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Today’s DealsFlareMAX Silver SLX
A 29″ steel frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components and shimano deore mechanical disc brakes.
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| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 125 / 130mm |
| Fork | X-Fusion MCQUEEN |
| Shock | X-Fusion |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | SLX |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore Mechanical Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Cotic FlareMAX is a trail bike that combines a communicative steel frame with progressive geometry, offering a unique blend of stability and agility. Its suspension is praised for being sensitive and well-tuned, providing a smooth ride across various terrains. While it's heavier than some rivals and can be expensive, its dynamic feel and customizable options make it a standout choice for riders seeking a lively and confident trail experience.
Communicative steel frame
Progressive geometry
Sensitive and well-tuned suspension
Unique charm and aesthetics
Customizable options
Heavier than rivals
Expensive
Inconsistent Shimano XT brakes
Occasional pedal strikes
Building a super-light down-country bike around a 4kg semi-steel frame is clearly a silly thing to do on paper when you can get carbon frames with similar travel for around half the weight.
It’s suspension and geometry, not frame material, that make the bike, and Cotic has nailed both.
The FlareMAX is a monster on the climbs if you can forgive a bit of pedal bob, quick and easy-going through flowy mellow sections and massively confidence-inspiring when the speeds rack up.
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Sep 2021
The Cotic FlareMAX G4 is a down-country bike that refuses to be pigeonholed. Thanks to a respectfully lengthy geometry, huge range of custom options and wide fork travel optimisation, it's a versatile bike for many different riders, and it's tough not to like. Best mountain bikes for under £3,000 - capable trail bikes that won't break the bank Merida Ninety-Six 8000 review 15 Great British bike brands made right here in the UK We've got the Cotic FlareMAX G4 in its Gold XT build for testing.
May 2021 · Guy Kesteven
Can you really make a ‘down-country’ speed machine with a steel frame?
Communicative steel frame
Super-light unsprung weight and components
Adjustable, linear shock
Progressive geometry
Unique charm and x-factor aesthetics
Heavier than rivals
Lacks the stiffness of a carbon-fiber monocoque
Expensive

May 2021 · Cotic-Bikes
Cy has given their little bike a few geometry tweaks, updated details, and lighter builds.

Feb 2020 · Jamie Darlow
With the short travel 29er Cotic FlareMax the British steel specialist forges agead again with upgraded geometry and flexible speccing.
Great geometry backed up by decent suspension.
Let down by intermittent Shimano XT brakes. It's pretty heavy for a short-travel bike.
Dec 2019 · Hannah Dobson
The new Cotic FlareMAX is launched today, and Cy at Cotic gave us a quick first ride out on the latest iteration of this mid travel 29er.

Apr 2019 · Tom Marvin
A long, steel bike that's upgradable depending on your needs and budget
Geometry that’ll likely give up before you do
Ability to adjust spec to match your pocket
Sluggish up hill and between tight corners
Tyres didn’t overly impress
| Frame | Steel BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | X-Fusion McQueen RL2 Travel: 130mm |
| Shock | X-Fusion O2 RCX, 200mm x 50mm Travel: 125mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano XT M800, 73mm BSA threaded |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 Series, ZS44/EC44 |
| Stem | Cotic SHORTERSTEM, 35mm |
| Handlebar | Cotic Calver, 780mm width, 25mm rise, 5° upsweep, 9° backsweep |
| Saddle | Cotic |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic Stealth dropper, 125mm drop Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | N/A |
| Grips | Cotic, lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Crank | Shimano SLX M7100 |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano SLX, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth |
| Chain | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed |
| Chain Guide | OneUp Top Guide |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore, Shimano 180mm rotors Type: Shimano Deore Mechanical Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Deore |
| Rims | Shimano MT620 wheelset |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Shimano MT620 wheelset |
| Front Hub | Shimano MT620 wheelset, CENTER LOCK rotor mounts, 110x15mm Boost front, 148x12mm Boost rear |
| Rear Hub | Shimano MT620 wheelset, CENTER LOCK rotor mounts, 110x15mm Boost front, 148x12mm Boost rear |
| Tires | Continental Trail King, 29" x 2.2" |
First added May 14
Last updated May 14
Not listed for 2,206 days