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Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:42 am
by restlessshawn
Bearbonesnorm wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:12 am
Nah ec34. I actually mailed them this week, Mk5 in August and scramblers next spring. Not an easy bike to actually buy!
Maybe an earlier incarnation? Joys of being a one man band I suppose. Only so much money to purchase with and a popular product. I know Andy did say he was hoping to get things returned to a place where there was excess stock that people could order on-line as 'normal'.
Yeah you are right, looks like the mk3 was 44mm then he went back to 34mm...which looks vastly better :ugeek:

So far I've never managed to coincide money in my pocket with stooge frames in stock...

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:06 am
by benp1
My Solaris is very similar to Bob's - Mk1 version with Travers Prong forks

I'd definitely look at the new LLS Solaris if I was buying a hardtail now. I don't think the new ones works quite as well rigid as the previous ones but as a hardtail, it's definitely right up there.

I'm looking at an FS bike to complement the rigid Solaris now

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:24 am
by RobLyon
Building bikes can be expensive, especially buying nice forks plus all the little bits like seat clamps, grips, cables, stems etc add up. I once built up an on one scandal. I bought parts cheap/used had £1000 in it and it was just not very good. I sold it and bought a Niner jet 9 that is in very good condition and must have cost someone 4k, I paid 1k.

I also have a stooge mk4, it's my heaviest bike but also my most ridden.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 1:13 pm
by Alec
That’s a decent plan… Funny that you find the sizing is a bit small when their sizes are longish, long and longer :lol: I’m 6ft exactly so sounds like I’d be on the biggest size.
[/quote]

It fits fine length wise, it's just the seat tube length, but most of my height is in my legs.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 2:46 pm
by faustus
I think an added issue with the Sirius is the stack is static across all models, so the front will feel lower the taller you get on it, not ideal. Can obviously have more steerer poking out but that's not ideal either...? Guess that's the trade off for sizing by reach

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:02 pm
by ChrisS
whitestone wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:35 am I've the Mk1 Solaris, possibly my favourite bike. With a modern suspension fork it's an absolute hoot. For the last few years it's had a rigid carbon fork fitted meaning that unladen it comes out at around 11kg even without going down the weight-weenie rabbit hole.
That’s actually not that far off my carbon XC bike (albeit with a suspension fork). The Solaris does seem to be on the lighter side for a steel frame and I guess with carbon rims, bars and decent components the weight wouldn’t be too tank-like. Having said that my Merida definitely rides better in bikepacking mode - the extra weight just seems to make it more composed on steeper terrain, up or down.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:18 pm
by jobro
Sorry, I don't mean to highjack the thread OP, but why isn't the Sonder Broken Road not a good choice? I'm in a similar position to you and this was on my shortlist.
I must admit that Cotic does look great. Steel V Ti? Whats the best for a bike packing/trail bike?

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:35 pm
by whitestone
ChrisS wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:02 pm
whitestone wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:35 am I've the Mk1 Solaris, possibly my favourite bike. With a modern suspension fork it's an absolute hoot. For the last few years it's had a rigid carbon fork fitted meaning that unladen it comes out at around 11kg even without going down the weight-weenie rabbit hole.
That’s actually not that far off my carbon XC bike (albeit with a suspension fork). The Solaris does seem to be on the lighter side for a steel frame and I guess with carbon rims, bars and decent components the weight wouldn’t be too tank-like. Having said that my Merida definitely rides better in bikepacking mode - the extra weight just seems to make it more composed on steeper terrain, up or down.
Cy from Cotic has a masters in metallurgy or something like that. Somewhere I read that the steel in the frames is just 0.3mm thick, that's like 3 sheets of paper!

The original build was large frame, x-fusion forks, hope xc wheels, bontrager tyres, Shimano XT 1x drivetrain and brakes, saddle and bars were Raceface. That came in at 12.5kg, no carbon parts. It's now got a set of Travers Prong CF forks hence the weight drop. I'm sure with some judicious use of the credit card you could get down to 10kg maybe less :-bd Would it be durable though?

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:42 pm
by GregMay
I'll chirp in as another Solaris (ex) owner - excellent bikes. Ride really well.

Other option would be, for me anyway, would be a Sherpa. Have ridden (mates) steel and Ti versions. I really like it.

Or, if you can find one, a Salsa El Mariachi - good luck, I'll not be selling mine ever!

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:21 pm
by benp1
I found my Solaris and El Mariachi to be massively similar, the only main difference is being able to run the El Mar SS. I only kept the Solaris as I bought it new and it has sentimental value

They're both bloody excellent bikes

My solaris is 1x 10 speed, carbon Jones loops, Travers prongs, hope hubs with stans flow ex rims. 25mm width which at the time was wide but these days is pretty average. Not sure I'll ever sell this bike, had it 7 years now and it's still bloody ace. Took it out with my local MTB group and was still able to do a couple of tame, grin inducing jumps

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:17 am
by Al
I bought Ben’s El Mariachi, and it is very lovely :-bd it spends most of its time wearing travers prongs (which produces a very light build without silly money components) but is occasionally seen with a pair of Rebas.

Don’t think I’d part with it as it’s a great ride. If I could magically change one think maybe adding a little more reach in the top tube but it’s a minor quibble.

So if you see a second hand one I’d say go for it.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:22 am
by Al
Seen this?

