Cotic FlareMax | First Ride | MBR Magazine

We've ridden the new Cotic FlareMax - plucky, fearless little ripper that punched way above its weight.| Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/MBRmagaz...

A few years ago there was a trend for 29ers that were short on travel but big on fun.

Plucky, fearless little rippers that punched way above their weight.

We’re talking about bikes like the old Specialized Camber Evo, Kona Process 111 and Evil the Following.

Well Cotic’s new Flare Max captures the spirit of those benchmark models and moves the game on again.

The Droplink suspension gives 120mm of travel out back, configured in a super-progressive fashion.

So it responds instantly to your inputs and delivers a snappy, poppy ride quality that’s completely addictive.

And the geometry and sizing are generous, without being excessive, so confidence goes through the roof and you can’t help attacking trails with the kind of contempt normally reserved for something boasting much more travel.

Obviously this can get you in a bit of trouble, but the stability of the chassis helps keep the Flare on your side.

Equally, the frame construction, with its signature Reynolds 853 steel front triangle and bridgeless seatstays, wants to find the path of least resistance, so you don’t get knocked off line as easily as you might with a super stiff frame.

And with the 29er wheels wrapped in some aggressive tyres, you can take liberties with the Flare that you wouldn’t have thought possible.

Changes over the previous model include a new back end with new alloy forgings for extra stiffness, single-ring only frame design, revised geometry with longer reach and a more progressive kinematics.

The size large 29er we rode had a 480mm reach, 65 degree head angle and 1,246mm wheel base with a 130mm travel fork.

And there’s room to run 27.5in wheels and Plus tyres if that’s more your cup of tea.

Prices run from £1,500 for the frame only, and £2,800 for a full build with Shimano SLX and X-Fusion suspension.

As you can probably tell, we really liked the Flare MAX.

Although it was only a brief ride, it reminded us of Scooby Doo’s diminutive nephew, Scrappy, who was always up for a fight, however big or scary the adversary.

We can’t wait to get our hands on one for a bit longer.

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