Archive: FlareMAX Gen5
Years of production: 2023-2025
The FlareMAX has been replaced by the new Flare.
The fifth and final generation FlareMAX: short travel, big fun. 125mm of rear travel, 29" wheels and a Reynolds 853 steel frame tuned not just for capability but for feel. Light, fast and endlessly engaging, a bike that invites you to explore every line and meet every technical challenge with a smile, and that rewards you for riding it well.
Finishes: Gloss Teal, Moonstone and Amethyst (both matte with silver graphics, new for 2024), plus our full A La Carte custom colour range.
Sizes: C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5.
The ride
Cotic droplink suspension is the heart of it. Its progressive rate is supple and traction-rich early in the stroke, soaking up the constant small chatter that wears you down on a long ride, then builds support through the travel so it never blows through or bottoms out cheaply. Combined with the natural grip of the steel front triangle, it gives the FlareMAX a connected, authoritative feel. The rear end is accurate enough to place the bike exactly where you want it, and Longshot handling puts you precisely where you intended in the corners. Point it downhill and it handles terrain with a sure-footedness that has no business coming from a bike with these travel numbers.
Built for riders who want full suspension that still feels like riding, who missed the connection and playfulness on bigger, heavier bikes, or who wanted more capability than a hardtail without giving up the feeling of riding the trail. Cotic Operations Manager Paul Dexter summed it up: the Longshot front end gives confidence everywhere from twisty singletrack to rocky gullies, the shorter travel means every weight shift has an immediate effect, and it skips down the trail like a hardtail but with more grip and no aches afterwards.
What changed from Gen4
- Made in Britain: every Gen5 front triangle built to order by Five Land Bikes in Scotland
- C-Sizing: five sizes (C1-C5), first introduced on the RocketMAX Gen4, with reach steps under 20mm, shorter seat tubes on C2-C4 than the old Medium and Large for more dropper drop, and steeper seat angles on C3-C5
- 4mm lower bottom bracket for an even more planted feel through the corners
- Updated Reynolds 853 tubeset with a new down tube and a BB brace
- Second bottle mount under the down tube
- Enduro MAX bearings and Datatag security fitted as standard
Frame details
- Longshot geometry designed for 35mm stems: responsive steering combined with confidence at speed
- Reynolds 853 Ovalform and DZB tubed front end
- 44mm head tube with external bottom cup for taper steerers and zero stack top cup
- Custom Cotic 35mm heat-treated cromoly seat tube supports the main suspension pivots
- 31.6mm seatpost, internal stealth dropper routing
- ISCG05 mounts on a threaded bottom bracket
- Rear mech cable routed internally through the steel seatstay
- Dedicated 1x design: maximum-width swingarm pivot, low drop, forged swingarm heads with integrated 3D printed top chain guide
- 6066-T6 aluminium swingarm with Syntace X-12 Boost 148 x 12mm rear axle
- 15mm pivots at the BB and a thru-axle-style droplink linkage clamp
- Two bottle mounts: one under the top tube, one under the down tube
- Tyre clearance: up to 29 x 2.5"
- Optimised around 130mm forks, with 120mm or 140mm options
- Enduro MAX bearings
- Datatag security fitted as standard
- 125mm droplink rear travel
- Weight: Gold XT Downcountry build 12.9kg without pedals
Geometry
Cotic size guide
| Frame size | Rider height (cm) | Rider height (ft/in) |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | 162-172cm | 5ft 4in - 5ft 8in |
| C2 | 170-178cm | 5ft 7in - 5ft 10in |
| C3 | 176-184cm | 5ft 9in - 6ft 0in |
| C4 | 182-190cm | 5ft 11in - 6ft 3in |
| C5 | 184-195cm | 6ft 0in - 6ft 5in |
Longshot geometry means low, long frames with plenty of standover. We recommend the size for your height with a short 35-45mm stem; C-Sizing gives you more options to size up or down. If you upsize, check your dropper will fit using the maximum seatpost insertion figures. We don't develop our bikes around a specific fork offset, as we find it comes down to rider preference. Email size@cotic.co.uk for help.
120mm travel forks, 29er
| Frame size | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 417mm | 444mm | 471mm | 496mm |
| Top tube (effective) | 594mm | 616mm | 633mm | 655mm | 674mm |
| Head angle | 66° | 66° | 66° | 66° | 66° |
| Seat angle (720mm saddle height) | 75.8° | 75.8° | 76.2° | 76.2° | 76.2° |
| Seat angle (815mm saddle height) | 75.5° | 75.5° | 75.9° | 75.9° | 75.9° |
| BB drop | -38mm | -38mm | -38mm | -38mm | -38mm |
| Reach | 444mm | 463mm | 482mm | 501mm | 520mm |
| Stack | 611mm | 620mm | 629mm | 639mm | 639mm |
| Wheelbase | 1194mm | 1217mm | 1240mm | 1264mm | 1283mm |
| Chainstay length | 448mm | 448mm | 448mm | 448mm | 448mm |
| Head tube length | 100mm | 110mm | 120mm | 130mm | 130mm |
| Usual height range | 162-172cm | 170-178cm | 176-184cm | 182-190cm | 184-195cm |
| Stem length | 25-45mm | 25-45mm | 25-45mm | 25-45mm | 25-45mm |
| Frame wheel travel | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm |
| Maximum seatpost insertion (incl. actuator) | 194mm | 221mm | 249mm | 276mm | 300mm |
| Wheel size | 29" | 29" | 29" | 29" | 29" |
| Maximum tyre size | 29 x 2.5" | 29 x 2.5" | 29 x 2.5" | 29 x 2.5" | 29 x 2.5" |
All measurements static, based on a 120mm travel fork. Maximum seatpost insertion leaves 25mm clear below the actuator for hose or cable routing; an externally routed dropper won’t need this margin.
