It’s a long time (too long!!) since I’ve had a hardtail let alone a steel one.
The aim for this bike is to complement my full suss enduro/trail bike. I’m looking forward to doing some, general trail riding, low key xc events and some adventure riding.
EDIT 18/2/2026 – I’m going through a process of updating the bike in preparation for a couple of trips. I’ll update the build specs as I go and put the reasoning down at the bottom
Build Specs
| FRAME | Cotic Soul Gen 4 27.5 135 QR Gloss Aqua Medium Reynolds 853 DZB down tube, Ovalform top tube and exclusive to Cotic, 34.9mm seat tube, 34/44 taper head tube, 31.6mm seatpost https://www.cotic.co.uk/product/soul275 |
| FORK | 2018 Factory Series 34 FLOAT 27.5 130 FIT4 Tune Code DBMR Part number: 910-17-777 Description: 2018, 34, K, FLOAT, 27.5in, F-S, 130, 3Pos-Adj, FIT4, Matte Blk, No Logo, 15QRx110, 1.5 T, 44mm Rake, N/M OE Factory Settings – 91psi, rebound 5 clicks anti clockwise, compression 18 clicks out (anti clockwise), 3 x 10cc volume spacers? https://www.ridefox.com/fox17/help.php?m=bike&ref=findbycode for service docs |
| HEADSET | Hope 1H taper steerer black, 44mm external cup lower, 34mm traditional standard upper (info) |
| CRANKS | SLX HOLLOWTECH II MTB Crankset 1×11-speed FC-M7000-11 175mm |
| CHAINRINGS | 32T Shimano ISMCRM70A2 |
| BOTTOM BRACKET | Hollowtech 2, 73mm, Conventional English/BSA thread |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Shimano SLX 11s RD-M7000-11-GS |
| CHAIN GUIDE | None yet?? |
| SHIFTER | Shimano XT |
| CASSETTE | Shimano XT 11 Speed 11-46 CS M8000 |
| CHAIN | Shimano CN-HG701 11-Speed |
| WHEEL Front | Rim Hope fortus 23 (841g, 23mm id, 32H) hub – Pro4 110 15mm, Spokes 275/275 |
| WHEEL Rear | Rim- Easton Heist 27 (27mm id 32H), hub – Pro4 135QR, spokes?, nipples? |
| TYRE Front | 650b x 2.4 Onza Ibex, 22psi |
| TYRE Rear | 650b x 2.4 Onza Ibex 22psi |
| BRAKES LEVERS | Shimano XT (FR BL M8000 RL BL M8100) |
| BRAKE CALIPERS | SRAM G2 “Mini Code” F & B with metal pads |
| BRAKE DISCS | Front 203 SRAM 6-Bolt Rotor |
| STEM | OneUp EDC 42mm |
| HANDLEBAR | Oneup Handlebar 800mm 35mm |
| GRIPS | Ergon Grips Ga3 Large Risky Red |
| SADDLE | WTB Rocket V Ti |
| SEAT POST | 125mm Brand X Ascend II (?) external cable routing Brand X lever |
| PEDALS | 20yr old SPD PD-M520 https://m.pinkbike.com/news/the-20-year-history-of-the-shimano-pd-m520.html |
| ACCESSORIES | OneUp EDC V2 Tool in steerer via EDC Threadless Carrier Specialized Zee Cage II (side loading bottle cage) with 22oz Purist water bottle 76Projects Piggy on bike storage with pouch. Specialized Mullet inner tube/ Topeak tyre lever/ 25g CO2 canister with Lezyne valve Lezyne Femto Drive rear light |
Geometry
| FRAME SIZE | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| FORK | 100mm | 120mm | 140mm |
| SAG | 20% | 20% | 25% |
| REACH | 431.5mm | 425.6mm | 414.8mm |
| STACK | 575.6mm | 580.0mm | 587.7mm |
| HEAD ANGLE | 69.6° | 69° | 68° |
| SEAT ANGLE | 72.6° | 72° | 71° |
| BB DROP | 37.5mm | 33mm | 25mm |
| SEAT TUBE (centre-top) | 440mm | 440mm | 440mm |
| TOP TUBE LENGTH (Effective) | 614mm | 614mm | 614mm |
| CHAINSTAY LENGTH | 428mm | 428mm | 428mm |
| HEADTUBE LENGTH | 110mm | 110mm | 110mm |
| STEM LENGTH | 50-90mm | 50-90mm | 50-90mm |
| USUAL HEIGHT RANGE | 174cm – 182cm | 174cm – 182cm | 174cm – 182cm |
Updates
18/2/2026 – I’ve changed the handlebars for OneUp carbon bars. They were on sale at 40% off at Torpedo7’s closing down sale and they have a great reputation for comfort
Its patented oval shape reduces vibrations, arm pump, and hand fatigue, while boosting control and steering precision.
I’m going to see how I get on with the 800mm width. My enduro/trail bike has 780mm bars and they’ve been great. With teh wider bars I wanted to reduce the stem length a bit to compensate for the extra reach wider bars cause. Fortunately the OneUp EDC 42mm stem was also on sale at T7, perfect!
A couple of weeks ago I’d updated the brakes to SRAM G2 sets front and back. The have a good reputation with Googles blurb saying:
SRAM G2 are 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes designed for trail and enduro riding, offering “Mini-Code” power in a lighter package.
The reason for the update was I’ve been having endless problems with oil brake pad contamination on several sets of shimano brakes. From what I can gather there seems to be a problem with the disc seals decaying and they aren’t replaceable. I’ve got similar SRAM brakes that take the same pads on my enduro so that makes spares easier to manage
Lastly I’ve updated the grips to Ergon’s GA3 in large. I’ve got some long rides planned for this bike and I’m hoping the ergo shape will improve long day comfort.
So big update for the cockpit. Couple of tidying up jobs to do including getting the hydraulic brake hoses cut to length neatly.
More updates to come shortly so watch this space……….
Ian Ganderton 