Just round the corner from me!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184810489152

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 8:57 am
by FLV
I've been trying to buy a bike for my wife for a while, can't seem to get one at a reasonable price.
I'm thinking I'll have to go for a build and suck up the cost soon.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:14 am
by gairym
I'm yet another happy Solaris owner - I love mine!

I had a MK1 and while I loved it I ended up getting rid of it.

Didn't get on with the two frames I tried to replace it with and so ended up buying a MK2 Solaris and loved it ever since.

FWIW I don't like the newer versions nearly as much as I think the LLS geo takes away from the responsiveness and lively feel a bit for all day up and down riding (for me at least).

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:33 pm
by ChrisS
whitestone wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 7:35 pm
ChrisS wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:02 pm
whitestone wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:35 am I've the Mk1 Solaris, possibly my favourite bike. With a modern suspension fork it's an absolute hoot. For the last few years it's had a rigid carbon fork fitted meaning that unladen it comes out at around 11kg even without going down the weight-weenie rabbit hole.
That’s actually not that far off my carbon XC bike (albeit with a suspension fork). The Solaris does seem to be on the lighter side for a steel frame and I guess with carbon rims, bars and decent components the weight wouldn’t be too tank-like. Having said that my Merida definitely rides better in bikepacking mode - the extra weight just seems to make it more composed on steeper terrain, up or down.
Cy from Cotic has a masters in metallurgy or something like that. Somewhere I read that the steel in the frames is just 0.3mm thick, that's like 3 sheets of paper!

The original build was large frame, x-fusion forks, hope xc wheels, bontrager tyres, Shimano XT 1x drivetrain and brakes, saddle and bars were Raceface. That came in at 12.5kg, no carbon parts. It's now got a set of Travers Prong CF forks hence the weight drop. I'm sure with some judicious use of the credit card you could get down to 10kg maybe less :-bd Would it be durable though?
Not bothered about getting it to 10kg… I’d rather have something more robust. The difference between 12.5kg and the weight of my current bike is probably the same as two full water bottles!

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:34 pm
by ChrisS
Al wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:22 am Seen this?

Just round the corner from me!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184810489152
I had thanks! I’m still working out exactly what I want though so not going to go for it. Lots of love on this thread for the Solaris though.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2022 1:33 pm
by fatbikerbill
Rather than start yet another thread I thought I'd ask here.

First off @chrisS did you make a purchase?

I am dithering (again) (sorry). My current choices are:
- Large solarisMax
- sonder signal Ti pinion, XL
- sonder signal Ti, XL

I'm 185 tall and a tender 57, want a hard tail for lakes, peaks and bikepacking duties.

I definitely have a pinion itch but can't decide if it is totally mad. Think if I was 10 years younger I'd make more sense as a longer term investment. I'm a fairly wheels on the ground rider.

The solarismax looks stunning especially in that orange and bonus, offers 24 months interest free. If I went solaris I'd probably go slx, 1x12, helm.

Re: Recommend me a new hardtail

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2022 2:53 pm
by metalheart
I have a medium mk1 Solaris (which I used for starting off bikepacking), I then had a SolarisMAX mk1 (non LLS/longshot geo) which I built up specifically for bikepacking and ran B+ and a size bigger (large) for all BAM the year I completed it. Zero complaints about on that score.

I also had a New Gen Stanton Sherpa which I bought online/the phone and the first time I threw a leg over it I knew was a smidge too short. This was the same time as the SolarisMAX mk1. The Sherpa (once I replaced the stem with a 5mm longer and 31.8 dia one) was a more fun bike to ride on the trails than the Cotic.

I picked up one of the first longshot mk2 SolarisMAX’s and built it up 29er with 130mm HELMs, dropper post and 1x11. Oooft, totally transformed my riding. Loved it so much I bought the SodaMAX ti version when it became available. Found that I could ride the Sherpa harder as a result too.

Feb 20 I bought back the mk2 SolarisMAX and built it up with the mk1 kit but something happened and my riding was curtailed so I have not really used it for bikepacking (although my mate I sold it to did and he couldn’t see green cheese and bought one of the second batch SodaMAXs sone had o problems with it for that purpose).

Anyways, said mk2 has a big chip on the top tube from the gear shifter from when my mate fell off and twisted the bars and this offends my OCD so I now have a mk3 on order (Froggat Green, thank you very much). I’m going to build that up for trail riding and the SodaMAX will become my ‘packer (as it currently has trace36 140mm forks and 29*2.6” tyres).

So, if you are after a SolarisMAX good news, the latest frame batches are currently on the boat and due in early Feb so will be available shortly to buy.

I have a long history with Cotic (I’ve bought 10 frames off them so far). When I phone them up it’s like talking to your LBS and pretty much always get the chat (they definitely remember me...)

Sorry, no experience of the Sonders but my dealings with them have been favourable (I got a Ti Camino which was shipped with the front wheel with 15mm adaptors but a 12mm axle. A phone call, an email and replacement adaptors send ASAP. I had difficulty fitting them due to damage of the previous set and when I phoned up they were, no prob, we’ll send out a new set of wheels. I had to restrain them as I only needed a front, they went but the rims won’t match and I was I don’t care, I’ve order a set of DTSwiss for Sunday best). So, if either suits I’m sure they’d be fine.