The MOUNTAIN Death Project. After a HUGELY successful Gravel Death Project hit the streets, and subsequently this website, the idea of a Mountain Death Project (M.D.P.) was born.
I enjoyed my short lived time behind the bars of my Cannondale Trail (may he RIP), so had in mind to do a full suspension bike one day. Maybe a Habit? Go crazy with a Yeti!? HAHAHA....yeah, OK. I'm not THAT good. And won't just buy a bike to pretend I know what I'm doing like most posers do.
And besides...I'm a hard-tail guy. Kinda like I'm a flat bar guy...and yes, gravel bikes are SUPPOSED to be flat bars! Get with it! But I digress...
The search was on...hard-tail. UK or USA heritage...and yes, even Canada! I looked at Chromag (CA), Guerrilla Gravity (US), Shand (UK), Bird (UK)...then I found none other than COTIC (UK)!
After doing tons of research, emails with them, back and forth between brands...it seemed the best hard-tail for the money and, well, just one of the best out there! Nice upper mid travel, great geometry...
Ordered! The frame came in at the end of August, and all the accumulated parts were quickly added!
So here the build starts. And ends. As of Sept 6, 2019 it's a done deal. Here is how it all started and...well...ended!
And end it did. As of 5/24/2020, MDP is no longer. Sold to a friend in CA, it found a new home very unexpectedly. We will miss you, my first full build!
I sold the Trail4 this past winter. And was itching to trail ride again. So coming off the highly successful GDP above, I moved it to the mountains...MDP! I'm a steel frame guy now and once again...best of the best...But what was different about this build? "I" was doing it. Frame up. All me. Extra special.
COTIC Solaris Max frame, Chris King, Hunt wheels, Wolftooth, SRAM GX Eagle, TRP Brakes, Continental rubber...and on and on. Looking at price points and tons of research, I put together what I thought was the best of the best on that budget. Everything was very specific in purpose and look. And what a finished product! Super clean. Nicely accented. Subtle yet bold. And runs like a beast!
Most of the wait was on the frame. But when that came, as of Sept 8, 2019, MDP was done! What a great BDay present to myself. Now to ride it, get some seat time in prep for the Wales Snowdonia MTB adventure next month!
Tons of searching let me to this badass frame! Can't wait to get it built!
These were built as my XC wheelset...but when I saw them in person? HAHA...sorry HUNT, they are just cool as F&$%!!
The finished product.
Going with the "British" theme on this bike...frame is UK, color is British Racing Green!...Fender SHOULD match at least a bit, right??
These came with the Stans FLOW Mk3 wheels. My choice. And colored!
These things are monstrous! 203mm! More than enough stopping power
I've been wanting Chris King 'stuff' for quite sometime now. Always go with something else for either cost reasons or just not the 'right part'. This time I trimmed elsewhere to get these! The Matte Mango goes great with the Orange Highlights on the British Racing Green COTIC Solaris frame!
The DVO fork came about quite by accident. I mulled over forks for weeks...wanted an MRP unit. Made here, one of the best!....but...cost was prohibitive. As I looked around I came across this, on sale and couldn't pass it up. Great company, highly rated fork and more than I'll need for my trail use.
The other Chris King part. Can't wait to see them on the bike!
I loved the NextR I put on the EDP so much I got another set for MDP. Couldn't leave my first Love with second hand stuff you know!
I had considered Renthal for my bar from the get go. Not sure why? UK most likely. So when Ryan at Beat asked if I wanted this one for a bargain? I jumped on it! 35mm and all!
I went with TRP brakes again because I love them on my GDP! And the modulation is 'best in class' vs what's out there. And the HUGE rotors will help with hopefully much needed stopping power!
Needing some better climbing ability, I swapped out the Wolftooth for this 30t elliptical. I used one before and love it, but thought to try the AB one...the guys who started it all!
This one was a tough decision. Almost more so than the frame! LOL. But after much debate, went with the Baron! Can't wait to ride them!
I wanted GX from the get go, but then toyed around with the idea of X01 for the derailleur...after a little conversation with a buddy, decided on the GX again. Love my SRAM!
This one was a no brainer. Love WT stuff and had to have the orange to match the accent on the bike!
I just pulled my FOX dropper for a brand X. Why? I needed more travel, 170mm vs 150mm. And it was SUPER inexpensive on sale and I had one on the EDP project, so....
Hey, if Brendan Fairclough uses them...wait...who? I just google 'best grips' and these dominated. For the most part. We'll see :)
A pedal. You'd think it would be easy. But I'm picky. This one came out of nowhere to be the choice. Why? Cy at COTIC recommended them, highly. Ride what the bike builder rides!
I haven't even built it and I'm already modding it! Got to go ceramic! Why? Hell, why not!
I found these on the JRC components website. I thought they would be pretty cool to try, anything to protect the frame is always a good thing. And after installing them? I LOVE THESE THINGS!
Long story, but wound up adding this to the MDP by accident. It was supposed to be on the EDP, but didn't fit. So added it to this one instead! Better safe than sorry.
I had a Joystick saddle, green, with a skull on this bike and loved it...but...this one is SO much more comfy and soooo cool! Goes wit the "spitfire" WWII theme quite well and looks amazing!
I swapped out the Whisky stem for a 35mm Joystick variety. Get my weight more upfront to help with damn hills! I guess we all can't just go DOWN.
I wanted a bit better 'rolling' tire for around town for MDP. Found these on sale so got them as an extra set to take wherever I go!
These were my primary set at first, but with the new Stan's FLOW's here...well...you know.
I've been TRYING to use these for 3 builds now...and I WILL this time! I'll be adding them to the new "full time" wheelset, My Stan's Flow Mk3's.
Started: Aug/Sept 2019
Finished: Sept 2019
First ride: Sept 2019
-2019 COTIC Solaris MAX frame
-DVO Beryl 160mm fork
-HUNT Trail Wide Wheelset
-Pillar Racing Spokes
-HUNT hubs
-Stan's NoTube FLOW Mk3 Wheelset
-Bitex Green Hubs
-Orange Nipples
-Orange Stem
-Magura Storm rotors
-Continental der Baron Projekt 29x2.4
-Continental CrossKing 29x2.3 (road/packing use)
-Mucoff 'No Puncture' tire sealant
-SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain
-SRAM GX Eagle chain
-Archer DX1 wireless shift kit **(coming soon)**
-JRC Components ceramic jockey wheels (Orange)
-JRC Components silicone cable wraps
-Reaper mudguard (front)
-Chris King BB
-Chris King Headset
-Renthal Fatbar LITE 35mm x 760mm
-Joystick Binary 35 x 35mm stem
-RaceFace NextR Carbon Crankset (orange)
-RaceFace orange crank end caps
-TRP G Spec Trail SL brakes
-TRP Slotted rotors
:203mm Front
:180mm Rear
-TRP Brake levers
-TRP Sintered Metallic pads
-brand X Ascend 170mm dropper post
-Wolftooth Dropper Trigger (orange)
-Absolute Black 30t elliptical chainring
-Unite Components headset spacers (orange)
-ONE UP Chainguide/Bash Guard
-DMR Deathgrip grips
-DMR OiOi camo saddle
-Shimano SPD Saint pedals/Burgtec Penthouse Mk4 flat pedals
-DyedBro frame protection
more to come...