Availability
This version of the SolarisMAX has been reduced from 649 to 599 pounds to clear. First come first served on remaining stock.
The SolarisMAX uses our radical Longshot geometry for sweet, short stem handling, and you can run up to 140mm fork for full trail slaying potential. It hasn't forgotten it's roots though: Run the minimum 120mm travel fork on the front, and the SolarisMAX is more than happy whizzing around 12hr long distance races, scrambling up technical climbs, or off on bike-packing adventures 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. SolarisMAX remains as versatile as ever.
All of this adds up to give the SolarisMAX amazing adaptability; from sus forked, wide barred trail warrior, to Plus tyred, high traction monster truck, via bikepacking, map crossing smoothie and everything in between. Where will your SolarisMAX take you?
Reviews
Singletrack 2018 Editor's Choice Award: see Issue #122
Read Singletrack's amazing review of the SolarisMAX:
"So let's cut to the chase. The new SolarisMAX is fast. Silly fast."
"I had a blast riding it...."
Radical Longshot geometry keeps the bike stable through the rough stuff, planted in the corners and pinpoint accurate in the steep tech. Couple a super short 35mm stem to the optimised head angle and the bike really 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 incredible poise and composure.
Reynolds 853 builds a light, lively and fantastically robust front end, and includes our custom ride tuned Ovalform top tube which helps to deliver that famous ride feel. The frames' steel construction is compliant and naturally ground moulding, extracting grip and feedback from the trail where you thought there was none. Pair it to our custom sized and shaped heat treated cromoly rear end for the lightest, toughest, most beautiful riding frame.
MAX by name, Maximum versatility by nature, the SolarisMAX can run either 29 inch wheels with tyres up to 2.6" wide, or the latest 275 Plus sized wheels in 27.5 x 3.0" width.
29" wheel compatibility offers you a huge range of tyre options for carving corners and easy rolling speed, for every condition, and any purpose. You want fast? You've got fast. Any kind of fast you want.
275 Plus wheels with high volume tyres add comfort and traction advantages, with monster truck style rock smothering when you get into really rough terrain.
Why Big Wheels?The way the MAX frames are packaged around the larger wheels (longer rear end, longer wheelbase, taller front end) can suit the proportions of a taller rider better, this will minimise any potential drawbacks, as a taller rider tends to have long enough arms and legs to move the bike around easily. Whatever height you are, if you're after more speed and stability from a bike, then the big wheels are the way to go.
All Cotic bikes are assembled in the UK from and frame up. We have set specifications, but these are just the start. Want the Silver spec bike with tubeless tyres? Easy! Want a big can air shock on your droplink bike instead of the inline? It's there too. Full colour matched Hope parts, and add the matching brakes too? It's a click away, and everything else in between. If it's not a choice on the order form, just ask.
When you contact us you are talking to the people who design the frames and will be building your bike. We check it and build and pack it in our award winning bike boxes with the same care we would our own bike, because we know how important it is. We build your bike, for you.
Like the idea of a Cotic hardtail trail bike, but with the lighter, livelier ride of the smaller 27.5" wheels? You need the Soul.
If you like the idea the SolarisMAX, but want a full suspension bike with similar personality, you need the FlareMAX.
SolarisMAX not quite tough enough for you? What something for the jumps and drops and longer forks? You need the BFe.
Want to get right into the details about why our bikes are built the way they are? Geek away my friend!
Bikes are now available worldwide, with free shipping to UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.
We have several levels of stock build which are based around our favourite parts in builds you can trust. We never specify anything we haven't ridden, tested and enjoyed. However, just about everything in your build can be customised to help with fit (contact us if you need help) or to personalise your bike. Want a different fork? Shock? Brakes? Wheels? Tyres? Bars? Stem? Longer drop seatpost? Women's saddle? Men's saddle? Colour matched Hope components? No problem. It's your bike.
All the bikes are assembled from a frame right here in the UK by us. We can do everything from bare frame to complete bike: Send us your favourite saddle and grips to fit. Send us your wheels if you have a nice pair you want to use. There's no point you getting kit you don't want. It's wasteful. That gives you almost limitless options to customise and tune your bike to your needs. If you can't see an option you'd like on the order form, get in touch. We all know it's good to head off piste sometimes!
