The Cotic Solaris MAX REVIEW - Cotic's Steel All-Arounder Hardtail
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2020
- The Cotic Solaris MAX is Cotic's all-rounder hardtail. Enduro, all mountain, trail, xc, jump, marathon riding, they claim it can do it all. Today we take it to the trails of Sedona, AZ to review what this bike rides like.
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#hardtail #steelisreal #mtb #cotic #cycling - Sport
Thanks Steve!! Been looking forward to this review and as usual you don’t disappoint. Keep up the great content.
Woo! I've been waiting for this one! Great review as always. Sounds like I may need one....
I get a lot of useful information from all of your reviews because you focus on how geometry influences the ride experience and this one was no exception. Keep up the great work!
Nice looking bike, nice review too! Having done some recently, it is really tough to portray steepness of climb and tech via GoPro. I’m glad you brought up the point on shorter travel on a hardtail regarding the impact to geo.
You're a hardtail hero! This channel is what I've been looking for. ❤️
What a great review, possibly the best one you’ve ever done!!! Great break down on how the chain stay length somewhat hinders what you like to do, but for a taller person might to be their benefit!!! Great job Steve awesome content!!! 👍👍👍👍💪💪💪💪🙌🙌
AAAHH yeehhh!! Finaly. Been waiting for your review of this bike for months .... wel ok, 2 weeks now. Thanx man. Still waiting for mine. Expecting in the next two weeks.
Excelent review!!
what fork and size did you order? are you building it up on your own?
Sensational review, one of your best.
It's great to see a bike from The Peak District UK flying around Sedona and looking just as comfortable. Great review and views from someone who's never been to your part of the world.
Steve's videos, like this one, are how I finally understood that hard tails aren't just reach+travel, price, frame material, and component list. They're a combination of so many things that the only way to know what's best for you is to ride a bunch of bikes for yourself. These review videos are the next best thing!
Great review! Seems like a good frame. You really hit the nail about the body positioning, my Soul just carves down hills when I'm hanging my head out over the fork crown. It seemed so weird at first, but I couldn't argue with the results. I am STILL very glad I picked up the Soul before they ran out of stock. It has some of the same qualities you describe about the Solaris Max, such as good DH stability, but the Soul has shorter chainstays and 27.5x2.5 tires. Since it was designed for that wheel size it has better BB clearance than the Solaris with 27.5x2.5 tires... I didn't want 29st or 27.5+ wheels the Solaris was designed for, no benefits on my trails. Once again, great review. I was reading Cotics own blurb about the bike, and noticed that their own assessment of the bike is pretty close in many ways to HP's.
Man this is amazing. I own a 2012 cotic soul (build as a flat bar gravel bike) and a 2019 BFe 27.5 (150mm fork super agressive) and really love them to death! I am saving up to get me this new Solaris max for XC and bikepacking with a 120mm fork and complete my hardtail collection. Thanks for this amazing review.
Great review, keep up the awesome work
Stunning trails. Living on the edge of the Peak District National Park, I can see the rocket trails are something we have in common.
this is a great channel - I love cotic bikes and bikepacking, thank you for inviting me,
I got back into MTB due to Covid and this channel has helped the most.
I've been nerding out on your channel for most of this year and it has helped to make decisions
building up an old 2013 Giant boulder which only has the frame remaining from the original purchase. Thanks btw.
I ride with my dogs on fire trails that are sandy, wet, hard and open 10-20km each time. I landed on a Solaris Max 2 about 2 months ago which I'll be building up towards Xmas.
After seeing this review I now feel like a kid waiting for santa. Cheers from Australia!!
Also concerning wheel choice I've done some maths listed below. (may need confirmation but I feel its close)
L = mvr
L = angular momentum
m = mass
v = velocity
r = radius
Forekaster
27.5X2.60 820g
29X2.60 840g
10km/h = 2.78m/s
20km/h = 5.56m/s
40km/h = 11.11m/s
27.5
D = 69.85cm
r = 34.93cm
Circumference 219.44cm
2.78/2.1944 = 1.27 rotations per second
5.56/2.1944 = 2.53 rotations per second
11.11/2.1944 = 5.06 rotations per second
L = 0.82*1.27*0.3493
L = 0.364
L = 0.82*2.53*0.3493
L = 0.725
L = 0.82*5.06*0.3493
L = 1.449
29
D = 73.66cm
r = 36.83cm
Circumference 231.41cm
2.78/2.3141 = 1.20 rotations per second
5.56/2.3141 = 2.40 rotations per second
11.11/2.3141 = 4.80 rotations per second
L = 0.84*1.20*0.3683
L = 0.371
L = 0.84*2.40*0.3683
L = 0.742
L = 0.84*4.80*0.3683
L = 1.485
Difference
0.371/0.364 = 1.019 = 1.9%
0.742/0.725 = 1.023 = 2.3%
1.485/1.449 = 1.025 = 2.5%
Thanks for your review I have may Cotic solares max soon thanks
on my geared bikes i usually prefer to stay seated on climbs so this geo might work for me.
