Archive: SolarisMAX Gen3

Cotic SolarisMAX Gen3 in Gloss Black and Orange

Discontinued, superseded by SolarisMAX Gen4. This page is kept as an archive record for owners and for anyone researching an older Cotic Solaris.

Years of production: 2017

The first SolarisMAX: our flagship big wheel hardtail, 29er or 27.5+. Our fastest hardtail got faster. The SolarisMAX is confidence inspiring, agile and fun, with a planted feel at high speed on the rocks and carve-it-up traction in the corners.

New for 2017: our hardtail handling was translated to a Boost width platform with 148mm rear spacing, for stiffer, more responsive wheels, thru axle security, and massive tyre clearance for up to 27.5 x 3.0" tyres. Add stunning new colour options and internal 'Stealth' dropper seatpost routing and you had all the hardtail you would ever need.

Finishes: Gloss Black and Aqua, Gloss Black and Orange, and Metallic Champagne.
Sizes: Medium (17.5"), Large (19") and XL (20.5").

MAX by name, maximum versatility by nature

The SolarisMAX can run 29 inch wheels with tyres up to 2.5" wide, or the latest 27.5 Plus sized wheels in 27.5 x 3.0" width. 29" wheels offer a huge range of tyre options for carving corners and easy rolling speed, for every condition and any purpose. 27.5 Plus wheels with high volume tyres add comfort and traction, with monster-truck style rock smothering in really rough terrain.

As with our flagship models, a full Reynolds 853 air-hardening steel front triangle is all present and correct. Signature features such as the Ovalform top tube and 35mm seat tube keep the weight, stiffness, ride feel and durability in the sweet spot. The SolarisMAX has amazing adaptability: from suspension-forked, wide-barred trail warrior, to Plus-tyred, high-traction monster truck, to rigid-forked map-crossing smoothie.

Why big wheels? 29 inch or 27.5 Plus wheels roll easily and give a lot of stability, confidence and speed in rougher terrain, at the expense of being a little heavier and less playful than regular 27.5" wheels. 27.5 Plus (the 27.5 x 2.8 or 3.0" option) offers more comfort and traction than 29" at the expense of more weight and slower acceleration. The way the frame is packaged around the larger wheels (longer rear end, longer wheelbase, taller front end) can suit taller riders better. If you are after more speed and stability, you may enjoy the SolarisMAX more than a more manoeuvrable, less stable, smaller-wheeled bike.

Complete bikes

Complete bikes were available at several build levels: Silver (with the new Shimano SLX M7000 11-speed drivetrain), Gold (full Deore XT 1x11 package with Hope Tech XC 29 wheels and X Fusion McQueen HLR Boost forks), Gold Plus (Hope Tech 35W wheels with WTB Trail Boss 27.5 x 3.0" and Ranger 27.5 x 2.8" tyres), and Platinum (carbon cranks, XTR drivetrain, Joystick finishing kit and dropper post as standard). All builds could be customised, for example with Hope brakes or WTB carbon wheels, and with a choice of stem lengths and handlebars.

Frame details

Large diameter, thinwall, air hardening Reynolds 853 steel front triangle with signature Ovalform top tube
44mm standard head tube with external bottom cup for taper steerer compatibility and zero stack top cup for minimal stack height
Exclusive Cotic-designed Reynolds 853 34.9mm seat tube gives great precision to the ride
31.6mm seatpost size is dropper seatpost compatible, with external remote or internal 'Stealth' routing. The frame has hose clips for the external remote under the top tube, or P-clip bosses for a down tube run for the Stealth internal option
Signature Cotic 4130 cromo wishbone stay rear end. Bridge-less MAX S-bend chainstays with Cotic Hexten gussets for improved fatigue life
Boost148 thru axle rear end for added wheel stiffness and clearance for 29 x 2.5" or 27.5 x 3.0"
Minimum 100mm travel forks or 490mm rigid. We recommended 120mm forks for maximum trail fun
Cotic OFI geometry
Sizes: 17.5", 19" and 20.5". The frames are designed to be compact and chuckable
Weight: 4.9lbs for the 19"

Geometry

OFI geometry means the frames are low and long, with plenty of standover room. You can have a regular position coupled with a small and chuckable frame, or go up a size and go long and racey with a short stem without feeling like you are riding a gate. Consider leg length too: if you upsize you might not be able to fit a dropper post with 150mm drop, as the collar can hit the seat tube top.

120mm travel forks

Frame size	Medium	Large	XL
Seat tube (centre-top)	440mm	480mm	520mm
Top tube (effective)	614mm	639mm	657mm
Head angle	68°	68°	68°
Seat angle	72.5°	72.5°	72.5°
Chainstay length	442mm	442mm	442mm
Wheelbase	1141.2mm	1170.2mm	1180.7mm
BB drop	52mm	52mm	52mm
Head tube length	100mm	110mm	120mm
Reach	425.7mm	443.0mm	457.8mm
Stack	600.3mm	609.6mm	618.9mm
Usual height range	174cm - 182cm	182cm - 191cm	188cm - 196cm
Stem length	40-80mm	40-80mm	40-80mm

Measurements based on a 120mm travel fork with 20% sag (rider on board).

100mm travel forks

Frame size	Medium	Large	XL
Seat tube (centre-top)	440mm	480mm	520mm
Top tube (effective)	614mm	639mm	657mm
Head angle	68.5°	68.5°	68.5°
Seat angle	73°	73°	73°
Chainstay length	442mm	442mm	442mm
Wheelbase	1136.4mm	1159.2mm	1176.0mm
BB drop	56mm	56mm	56mm
Head tube length	100mm	110mm	120mm
Reach	432.1mm	451.2mm	464.2mm
Stack	595.8mm	605.0mm	614.1mm
Usual height range	174cm - 182cm	182cm - 191cm	188cm - 196cm
Stem length	40-80mm	40-80mm	40-80mm

Measurements based on a 100mm travel fork with 20% sag (rider on board).

Component sizes

Seatpost diameter: 31.6mm (wise to get a decent length one)
Dropper post: external or Stealth internal. Dedicated remote routing under the top tube for external, or P-clip on the down tube for internal
Front mech: 34.9mm band on, high clamp, Shimano side swing only
Bottom bracket: 73mm width, conventional English/BSA thread
Headset: 44mm cup. SHIS designation ZS44/28.6 upper, EC44/40 lower (for example a Hope 2H)
Rear hub: Boost148, 12mm thru axle
Chainline: 50mm (regular cranks) for up to a 32t chainring, or 53mm Boost chainline for up to a 36t chainring
Fork: maximum 120mm travel (531mm axle to crown length without sag)
Tyres: 29 x 2.5" or 27.5 x 3.0"