Archive: SolarisMAX Gen5
Discontinued, replaced by the current Solaris. This page is kept as an archive record for owners and for anyone researching an older Cotic Solaris.
Years of production: 2020-2023
The SolarisMAX was our ultimate all-rounder hardtail: 29er wheels, smiles for miles. Confidence inspiring, agile and fun, planted at high speed on the rocks and a singletrack scalpel in the corners. It was the downcountry hardtail tool of choice, using our Longshot geometry for sweet, short stem handling, technical trail confidence and a roomy cockpit for long distance comfort.
Run the minimum 120mm travel fork and the SolarisMAX stayed true to its roots: more than happy whizzing around 12 hour long distance races, scrambling up technical climbs, or off bikepacking in the wilderness. Go to 130 or 140mm if you occasionally want more speed or steeper tech. The Reynolds 853 frame has our famously subtle, traction-rich ride feel, with space for bags and bottles on long days. It could switch from a high precision trail centre warrior to a 2.6" tyre, high-traction monster truck, a light and lively downcountry blade, a bikepacking rig or a map-crossing smoothie.
Finishes: Supernova Orange, Froggatt Green, Midnight Blue and Hubble Purple (the 2022 batch). Earlier batches included Supernova Orange and Midnight Blue.
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large and XL.
What changed over the generation
- 2020 and 2021 batches: a 0.5 degree steeper seat angle to further refine the fit and sizing of the Longshot geometry. More bosses were added to the down tube, all at 64mm (bottle boss) centres, so you could carry two bottles on the down tube, a bottle plus Anything Cage style three-boss luggage, or just one bottle high up the tube within easy reach. Combined with Cotic's custom shaped framebags, that made for versatile bikepacking and long-day set-ups.
- 2022 batch: more bosses, this time under the down tube for even more on-bike storage, and a neat, light integrated seatpost clamp. Four colour options: Supernova Orange and Midnight Blue joined by a new Froggatt Green and a revised Hubble Purple.
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, dropper compatible, with internal 'Stealth' routing
- Signature Cotic 4130 cromo wishbone stay rear end. Bridge-less MAX S-bend chainstays with Cotic Hexten gussets for improved fatigue life
- Lots of bosses: all along the down tube at 64mm bottle cage spacing (which also double as the cable and hose routing points), plus bottle cage bosses under the down tube for an extra bottle or keg
- 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. Maximum 140mm travel fork
- Cotic Longshot geometry
- Sizes: Small, Medium, Large and XL
- Weight: 5.8lbs for the large, with axle
Geometry
We recommended sizing with a 35mm stem if possible. If you prefer more conventional handling, size down, add a 50mm stem and a longer dropper post. 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 hose or cable routing: 251mm (Small), 286mm (Medium), 321mm (Large), 356mm (XL). Wheel size: 29" or 27.5+. Max tyre size: 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0". All values in mm unless stated; BB drop is below the axle line.
120mm travel forks (531mm static length)
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube (centre-top) | 390 | 425 | 460 | 495 |
| Top tube (effective) | 600 | 625 | 651 | 681 |
| Head angle | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° |
| Seat angle | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.0° | 75.0° |
| Chainstay length | 444 | 444 | 444 | 444 |
| BB drop | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Head tube length | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 |
| Reach | 439 | 461 | 486 | 513 |
| Stack | 600 | 610 | 619 | 628 |
| Wheelbase | 1170 | 1196 | 1224 | 1256 |
| Usual height range | 160cm - 170cm | 169cm - 180cm | 180cm - 188cm | 186cm - 195cm |
| Stem length | 30-45 | 30-45 | 30-45 | 30-45 |
130mm travel forks (541mm static length)
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 602 | 627 | 653 | 683 |
| Head angle | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
| BB drop | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
| Reach | 434 | 456 | 481 | 508 |
| Stack | 604 | 613 | 623 | 632 |
| Wheelbase | 1175 | 1201 | 1229 | 1261 |
140mm travel forks (551mm static length)
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube (effective) | 604 | 629 | 655 | 685 |
| Head angle | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° | 65.0° |
| Seat angle | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° |
| BB drop | 56 | 56 | 56 | 56 |
| Reach | 429 | 451 | 476 | 503 |
| Stack | 608 | 617 | 626 | 636 |
| Wheelbase | 1180 | 1206 | 1234 | 1266 |
Seat tube, chainstay (444mm), head tube length, usual height range and stem length are the same for all three fork options.
Component sizes
- Seatpost diameter: 31.6mm (380mm minimum length, 100mm minimum insertion)
- Fork: optimised around 120mm travel, maximum 140mm travel (553mm axle to crown length without sag)
- Chainline: maximum 34t using the Boost 52mm chainline, or 36t using a 55mm chainline (round rings)
- Dropper post: internal 'Stealth' routing, with a P-clip on the down tube
- 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
- Front mech: 34.9mm band on, high clamp, Shimano 11 speed side swing only
- Rear axle: Syntace X-12. Mech hanger: Syntace X-12 Type 1 (conventional or Shimano direct mount)
- Rear brake mounting: I.S., compatible with rotors up to 203mm
- Tyres: 29 x 2.6" or 27.5 x 3.0"
Reviews
Bikepacking.com 2022 Bikepacking Gear of the Year. Bikepacking.com's reviewer needed a couple of rides to get used to the geometry, then fell in love with it, calling it one of the best climbers he had ridden and a bike that inspires hops, jibs and outright fun on most trails. He ended up buying one. Read the Bikepacking.com review.
Singletrack 2018 Editor's Choice Award for the earlier Longshot SolarisMAX: read the Singletrack review.
From Sam in Demo and Sales: it makes me want to ride. It is the most exciting and engaging bike he has owned, a bike that lives for singletrack and has a habit of making him pedal up things he would not normally look at, even on tired legs. Fast, fun and far.
Photo gallery
