The Cotic FlareMAX is our 120mm travel, 29" or Plus wheel, fast and fun trail bike.

FlareMAX is a proper sweet-spot chassis; the perfect trail bike. It's the only bike you'll need for ripping through the woods and conquering mountains. Light and responsive, yet fiercely capable.

The combination of big wheels and mid travel is an irresistible recipe for fun; whether it's an all day epic or an evening blast, 29er or 650b+, FlareMAX is more versatile than you'll believe.

Progressive new Longshot geometry keeps the bike stable through the rough stuff and planted in the corners. Couple a super short stem to the optimised head angle and the bike really eggs you on, looking for every stump to jump off, rock to gap and berm to rail, keeping you connected to the trail while maintaining poise and composure.

Reynolds 853 builds a light, lively and fantastically robust front end, and includes our custom ride tuned Ovalform top tube which helps to deliver that famous ride feel. The frames' steel construction is compliant and naturally ground moulding, extracting grip and feedback from the trail where you thought there was none.

The FlareMAX is plenty of bike for those trips to the big hills, yet is responsive and engaging on more mellow and flowy trails. As Singletrack magazine says, the FlareMAX does fast, fun and far. It could well be one bike to rule them all.

MAX by name, Maximum versatility by nature, the FlareMAX can run either 29 inch wheels with tyres up to 2.5" wide, or the latest 275 Plus sized wheels in 27.5 x 2.8" width.

Why Big Wheels?

29inch or 275 Plus wheels roll easy and give a lot of stability, confidence and speed in rougher terrain, at the expense of being a little heavier and less playful than regular 27.5" wheels. 275 Plus wheels (the 27.5 x 2.8 option) offer more comfort and traction than 29" wheels at the expense of more weight and slower acceleration.

The way the FlareMAX frame is packaged around the larger wheels (longer rear end, longer wheelbase, taller front end) can suit the proportions of a taller rider better, this will minimise any potential drawbacks, as a taller rider tends to have long enough arms and legs to move the bike around easily. However, if you're after more speed and stability from a bike, you may enjoy the FlareMAX more than an easier to manoeuvre, but less stable, smaller wheeled bike, like the 27.5" wheeled Flare.

Cotic Droplink suspension is supportive and progressive, keeping the RocketMAXs 120mm travel feeling lively and interactive, with grip to spare on the descents, support and traction on the climbs.

Complete bike options

Complete bikes start with our no nonsense Silver build, moves up to our high performance Gold level, and finally to the dream bike Platinum spec for all the toys. There are multiple GO CUSTOM upgrade options for each bike, including Hope brakes, Joystick or Hope finshing kit, so you can make your FlareMAX your own. For more information, click on the tabs below. Prices start at (price unavailable)

frame options

FlareMAX is also available frame only with Cotic tuned X-Fusion O2 RCX or Cane Creek DB Air IL shock options. Prices start at £1499

We now have a Factory Collection option on the bikes. Come down to our base in the heart of the Peak District, and we will set up your bike, the suspension, fit pedals, get you all comfortable. You can even take your new Cotic out on its maiden voyage around our demo loop, straight from our workshop door.

Just tick the Factory Collection option on your order and we will look forward to seeing you. We'll contact you once we have received your order, and arrange a day that suits you for your visit (Monday - Friday).

If you want your suspension trail bike from Cotic with the lighter, livelier ride of the smaller 27.5" wheels, you need our Flare.

Like your wheels big, but your ride a little faster and tougher? A little slacker and more enduro? You need the RocketMAX.

Maybe you're more a hardtail rider, but like the versatility of the FlareMAX with 29er and 275 Plus wheels? Have a look at the SolarisMAX.

Are you in the UK and would like to demo a FlareMAX? Contact us via our Demo Page to organise a demo ride with us.

• Read our Founder and Bike Designer Cy Turners' theory behind using steel for our full suspension bikes here.....
• Read all about the development and features of the Cotic droplink suspension here.....

New Longshot geometry brings a new balance and capability to the FlareMAX. Long frame, matched with a responsive stem in the 35mm-50mm length range is matched with a slacker head angle to balance out the handling for a beautifully controlled and exciting ride.

New sizing, and a new Small size. Every frame size has been been redeveloped, with attention paid to the riders of that specific frame size.

A new 1x specific swingarm... with forged parts... bringing added stiffness and tyre clearance... and with a new 1x integrated top guide (included).

