Hot on the tail of the Tonic Titanium gravel bike is Cotic’s latest iteration of their short travel 29er full suspension bike, the FlareMAX. Now in its 4th generation, the Cotic FlareMAX holds onto 125mm rear wheel travel serviced by the DropLink platform, but with some very subtle geometry updates and a new rear end with clearance for bigger tires. Here’s all you need to know.
Cotic FlareMAX Gen4
The bike’s dimensions remain generous all around; on a size large, the reach stretches out to 490mm while the chainstays (consistent across the S-XL frame sizes) are fairly long at 447.5mm. The head angle sits at 65.6° with a 130mm fork.
So, what exactly is new for the Cotic FlareMAX? The 4th Generation 29er takes note from the Jeht, with a seat tube and linkage arrangement that increases seatpost insertion by 20mm. This ensures the vast majority of riders will be able to fit at least a 150mm dropper seatpost to the bike.
The actual seat angle experienced by the rider is a touch steeper than what we saw on the the Gen3; around 0.5°, depending on saddle height. Cotic’s 2021 swingarm completes the picture with clearance for up to 2.6″ tires, plus some mud.
The Gen4 also gets metric shock sizing with a 210mm x 50mm shock. In addition to the Cotic custom-tuned Cane Creek DB Air IL, there is now the option of running a RockShox Select+ shock too. The 125mm travel FlareMAX is designed around a 130mm travel fork, but it is also compatible with a 140mm or indeed, a 120mm…
The XC Build
If you’re after something more akin to the mountain marathon style of riding than downcountry, you may want to consider this lighter version of the FlareMAX. For the first time, Cotic are offering complete builds around a 120mm travel fork.
You can now specify a Rock Shox SID Ultimate 120mm fork, HUNT XC Wide wheels and Wolfpack Trail/Cross 2.25″ tyres. Opting for the above over the usual 130mm fork option with HUNT Trail Wide wheels and WTB 2.5″ Slashguard tires shaves almost 1.65kg off the complete bike weight. Cotic’s Gold-level XT build with the lighter components weighs in at a claimed 12.7kg.
The SID fork, XC Wide wheels and Wolfpack tires are an option on all the builds.
Pricing & Availability
Available right now are the UK-made Launch Edition frames which will only be made until July. They are available in Sydney Blue and Gritstone Blue/Green Fade. These frames start at £2,099 with the Rockshox Select Plus shock, or £2,199 with the Cane Creek DB Air IL.
Complete bikes start at £3,799 with a Shimano SLX groupset and Cane Creek HELM-equipped Silver build. Pricing tops out at £5,249 for the Gold Eagle AXS build. These are just starting points; Cotic have options for other manufacturer’s forks, wheels, tires and suspension throughout the range.
Complete bikes will ship in July at the earliest due to parts availability, but frame orders can ship this week if you’re quick. They are in stock now in all sizes and colours.
In August, the Series Production Taiwan-made frames will arrive, which will be in Hubble Purple and Matte Slate Grey. All the same build options and frames options are available, but £300 cheaper. So, frames start at £1,799, and bikes start at £3,499. As more RockShox parts are delivered later in the summer, the Silver build bike option price drops to start at £3,149 with a Revelation 130mm fork.
