New Cotic FlareMAX with Updated Geometry

Feb 5, 2018
by cy-cotic  
PRESS RELEASE: Cotic

Large size. New FlareMAX featuring longshot geometry. 120mm trail scythe. Integrated chain device larger main pivot bearings uprated fork length for 120 to 140mm options.

We're super excited to be introducing the new FlareMAX, our first bike in the Droplink range with Longshot geometry.

XL Size. New FlareMAX featuring longshot geometry. 120mm trail scythe. Integrated chain device larger main pivot bearings uprated fork length for 120 to 140mm options.


Extra changes include:

- Extended fork range (120mm - 140mm)
- Integrated chain guard using a One-Up device included with each frame
- 1x only meaning we can stiffen up the swingarm & provide more clearance
- Larger main pivot bearings
- Relocated bottle bosses to accommodate larger shocks
- Smoothed swingarm machining and captive bolts for a cleaner look
- Improved cable routing for wider tyres

Longer, lower, slacker is all well and good but the three things need to change in harmony to keep the ride quality sweet whether you're going up or down. The new FlareMAX is our 29 / 27.5+, 120mm trail bike which feels and rides like a much bigger rig, whilst maintaining that nimble and poppy feel, synonymous with the whole Cotic range.

New FlareMAX featuring longshot geometry. 120mm trail scythe. Integrated chain device larger main pivot bearings uprated fork length for 120 to 140mm options.
New FlareMAX featuring longshot geometry. 120mm trail scythe. Integrated chain device larger main pivot bearings uprated fork length for 120 to 140mm options.

New FlareMAX featuring longshot geometry. 120mm trail scythe. Integrated chain device larger main pivot bearings uprated fork length for 120 to 140mm options.
New FlareMAX featuring longshot geometry. 120mm trail scythe. Integrated chain device larger main pivot bearings uprated fork length for 120 to 140mm options.

Cotic now sells direct to consumers from our base in the UK to the whole world. Frames are delivered prepped and ready to build, and all our complete bikes are hand assembled to order.

Prices start from £1249 (+VAT in the UK) for frame & Xfusion O2RCX shock and £2486 (+VAT in the UK) for full builds.

Find out more at www.cotic.co.uk/product/flareMAX

Posted In:
Press Releases Cotic


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110 Comments

  • 59 2
 Help! I can't find any glaring faults!
  • 25 7
 /27.5+
  • 7 0
 is it a threaded bb?
  • 10 7
 Non tapered headtube? Maybe not a fault but super weird in 2018
  • 14 2
 @meltboro: it is tapered, 44/44mm headtube with large external lower cup
  • 8 1
 It’s not tapered.....but compatible with tapered forks ; ) @PHILSOGOOD:
  • 6 1
 The bottom picture on the right appears to show a gaping hole for debris to collect in. I may be wrong though...
  • 3 0
 @fercho25: Yes.
  • 13 1
 @Triber66: Very few steel frames have tapered headtubes, even in 2018.
  • 3 1
 Weird bottle cage mount location. (I couldn't care less, I wear a backpack or nothing, but I can't imagine a bottle there).
  • 31 0
 @cky78: It's just a cowled end for the shock mount. It's not that deep. The cable hole is plugged with a rubber seal, but it's also the hole where we pour all the awesome into the frame so it needs a bit of room.
  • 6 0
 @IluvRIDING: Only place it fits sensibly, but it does work.
  • 4 0
 @cy-cotic: Right on. Sick looking bike, you must have stuffed lots of awesome into it!
  • 4 0
 @cy-cotic: great looking bike, cy! especially the mercury color scheme with orange decals. that would be a perfect match for my ti honzo. when can we expect the updated rocket max??
  • 3 0
 @meltboro: "44mm standard head tube designed with external bottom cup for taper steerer compatiblity and zero stack top cup for minimal stack height" as per link / "Frame Specifications"
  • 2 1
 @meltboro: steel doesn't need to be.
  • 1 0
 @fercho25: #yes
  • 8 1
 I found a fault. Its not in my garage. Damn it.
  • 2 0
 Cable routed through the seat stay looks like it will wear through and kink over time. That is a very active place for a cable. Of course you can externally route it yourself...
  • 3 0
 @taletotell: I'd rather have this routing than under the bb
  • 2 0
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: seems like an awfully tight bend in a moving place. Just like under the bb it will be beat to hell. There has to be a better route.
  • 3 0
 @taletotell: It's the same routing has we have used successfully for the last 2 years. We haven't had any trouble with it, and we run a big demo fleet so we would find out if it did.
  • 1 0
 @wythall1: my dmr sect does :-)
  • 1 0
 @cy-cotic: Good enough for me.
  • 2 0
 @wythall1: the only ones I can think of off hand are the Chromags.

