Archive: SolarisMAX Gen4
Discontinued, superseded by SolarisMAX Gen5. This page is kept as an archive record for owners and for anyone researching an older Cotic Solaris.
Years of production: 2018-2019
The SolarisMAX is our flagship big wheel steel hardtail: 29er or 27.5+. Our fastest hardtail got faster: confidence inspiring, agile and fun, with a planted feel at high speed on the rocks and carve-it-up traction in the corners.
The Gen4 SolarisMAX used our radical Longshot geometry for sweet, short stem handling, and could run up to a 140mm fork for full trail-slaying potential. It had not forgotten its roots: with the minimum 120mm travel fork it was more than happy whizzing around 12 hour long distance races, scrambling up technical climbs, or off bikepacking in the wilderness. The Reynolds 853 frame has our famously subtle and traction-rich ride feel, with plenty of space for bags and bottles for long days in the saddle.
Finishes: Hubble Purple, Mercury, Cosmic Black and Red Dwarf.
Sizes: Small (new for 2018), Medium, Large and XL.
Longshot geometry
Radical Longshot geometry keeps the bike stable through the rough stuff, planted in the corners and pinpoint accurate in the steep tech. Couple a very short 35mm stem to the optimised head angle and the bike pushes you on, looking for every stump to boost off, rock to gap and berm to rail, keeping you connected to the trail while maintaining poise and composure.
Longshot brought larger reach steps between sizes so everyone can run a short stem. We recommended sizing with a 35mm stem if possible. Wide bars and short stems make for very responsive steering, so the head angle was slackened to balance this out and the seat angle steepened to keep you in the middle of the bike. If you prefer more conventional handling, size down, add a 50mm stem and a longer dropper post to get your pedalling height.
MAX: maximum versatility
The SolarisMAX could run 29 inch wheels with tyres up to 2.6" wide, or 27.5 Plus wheels in 27.5 x 3.0" width. 29" wheels offer a huge range of tyre choices for carving corners and easy rolling speed. 27.5 Plus wheels with high volume tyres add comfort and traction, with monster-truck style rock smothering in really rough terrain. The way the MAX frames are packaged around the larger wheels (longer rear end, longer wheelbase, taller front end) can suit the proportions of taller riders better, but whatever your height, big wheels are the way to go if you want more speed and stability.
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
- 31.6mm seatpost size is dropper seatpost compatible, with external remote or internal 'Stealth' routing (hose clips under the top tube for external, P-clip bosses for the down tube run)
- Signature Cotic 4130 cromo wishbone stay rear end. Bridge-less MAX S-bend chainstays with Cotic Hexten gussets for improved fatigue life
- Two sets of bottle bosses on the down tube for added water capacity. Run two bottles in line on a big ride, or use the lower set with a side-loading cage to carry extra water if you have a frame bag for a bigger trip
- Boost148 thru axle rear end for added wheel stiffness and clearance for 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0"
- Minimum 120mm travel forks or 500mm rigid. New for 2018: maximum 140mm travel fork
- Cotic Longshot geometry
- Sizes: Small (new for 2018), Medium, Large and XL
- Weight: 4.9lbs for the large
Geometry
All measurements are based on the stated fork travel at 25% sag (rider on board). Seatpost maximum insertion (including actuator mechanism) is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through the frame: 251mm (Small), 286mm (Medium), 321mm (Large), 356mm (XL). Your post may need more or less margin, and an externally routed dropper needs none.
120mm travel forks (531mm static length)
| 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 | 165cm - 172cm | 169cm - 180cm | 178cm - 188cm | 186cm - 195cm |
| Stem length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
130mm travel forks (541mm static length)
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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° |
| BB drop | 57.5mm | 57.5mm | 57.5mm | 57.5mm |
| 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 |
140mm travel forks (551mm static length)
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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° |
| BB drop | 55.5mm | 55.5mm | 55.5mm | 55.5mm |
| 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 |
Seat tube, chainstay (444mm), head tube length, usual height range and stem length are the same for all three fork options. Wheel size: 29" or 27.5+. Max tyre size: 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0". BB drop is below the axle line.
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: minimum 120mm travel, maximum 140mm travel (551mm axle to crown length without sag)
- Tyres: 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0"
Reviews
Singletrack 2018 Editor's Choice Award (Issue 122). Their review concluded the SolarisMAX was fast, silly fast, and that they had a blast riding it: read the full review.
Photo gallery