I run a 50mm stem on my Cotic RocketMax and I think I need to go shorter to get the true appreciation for the geometry. Great video.
Cycling up that waterfall! Nice effort👍, doubt many could do that ( certainly not me😶). Cool channel.
Awesome hard tail and awesome review
Been riding a SolarisMax for 5 months in UK now. Very burly build, over-forked (short offset 2020 Lyric Ultimate), 35mm stem, Large (I'm 6 foot), burly cased tyres with liners. It is a beast of a HT, my best yet by a long way (2x Commencal Meta HT, Sonder Transmitter, Airdrop Bitmap, DMR Trailstar) ; I love it to bits; it can be faster downhill than my Nomad-4, it only gets slowed down by the really big stuff/hits. Super stable the faster you go. It's my go to bike to its its wet and muddy, or I want to have some fun. No slouch up the hill on techy stuff either, even over-forked. There's now four of us in my riding group on the SolMax.
Chris - the review said it was not the bike for endurance days. what do you think? I am looking for a new hard tail that can tackle Southern California's loose, steep trails yet can also go bikepacking.
Awesome 6ft3in lump looking for a U.K. hardtail. After watching videos and researching I think this is the bike for me. 👊🏻
Spot on review! I have one. at 5’6 with longer legs shorter torso I went to size small. Set it up with a 130mm fork. Found setting up the front with 40mm tall handlebars mated to a 35mm stem really balances out the longer rear end (Kinda reminds me of riding a race bmx bike with a longer rear). The bike handles tech extremely well and makes for a fantastic all day bike thanks to the frame suppleness and forgiving handling.
It def not a marathon xc bike, but def a well rounded bike for bikepacking (I think this bike would make an amazing ultra endurance bikepacking race bike), long exploratory trail rides with the ability to handle an enduro race or day at the park to hitting the steeps.
Just ordered a large in midnight blue because of your review Steve. I think this will compliment my FS nicely down here in Phoenix.
Same for me just about now 😸
Fantastic reviewing - thank you
Hi from France!
Because i broke my titus titan frame for the second time, i'm looking for a new frame in steel. I'm 1m84 with long legs and listening to your comments, you gave me the desire to buy this frame. It as all of what i'm looking for to ride where i live and how i like to ride: steep and technical terrain with rocks, riding enduro trails on a xc no suspension bike.
Thank you very much for what you're doing to help us to find the perfect bike and especialy for this long review 🤗
I`m 5`7 and ride a small. I`m the opposite to you with lang legs, short torso. running a 34 step cast 120mm, seat back on the rails and I didn`t really understand it the first few rides either. after 6 months of ownership I have to say that I am really glad I stuck with it. It handles the techy trails of Norway brilliantly and iv`e no no problem on gravel rides either. I was thinking of going for a 130mm fork but I just can`t see it making any difference. I love the way It climbs, without having to shift my weight forward like all the bikes iv`e had before. Its simply planted and on the downhills I has to upgrade my brakes, haha. It moves faster than I dare. Great review, keep up the good work.
Great review, thanks. I've had my Solaris MAX for about a month now - first MTB I've owned for about 12 years. I absolutely love it! I'm slowly re-learning how to ride off-road while at the same time getting to know a very different kind of bike (my last one was a 2005 Giant Trance...). Your insights about steering with feet etc are really helping. So thank you :-)
Congrats. Make sure to view my video on how modern bikes require a different technique than traditional bikes.
@@hardtailparty thanks, just watched it. Very interesting and makes perfect sense. Now I just have to apply it!
I'm really liking the look of this, I'm 5'10" with long arms so I think the longer frame should work for me. Great in depth review, which is hard to find here in the UK, every review is so downhill focused, I really appreciate your channel.
Check out GuyKes TV he's a big fan of Cotic
thats 2 Cotic bikes he loves. Looking real hard at them now.
Great review and interesting to hear it from the perspective of a shorter rider. I'm 5,10 and on a medium. I agree it's not the easiest to manual but your skills on that climb near the start of the video show the rider is the biggest limitation.