Tap on a build title below to see the default specification and price for that build... then hit the 'CONFIGURE YOUR BIKE' button to see all the customisations you can make to the build. When you select your country at the bottom of the form, sales taxes (VAT), pricing and shipping will automatically update for you. Once you're happy, order your bike!
- Large diameter, thinwall, air hardening Reynolds 853 steel front triangle with signature Ovalform top tube
- 44mm standard head tube designed with external bottom cup for taper steerer compatiblity 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, 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
- Two sets of bottle bosses on the down tube for added water capacity. Either run two bottle in line on a big ride, or use the lower set with a side-loading cage to get some extra water on board if you have a frame bag for a bigger trip
- Boost148 Thru Axle Rear End - Added wheel stiffness and clearance for 29x2.5 or 27.5x3.0
- Minimum 120mm travel forks or 500mm rigid. New for 2018 - Maximum 140mm travel fork
- Geometry with commitment! Cotic Longshot Geometry brings balance, composure, fun and speed
- Sizes - Small (new for 2018), medium, large and XL. The frames are designed to be compact and chuckable. Check out the Sizing Chart below for the full detail
- Weight - 4.9lbs for the large
- Colours - Hubble Purple, Cosmic Black, Mercury or Red Dwarf
ORDER YOUR FRAME
The chart is a guide to frame size. The SolarisMAX features Longshot geometry.
This new approach has brought larger reach steps between sizes to allow everyone to get their stem nice and short. We recommend aiming to size your bike with a 35mm stem if possible. Wide bars and short stems make for very responsive steering, so we have slackened the head angle to balance this out, and steepened the seat angle to keep you in the in middle of the bike. The result is a beautifully balanced ride, with stable, confidence inspiring feel at speed, with think-and-you're-there steering and amazing front end grip for slicing through the singletrack. If you prefer your handling slightly more conventional, simply size down, add a 50mm stem and a longer dropper post to get your pedaling height and away you go.
If you would like us to help you out with sizing, or are on the cusp of two sizes then drop us a line at size@cotic.co.uk or give us a call on 07970 853531 and we'll be happy to discuss set up based on what you're riding at the moment.
120mm travel forks
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 425mm | 460mm | 495mm |
| Top Tube Length (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 |
| Wheel Size | 29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
| Max 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 (including actuator mechanism) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
| All measurements are based on 120mm travel fork, 531mm static length, with 25% sag i.e. Rider On Board. Seatpost Maximum insertion is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through our frames. Your post may need less, or more, or if you use an externally routed dropper you won't need this margin at all. | ||||
4 ¾" travel forks
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (centre-top) | 15.35” | 16.7” | 18.1” | 19.5” |
| Top Tube Length (Effective) | 24.1” | 25.0” | 26.0” | 27.2” |
| Head Angle | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° | 66.0° |
| Seat Angle | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° | 74.0° |
| Chainstay Length | 17.5” | 17.5” | 17.5” | 17.5” |
| BB Drop | -2.35” | -2.35” | -2.35” | -2.35” |
| Head Tube Length | 3.9” | 3.9” | 4.3” | 4.7” |
| Reach | 17.34” | 18.24” | 19.13” | 20.2” |
| Stack | 23.6” | 23.6” | 24.0” | 24.35” |
| Wheelbase | 46.1” | 47.0” | 48.0” | 49.3” |
| Usual Height Range | 5ft 5in - 5ft 8in | 5ft 7in - 5ft 11in | 5ft 10in - 6ft 2in | 6ft 0in - 6ft 5in |
| Stem Length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel Size | 29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
| Max 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 (including actuator mechanism) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
| All measurements are based on 4.7” travel fork, 20.5” static length, with 25% sag i.e. Rider On Board. Seatpost Maximum insertion is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through our frames. Your post may need less, or more, or if you use an externally routed dropper you won't need this margin at all. | ||||
130mm travel forks
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 425mm | 460mm | 495mm |
| Top Tube Length (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 | 165cm - 172cm | 169cm - 180cm | 178cm - 188cm | 186cm - 195cm |