Tougher than ever... now with 140mm max fork travel.

• Radical Cotic Longshot geometry is specifically designed for 35-50mm stems, giving incredible steering responsiveness combined with hugely confidence inspiring capability at speed.
• Reynolds 853 Ovalform and DZB tubed front end brings precision, beautiful ride feel, durability and strength
• 44mm standard head tube designed with external bottom cup for taper steerer compatiblity and zero stack top cup for minimal stack height
• Custom Cotic designed 35mm heat treated cromoly seat tube for super stiff support for the main suspension pivots
• 31.6mm seatpost size is dropper seatpost compatible. Internal 'Stealth' dropper post remote routing
• ISCG05 mounts on regular threaded bottom bracket bring drivetrain security and reliability
• Rear mech cable routed internally through the steel seatstay for clean lines and low noise
• Dedicated 1x drivetrain design - maximum width swingarm pivot, low drop, forged construction swingarm heads with integrated One Up Components award winning Top Guide
• 6066-T6 aluminium swingarm with Syntace X-12 BOOST148 x 12 rear axle for maximum wheel stiffness on larger wheels.
• 15mm pivots for BB and droplink thru axle style linkage clamp keep the frame solid front to rear
• 1 bottle mount
• Clearance for big tyres - 29 x 2.5" or 27.5 x 3.0" PLUS tyres (we prefer 27.5 x 2.8" though)
• Optimised around 130mm forks for great balance of speed and precision. Options are open though - Sharpen it up with 120mm or bring on the big hits with 140mm
• 120mm of Cotic droplink suspension brings traction, fun and interaction via a strong progression rate on the linkage driven single pivot layout
• Sizes - NEW Small (390mm), Medium (425mm), Large (460mm) or XL (495mm)
• Weight - Gold Spec Bike 30.3lbs w/o pedals

All our bikes are hand assembled to order here in the Peak District by Paul, Cy, Richard or Will. If there's anything on the spec you're not sure about, or don't need, give us a ring to discuss. We'd much rather leave something off you don't need and charge you a bit less than waste a perfectly good part you'll not use when we can put it on someone elses bike. Better for you, better for us, less waste, so better for everyone.

When ordering, you can choose key components to help you get the fit you want on your bike (contact us if you need help), but you can also go custom if you want to personalise your build still further. Many of our builds can be customised extensively, with headset, brake, wheel and fork travel options available.

NOTE: Specifications subject to change without notice. Because of this, bikes shown in videos and photos are likely to feature a different spec to that currently offered.

The chart is a guide to frame size. Longshot Geometry means that the frames are low and long, with plenty of standover room. You can take this two ways: We recommend going for the size suggested for your height on the chart, and getting all the benefits of running a super short and responsive 30-35mm stem. If you prefer a more conventional setup, you could go for the next size down with a long dropper post to keep pedalling height, and run a 45-50mm stem. Make sure you consider your leg length as well. If you upsize you might not be able to fit a dropper post with 150mm drop due to the collar hitting the seat tube top or the dropper post bottoming out on the seat tube droplink pivot. If you are unsure about that or anything else, drop us a line at size@cotic.co.uk and we'll be happy to discuss set up based on what you're riding at the moment and what seatpost you are planning to use.

• mm
• inches
• 120
• 130
• 140

Seatpost diameter: 31.6mm (get 380mm long minimum)

Front Mech: Not applicable - 1x drivetrains only.

Fork: Minimum 120mm. Maximum 140mm travel, 551mm axle-crown (without sag)

Bottom Bracket width: 73mm

Bottom Bracket thread: Conventional English/BSA

Chainring: Single only, boost chainline

Chainguide Mounting: ISCG05 bottom 2 tabs. Integrated Cotic x OneUp Components Top Guide (included with frame or bike)

Headset: 44mm for Taper Steerer forks: Hope 2H, Cane Creek ZS44 Top/EC44 Bottom, Chris King Inset I7

Rear Hub: Boost148 x 12 bolt through

Rear Axle: Syntace X-12

Rear Mech Hanger: Syntace X-12 Type 1 (Conventional or Shimano Direct Mount)

Shock: 190 x 45 Metric

Shock Fittings: 15.75 x M8 Down Tube End, 24.0 x M8 Seatstay End

Dropper Post Routing: Stealth via the down tube

Rear Brake Mounting: I.S. Compatible with up to 203mm diameter rotors