, rolled over stuff and held a line better - then the new SolarisMAX was released which got me thinking that it might do those even better than the Soul.
So we'll see next week. 🙂
@Kelvin any idea when the frames will be posted out?
Also, good choice. I was pulling my hair out deciding on what colour to pick!
There are 2 small and 1 XL in stock… the main delivery is "soon" … (no, I don't know when the boat lands beyond the fact it is due this month… I'll ask Paul and Cy on Monday if they know).
The Green one blends in nicely...
@nearabighill looks nice! Love the orange bits.
What's the frame size and how does it ride?
@kelvin whilst you're asking Cy & Paul about new bikes, can you ask them when the LS Flare might be announced. I'm sure I know the answer but I'm really, really impatient 😁
Another one breaks cover... nice 😁
I had a quandary over colour, having one green one already though....
Metalheart - any chance of some more photos old chap?
Of the bike not you 🙂
Yeah, mo' photos please! I haven't totally made my mind up yet about which colour to punt for.
I should be out tomorrow. Assuming I’m not swept away in the thunderstorms I’ll see what I can do.
light in the evenings hasn’t been great (and I’ve other stuff that needs doing...)
ill try get some up Sunday...
Thanks Metalheart.
You might be able to sell the negatives to Cotic for them to use...
On the Goat Track to Carrbridge...
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I have a brand new BFe almost built up in the shed (pesky reverb needs a bleed as I screwed up shortening the hose) but these do look lovely. Dammit
I like that @nearabighill. Green looks spot on. That on 29er hoops and what size frame?
The wheels are 650b DT Swiss XM551 (40mm inner); 3" Purgatory on front and 3" WTB Ranger on back. Just moved dropper post across this week - the frame is a Medium.
Mostly Bridleway bimbling and general XC stuff for now. Still getting it set up.... Really liking the ride
Pics look great metalheart but more importantly how does it ride? Predominantly from a comfortable standpoint, I’ve bad knees and my last hardtail was a Sherpa a few years back and then went to a Salsa Horsthief but that SolarisMax is absolutely lovely and rekindling my desire for a hardtail.
Looking great in the green 😎
Lovely photos guys. Those thin CS and SS look nice!
@kelvin any updates on that arrival and dispatch time please 😀 ?
I don't have a more detailed answer yet I'm afraid.
In less important news, I'm going to initially build mine up 29x2.5 front, 27.5x2.8 rear.
I see the frames have arrived 😀 !
Hoping for a Friday delivery then..
Kelvin, I like the idea of that. 29er front with sus forks and then a + tyre rear to add a bit of give. Will be interested to hear how you get on with that setup.
Frames will be going out this week… I imagine bikes will be next week, given how many need building.
I'm adding the stock to the website now…
Hold on… some options nearly sold through already! If you need a Large… get your order in now.
Kelvin, I like the idea of that. 29er front with sus forks and then a + tyre rear to add a bit of give. Will be interested to hear how you get on with that setup.
The tyre going on the front is huge! It'll have plenty of give as well. And the rim is an i29. It's more about the different grip you get from these two options. A suspect it'll be an ideal all year combo. If I'm wrong, the rear wheel can go on my Rocket anyway (I still have an old 26" rear on that) and I'll sort a 29er rear, so it's a risk free experiment.
Pics look great metalheart but more importantly how does it ride? Predominantly from a comfortable standpoint, I’ve bad knees and my last hardtail was a Sherpa a few years back and then went to a Salsa Horsthief but that SolarisMax is absolutely lovely and rekindling my desire for a hardtail.
The parts on my Solaris frame I transferred across from a Salsa Pony Rustler, prior to that I was riding a Mondraker Foxy (built up from a frame). The long front end on the Foxy felt very comfortable and confident going downhill, but the long travel (150-140) was a bit trail deadening for my majority of riding. Also want to have a go at backpacking - hence the PR. But the PR did not do it for me - felt a bit cramped and sluggish. A while back I had a Blue Pig and the frame characterstics were great. So I figured the Solaris Max would kind of combine all the benefits of my previous rides. Early days - but I would say spot on! One interesting aspect is the ST angle - I think Cy has pretty much got it spot-on. It positions you nicely over the BB and is very comfortable - I would think this should be a good angle to avoid knee issues @fudge.