I just saw a Cotic Solaris on Instagram and said to myself, man that looks killer, I wonder how it rides... Next, I open CZcams and Hardtail Party just posted a review of the Solaris. Life is good!
Awesome review. You do them right by actually riding and beating on them! Always inspiring me to go session the techy uphill sections as well. Tried the Bottoms Up climb challenge, didnt get nearly as close as you before nearly falling and dying many times 😆
That's a crazy climb. Camera doesn't do it justice
@@hardtailparty Agreed, it is so much more vertical in real life.
Bike company’s must hire you, I love the scientific style of analysis you do
I wish!
I've been looking forward to this review since I saw you were getting the frame in. I've got one on order (with the 130mm Helm) and can't wait. Having watched this review I'm pretty sure I've made the right choice. I'm just over 6', prefer to keep my wheels on the ground and have got some nice quick trails on my doorstep. I'm super excited for the bike to arrive, but that might still be 3 weeks off. Aargh!
Congrats! Hey, at least you got one before they all sold out.
@ken long Are you buying one built from Cotic or building up yourself. I'm looking to do a light build rather than burly (other than the helm 130mm) with my frame as I'm less jumps and drops and more km and km. What size did you order? I'm 190cm and ordered XL. Haven't built it yet.
@@stephenjlr Hi. I ordered the silver build, with the 130mm Helm Mk2 forks. There were some issues with the supplied Superstar/WTB wheels so I upgraded to Hunt Trail Wides with 2.6" WTB tyres. I've just fitted an Ergon SM Comp saddle too. I love it, I'm riding my local woodland trails and some faster stuff at trail centres and it's great! Planning longer rides in to the mountains in the next few weeks. I'm about 184cm, and got a large which fits me really well
Thank you for this review, Steve! It was great and definitely worth the wait. I relate a lot to what you're saying about having a short travel fork with a slack HTA on a hardtail, which makes me wonder about the Chromag Rootdown and its 150-170mm recommended fork travel. Have you ever tried one before?
Yes, I have. It's very similar feeling to my rsd middle child.
Love your channel. It would be neat if you can review a chromag bike and nuke proof bike. Keep up the great content.
Really excellent review! Thanks
Again I’m excited that bike rides so well and for your review! I’m a small frame rider and really appreciate your perspective. I have a Sir9 853 steel frame from 5 years ago and it’s not as supple as my new Esker Hayduke CroMo steel frame, plus the Sir9 Geo is outdated and that bike now serves as a commuter bike only.
I'll have a modern sir9 in for review soon.
@@hardtailparty Curious to see how you like that, not the most modern geo and pretty short reach on the size small.
I agree and think 120-130mm is the sweet spot for a hardtail, especially 65-66HTA and low BB geometry. What do you think of that as a small with 30mm riser bar? Also what about the tire clearance. 29x2.6” maybe. Can it be built up as a 27.5x2.8” wheel bike? I love soft supple steel frames, I’m hoping that you get to review the Shandy and more nice steel frames from smaller builders.
Awesome review!
I’m thinking this frame might be better matched to a short offset fork. Modem geo & short offset seem to go together these days and may help with getting a bit more weight over the front wheel.
Awesome review like always Steve!
I was torn between this and a ibis dv9(2 completely different bikes) but I like steel as its what I'm riding now. But after hearing the review I'm glad I went dv9 as I was aiming more towards marathon/xc riding. I ordered a L and I'm 5'9
They couldn't be farther from each other on the spectrum. For xc, I think the dv9 was the right choice.
I'm constantly amazed at the speed you get up to and some of hits you can feel just watching. It gets you really involved which makes compelling watching. On the rare occasion I've been filmed on sections I thought I was really flying on and it was SO SLOW on film. Your footage is completely the opposite! Almost frightening at times. Fantastic...... keep them coming
Thanks Andy. I always feel like it looks slow when I watch my footage back.
If you could do a comparison review between the bfe max and bfe that would be ideal! So great that Cotic are seeing what you are doing and helping out. Hopefully they keep sending you different bikes to review
Let's see, so far their reviewers I felt they are too outdated in how their review, either overpraising the bikes either too keen about the components used on the bike and too focused around that.
I'd love to try a regular bfe, that'd be a fun bike for someone my size.
I like the new Cotic but not convinced with the Cane Creek fork. Great review and wanted to know if you have reviewed a Bombtrack Cale?