As I see it the only advantage of tapered is you can fit a ZS lower cup to keep everything low or use an angleset with more than -2 degrees. IMO you probably don't need either on this bike.
  • 1 1
 @wythall1: the kona honzo and explosif also have tapered headtubes since a few years
  • 3 0
 @rynee: As mentioned above, the head tube doesn't have to be tapered to fit a tapered steerer fork. This 44mm head tube uses ZS (Zero Stack) top cup, and EC (External Cup) lower cup headset and fits all current and projected tapered steerer forks. Tapered head tubes in steel tend to be heavier and limiting in terms of headset choice.
  • 4 0
 @fercho25: Yes, 73mm threaded. No press fit weirdness here.
  • 24 1
 @cy-cotic when is Longshot geometry and that boner-inducing chrome paint job coming to the Rocket so I can buy one? Please and thank you.
  • 8 0
 I second this, wholeheartedly.
  • 18 0
 I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you. Thanks for the interest though.
  • 4 0
 @Fix-the-Spade: Third-ed
  • 1 0
 @cy-cotic: So does that mean that when the unveiling comes it will be accompanied by murder spree or something?! I don't want to wake up to find an evil Luchador in my garage.
  • 3 0
 Fourth! Desperately hoping for it before this summer. I'm about to press the button on Rocket but want to know if it's going to make it for this season or it'll be after
  • 3 0
 @Rickyticky8810: me too, seat tube on the XL is too long for me but the reach on the L is too short. Hoping a large with the Longshot geometry will be perfect
  • 2 0
 @cy-cotic: Quite literally have my bank card in my hand ready to place any order..
The uncertainty is already killing me Wink
  • 1 0
 @cy-cotic: Oh great, you've doomed your entire mailing list now!
  • 17 1
 Ti in the works?
  • 10 1
 not sure why you're getting downvoted because a Ti fs bike with modern geo and interchangeable dropouts might be the ultimate 'lifer' mountain bike.
  • 3 1
 I think Cy chooses his frame materials very consciously for what he believes is the best material for the job. He is probably only going for titanium if he can really extract all he can from the material which, considering the market for titanium fullies, may not be worth it. To be honest I'm very impressed with what he has been pumping out in the past year or so (new BFe26, new BFe27.5, Soul now this and not all that long after the new Flare and Rockets have been introduced). The new Cotic stuff really does look cool. It is about time for another classic video about Rocketman.

Back to titanium, yes there are quite some titanium fullies out there but I believe they're built to order. Yes this is why it takes so long to order a frame from Kingdom, even if these are welded in China. Cotic typically orders a batch of frames to stock and sell so stocking up a bunch of expensive titanium frames he may never sell is a huge risk.
  • 1 0
 Because I live in a place where the Highway Department puts corrosives on the road to melt ice. I have gone over to Ti for my MTB/Winter commuter. I have an old Ritchey which I had powder coated, and the road slime has eaten a few holes in the powder coating, just like it eats cars. I have spent my bike budget for this year on a new Lynskey road bike.

The Cotic looks very interesting. If they make a Ti next year maybe an FS to replace the Lynskey HT? Or maybe another Lynskey, this one a FS to supplement the current hardtail Lynskey.