Have got some 29er Hunt wheels on order - looking forward to experimenting; 29 front 27+ at the back was something I was also looking to try.
Whats the thinking with 27.5+ at the back and 29 up front? It sounds like less grip and harder to turn?
Can I just check weight again? 4.9lbs? Ok, I know I'm splitting hairs, just humour me!
Is that 4lbs 9oz or 4.9lbs (some sort of decimalization of an imperial weight? 😉
The only reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking of changing frames, I have a Genesis Tarn which weighs and absolute tonne, well 2.8 (and a bit) kgs.
30 or 35mm stem… forget all about harder to turn… = ;87)
Just under 5lbs @polisherman
Just about mid way between Soul & BFe weight.
@nearabighill cheers for the info , funny I’m torn between the new Salsa Horsethief ( for my knees) , I had one a while back bought from clink and I loved it But leaning towards the SolarisMax , I’ve a boost crankset and a 29” wheelset ( hope orange pro 4 hubs on wtb st i25 rims) just sitting waiting on a frame just need to make my mind up
"It sounds like less grip and harder to turn?"
I used to run my Solaris mk1 with 29x2.4 front and 27.5x2.8 rear (as clearance on the forks was tight). Why would it be harder to turn out of interest? Grip on front aided by lower tyre pressure and suspension, grip on rear aided by wider tyre and lower pressure. No?
Have just received shipping notification.
<am very excited :-D>
Bah, lucky! Guess you get it tomorrow then? I’ve got nothing yet. What build are you going for?
Lots of orange bits have arrived now 🙂
I just tried to order an XL one in grey or black- run out already...ho hum...
Wanted to sit on an XL and a Large before ordering. Can't believe they're out already 🙁
XL in the good colours all gone! Did they only order 3 in each colour or something? Or are we witnessing the birth of the most popular mountain bike everer?
There are XL left in the Green only.
If you're after a Large in either Dark Metal or Cosmic Black… act quick. Or Medium in Green… only a few of each of those options left.
International sales have been very strong.
Any idea when the next batches will be coming in Kelvin?
Oh so glad I’m a medium, just ordered a medium in dark metal , short 35mm stem sold out though until late next week so it’s on pre order. Hope orange hubs waiting to be built up. 😁
I imagine the next SolarisMAX batch will be early next year… there are (counts in head) 8 other models that need restocking before this one. If you want one, don't wait.
Mine's a Medium Cosmic Black. Going for a JPS build 😀 - the TNT tracking isn't working so I'm in suspense .. hoping it doesn't magically start and say 'south china sea'.
Goldie Lookin' Chain natch. 'None more' Black cassette. Cranks too I guess though I'm torn as I heel rub badly.
Have been browsing old black and gold Mono Minis but I hate the old style levers, and building a mix'n'match will get pricey so it might be black shimano.
I have a set of those brakes in a box somewhere! Great idea. Although, we all know bargain modern Deore brakes are better.
Chain a good idea as well… what’s best, in gold, for 1×10 ?
Sounds lovely Brassneck 😀 !
Still tentatively waiting on my dispatch email..
@metalheart for suspension settings i found an article that explained it well and it boiled down to:
High speed compression - all the way off, add enough to not blow through the travel if you find it does (nothing on my Vengeance)
Low speed compression - enough to stop wallowing in the travel/reduce brake dive (I think I'm about a third on)
Rebound damping - as little as you can get away with... less damping means the tyre can track the rough surfaces better, too little will pogo you off quite forcefully but I don't have much of this dialled in either.
n.b. I need to change to a softer spring in mine so that might affect how I set up the dampers when it's done
I was hoping to buy one of these, but it looks like they will be sold out of frames by the time i'm ready.
Polisherman, if you choose to sell your Tarn frame, I would be interested in buying it...
Hmm, TNT is filling me with confidence..
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I know what I'm doing this evening 😀
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Did you manage to find any orange bits for your build?
Finished a shake down ride earlier. Few bits need adjusting, mainly cables and bar height.