Rad, I am waiting for my medium to be delivered, at 5' 9" I reckon the size should be good, it will have a Fox 36 at 140 mm as I already have that fork. Good review as usual.
Id think a medium would be perfect for your height.
Great effort on the waterfall!
Thanks I'll get it soon I think 5 or 10 more min and I would have had it it was getting close to 90*, I had to press on and continue. I'll do s dedicated video to attempting the waterfall.
Great video 👍 I’d literally just asked about when it was coming on the build video 😂 the HTA might have felt slacker as Cotic measure 66 at the 120mm fork but at sag (25%) rather than static like a lot of manufacturers
I wish all geo charts would state whether they were measured at sag, like cotic does. It makes it tricky to compare geo charts between brands.
hardtail party Speaking as a semi-pro geometry geek 😉 there’s a pretty big difference between the sagged and static geometry even on a long wheelbase 120mm travel hardtail like this. If it’s 66 deg HA @ 25% sag then it’ll be 64.7 deg static with the same 120mm fork. (I’ve had three different angle adjusting headsets and three different fork lengths in my own hardtail, hunting for the best geometry for my riding - ended up at 63.7 deg HA static on a 150mm fork 27.5 bike).
What fork has everyone gone for their build on the Solaris max? Hardtail party loving the content . 👍
I'm an old XC hardtail rider who wanted to try something different. I worked with Steve on a new bike and ended up with a Cotic SolarisMax. It wasn't Steve's first choice for me but the bike found me localy so I had to try it. I have a few thoughts on my experience so far...
1) I mostly ride green/blue trails with some roots and rock gardens mixed in. I don't mind the slack head tube. Every once in a while, it feels awkward exiting corners at slow speeds, but I think the bike is a smooth operator and rides great. The front end just plows over everything and it feels like it's almost impossible to go over the bars.
2) The 508mm reach on my XL frame might be too long for me. I'm 6'3" with a short torso and long legs and arms. I have always been more comfortable on large framed XC bikes because of the slightly shorter effective top tube lengths. The lower stacks also moved my head and shoulders forward over the front end. I had to lower the bars and push my seat forward on the Coctic to keep weight on the front end in the corners. Otherwise, the front end just feels too far away and vague.
3) I have found lifting, lofting, and placing the front end around more difficult than I am used to. Steve thought this might be because of the long chainstays on the Cotic but they are actually shorter than the ones on my old XC bike. I think it's the longer reach/front center. It's almost taking me too far forward when standing. I think this might be why Steve loves short chainstays. They probably balance out the longer reaches.
4) Like the review states, this bike has a great ride feel, it's planted, it climbs great, and it wants to plow.
So my conclusion is that I think I'm having a harder time adjusting to the reach on my bike than the slack HT angle. The front end feels slightly too light in corners when sitting and too heavy when standing. I think a Large might be a better fit for me and the type of riding I do.
I still think Steve's review is spot on and very helpful. (Though we feel the stack differently...maybe my long arms???)
Fine review Steve,longer chainstays means more mud clearance,more so winter riding for british conditions
Thank u! I was waiting for this review and was expecting more direct comparison vs bfemax, you seemed much more liked bfemax and i am more lean to it too, its also 200eur cheeper
If you watch the whole video, I talk about which one I like more. Hint: it's not the beefy max.
@@hardtailparty yeah sorry,initialy I watch like 15 min and skip to the end to see summary. Wanted to come back when have more time. Now I see u said it at min 20 :-) that you like Solaris over BfeMax. I just felt more "WAU" after seeing BfeMax review then Solaris. Anyway great job your youtube chanel!
I would love to see a Pipedream Moxie review. Your channel has me hooked up riding my Hardtail again for the local trails instead of the fullsuspension bike.
I've reached out to them several times but never got a reply.
That's a shame. I've been considering a single speed build based on a moxie but won't pull the trigger until I see a comprehensive review.
Hi, been waiting for this one. Just a note on cotic geo chart on hardtails is at 25% sag so static it’s more like 64 head angle.
I’m surprised to hear you say that you wouldn’t run this bike in 27.5+ form as I know you like plus wheels. I’ve run my Solaris in both 29 and 27.5 and prefer the plus setup. I’m a short guy like you and find it feels more playful in plus mode and as it lowers the bb height a few mm its seems to pump rollers better also. Oh and I find I wheelie it better too. Great review, be good if you did another in plus mode. 👍
Yeah, it should be closer to 64.5* at 25% sag.
