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A long time Cotic Soul rider here. Had a Mk1 and ridden it ever since. I'm a one bike only guy (one in one out!)
I was just about to purchase a MK5 to replace my old bike when Cotic announced they were discontinuing it.I wanted something that was a bit more burly for Trail Centres and FreerideSpain trips. However I also ride MTB Marathons and multiday big rides.
I'm only 5'8 and have tried the SolarisMax on my local trails and found the combination of bigger wheels and longer geometry through the twisty singletrack of my local woods a bit much. I tried a Soul Mk5 and it felt spot on.
So I'm wondering where I can look now for a Steel Hardtail replacement.
27.5 wheels
About 130-140mm travel
Suitable for Epics and blasting through the twisty singletracks in the woos.
Stanton SLackline looks to fit the bill?
Where else should I be looking?
PS Cotic BFe a bit too heavy weight - think more Soul than Bfe 🙂
Pace looks interesting, thanks. Any experience of them?
I have 2 RC627s.
They are great but the geo is much closer to the Solaris Max than the Soul. The bottom bracket drop is actually lower on the RC627 than the Solaris MAX. Although Cotics geo chart takes sag into account and Paces is static.
Don't let the wheel size labels companys put on bikes fool you either. The RC627 will also take a 29er wheel with a 2.35 tyre with the dropouts fully back. And you could ride a Solaris Max with 27.5 wheels if you liked. The BB isn't super low like a Bird Zero 29 or the Stanton Switchniner for example.
Stif Morph.
Ragley Piglet.
Are there not any of the last version of the Soul left in your size?
The latest version will feel a lot burlier than a Mk1 with 27.2 seat tube pre CEN test.
I've recently treated myself to a Pipedream Sirius 4g which are on offer at the moment. It's very nice. I've previously had a MK1 Piglet and a Soul of some description.
They've only got medium frames left, I'm a shade under 5'10 and a medium is fine so I reckon you'd be ok. The only niggle is that the BB is very low with 27.5 x 2.6 tyres.
Stif Morph.
Great bike, but possibly a tad chunky. Regret selling mine. I’ve got a current generation Soul and it is great. The Pace or a Stanton should fill the Soul shaped hole you have.
Alas no stock left in my size 🙁