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Currently have a T130 in large which I find too cramped being 6'2.
Looking at the geometry the Aeris 120 in large looks bigger/longer however have read that they don't feel as big as specs suggest.
Anyone have experience with comparisons between the two?
You could sell me the frame 🙂
I'm 6-2" also and have the Large (Aeris 145 though). They are Looooooooooooong bikes!
I am 6'2" and went from a large T130 to a Aeris 145 large. I always hankered after a larger XL Whyte. The Aeris is very long but doesn't feel it - steep seat, slack head and short stem.
Why don't you demo one?
I demo'd both the Aeris 120 and 145 in a medium - I'm 5"6' but with short legs; I tried a T130 also in medium which felt right in terms of top tube length but couldn't get the saddle low enough due to the seat tube length. The Aeris bikes have similar TT lengths to Whytes but have longer reach and shorter seat tubes in comparison.
There's a section in the Bird website about sizing which goes into top tube and reach and how each plays its part:
https://www.bird.bike/about-bird/size-guide/
If in doubt, give the guys a ring - they'll talk you through things if you're unsure.
I went for the 145 as I wanted something that would do the riding I do 90% of the time but could cope with BPW and similar. It is a long bike in terms of wheelbase but I find it agile enough - the seat tubes are steep so you're the centre of the bike. It takes a bit of time to get used to it but I wouldn't want to go back to my old Giant Trance that it replaced.
I'd second the comment above about having a demo as well.
Thanks for the replies. I'm in south Wales but may have to travel for a demo.
I'msplit between upping the travel to a 145 or g160 as they are longer, getting an XL t130 or trying an Aeris 120. Unfortunately got to keep the budget down so will probably end up with whatever is about at the time.
I demo'd a large aeris 120 on Saturday, I'm 5ft 11" but have short legs and a long torso. When talking to Ben, he said the recommendation is to size more traditionally for the 120 but to size up for the 145. I ride a large Specialized Pitch atm and my feeling on the large aeris is that is was great at speed, really stable, but when it got into tight berms it felt a little bit long.
On the same day I met some guys also demoing, one was on an am9 however both owned multiple bird bikes. One was 6ft 2" and rides a large 120 with a 35mm step, the other 5ft 10" and rides an ML 120. After listening to their thoughts on how they decided, my test ride (most fun bike I've rode for the record even if it was a little long for me) and Ben's comments I'm gonna put an order on for an ML with a 40-50mm stem because I like to throw my bike around a little more. If I was more reserved a large would've been fine.
I'll most likely be putting the order in for one in the next couple months once I nail down the spec and finish with finals exams, hopefully in time for a weekend in North Yorkshire. Hope this helps but I highly recommend a demo, it was more than worth the 4 hour round trip for me!
I’m in south Wales but may have to travel for a demo.
They demo them at cwmcarn. Should be able to try a couple of sizes if you go on a quiet day.
They have ML and L 120 and 145 at Cwncarn
Ideal, didn't realise that. Will have to get down there. Thanks again all
5'11 on a M/L Aeris 120
Fits perfectly
similar as above for me. 5'10 & ML 120. 780mm bars, 35mm stem, could have fitted a 170mm dropper but am OK with the 150. Bike fits really well - long but not unwieldy and really stable when battering through lumpy stuff. Much better on tight turns than my old 26er, where it felt like the front wheel could dive underneath you at any moment.
There's also a demo day in May in S Wales - probably the best option to decide the matter.
https://www.bird.bike/2018-bird-events/