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2018 Cotic

FlareMAX Gold Plus

A 27.5″ steel frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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FrameSteel
SuspensionFull, 125 / 130mm
ForkCane Creek HELM
ShockCane Creek DBair IL
Wheels27.5″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 11
GroupsetXT
BrakesShimano XT Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
FlareMAX Gold Plus
Other Trail bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

22 mph

FlareMAX Gold Plus

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

5'2" – 5'8"

MD

5'6" – 5'11"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'1" – 6'7"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

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Reviews

Summary

The Cotic FlareMax is a trail bike that combines a steel and alloy frame with forward-shifted geometry and a flatter shock rate, offering a mix of assured muscle and aggressive handling. It's praised for its customisable options and solid specification, though some find it a bit sluggish on flatter trails and heavier than its peers. The bike excels on technical descents, with a geometry that leans towards slacker and longer, making it a point-and-shoot machine on challenging terrain.

Pros
  • Steel and alloy frame delivers a fantastic mix of assured muscle

  • Forward shifted geometry and flatter shock rate feel awesome

  • Plenty of customisable options

  • Solid specification with reliable components

Cons
  • Heavier than most carbon/alloy bikes in the shorter-travel category

  • A touch sluggish on flatter, twistier trails

  • Rear wheel travel can feel limited on rougher tracks

Key Quotes
What was previously a very confident and assured but slightly genteel machine has got significantly sharper and more aggressive in a Daniel Craig, not Roger Moore ‘Bond’ style.
Bike Perfect logoBike Perfect
The FlareMax feels like it wants to be ridden flat-out everywhere — it’s not a bike that requires finesse to get the most out of its ride — it’s more of a point and shoot bike, on most terrain.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
This bike here is the second iteration of Cotic’s 120mm travel, do-it-all, up-for-most-things, full suspension trail bike.
Singletrack World logoSingletrack World

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Bike Perfect
Cotic FlareMax 125 Review

Dec 2019 · Guy Kesteven

Cotic’s semi-steel short-travel trail mountain bike gets an even more radical geometry and shorter, smoother suspension update

Highs
  • Steel and alloy frame delivers a fantastic mix of assured muscle

  • Forward shifted geometry and flatter shock rate feel awesome

  • ‘Alternative’ suspension options match frame feel really well

  • Sorted spec with an excellent range of ‘custom’ or even self-supplied options

Lows
  • Heavier than most carbon/alloy bikes in the shorter-travel category

  • Approximate rather than super accurate handling at the ragged edge

  • Super long and slack geometry won’t suit every rider or trail

Read Review

Singletrack World
Review: Cotic FlareMAX. Is Longshot Geometry a step too far or a step in the right direction?

Sep 2018 · James Love

Cotic has really gone for it with reach increasing by some margin. Reach figures for the new Cotic FlareMAX are up significantly

Read Review

Pinkbike
Review: Cotic FlareMAX

Aug 2018 · David Arthur

Can British steel compete with carbon and aluminum in the emerging short-travel AM/trail category? This elegant 29er may be the proof...

Highs
  • Fast and fun

  • Longshot geometry

  • Suspension is sensitive, supple and supportive

Lows
  • Limited space for a frame mounted water bottle

  • On the heavy side

  • Seat tube angle could be steeper

Read Review

BikeRadar
Cotic FlareMAX Gold Plus review

Oct 2016 · Jon Woodhouse

Fast, fun and adaptable, the FlareMAX could well be the only bike you need. Buy if you're looking for a fun, sturdy and do-it-all bike for the trails

Highs
  • Shimano groupset and RaceFace cranks, sturdy linkages and pivots on the Droplink suspension system, X Fusion fork

Lows
  • The deep section WTB rims

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Chromoly

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Fork

Cane Creek Helm 29, Boost 110x15mm thru-axle, tapered steerer

Travel130mm

Shock

Cane Creek DB Air IL, 190mm x 45mm

Travel125mm

Bottom Bracket

Threaded BSA, 73mm

Headset

Hope

Stem

Cotic Shortstem (35mm or 45mm)

Handlebar

Cotic Calver, 780mm width, 25mm rise

Saddle

Cotic Cromo Rail

Seatpost

Race Face Turbine dropper, 125mm (SM, MD), 150mm (LG, XL)

TypeDropper

Pedals

N/A

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11-speed

Front Derailleur

N/A

Crank

Race Face Turbine Cinch, 175mm length, direct mount

Shifters

Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11-speed

Cassette

Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11-46 tooth, 11-speed

Chain

Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11-speed

Chain Guide

N/A

Brakes

Deore XT M8000, 180mm rotors

TypeShimano XT Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Deore XT M8000

Wheels
Rims

Hope Tech 35W

Front Hub

Hope Tech

Rear Hub

Hope Tech

Tires

WTB Ranger, Light High Grip front, Tough Fast Rolling rear, tubeless, 27.5" x 2.8"

Rider Notes
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First added September 3

Last updated September 3

Not listed for 2,825 days