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Off the back of that not video I think I now need* a 9 and an AM – not ideal
*want
Same here, for the majority of my riding the AM is well suited. I’d love to have an Aeris 9 built up for the roughest of uplift days though! I can keep dreaming…
Full builds configurator is now live.
No further word on the pre order frames though…
No further word on the pre order frames though…
Drop them an email ... I did last Friday, and got a reply from Clark yesterday.
Basically, build your bike from scratch, put in the 'notes' that this is your full build, and ask them to apply the pre-order frame & shock discount to the full bike cost. Select the 'pay by bank transfer' (but don't actually pay now), and once they contact you with the amended price, you can confirm the order and arrange payment.
So, last night, I had great fun building up and ordering my bike ... just waiting for confirmation and hopefully a build date soon
Anyone got one of the early release bikes ? Keen to hear how you’re getting on!
Pics or it never happened!
I could post a pic of @Hardtailonly's bike but you know he probably should collect it first 😉 See you Friday!
@Hardtailonly - name doesn't check out.
name doesn’t check out.
Hah! How naive I was when I joined STW, thinking all I'd ever ride/own was a HT!
Lucky for me I didn't sign up here as rigidretroperv 😀
Any news about the 3rd frame colour?
I was under the impression they have settled on just two colours but best check with them on that one
When I rang up yesterday it seemed to just be the 2 frame colours. I’d probably buy one of these but medium frames likely not available until March sadly. ML probably January sometime but it’s just a bit too long for me.
Black is the fastest, gruple is the pimpest. Its well known 🙂
That said @hardtailonly's is neither, he has a limited edition (AKA Paint Sample) frame. Its very nice!
Blingy! Is that spectraflare over a base of black or something?
When (if) we actually get some sun that’s going to be very sparkly
@joebristol ... how tall are you? I'm a smidge over 5'8", initially pre ordered the M, but after the test ride (on a ML) changed to ML. It fits me well.
It only really pops like that in good light. Otherwise, it just looks a bit like a metallic grey. I think it's a rainbow/holo flake over a matt grey, underneath a matt lacquer ... but am sure @benpinnick can give more info.
Looks good! Subtle and blingy all at once!
@joebristol … how tall are you? I’m a smidge over 5’8″, initially pre ordered the M, but after the test ride (on a ML) changed to ML. It fits me well.
I am 5'8" and also on a ML (mk2 AM9)in Bird sizes. I tried both and the ML felt best. Dan was there and agreed so I went ML. I am ape +2 , but I guess most blokes are ape + something too.
I had a ML Aeris 145lt with a 481mm reach (ml AM is 475mm) and it always felt a bit unmanageable at times. Mainly low speed drops and high speed / flat turns. Had a few big offs and damaged one of my knees. Even had coaching to improve my technique - but I have short arms / torso and longer legs for my height. Recently ish had a go on a Nukeproof Mega 297 with a 475mm reach and again it felt too long - coming out of a sharp bomb while (still onto a steepish descent) I could mint weight the front enough and locked the front wheel. I never do that on my 450nm reach sentinel. <br /><br />
I think my max reach is probably 460 ish for bikes going forward.
I've never wanted a carbon frame but I really want one of these! That limited colour is really nice.
Aw what a pity that "limited" colour didn't make it to production. Nice one!
You're a lucky guy @hardtailsonly (and a good nickname btw, hardtails rock).
I have a R2 on preorder. I'm 5'7'' with longish legs but short arms (ape index "penguin").
Aw what a pity that “limited” colour didn’t make it to production. Nice one!
Well, it's worth lobbying @benpinnick about getting this onto future frames .... he was saying yesterday that initially, they were a bit 'meh' about it, but then put the ride-wrap on and it really came to life. He said they'd asked for a few more samples with a slightly less matt/more satin finish. So ... who knows ....
Hi @hardtailonly. That's really a nice colour.
Would be nice to hear about your first rinding impressions so far. 😉
I ordered a black onen in ML, and I am very excited for the first ride.
@benpinnick can you tell us when the first frames (ML black, originally planned for delivery oct.) will reach us here in Germany and Austria?
Cheers, R.
There's a few initial thoughts within my NBD thread here:
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/nbd-aeris-am-and-ill-sort-the-drainage-in-the-garden/
It's a bloody brilliant bike. Since the Hamsterley shakedown, I've done a decent ride from the door locally on it, and also a night ride up at Stainburn (some greasy, rooty steep tech plus a chunky rocky trail centre loop.) It's really good, pedals well, feels sprightly up hill. Best bike I've ever had for techy and steep climbs. Confident down hill. Wants to fly, so feels playful too ... am loving it!
