Archive: SodaMAX
Years of production: 2018 (limited edition)
See the current Solaris, our Reynolds 853 steel 29er hardtail.
The limited edition SodaMAX was our titanium uber-hardtail, the pinnacle of Cotic hardtail technology: the lightweight evolution of the SolarisMAX, our fastest hardtail made even faster.
The Soda was our original titanium hardtail, from 2005 to 2012, and was taken everywhere from local singletrack to the 2009 World XC Championships. In 2018 we brought it back with the MAX treatment, in a limited edition of just 20 frames.
The SodaMAX used the Longshot geometry of the award-nominated SolarisMAX for sweet, short-stem handling and unflappable composure at speed. It would take you from the race start line to your favourite singletrack in a blaze of acceleration, was unflappable on steep, technical lines, and loved long backcountry days with just a bottle and a frame bag for company. From suspension-forked, wide-barred trail warrior to Plus-tyred monster truck to map-crossing smoothie, it was an incredibly versatile bike.
Finishes: brushed titanium with orange pinstripe and black panel, or fully polished with blasted graphics.
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large and XL. Wheels: 29", or 27.5 Plus.
Titanium and MAX wheels
The Cotic-designed 3Al/2.5V titanium tubeset subtly enhanced the ride feel while cutting over 20% from the weight of its steel SolarisMAX sibling, and was beautifully finished in brushed or fully polished options. Grace, durability, clean lines and great attention to detail.
MAX by name, maximum versatility by nature: the SodaMAX could run 29" wheels with tyres up to 2.6", or 27.5 Plus wheels up to 3.0". Both roll easily and give stability, confidence and speed in rough terrain; 27.5 Plus adds comfort and traction at the cost of a little weight and acceleration. The MAX frame proportions, with a longer rear end and wheelbase and a taller front end, suit taller riders especially well.
Frame details
- Large diameter, butted 3Al/2.5V titanium with signature Ovalform top tube
- Longshot geometry, identical to the SolarisMAX, for 30-50mm stems
- 44mm head tube with external bottom cup for taper steerers and zero stack top cup
- 31.6mm seatpost, dropper compatible with external routing under the top tube or internal stealth routing
- Bridgeless MAX S-bend chainstays with Cotic Hexten gussets for improved fatigue life
- Two sets of bottle bosses on the down tube: run two bottles on a big ride, or use the lower set with a side-loading cage alongside a frame bag
- Boost 148 x 12mm thru-axle rear end, with clearance for 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0" tyres
- Designed around 120mm forks, from 120mm up to 140mm travel, or a 500mm rigid fork
- Front mech compatible (Shimano Side Swing, high clamp, double only)
- Weight: 4.1lbs (Medium frame)
- Limited edition of 20 frames
Geometry
Longshot geometry brought larger reach steps between sizes so everyone could run a short stem, ideally around 35mm. The slacker head angle balances the quick steering of wide bars and a short stem, and the steeper seat angle keeps you in the middle of the bike. If you prefer more conventional handling, size down with a 50mm stem and a longer dropper post. Email size@cotic.co.uk for help.
120mm travel forks
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 425mm | 460mm | 495mm |
| Top tube (effective) | 612.8mm | 635.8mm | 660.6mm | 690.5mm |
| Head angle | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° |
| Seat angle | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° |
| Chainstay length | 444mm | 444mm | 444mm | 444mm |
| BB drop | -60mm | -60mm | -60mm | -60mm |
| Head tube length | 100mm | 100mm | 110mm | 120mm |
| Reach | 440.6mm | 463.3mm | 486.0mm | 513.0mm |
| Stack | 600.3mm | 600.3mm | 609.4mm | 618.6mm |
| Wheelbase | 1171.5mm | 1194.5mm | 1220.2mm | 1252.3mm |
| Usual height range | 165-172cm | 169-180cm | 178-188cm | 186-195cm |
| Stem length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel size | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus |
| Maximum tyre size | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" |
| Maximum seatpost insertion (incl. actuator) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
All measurements based on a 120mm travel fork (531mm static length) with 25% sag, i.e. rider on board. 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
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 425mm | 460mm | 495mm |
| Top tube (effective) | 613.8mm | 636.8mm | 661.6mm | 691.5mm |
| Head angle | 65.7° | 65.7° | 65.7° | 65.7° |
| Seat angle | 73.7° | 73.7° | 73.7° | 73.7° |
| Chainstay length | 444mm | 444mm | 444mm | 444mm |
| BB drop | -57.5mm | -57.5mm | -57.5mm | -57.5mm |
| Head tube length | 100mm | 100mm | 110mm | 120mm |
| Reach | 436.6mm | 459.3mm | 482.0mm | 509.0mm |
| Stack | 602.7mm | 602.7mm | 611.9mm | 620.1mm |
| Wheelbase | 1173.5mm | 1196.5mm | 1222.2mm | 1254.3mm |
| Usual height range | 165-172cm | 169-180cm | 178-188cm | 186-195cm |
| Stem length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel size | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus |
| Maximum tyre size | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" |
| Maximum seatpost insertion (incl. actuator) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
All measurements based on a 130mm travel fork (541mm static length) with 25% sag, i.e. rider on board. Maximum seatpost insertion leaves 25mm clear below the actuator for hose or cable routing; an externally routed dropper won’t need this margin.
140mm travel forks
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 425mm | 460mm | 495mm |
| Top tube (effective) | 614.8mm | 637.8mm | 662.6mm | 692.5mm |
| Head angle | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° |
| Seat angle | 73.4° | 73.4° | 73.4° | 73.4° |
| Chainstay length | 444mm | 444mm | 444mm | 444mm |
| BB drop | -55.5mm | -55.5mm | -55.5mm | -55.5mm |
| Head tube length | 100mm | 100mm | 110mm | 120mm |
| Reach | 434.4mm | 457.1mm | 479.8mm | 506.8mm |
| Stack | 605.7mm | 605.7mm | 614.9mm | 623.1mm |
| Wheelbase | 1176.0mm | 1199.0mm | 1224.7mm | 1257.8mm |
| Usual height range | 165-172cm | 169-180cm | 178-188cm | 186-195cm |
| Stem length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel size | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus | 29" or 27.5 Plus |
| Maximum tyre size | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" | 29 x 2.6" / 27.5 x 3.0" |
| Maximum seatpost insertion (incl. actuator) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
All measurements based on a 140mm travel fork (551mm static length) with 25% sag, i.e. rider on board. Maximum seatpost insertion leaves 25mm clear below the actuator for hose or cable routing; an externally routed dropper won’t need this margin.
Component sizes
- Seatpost diameter: 31.6mm
- Dropper routing: external, with dedicated remote routing under the top tube, or stealth internal via a p-clip on the down tube
- Front mech: 34.9mm band-on, high clamp, Shimano Side Swing, double only
- Bottom bracket: 73mm width, conventional English/BSA thread
- Headset: 44mm cup, ZS44/28.6 upper, EC44/40 lower (for example a Hope 2H)
- Rear hub: Boost 148 x 12mm thru axle
- Chainline: 50mm (regular cranks) for up to 32t chainring; 53mm Boost for up to 36t
- Fork: minimum 120mm travel, maximum 140mm (551mm axle to crown without sag)
- Tyres: up to 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0"
Download the general Cotic user manual (PDF)
Origin
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 race team, and lab tested beyond ISO 4210. SodaMAX frames were hand made in Taiwan by our selected framebuilder, who has made our frames since day one, then QC'd in Taiwan and again in the UK. Complete bikes were built to order in the Peak District.