Really an excellent review Steve! This looks like it might be the bike for me at 6'2" (more a plough thru stuff than goofing around rider). I know it's more of a fast charging bike but it would be interesting to see you ride the bike with 27.5+ and your 140mm 44 offset fork (if I remember well the helm is 51mm?). I think it would change the character of the bike a bit (maybe not for better but just different)... Thanks again and keep up the good "work"
I mentioned it in the review, but l feel like 27.5+ wouldn't suit the attitude of this bike. This bike wants to charge and race everywhere. I was actually surprised how I didn't want more travel on this thing. It never felt overwhelmed with the 120mm fork.
@@hardtailparty Yeah I herd that! I just like it when you use different build for the same frame over time like for your Ti Middlechild... I guess I just what to see more Cotic riding!!
In-depth un bias straightforward no holds bar no fill in the blank mtb magazine editor politically correctness I gotta keep big bike
manufacturers happy for advertising
dollars review. Your fans / followers
appreciate your hard work. Riding like a boss while climbing & descending at pace & not getting
winded thru narrating. Kudos.
If you had only bike to own for
flat gravel roads, fire trails, bike
packing. What would it be ?
This model ? Marin Pine Mountain
2 ? Another model ? 5'5" 29" inseam
Great review, I'm gonna need one of these. Are pink jeeps a thing in Sedona?
A year on and Cotic's geo is done with the bike sagged. A Brit calculated that unsagged HA is 64.7. Pretty much what Steve said it felt like.
I am 5’9 short arms and ordered size S a month ago. it is going to be a 27.5 Plus wheels setup.
Nice bike! Hopefully I can see u with the NORCO Torrent. Just want to hear a review of that bike, compair to Cotic👍
I've been trying to get a norco for two years now. No luck.
Amazing review mate. Any chance you could get your hands on a Pipedream Moxie for a review?
I've tried, but pipedream won't respond to my inquiries. Maybe if enough viewers wrote them and suggested they send me one for a month for review they'll listen....
Thank you for the review, just a question, for you what is a good geometry for slow speed technical trail?
I would love to hear your reviews on these bikes on uk terrain, ie mostly mud/roots/leaves and plenty of rain.....!!! Another great review btw.....!! my philosophy in life is ''spinning spokes telling jokes''
We haven't had rain in 4 months. Fortunately, there are lots of uk reviews on this bike in that terrain.
I've had my order in since August, expecting delivery in mid-Februrary. I swear I've watched your review weekly since August. I'm building it as an XCM/All day slayer with light wheels and a SID Ultimate!
I'll be curious to hear how light you get it. The lightest ice heard so far is 27lb. Should be a blast.
Let me know how you get on buddy as I’m thinking of doing exactly the same with mine frame arriving April and want to put a SID ultimate on it 👍
@@davefreeman9347 my order arrived Thursday and I put ~10 miles of relatively mild singletrack riding in. I'm in Western Pennsylvania, so roots and mud are the order of the day. It was fantastic, and I don't feel it needs more than 120mm of fork. I don't know if I'm personally set on the SID Ultimate, but I've got some tweaks I want to make before I consider it a bad option. I think you'll be very happy with the SID on there, I have to drop the rebound a click, and aim for a 25-30% sag for the next ride and see if that mellows it out a little.
@@tylerneely5842 that’s great feedback thanks Tyler happy ridding 👍
Just ordered! Bring on the good times and hopefully introducing my son to biking with a Kids Ride Shotgun on the TT.
Congrats. I much prefer the macride over the shotgun
You mention Northern California trails a lot I’ve noticed - what trails are you thinking of and what bikes would you say are suited for them? Northern CA native here. Great review!
I grew up in NorCal. Anything from Santa Cruz to bay area to granite Bay.
Great vid. Since you mention Whistler would be great if you compared this hardtail with a Chromag Stylus... similar geo I think.
The chromag is stiffer and more overbuilt.
HE HTP!
Thoughts on this bike for technical northeast rock gardens? nimble enough to handle through and be worked on the rocks? I watched the bfe review and this and this solaris seems like its the more XC oriented of the two. But you seemed to LOVE the BFE.
I was also looking at chemeleon......
THANKS!
I love to see your review some newschool xc hardtails on technical trails my new xc bike from Orbea will have 68 degree headangel fairley slack for a xc bike
I'm waiting for a 65-66* hta xc bike.
@@hardtailparty Specialzed Epic could be close to that
Would love to see a review on a stanton. I myself ride a Switchback today and i Would love to see your take on it. Been eyeing their more XC oriented 120mm Sherpa.
I've been trying to get ahold of a stanton for a while. Hopefully soon.