But a Ti Cotic would be a nice 20 year toy.
  • 9 0
 I just can't believe how positive these comments are! Where is Waki to chat some shit about it
  • 15 3
 Erm... I really like that bike... and I am happy to see such response. After all I am a Cotic fanboi...
  • 7 0
 I heard that Cy Guy has been ill recently with Flu but I think it’s actually “design fatigue” with the great bikes they pumping out.
  • 2 0
 it takes a lot to break a yorkshireman
  • 6 0
 @greglikesspecialized: History would suggest it takes only a medium sized army of Lancastrians.
  • 2 0
 @greglikesspecialized: It came pretty bloody close.
  • 7 0
 This bike looks perfect. my BFe is absolutely flawless and I can't say enough good about cotic.
  • 7 0
 My next bike will be steel!
  • 7 0
 That is a rather splendid looking bicycle
  • 6 0
 I think it would be reasonable to include a geometry chart in an article that is about geometry, no?
  • 4 0
 www.cotic.co.uk/product/flareMAX#sizing
  • 7 0
 UK is bringing some sweet rides!
  • 8 1
 Dat silver tho.
  • 2 0
 That silver is chrome.
  • 3 0
 No, it's not chrome... it's lush paint that looks like chrome.
  • 5 0
 Well put together website they have, informative and easy to navigate to find what you need.
  • 4 0
 Wait no comments about it looking like something else? N sofa engineers explaining its build all wrong? No cheese jokes?? What the hell is going on????
  • 2 0
 @cy-cotic is that paint or is the front end chromed? Looks sick! The geometry change is perfect for my super short legs. Now how to convince the wife that I "need" another bike...
  • 5 0
 It's not chrome. In fact, we almost called the colour "not chrome" so that people didn't have to ask! It's a paint job that aims to look like polished chrome, without any of the downsides when it comes to living with it. I've been testing it on my own bike for the past year, and it's proven to be tough as...
  • 2 1
 It’d be nice if it mentioned max tire width (2.6 vs 3.0) since it does mention being 1x only to provide more clearance. Also, the claim that it rides much larger than its 120mm is an ongoing joke in every review. However, bike looks great.
  • 3 0
 Max width is 29 x 2.5" or 27.5 x 3.0", although on Plus we're bigger fans of the 27.5 x 2.8".
  • 2 1
 @cotic-bikes: Thanks!
  • 4 0
 Oh wow. I have to say, "the want" is pretty strong with this one.
  • 2 1
 @cy-cotic, any chance you're going to make any with decent length seattubes for us taller folk? Detest having masses of seatpost out of the frame! Will custom builds be an option?
  • 6 0
 too long STs is what tall guys complain about lately, you might need a longer travel dropper
  • 7 0
 You can't please everybody! We dropped the seat tubes on these because most people want a smaller bike, not longer, and options for long dropper posts. Personally I've always liked a compact frame and plenty of seatpost. Custom options won't be available in terms of frame construction. I'm 6ft 3in with a 36" inseam and the 495mm seat tube on the XL is just lovely with a 150mm dropper post.
  • 1 1
 @cy-cotic: My gripe is more with the STA. It is simply too slack (I won't even consider anything below 75.5 degrees) and makes ETT huge and even more so at fully extended seat post. I am your height.
My guess is you sized the bike to suit yourself (so it should fit me as well) and will respond that it feels perfect, but still I have my doubts.

