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https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bird-launches-the-aether-9al.html
If I were going to replace the smuggler, it'd be on the potential list.
Would of liked to have seen a longer chainstay, 440ish on a large would be my preference.
No top tube length measurement and the actual seat angle is on the slack side.
I think the Aethers are designed to be the fun rather than fast bikes, hence the shorter chainstays.
Also, that’s a steep actual seat tube angle for a full-sus 29er - not sure what you’re comparing against?
And the ETT is the first row of the geometry chart.
Looks very nice (I have a 120LT, so I guess I am either biased or just like the familiar)
the actual seat angle is on the slack side
This is definitely a positive for the intended use of rolling terrain and trails - although it will have given up some of the vertical wall climbing ability to acheive this
Bike looks good value, I like it. Tough crowd over on pinkbike, this is one of the first comments 🙂
Seems a decent option at the lower price points, but though I’d be laughing when I looked at my bank balance, I’d be sobbing every time I saw those welds.
Welds on the raw one look good, although the darker grey doesn't look as great. At that price point you arn't getting Nicolai welds...
They do look great value.
Interestingly promoted and described in the STW article.....More fun handling and playful than an AM9 and better for built features of trail centres......
I know it's marketing spiel, but I was hoping it was going to be the efficient long distance all day natural stuff trail bike to it's more gnar enduro AM9 brother.
I might be swayed back to the AM9 I think....maybe
Yes, it's hard not to read 'trail centre' negatively isn't it?
I'd be looking for a playful poppy bike for pretty rough peak district stuff, but then again, my quick ride on the AM9 suggested it was quite poppy anyway.
I've also got the 120LT and this appears to be similar to that (which also seems to be what the Aether 7 was based on) but with the bigger wheels - will appeal to plenty.
It looks nice, but I'm now starting to lose myself in all the marketing speak, suspect it is 'just' a shorter travel AM9, but it needs to be 'placed' somewhere to do a job, rather than just being a shorter-travel AM9 for those riders who have a bit more finesse or don't ride the very big stuff...(which doesn't sound as fancy as 'built features of trail centres').
efficient long distance all day natural stuff trail bike
The AM9 is equally that bike - its very efficient for its travel and can build up pretty light too (for an alu frame). Its a bit more 'balanced' and so more of a generalist. The problem is (in my mind) that the slack, tough but shorter travel bikes need to be max fun - which sometimes has some compromises, because dropping 20mm of travel on its own won't change radically the ride characteristics.
The Aether 9 is very comfy, and pretty efficient though! You should test one if you can.
Looks very nice
I beg to differ, but each to their own!
Yes, it’s hard not to read ‘trail centre’ negatively isn’t it?
depends entirely on your opinion of the term prior to this morning.
A number of people on here often decry big travel enduro bikes being ridden at trail centres. So the industry truly cannot win.
For what its worth, I'd take the 9A (or my existing 140f 130r bike) on "long distance all day natural stuff" in a heartbeat. I'd go as far to say that that class of bike is actually ideal for it, especially in bigger wheeled guise.
Bigger travel bikes I'd personally reserve for downhill/bikepark (ie repeating known trails in an attempt for more speed, bigger features) and competitive DH/enduro racing.
I’m now starting to lose myself in all the marketing speak, suspect it is ‘just’ a shorter travel AM9
The fork is 140mm vs 150 on the AM9 so not a lot shorter. Granted it is 20mm on the back but it still isn't night and day different.
Unless the geometry is quite different and that gives it a different feel?
Yes, it’s hard not to read ‘trail centre’ negatively isn’t it?
I was just trying to be honest 🙂 This bike is aimed at the sort of riding that a lot of people do now; let's go for more than 50% trail centre (and that includes the likes of golfie etc. - all purpose built trails even though its not an official 'Trail Centre'). If I wanted to make something specifically for the byway type riding that constitutes a lot of the miles of what I used to ride in the peaks I would probably have raised the BB a bit and maybe lopped a little off the travel so you could swap out to something lighter with shorter travel up front which would shift the balance towards long all day riding.
Not to say we're not going to make one of those of course....
As with all bikes if its really good at something thats like what you want, there's a damn good chance it will be good at that too. You need to decide on what your priorities are and then test one anyway 😉 and besides, everyone has their preference. 3 years ago a 64.5/65 degree 130 mm travel bike would have been crazy talk.
Unless the geometry is quite different and that gives it a different feel?
The back end makes a big difference to the ride, it's really noticeable.
Just on bigger travel vs shorter travel with shorter chainstays I’ve had the 650b version of the AM9 and now have the Aether 7.