I’d better get a move on and decide between air or coil! I think it’s going to be coil tho…
...preferably both, of course.
I have a preference for coil and will most likely take over the EXT Storia from my previous bike.
I ordered the AM frame back in the summer and it comes with an SDUair at a very reasonable price. I have decided to stick with this choice. So I have the option of setting up the bike with coil and "fat" tires more like an enduro bike, or with the lighter air shock and lighter carcasses more in the sporty, touring direction.
It's always good to have something to experiment with.
Oh yes, Mullet vs. Full 29er must of course also be tested...
So Bird, please be sure to send me the frame on time, because there's a lot to do! 🙏😉😎
Finally got frame this week. After a bit of faffing and a late night, i got it built up. Hopefully a shakedown ride tomorrow morning, as long as the rain isn’t biblical. Leant on my local mechanic to complete the build, due to lack of a few tools. Initial impressions. The paint is ahhhmazing. Flips between fade into the crowd, and look at me! Lighter than my previous carbon Tyee. No internal cable guides added a bit of extra faff which i could have done without. But the comparative cost savings make sense.
Will report back post ride
Just seen the IG pics ... looks great! 👌
Is yours the Grurple? How's it look in the daylight?
Yes, it’s grurple. Not had any decent daylight since it arrived! But it switches between a dark British racing green, to a look at me, I’m the artist formally known as prince, purple. Really great. Can’t wait to ride it
Looks good, still not sure if seen any photos of one in proper daylight yet! What’s with the “Fox Shox”?
Just a bit of fun. Paint was looking tired, but mechanically sound. So I decided to freshen them up. I love fox orange, so the fox shox were born!
Fox Shox 🤣 I’d missed that. The colour was doing my head in as I was sure RS hadn’t ever done orange, but I hadn’t seen your decals.
I’m glad I chose grurple too. I love it. Is yours ML?
Yup Grurple. Yet to see it pop, as it’s as grey and wet as it gets at the moment
And yes, ML. Size-wise, it feels very similar to my Large Tyee did
I’m getting the black frame and stuck between the gloss and matte protection kits, I can imagine the matte looks great when everything is new and clean but can be a bugger to get clean again! Anybody had this experience?
I fitted a gloss black kit the other day to a frame;

This one had some graphics issues that gave it a white ghosting, so it is a demo bike now. Normally there would be less.
@benpinnick have you wrapped any with the matte wrap yet? I just know the gloss will be much easier to wipe down!
Yes, the matte is fine, I don't think there's a massive difference in cleaning them, both are better than paint, and both can be ceramic coated if you feel that way inclined. I just wanted to let you know what it looks like incase that was a factor.
@benpinnick Do you by any chance know if there will be a M invisiframe kit soon? Maybe you know of someone sending a frame over to them.
Just seen Remy Metailler’s matte black wrapped bike with matte ride wrap and it looks mint. Gone with matte!
Any chance of adding Ohlins to your fork and shock selections?
If you want Ohlins we can do it but the price is high. We had an OE deal set up but then our OE manager left and we're in limbo again.
Just seen Remy Metailler’s matte black wrapped bike with matte ride wrap and it looks mint. Gone with matte!
Thought for a moment there he'd left Propain for Bird.
For those who are also waiting like me,
From Dan - we just had confirmation that they left the factory, should be with us in about a week. (Those that are pre-ordered being air shipped)
Anyone using a coil shock with these? I assume they work well?
Talked to Ben at Ard Rock and kinematics are very close to the the alloy 9 so yes, coil shock happy
Thanks
Pretty tempted by the frame only. Just need to decide on colour
Talked to Ben at Ard Rock and kinematics are very close to the the alloy 9 so yes, coil shock happy
And as I think we've discussed, if it's similar to the Aeris 9 then you'll need a low compression tune - even on a coil shock.
If they sell it with the Formula Mod, that's been an awesome shock (once I changed the CTS widget for a soft one).
How you getting on with yours?
Right. Decided I'm going to order a frame. Any more pics of the grurple? Can't decide on which colour
If it was just a single dark purple I'd probably be keen but unsure on the whole multi colour thing
Probably not the place, but do any Bird owners have the water bottle adapter that they don't use? If so, would you be willing to sell it please?