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Looking at building up a do it all hardtail. Apart from about £300 and a 'little' extra weight how much difference am I going to notice between a Soul and a 456 SS and would the Soul be really worth the extra bucks ?
They're pretty different tbh, the Soul's On One equivalent is the standard 456. SS is much more descent-oriented.
To me the big difference is just feel, the 456s have good geometry but they just feel dead under me, they're competent but uninspiring. The Soul has IMO slightly better handling but also it's got that liveliness.
Also, the finish of the 456 though better than it was is still pretty poor, Cotic's finish is about as good as it gets. 456 is a solid enough bike though at a good price.
Owned both. The Soul would be a better mile muncher. Bit springier, lighter. The 456 feels a bit industrial in comparison... doesn't have that flexy, springy ride people blabber on about with steel but it'll out-survive the cockroaches in the event of a nuclear holocaust.
Love them both but for the slightly more mad orientated stuff I tend to ride now and short, seat down blasting around in the woods, the 456 is the better bike.
Must admit I'm drawn to the Soul after reading soooo many good reviews. There must be something about them as finding a used one is like trying to buy rocking horse sh*t !
My rocking horse has defecated for you!
I've got one on the way, but I'm getting a Dialled PA instead as I like it rough (excuse me, I've been writing essays all day and the puns keep me sane).
Medium, Orange, VGC, £300+postage so I break even. It's one of the newer ones with the wrap around graphics. It's in the post to me though, so I'll need a few days. I changed my mind after paying and didn't want to f*ck the seller about.
If I was more XC I'd definitely keep it, but they have the BFe for a reason as the Soul's more svelte. I'd only hurt it.
I considered a 456, but new I'd get the itch to upgrade! The PA seems like a solid LTHT which can take a beating, the Soul is a work of ferrous art. Beauty and the beast.
My email's in my profile.
If only you could shrink it by 2 inches. I'm after a 16"
Herman Shake - MemberIf I was more XC I'd definitely keep it (cotic soul), but they have the BFe for a reason as the Soul's more svelte. I'd only hurt it.
The soul passed the CEN tests, which means that it's very strong, very very strong.
Sure, but why would Cotic have the BFe? It's not just geometry but build too. I agree it's a great frame, but my riding is more BFe than Soul. The PA came up before either a BFe or a Blue Pig which are more orientated around harder riding; hence the 1/2kg ish more steel than the Soul. I get that 853 can be used more sparingly, but compare the back end of a PA to the back end of a Soul.
I'd rather have a chunky CNCd dropout than a lightweight one, but that's based on me and what I do. I believe in the right tool for the right job.
Sorry about the 2" Cynergy! Good luck on the quest.