Well, if you ever find yourself in Sweden feel free to throw a leg over mine 👍
Great review, thank you! I have been interested in this bike for a long time and am looking at it for a trail bike to replace my full-suspension as well as a bikepacking bike. I imagine it will be ridden more as the latter. I am around 5ft5 so think the small would be the best fit. Given what you say about the geometry of the bike at this size would you recommend looking at a different bike?
Possibly. I have a bike consultation service where people can pick my brain and work with me to help them select the ideal hardtail for their needs. Patreon.com/hardtailparty
Awesome, love hard tails
Very nice review. I am short and light (168cm and 55kg) and I own one. I love it but it is too stiff, and not snappy enough, perfect for blasting downhill but I want to be able to manual or bunny hop easily so I am changing for a custom titanium bike, with shorter chainstays, steeper seat angle, custom tubing fitting my weight but same wheelbase and head angle... but this solarismax helped me understand not to go too far for the geometry.
Interesting that you found it too stiff. I've ridden ti bikes that were significantly stiffer. I think a lot has to do with the wheels you're running too. Even a compliant steel frame will feel stiff with the wrong wheels.
hardtail party i have hunt xc wide wheels. But it has more to do with my low weight i think. I have two gravel bikes, a Kona rove st 2016 with standard steel tubing and a custom vagabonde cycles steel gravel with Columbus life and xcr tubing, they also feel very different , the Kona is too stiff.
I've found konas to be stiff too.
Hi there Steve. After 5 months of shredding my Solarismax I can conclude that your revieuw is Spot On!. At first dificult and different - used to ride XC bikes - but now its blasting. I life in the, mostley flat Netherlands and already letting my old records in time way behind me - comming from a C'dale Scalpen carbo 1. Don't ask me how. Question: In this video you mention to do a video on the new ridingstyles ( @23:20). Did you make that movie already, or did I miss it?
Yes, check it out here: czcams.com/video/k0E4ZuwbNb8/video.html&ab_channel=hardtailparty
Hey Martin! I am in Houston, TX, which is also very flat. Have you found the more slack head angle of the SolarisMax to be fine for flatter terrain? I'm considering this rig, along with the Stanton Sherpa and Slackline models. There are no bikes to be demoed here in the U.S., so it's opened me up to brands worldwide, which has made me aware of some amazing options! Thanks for any insight you can provide!
@@broadneydangerfield Hi there. I bought this bike as a do-it-all bike. Using it for XC (flat) to more trail riding (600ft -on the border of Germany a few miles from here). The most trails I ride near my home are quite flat (Wierden in the Netherlands). It doesn't get much higher than 120ft. I started with the 130mm fork. And though my fysical condition wans't as good as before on my Cannondale Sacalpel and F29, my personal records were soon to be broken. What happend again wenn I modifided it to 140 mm @65' (for racing at the bikepark). The solaris max just wants to attack. But 130mm is the sweet spot for a do it all bike. That means that this bike isn't a xc race machine to keep the speed on any track for long distances. Just keep it rolling until the nice tracks appear, and then go in attack modus. That's what its build for. I have to mention that tight xc conrners isn't my thing, and especialy with the solaris. To long wheelbase for verry tight corners. But this thing wants to go faster, and goes faster than you imagine, at the more flowy tracks. AlI my buddys use (XC/trail) 100-140 fully's, and its always racetime, competition, fights on who's the fastes. And believe me, the solaris keeps up with them easy - this steel just nailes it. The scores are even. The only time I noticed a fully has an advantage is in a bikepark (@Winterberg in Germany) right before the corners - brakebumps. There it is less faster then an fully, but overall got a more intense ride!
So yes, the slack head angle really suprised me on the tracks up here. I think you have to ask the question on what kind of rider you are. If you want an full blown XC bike, don't go for the solaris. Going for a HT trail -do it all - attack modus - race machine, on wich the material 'steel' is your choice? Then go for the Solaris...... wich got the best looks of all!!!
Keep in mind the geometry. HT party mentioned the video on ridingstyles. You have to watch it. But looking at your choices (Cotic/Stanton) I think you will be fine.
So, I hope this will help you to make your choice. Good luck on that proces, always fun. Would be awesome to have another Cotic rider up there!!
I'd really appreciate a review for norco's torrent ht s1 or s2. But good luck finding one!
I'd appreciate it to, but Norco has been dragging their heels sending me one.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the new 2021 BFe 27.5
I've been riding this bike for a few months and this review is spot on. I would like it to be a bit lighter but at 12.5kg with a SID120 and light wheels, it's still reasonable. In size L it's still good for both marathons and fun rides.