130mm travel forks, 29er
| Frame size | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 595mm | 617mm | 634mm | 656mm | 675mm |
| Head angle | 65.6° | 65.6° | 65.6° | 65.6° | 65.6° |
| Seat angle (720mm saddle height) | 75.4° | 75.4° | 75.8° | 75.8° | 75.8° |
| Seat angle (815mm saddle height) | 75.1° | 75.1° | 75.5° | 75.5° | 75.5° |
| BB drop | -36mm | -36mm | -36mm | -36mm | -36mm |
| Reach | 439mm | 458mm | 477mm | 496mm | 515mm |
| Stack | 615mm | 624mm | 633mm | 643mm | 643mm |
| Wheelbase | 1198mm | 1221mm | 1244mm | 1268mm | 1287mm |
All measurements static, based on a 130mm travel fork. Seat tube, chainstay, head tube, sizing, travel, tyre and seatpost figures as for the 120mm table.
140mm travel forks, 29er
| Frame size | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 597mm | 618mm | 636mm | 658mm | 677mm |
| Head angle | 65.1° | 65.1° | 65.1° | 65.1° | 65.1° |
| Seat angle (720mm saddle height) | 74.9° | 74.9° | 75.4° | 75.4° | 75.4° |
| Seat angle (815mm saddle height) | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.4° | 75.4° | 75.4° |
| BB drop | -33mm | -33mm | -33mm | -33mm | -33mm |
| Reach | 436mm | 454mm | 474mm | 493mm | 512mm |
| Stack | 616mm | 625mm | 634mm | 646mm | 646mm |
| Wheelbase | 1203mm | 1226mm | 1249mm | 1273mm | 1292mm |
All measurements static, based on a 140mm travel fork. Other figures as for the 120mm table.
120mm travel forks, 27.5" rear wheel (mullet)
| Frame size | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 598mm | 620mm | 637mm | 659mm | 678mm |
| Head angle | 65.8° | 65.8° | 65.8° | 65.8° | 65.8° |
| Seat angle (720mm saddle height) | 74.6° | 74.6° | 75.1° | 75.1° | 75.1° |
| Seat angle (815mm saddle height) | 74.3° | 74.3° | 74.8° | 74.8° | 74.8° |
| BB drop (from 29" front) | -51mm | -51mm | -51mm | -51mm | -51mm |
| Reach | 431mm | 450mm | 469mm | 488mm | 507mm |
| Stack | 621mm | 630mm | 639mm | 649mm | 649mm |
| Wheelbase | 1185mm | 1208mm | 1231mm | 1255mm | 1274mm |
Static, with a Works Components 1° angleset fitted to steepen the head angle and 2.5" tyres front and rear. 29" front / 27.5" rear, maximum rear tyre 27.5 x 2.8". Other figures as for the 29er tables.
130mm travel forks, 27.5" rear wheel (mullet)
| Frame size | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 599mm | 621mm | 638mm | 660mm | 679mm |
| Head angle | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° |
| Seat angle (720mm saddle height) | 74.2° | 74.2° | 74.7° | 74.7° | 74.7° |
| Seat angle (815mm saddle height) | 73.8° | 73.8° | 74.3° | 74.3° | 74.3° |
| BB drop (from 29" front) | -47mm | -47mm | -47mm | -47mm | -47mm |
| Reach | 426mm | 445mm | 464mm | 483mm | 502mm |
| Stack | 624mm | 633mm | 642mm | 652mm | 652mm |
| Wheelbase | 1189mm | 1212mm | 1235mm | 1259mm | 1278mm |
Static, with a Works Components 1° angleset fitted to steepen the head angle and 2.5" tyres front and rear. 29" front / 27.5" rear, maximum rear tyre 27.5 x 2.8". Other figures as for the 29er tables.
