Learning how MTBs work: Cotic Soul

Might have travel reducer spacers in it that can be removed to up it to 120mm.

Actually maybe not. Looks like they did away with that for newer Reba / SiD

On the plus side, the new air shaft you need to convert the Reba to 120mm is about £25, so it's not a pricey upgrade if you fancy more travel down the line

there's also this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rockshox-Recon-Solo-Air-120mm-Silver-Suspension-Forks-27-5-650b-or-29-29er-New-/232180646054?var=&hash=item360f0b80a6:m:mrOITBkB3-IDYLNNGb4Vziw

I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole. Cheapest of the cheap rockshox OEM forks

Is this their stock colour?

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2116457/

The one that BN linked is the fancier RLT model and will have warranty.

Nah they'd be OK. Recons are alreet.

Headset? I've got a Cane Creek 40 on my Surly for £25 and it's been great.

cane creek forty IS42 IS52?

EC34/EC44 I believe. Cane Creek 40 is a good choice imo. Had a dodgy bearing on mine but Evans warrantied it without a fuss and it's been fine ever since. And it has lizards on it.

Recons are alreet.

Hwrd pls. You'll be recommending Schwalbe Performance line tyres next ;-)

re: paintjob do you think something like a coat with spray.bike stuff would suffice?

or is a powdercoat via armourtex the best way to go?

Armourtex would be the best way to go... imho, Pantone colours are the way to go, I know it won't be exactly the same as a pantone book, but you'll have a colour no one else will ;)

Powdercoat maybe, armourtex no. Used to be the place to go, sadly not anymore

You can get great results with rattlecans, but you need to put in a good half a day of work and be pretty meticulous. Powdercoat is tough and cheap

Yeah, I saw your fancy MTB paintjob! looked cool. I guess if I botch it I can always strip and do something more profesh.

This MTB stuff is a minefield -- prospect of tubeless wheels! eeeeeeeep.

wheels?

DT Swiss Spline E1900: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2098413/

Sram/Wtb: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2177896/

What axle standard is the frame?

135mm QR rear dropout. not thru axle or any of that fancy stuffs.

Completely out there option

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-crossmax-sl-pro-ltd-wts-wheelset-2016/rp-prod140699

bit narrow, bit yellow, other than I'd ride em.

Cheaper

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-crossride-light-mtb-wheelset-2017/rp-prod154016

Both would need a rear QR conversion doobry, budget £20 or so for that.

Both are Shimano, would need the XD driver for 11 speed SRAM shiz.

Don't buy used MTB wheels from internet strangers (unless me or BN)

Hwrd pls. You'll be recommending Schwalbe Performance line tyres next ;-)

It's the reba chassis, crown, damper and spring...with steel uppers.

with steel uppers

Sounds heavy. You know I'm all about the lightweight components...

do you or BN have used MTB wheels you want to sell me? :)

Half a kilo extra on the front and rust-prone stanchions is not something I'd want to take for the sake of a £55 saving.

Also going to come out in favour of wheels from Internet strangers. That's where all my wheels come from.