Many have tried to copy the Soul since it first appeared six years ago, but in our opinion nobody has managed to better it. With a fork around the 120–140mm travel mark fitted up front the geometry is as close to perfection as it gets. You can ride this frame faster through technical sections than you can a short travel full suss with lesser geometry, and because it’s made from some of the finest butted steel known to man, you don’t even get that beaten up. Despite being so compliant this latest generation Soul has got even stronger up front without putting on any significant weight, and we particularly like the new dropouts which look a whole lot better than the old ones. It’s frames like this that remind you how good a hardtail can be.

Price: £470.00 (inc chainstay protector and hope seat Qr)
cotic 07970 853 531
www.cotic.co.uk