140mm travel forks, 27.5" rear wheel (mullet)
| Frame size | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 601mm | 622mm | 640mm | 662mm | 681mm |
| Head angle | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° | 64.9° |
| Seat angle (720mm saddle height) | 73.8° | 73.8° | 74.3° | 74.3° | 74.3° |
| Seat angle (815mm saddle height) | 73.3° | 73.3° | 73.8° | 73.8° | 73.8° |
| BB drop (from 29" front) | -44mm | -44mm | -44mm | -44mm | -44mm |
| Reach | 423mm | 441mm | 461mm | 480mm | 499mm |
| Stack | 626mm | 635mm | 644mm | 656mm | 656mm |
| Wheelbase | 1194mm | 1217mm | 1240mm | 1264mm | 1283mm |
Static, with a Works Components 1° angleset fitted to steepen the head angle and 2.5" tyres front and rear. 29" front / 27.5" rear, maximum rear tyre 27.5 x 2.8". Other figures as for the 29er tables.
Component sizes
- Seatpost diameter: 31.6mm (375mm long minimum)
- Front mech: not applicable, 1x drivetrains only
- Fork: minimum 120mm, maximum 140mm travel, 553mm axle to crown (without sag)
- Bottom bracket: 73mm width, conventional English/BSA thread
- Chainline: 52mm Shimano / 53mm Boost for up to 32t round or 30t oval chainring; 55mm Shimano for up to 36t round or 34t oval
- Chainguide mounting: ISCG05 bottom two tabs; integrated Cotic top guide included with frame or bike
- Headset: 44mm for taper steerer forks (Hope 2H, Cane Creek ZS44 top / EC44 bottom, Chris King InSet i7)
- Rear hub: Boost 148 x 12mm bolt-through
- Rear axle: Syntace X-12
- Rear mech hanger: Syntace X-12 Type 1 (conventional or Shimano direct mount)
- Shock: 210 x 50mm metric, air shock only
- Shock fittings: 20.0 x M8 down tube end, 24.0 x M8 seatstay end
- Dropper routing: stealth via the down tube
- Rear brake mount: IS, compatible with rotors up to 203mm
Setup guide
Cotic droplink suspension works best with 25-30% sag, and we prefer starting at 30%. With the 50mm stroke shock that means 13-15mm at the shock; we suggest starting around 14mm. For the fork, aim for 20-25% sag: about 24-30mm on a 120mm fork, 26-32mm on 130mm and 28-35mm on 140mm.
To set shock sag, start with 170psi, turn off any lockout or climb switch, and put on your riding kit (including a full pack or bottles). With the saddle at full height, bounce on the saddle while riding, stop, slide the o-ring down to the seal, sit on the bike with your feet off the pedals, then get off carefully and measure. Adjust the air pressure to suit. For the fork, start a new fork at 60psi with compression at minimum, measure sag in a balanced standing position, then recheck the rear. Set up by sag, not by a generic pressure, because weight distribution differs between bikes.
Volume spacers: forks and shocks come set up for a rider of around 75kg. On the fork, add one spacer for every 10kg lighter than that, or remove one for every 10kg heavier (on a Cane Creek HELM, move the adjuster one step instead). Shocks are less sensitive to rider weight: add a spacer if you want more support, or remove one if you’re heavier and not using all the travel. There’s also a full sag setup video on YouTube.
Cane Creek DB Air IL (as delivered, counted from fully open): 2 large volume spacers, HSC 1.0 turns, LSC 15 clicks, HSR 1.0 turns, LSR 8 clicks
RockShox Deluxe Select Plus (as delivered): 2 volume spacers, LM tune (low rebound, medium compression), rebound 3 clicks from open
Our base settings run on the lively, fast-rebound side. Give them a couple of rides before changing anything. For other shocks, start with rebound 3 clicks from open and compression or platform switched off, as droplink doesn't need a compression circuit to pedal well. On the fork, start with high-speed compression fully open and low-speed in the middle of its range. Don't set rebound by bouncing the bike in the street; adjust on the trail, change one thing at a time, and keep notes of a base setup you can go back to.
Download the droplink owner's manual (PDF) · Download the general Cotic user manual (PDF)
Origin: made in Britain
Designed, developed, engineered and tested by us in the Peak District, with Cy Turner as lead designer and engineer, ride tested by everyone at Cotic and our test riders and ambassadors, and lab tested beyond ISO 4210.
The skilled team at Five Land Bikes in Scotland built the Reynolds 853 front triangles in small batches, then manganese phosphate dip-coated and painted the frames in tough automotive-spec paint. The proven rear ends came from our Taiwan suppliers, as across the droplink range, and much of the remaining machining was done by Unite Components and Bear Frame Supplies. Every frame was checked again by us before assembly, Datatag'd from the factory, and built up to order in the Peak District.
Reviews
The Radavist (full review): found it stirred an urge to play, felt snappier and more playful than Horst-link designs, called it a personal favourite in the downcountry space and said it's the full suspension bike the reviewer would buy. Read the Radavist review.
Bike Perfect (5 stars): worried a stiffer, tougher FlareMAX might lose its steel feel, but found Gen5 added speed and confidence while keeping its compliant grip and flow.
Singletrack (first looks): called the Gen5 a winner that takes the previous FlareMAX and makes it a bit better.
Guy Kes TV (first ride video):
Photo gallery