Thanks for the perspective. How tall are you? Im 6’1” with 33 in inseam. Large or XL?
I'm 1.8m, you're a little taller than I am. With the bike being this long, you can probably manage a large but I'd still consult cotic. It's what I did before buying.
Saar Arny Thanks! Will do!...Do you mind if I pump your for more info? ;-p
I watched some Cotic videos and they look like a cottage industry maker. Did it take a while to have your bike (built?) assembled and shipped to you? What was the timeframe? Also they’ve shipped HTP/Steve two likely hand finished bikes. Did your arrive with similar nice welds and attention to detail? Last Qs I promise...
@@TD05SSLegacy No worries. They're a small company but it's not a custom frame. I think it's made in Taiwan, painted in UK, but I might be wrong. What they have on stock goes out very quickly and they're also very responsive. I bought a frame+BB+headset. The rest was purchased elsewhere as I wanted a lighter build with parts I like. I got it to Israel within about a week from ordering if I recall correctly. The bike looks well made, no weak points. Color is holding ok. There's a facebook group of Cotic owners, you can get a lot of info there.
@@TD05SSLegacy Bikes are painted in Taiwan as well, Cotic just does QC when they arrive in the UK. Exchanged a lot of emails with them regarding a BFeMax, they are very helpful and responsive, always back to me within 24 hours. Size is going to be a tough call as you are right in between M and L. I'm similar at 1.78 and didn't find them the most helpful in making a final decision. You can go either way and have to decide based on your riding preferences. Also check out the Singletrack World review, the tester is 175 and goes on about how big the Solaris is, he was testing a size M.
Thanks for the review Steve, loads of great info here. You give the Solaris a relatively low rating for playfulness with a 4. If I remember correctly, you didn't find the BFeMax as playful as your Banshee or Ti MC, but it didn't lack playfulness. I know you can only speculate, but do you think you would rank the BFeMax as low on playfulness as the Solaris had you tested it in a size M. Wheelbase on the BFeMax is 11 mm longer than the Solaris (both size M with a 120 fork).
Probably. The BFeMAX wasnt especially playful, but I could get it into manuals and move it around a bit more than the Solaris max. I believe that's due to the smaller size frame. It I also mentioned that it felt less balanced to me with a chainstay longer than the reach. The solarismax felt more balanced in a size med, at the expense of even less playfulness for me. I love this bike, it's just not nearly as playful as a 415mm chainstay.
@@hardtailparty Thanks, think I may cancel me pre order for the BFeMax. Was looking for a hardtail that would let me develop some of the playfulness skills which are lacking in my arsenal right now. When you said Whistler bike I knew I was off track, I live in Toronto, none of that riding anywhere around here. Thanks for all the info you put out, glad I've got your reviews to help guide me in the right direction.
Out of interest what hardtail steel bike WOULD you recommend for marathon and long xc/ultra events? Thanks for the great content!
I do my bike consultation over on Patreon..of be happy to assist over there.
I'm still eagerly awaiting your repainted frame/build up.
It's coming. Gotta get through the video backlog first.
If I understood well the different set of tubing on the BeF max made it more lively and poppy and this one is more supple, planted and comfortable... Maybe Cotic should swap the set of tubes between the frames
Test the Radon Cragger! is one of the cheapest trail hardtail on the market!
Great review Steve, any chance we get to see you demo a Stif Squatch?
I hope so. I've reached out to them several times. It might help if a few viewers politely reached out to them too.
@@hardtailparty i told them about your channel. I love to see your review on it. Might be my next bike.
Love this review - would LOVE to hear your review for the 2023 Solaris (non-Max). Looks like they're leaning into spritely XC / 100mm territory. For me, that's a serious contender if it feels like the specs suggest
They've told me they'll send me one soon. Can't wait to try it either.
@@hardtailparty oh cool. I was hoping this would be the case. I'm still not particularly sharp with geo numbers, but it looks like the new C sizing might solve some of your observed issues with static chainstay length regardless of size. Thanks for doing what you do, dude.
Also would be interested. The geo looks similar to the Max altho you can't run a 140 fork. I do love my S Max at 140 - i've tried 120 but 140 just gives you a little more and slackens it out a little.
Hoping you get to review the new non-max Solaris coming later this year!
I hope so, it looks great.