| Stem Length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel Size | 29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
| Max 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 (including actuator mechanism) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
| All measurements are based on 130mm travel fork, 541mm static length, with 25% sag i.e. Rider On Board. Seatpost Maximum insertion is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through our frames. Your post may need less, or more, or if you use an externally routed dropper you won't need this margin at all. | ||||
5 " travel forks
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (centre-top) | 15.35” | 16.7” | 18.1” | 19.5” |
| Top Tube Length (Effective) | 24.05” | 24.95” | 25.95” | 27.15” |
| Head Angle | 65.7° | 65.7° | 65.7° | 65.7° |
| Seat Angle | 73.7° | 73.7° | 73.7° | 73.7° |
| Chainstay Length | 17.5” | 17.5” | 17.5” | 17.5” |
| BB Drop | -2.25” | -2.25” | -2.25” | -2.25” |
| Head Tube Length | 3.9” | 3.9” | 4.3” | 4.7” |
| Reach | 17.2” | 18.1” | 19.0” | 20.05” |
| Stack | 23.7” | 23.7” | 24.1” | 24.45” |
| Wheelbase | 46.25” | 47.15” | 48.15” | 49.45” |
| Usual Height Range | 5ft 5in - 5ft 8in | 5ft 7in - 5ft 11in | 5ft 10in - 6ft 2in | 6ft 0in - 6ft 5in |
| Stem Length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel Size | 29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
| Max 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 (including actuator mechanism) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
| All measurements are based on 5.1” travel fork, 20.9” static length, with 25% sag i.e. Rider On Board. Seatpost Maximum insertion is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through our frames. Your post may need less, or more, or if you use an externally routed dropper you won't need this margin at all. | ||||
140mm travel forks
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (centre-top) | 390mm | 425mm | 460mm | 495mm |
| Top Tube Length (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 | 165cm - 172cm | 169cm - 180cm | 178cm - 188cm | 186cm - 195cm |
| Stem Length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel Size | 29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
| Max 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 (including actuator mechanism) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
| All measurements are based on 140mm travel fork, 551mm static length, with 25% sag i.e. Rider On Board. Seatpost Maximum insertion is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through our frames. Your post may need less, or more, or if you use an externally routed dropper you won't need this margin at all. | ||||
5 ½" travel forks
| Frame Size | Small | Medium | Large | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (centre-top) | 15.35” | 16.7” | 18.1” | 19.5” |
| Top Tube Length (Effective) | 24.0” | 24.9” | 25.9” | 27.1” |
| Head Angle | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° | 65.4° |
| Seat Angle | 73.4° | 73.4° | 73.4° | 73.4° |
| Chainstay Length | 17.5” | 17.5” | 17.5” | 17.5” |
| BB Drop | -2.15” | -2.15” | -2.15” | -2.15” |
| Head Tube Length | 3.9” | 3.9” | 4.3” | 4.7” |
| Reach | 17.05” | 17.95” | 18.85” | 20.9” |
| Stack | 23.8” | 23.8” | 24.2” | 24.55” |
| Wheelbase | 46.4” | 47.3” | 48.3” | 49.6” |
| Usual Height Range | 5ft 5in - 5ft 8in | 5ft 7in - 5ft 11in | 5ft 10in - 6ft 2in | 6ft 0in - 6ft 5in |
| Stem Length | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm | 30-50mm |
| Wheel Size | 29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
29" or 650B+ (275 PLUS) |
| Max 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 (including actuator mechanism) | 251mm | 286mm | 321mm | 356mm |
| All measurements are based on 5.5” travel fork, 21.3” static length, with 25% sag i.e. Rider On Board. Seatpost Maximum insertion is guidance based on leaving 25mm clear below the actuator for any hose or cable to route through our frames. Your post may need less, or more, or if you use an externally routed dropper you won't need this margin at all. | ||||
Seatpost diameter: 31.6mm (wise to get a decent length one)
Dropper Post: External or Stealth Internal - Dedicated remote routing under 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 [click here for info]
Bottom Bracket width: 73mm
Bottom Bracket thread: Conventional English/BSA
Headset: 44mm cup. SHIS designation ZS44/28.6 upper, EC44/40 lower (for example a Hope 2H) [click here for info]
Rear Hub: Boost148 12mm thru axle
Chainline: 50mm (regular cranks) for up to 32t chainring, 53mm Boost chainline for up to 36t chainring
Fork: Minimum 120mm travel. Maximum 140mm travel (551mm axle to crown length without sag)
Tyres: 29 x 2.5" or 27.5 x 3.0"