Beautiful bike BTW. Wink
  • 4 0
 @jollyXroger: The effective seat angle is 74. We tried the steeper seat angle thing and none of us liked it. Put too much pressure on the wrists and shortened the bikes too much despite their reach. Made them feel 'teetery'. We don't have super short rear ends on our bikes to keep the weight balanced between the wheels, which means you don't need a super steep seat angle to keep your weight where it needs to be on the bike. I run my saddle about middle of the rails to get me in a nice position the XL, but if you prefer a more forward seating position then you could push the saddle right forwards. 20mm on the rails is around 1 deg on the seat angle. However, if you simply prefer steep seat angles that's your preference. As I said, it's not ours, but then if we all like the same thing it would be pretty boring, eh?
  • 1 0
 @jollyXroger: PS - Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
  • 2 0
 @cotic-bikes: True about the rear center.
  • 4 0
 damn, that's pretty!
  • 3 0
 Steel bike with aluminum chainstay is... awesome!
  • 1 0
 Question for Cotic: What is the maximum chain ring size (given the optimum offset)? The clearance of the chain ring looks very tight with this 34(?) tooth one.
  • 4 0
 It looks a bit tight there on that 32t because we were pushed for time on the photos (as always) and had to shoot this before we got the Boost chainline chainring. With Boost chainline, 36t is the maximum, and 34t certainly will fit.
  • 2 1
 I have the previous version, liked it besides the chainstaylength -resale value is horrible though, everybody likes it nobody wants to buy it.
  • 3 0
 A Cotic is for life Wink
  • 1 0
 @Rickyticky8810: no choice i guessWink
  • 3 0
 Paintjobs are just so sick on Cotics at the moment. That chrome though!
  • 2 0
 Very pretty looking bike, would love to ride the shit out of it. Steel is real.
  • 2 0
 I like to admire the welds.Steel bikes have character. Nice attention to details on the frame .
  • 3 0
 are these bikes steel?
  • 4 0
 Yes.
  • 6 0
 reynolds 853 front and 6066-T6 aluminium swingarm
  • 1 0
 @johncee: Right you are...
  • 1 0
 @mammal: Reynolds 853 seatstays too
  • 4 0
 @joelbrown2011: Not quite! The seatstays are heat treated cromoly made with our own tooling to get the exact right shape.
  • 2 0
 beautiful steed right thurrrr
  • 2 0
 So nice and refreshing to see too.
  • 3 2
 I just wish starling cycles waiting list wasn't so long. The starling murmur looks steel perfection.
  • 2 0
 Hmm. It can be my next bike. Probably Wink
  • 3 0
 YES, PLEASE!
  • 2 0
 Send me one or I'll kill myself
  • 1 0
 Anyone know if and when there is a demo day in the UK for mostly English bikes? Cotic, Orange, Whyte etc...
  • 2 0
 Sam the demo man is always out there doing UK demos for Cotic...

www.cotic.co.uk/demo

Cotic only demo events... private demos for groups of mates... and, yes, there are often events where other UK based brands attend. Check the calendar on that demo page.
  • 3 0
 As @spittingcat says, we mainly do our own thing on the demo tour, bringing the demo to you. However, if you want to try bikes back-to-back then we are at Malverns in June and Ard Rock in August and there are plenty of other brands attending those events too.
  • 2 0
 Nice looking bike cy... #oneday
  • 1 0
 An article about a bike's updated geometry that doesn't actually mention any geometry numbers?
  • 1 0
 @Flowcheckers - check the GEOMETRY AND SIZING CHART on the product page:

www.cotic.co.uk/product/flareMAX#sizing
  • 2 0
 Nice bike
  • 2 0
 Slim shady bike.
  • 2 4
 Chrome... long n slack... but only 140mm? NEXT. LONGER, SLACKER, MORE TRAVEL. No exceptions anymore. The only people who can't climb on big travel bikes are mountain bike magazine\website writers.
  • 1 0
 You need to learn to pump, pop and pedal if you don't understand why short travel can sometimes be faster and funnerer
  • 2 1
 @ericwroth - No idea why you got down voted so much... big travel bikes (like the Rocket & RocketMAX) can indeed climb like a goat when properly designed... no additional riding skill required. I suppose it's because people who prefer the fun of a shorter travel poppy bike are hitting that negative props button... or perhaps you've upset all the writers.
  • 1 0
 awesome.... what's the frame weight with shock/axle?
  • 1 0
 I'm selling a 2017 Flare Max frame kit in a mint condition..
  • 2 0
 very clean bike
  • 1 1
 looks like a session
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