First impressions are great though- stable and fun. Not sure how Cy's managed that. My concerns around the long, slack and low geometry affecting fun where wrong. It's easy to manual (easier than my shorter CS Whyte for some reason)and no problems kicking the back out, yet stable when needed to carry speed for both climbing as well as descending.
I've got a 4hr ride planned tomorrow, so shall feedback.
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Woof! That looks great.
Awesome looking just the combination I’m doing as well is that a medium?
Yup, medium.
Quite happy with the Slik wheel and fork decals. Pretty good match.
Yes I must remember to get those , my new Fox Rhythm fork came with green graphics. Are those 2.4 tyres I’ve Continental black chili 2.4 front and back to go on.
I’m running 2.3, but with that much clearance I’ll be upgrading to some wider tyres. Would be rude not to! Just need to borrow a few to see what I can get away with..
I have a strong aversion to grey bikes for some reason, but that is rather lovely.
No dark metal XL? Is that until next year?
Those XL Dark Metal sold very fast.
All the options are down to single digit figures stock wise by the way… if you want another option, be quick.
Re-stock "might" be before Xmas, but Cotic haven't given a date, that's just my guess given what else needs restocking before then. Early next year seems more likely to me. Don't wait, order… ride!
Pay day is today... another ocassion cotics lack of options for a big man leave me going elsewhere as i dont like those other colours, not for £600 anyway.
"lack of options for a big man"
?
An XL big wheeled model, with proper reach, produced in three colour options… just selling out fast. Anyone wanting any other size will be in the same position very soon I suspect.
If its sold out (because such a small amount were ordered) its not an option is it i guess?
bit like xl soul back in the day...
The Dark Metal and Cosmic Black options have proven to be very popular…
Stop it you filthy enablers! I don't need to replace my mk1...
But... Hypothetically, I wonder if I'd fit a small or a medium? I'm 5'7 on a good day and female. My other Solaris is a small but I've always felt it too small. These are so different though.
I've always ridden large Souls (not the latest version). I've held off on the Solaris 'till now, as the medium was too short, and the large too high. The new Solaris in medium is perfect for me. You may well be a small. I'm 5'11'.
@kelvin - I guess lack of options is a reference to the fact that preferred options have sold out in just a couple of weeks.
Fully intended to buy one but I'm between sizes and really want to sit on one but sold out in two weeks? 🙁
Hats off for great bikes and a successful business, but work to do on supply chain logistics?
It's a fast seller. Act quick, or wait for a future batch. Not sure what other recommendation to make? Plenty of XL in Green still. Others sizes still in stock in all colours (although medium Green nearly all gone, as are Large in the two "new" "colours"). I suspect lots of people have been waiting for this model since they'd seen the other longshot hardtails, hence a lot of interest the moment it went on sale to the public. Get on the COTIC mailing list if you want first dibs on anything coming in future.
Where's everyone elses build photos?
Some feedback from me- I've done about 80 miles now of mixed riding. I live on the Ridgeway, so it tends to be steep up, flat, steep down, flat, then rince and repeat. I've used the same build kit that was on the Whyte, bar a shorter stem and different bar.
The build- few niggly bits when I first built it up, but soon rectified or got used to. Mainly a few burs on the seattube slot that cut up my new dropper post. The external cable routing (vs. internal on the whyte) takes some getting used to and I've had to apply much invisi tape. Interestingly, I've noticed that the seatube has a sleeve bonded (I assume) in. It's light though and the colour is really nice.
So, climbing- it's longer and more stable than the Whyte, and despite the slacker headangle and short stem (32mm), the long chainstays and wheelbase prevent the front wheel from popping up. It's comfortable climbing and benefits from winching rather than standing and sprinting or husseling it up as on an XC bike. It got me a PB on a steep lose rocky climb without adding anymore effort. That's the bit that blew me away. It's a nasty climb with deep ruts and lose chalky rocks and gravel on top, yet the bike just dragged me up. In general though, it's fine and get's the job done. You just need to take your time. Something I'm not used to. I tend to try and get the climbs out the way as qucikly as possibly.
Cotic 1, Whyte 1.