I find the Aether is a more efficient pedalling platform and just generally feels more playful. It’s still at home on steep ish tech stuff - it’s only at higher speeds through rock gardens and really rooty stuff you can feel it slow vs the longer travel option. I’d guess at times the shorter chainstays will give less stability but I haven’t really noticed that - what I have noticed is it’s easier to get turned on steep switchback type corners and it also manuals easier.
So for me the Aether is the all rounder and the AM9 is the rock smasher. I know 2 other people who have the Aether 7 - they’ve moved from an AM9 and Aeris 1.5 respectively and think they’re great all rounders.
430mm chainstays on an XL 29er
I'm out.
My eyes are drawn to the terrible welds around the shock mount, also the difference in welding between the the two pics, if it wasnt stickered up I'd think it was a prototype bossnut 3 or whatever number Go outdoors are up to.
It's like every welder at bird has a different approach to welding that shock mount, the raw one with Pikes and red bits is a bit wiggly in comparison to the others, I'd love to see a spot welded example of that mount to work out which one is worse.
The frames arent even that good value cos everything is an extra, they dont even throw in a seat clamp, they'll be doing the bearings as optional extras next and putting frames in smaller boxes for self assembly.
@greeny30 you appreciate nothing is 'thrown in'? If I send you a clamp then you're still paying for it, but you might not want or use it.
Its £1390 including Deluxe, Rear axle and seat clamp in your choice of silver or black... If you need one.
I've ordered one.
The raw one in the end size large.
I hope to get it as soon as possible 😉
The only concern is the 200 dropper isn't too big. But I'm sure bird will look after me.
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/bird-aether-9/
@greeny30 you appreciate nothing is ‘thrown in’? If I send you a clamp then you’re still paying for it, but you might not want or use it.
Its £1390 including Deluxe, Rear axle and seat clamp in your choice of silver or black… If you need one.
I think its a good balance. There is an element of easyjet to the pricing, but the online configurator and the excellent and patient assistance from the team at bird more than make up for it - and I'd rather have lots of choice than no choice.
Mostly, I'm happy that frame only is a reasonable price (most of the brit brands seem to do this) compared with the German directs and US giants that seem to make frame only £100 cheaper than the lowest full build.
... especially when I typo it. £1290 sorry
@benpinnick apologies if it's sitting somewhere on the website but, can we have a frame weight as you do on the other models?
Also, raw looks mint. Great job.
Hmm, I thought I put it on. I will sort that tomorrow.
Its 3060g up (no shock).
Nice one, ta.
That's good for an ali frame. For reference my Smuggler is 4kg with shock
I think the real value of the Birds is the fact that you can choose the spec, seat clamp or not, and that most components include the weight too. Most bikes I looked at are covered in SRAM or have wheels I don't want, etc. I've specced up an Aether 7 and its come out a bargain compared with a bigger brand.
Add in great customer service too and you are onto a winner.
Regarding wheel's ATM I've specced
Hope Pro4/DT Swiss EX511 but I could down grade my brakes put alloy bar and not but a couple of hope stuff on there and I'd save 350£ and that money could go towards the carbon rims? Any thoughts
@ed-
If you think you’ll want carbon wheels it makes financial sense to do it now - much cheaper getting them ‘oem’ in this case than trying to buy them rrp at a later date. You can always do carbon bars / Hope bling at a later date. Although brake wise I really don’t think Hope are worth extra money over something decent like a Sram Code or G2.
Went for code RSC so could save 124 if I went for guide Re. Plus save from other bits.
I wasn't planning on carbon wheels. But if I save that cash (350) it's 395£ upgrade for carbon wheels. So hense this discussion.
From what I've heard that it's the frame, suspension and wheels are number one importance
Hmmmm - only the base model rear rockshox rear shock available to spec at the moment.
The bike radar test version used in the review had the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate. That's not an option to spec and nor are XT brakes.
I fear I might become a fussy customer! Mind you this is my first new mtb since 2009 and the first bike I've not built up from a frameset since 1998 so I'd like it to be 'mine'.
From what I’ve heard that it’s the frame, suspension and wheels are number one importance
Very much this. The only extra bit I would pony up for is brakes, everything else is pretty much a consumable or relatively cheap to swap afterwards once you know what you want.
Hmmmm – only the base model rear rockshox rear shock available to spec at the moment.
There were others yesterday so I suspect they have sold out. Email Bird what you want and they can probably give you a price and ETD.
“Hmmmm – only the base model rear rockshox rear shock available to spec at the moment.”
In the current industry situation that’s a lot better than most companies are doing. Lead times on so many bikes are months.