Hello, how about reviewing Stanton slackline in one of new episodes? I was considering both as all rounder MTB and both seem to fit your predicted shape of modern hardtail of the future (if I got it right:)
Greetings from Poland 🇵🇱
Ive been trying to get a Stanton in for months. Hopefully soon.
@@hardtailparty I have to say that this review has swung me towards the Stanton Sherpa due to my height and reach :)
I had a sherpa on demo and found the rear triangle stiff and harsh compared to my Solaris max. I've had the Solaris max about 18 months now and can't imagine another bike I would be happy to ride on the wide variety of missions it goes on.
Not sure if you saw this or heard but kona announced a new Honzo esd with a 63 degree hta and 77 degree seat tube angle. Available as frame only too for $665. Hopefully they made it a bit more compliant too. Just thought I'd mention.
Yes, I'm aware of that model. Hopefully I can get one in to review, but I doubt it. Kona doesn't respond to my emails. Cotic, on the other hand, has fantastic communication, and they understand the value of having people like me review their bikes.
They also slackened the regular Honzo hta to 66, and steepened the sta. Cool
Bike Mag just dropped a review on it today if you want to check it out.
you ve got more skills than you think!!! great!!!!
Thanks David.
It is a 64.5deg head angle. Cotic lists their numbers at sag. So any of the geo numbers that are affected by sag will be different than what is listed. Including the reach which is actually not that long at 445 unsagged, shorter than a Middle Child of the same size by 3mm.
This bike feels significantly larger than my middle child.
@@hardtailparty fair enough, geo charts and ride feel can often be different. It has a slacker seat angle than is often being seen on newer hardtails and as such a longer ETT. I have found on bikes like that, that it exaggerates the amount of movement required when getting up and forward, particularly for those steep push up maneuvers while climbing.
I feel the long reach on the downs the most.
How does the Solaris handle at slow twisty speeds? Being a body steerer vs bar steerer I've found that bikes like that are sluggish at slow speeds.
Have you ever considered testing a Krampus? It''s a great, supple steel frame that rides very playful for a plus bike (at least for a large, not sure how it rides in sm or med. as the chainstays stay the same length).
If most of your riding is at slow, twisty speeds, I wouldn't recommend this bike. It'll do it, but this bike wants to run free, not be held back at slow speeds.
@@hardtailparty so a plodder shouldn't buy one? I've got to get fitter and faster!!
This seems like a great bike for Prescott riding!
I actually feel like it's way too aggressive for prescott. The head angle is measured at sag, so it's way slacker than it looks on geo charts.
@@hardtailparty thanks for the input, very much appreciated. I really want to switch back to a HT from my new Marin Rift Zone.
I hope that you can review the New honzo esd!
Me too, it looks fun.
have you found your explosive power and balance increasing since doing more SS rides ... it certainly looks like it has!
I'm working on it
These reviews are so detailed and such good quality . Thank you . Love Cotics but dilemma now is Bfe or Solaris ......Hmmm
same here but ordered SolarisMax, now the 4 mth wait. Ordering parts now
I have never made it up hard climb number 1 I get super close but haven’t been able to do it yet
It's very deceiving. It takes a bit of momentum and you have to stay left. I find it 10% easier (but scarier) on clipless pedals and 29" wheels.
@@hardtailparty on video it looks easy but once you try to do it your like whoa
If you had to choose between the BFe Max and the Solaris Max for a do-it-all trail bike, that you can also take into the bike park from time to time, which one would you prefer?
I answer that exact question in the video.
i love how it would do whit some wide carbon xc wheels maby some Vittoria Barzo Mezcal tires and some wide carbon flatbars and some lightweight powerfull brakes maby whit lightweight dropper or rigid and a fox 34 sc or new sid fork whit 120 mm travel
I havent seen a solaris max under 27lbs yet.
@@hardtailparty could be fun project for you
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A few more things...
1) I'm 5'6" tall. I have super short legs and the torso of someone 5'10"
2) this bike is slightly too big for me. I wouldn't use my height as a sizing recommendation for this bike. I should probably be between a S and a M, but I felt the small BFeMAX was a little unbalanced with a long rear end and short front end. Soz despite being a little too stretched out on this, I still prefer the balance over a small.
3) apparently cotic measures their geo with 25% sag. So this is around 64.7* hrs static
4) I feel like the medium is more balanced than the small due to the long chainstays
5) Sorry for all the ads, CZcams automatically did that.
Happy to watch them and send some of those sweet ad $ your way.
can you review the dartmoor primal? thankyou hardtail party!!
I've tried to contact them several times, but I never heard back from them. It looks like a super stiff frame.