It deals with the flats very well. Carries speed better than the Whyte over the dry chewed up trails. I would say that the trail chatter feels about the same. This might be because of the QR + alu on the Whyte, vs Steel + boost on the Cotic. No disernarable difference either way. I found myself in higher gears and general matching my PB (either exceedeing or riding 2nd-3rd time) which is good going considering the headwind recently and not feeling 100%. Early days, but it's more comortable with the long TT, even with the shorter stem. I could see myself riding this all day without issue to cover lots of distance.
Cotic 2, Whyte 1.
Descending, leaving the best till last.. it's the most competent descending hardtail I've ridden. I was pretty happy with how it rode until I reached one of my favourite descents- about 2 mins worth of Singletrack. Then it blew me away. The way it picks up speed is phenominal. Once up to speed it is remakably stable, yet playful enough to kick the back end out and manual or pull the nose over trail features. I was so comfortable that I could carve it lower and fast, staying off the brakes where I've never been able to in the past whilst staying lose. The lower ST, long wheelbase and slack HA are so noticable, and I was a skeptic to begin with. I have smashed every descent PB I've ridden, and it's generally where I excel. I've ridden these trails hundreds of time on different bikes (inc. LT 29er FS bikes, ST 29er FS bikes) but the Cotic has categorically been the most fun and quickest. I can certainly feel the stiffer back end over the Whyte QR, but this make the bike feel more direct and gives a bit more confidence, at the expense of comfort. I've been laughing and shaking my head in dibelief at the bottom of every descent. Looks like an LS geometry 29er is the perfect tool for my local descents.
Cotic 3, Whyte 1.
Other musings.. Geometry- It's very easy to manual, which doesn't really make sense to me. I can just pop it up and hold it without too much bother. However, it's more difficult to kick the back out. I assume this is down to longer CS and wheelbase. I can still do it mind. Jumping also requires a little more effort over the Whyte, but with the added speed I'm able to clear larger features.
Dropper- I'm running a 150mm dropper which has been a weird sensation. Previously 120mm is the longest I've run, but with 150mm the dropper just disapears. It's made me realise how much I used to use the saddle for support, but also how instrusive it is. With it completly out the way, you can get really low and push the bike right over.
Debonair Airspring- I changed the travel to 130mm a month ago in anticipation of this bike, so ordered a Deonair Airspring from Bird (big thanks to Ben). This is one of the best upgrades I've made, despite it only costing £15 more! It's added the small bump sensitivity that the Pike's been lacking. I've ridden Pike in various forms since the 35mm version came out. I've akways liked them, but the small bump sensititvty has been poor. This fixes it, and with 2 tokens, it makes the fork nice and linear, with just enough tokens to ramp up at the end for the big hits. Big fan!
Gearing- despite running the same gearing, 32x10-42t, I find that I'm in between gears more so I'm shifting more. Not sure why, but I think I'm carrying a little more speed in general, so I'm sitting inbetween gears. I might need to play with a different sized chainring.. 34t oval maybe?
Overall, it's a lovely bike and am very pleased. I wouldn't say I suffer from new bike syndrome as I just move them on if I don't gel (sometimes after a couple rides). I would highly recommend a test ride to anyone and mines available near Didcot, if you fancy a ride. The LongShot geometry is really good and has challenged my preconseptions in my head. Ignore the numbers on the page and go ride one. I think this might be the best bike yet for my local trails. I'm glad I waited and didn't go for something else. Good job Cy and team!
Good review that, nice job
Nice write up cokie - I'm in the North Wessex Downs, but on the hills you'd see looking south from the Ridgeway.
I have an Absolute Black oval 32t if you wanted to try it? It won't fit what I have ordered.
Mine is here. In a box. Looking at me. STW were right about cosmic black, though my kids are calling it Beetle Shell
Eagle on order, Levels too, wheels about to get clicked on. Economising with pre owned tyres, saddle and seat post, dropper will have to keep a bit (never had one so likely won't miss it). Can't wait now.
Cheers for the review Cokie, excellent right up... I had a feeling that was Ridgeway when you posted pics last week. I'm down in west berks btw.. I run a 34t oval on my original Solaris (it works well), if I go for new version, I'll run the same with 120 upfront
Bike looks mint cokie.
Really looking forward to my test ride on Sunday now!
Can anybody tell me what type of CK headset you need for one of these beasts?
Inset 7
More generally…
ZS44 top / EC44 bottom