I’ve got a Deluxe RL on my bike, and the bike before had a DBair. I’m amazed at how good it is!
Hmmmm – only the base model rear rockshox rear shock available to spec at the moment.
The bike radar test version used in the review had the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate. That’s not an option to spec and nor are XT brakes.
I fear I might become a fussy customer! Mind you this is my first new mtb since 2009 and the first bike I’ve not built up from a frameset since 1998 so I’d like it to be ‘mine’.
XT brakes I can't help you with Im afraid. They're out for another month or so... well actally pick a time and thats how long they might be. Ordering Shimano today it will arrive... in 2022. No joke.
We do have XT already on order due in end of Jan but its likely delayed between brexit, existing port chaos and general christmas carnage, so I am thinking Feb sometime. We have OE Deore, and to be frank there's so little difference between them I would get that and then you can upgrade later without having burned a load of cash doing so if you're in a hurry.
The shock on the test bike is also delayed 🙁 Thats gone back to August but were hoping for it to come in earlier. Its a new shock so not something we just keep in stock, unlike the two deluxe options we normally have, I think we're due some ultimates in those this week.
Fussy is great, thats what we do, but tricky at the moment! Leadtimes have gone from 30-90 days to 120-365+!
Regarding wheel’s ATM I’ve specced
Hope Pro4/DT Swiss EX511 but I could down grade my brakes put alloy bar and not but a couple of hope stuff on there and I’d save 350£ and that money could go towards the carbon rims? Any thoughts ben
Fussy is great, thats what we do, but tricky at the moment! Leadtimes have gone from 30-90 days to 120-365+!
Cheers Ben, thanks so much. Think i've got a plan....
Hi Ed, The RRP on the wheels is £630 more than you're paying if you go for the carbon, so yes it pays to upgrade early rather than late. However for the money (£395) for the Hope/DT combo they are super good value too.
Personally I would buy based on where I was riding. Rocks etc. stay alu, smoother trails/more woodsy the carbon is a great bet. The hubs in those wheels are nearly £600 to buy on their own! If you go Carbon I would definitely invest in a set of the CushCore XC if you can. Its piece of mind for those rougher sections.
That makes sense. I've a tendency to thrash things so I guess 511 rims are the safe option. But as you said it's better to make a decision now vs down the line.
I ride many Surrey hills but with trips to Wales and maybe an odd trip to France.
And carbon rims I guess will feel more lively?
XM481's will be more than upto the job. Have 600,000ft of descending on a pair, loads of rim strikes, not a single dent or significant wobbly.
FYI Deore vs SLX vs XT brakes
There's not much in it performance or feel wise, if you are comparing 44 or 222 (pots).
The XT get the mostly useless bite point adjuster (via a screw), tool free reach adjust, banjo and you use an allen key to get the pads out, so you don't need to carry pliers with you and are black.
SLX is identical except no bite point adjust and are painted blue.
Deore, you need an allen key to adjust the reach, the pads are secured by a split pin and there is no banjo on the hose. I believe the pistons are not ceramic either.
I went from Deore to SLX and a riding buddy bought XT.
I believe the pistons are not ceramic either.
Deore 4 pots have the ceramic pistons.
I think I will need to try and get a test on this and the 27.5 in the new year. Could go frame only on the 27.5 and swap everything over from my cotic but i do really fancy trying the big wheels.
How different do the aethers feel from each other?
@benpinnick, Whats the difference between the Aeris 120 and the Aether 9?
Similar travel bikes doesn't necessarily mean similar sort of bike but the marketing blurb for each bike doesn't really differentiate them for me. Or is the Aether 9 designed to replace the Aeris 120? Thank you.
The Aether 7 is closer to the 120, wheel size wise at least. I suspect the 120 will be discontinued
As above the Aether 7 replaced the 120, and the Aether 9 is an Aether 7 with 29er wheels (At a basic level anyway). But actually because the 29er is more efficient its fair to say the Aether 9 is a closer replacement for the 120 than the Aether 7 is.
great thanks for the info.
Regarding handle bar width and riser am 6'2 on large Aether9 Al.
Ive got Bird bar, 800mm and 20 riser, should I get it less wide?
And 20 Vs 35 riser on this bike?
Any thoughts?
Much appreciated
I'm a similar height to you and have 800mm wide bars with a 35mm rise. Its all personal preference but if you get the 800 bars and they feel to wide just chop them down. Same goes for the 35mm rise, if they feel too high you can just pop a few of the spacers above the stem until you feel out your preferred position.
I have an Aether 7 and an AM9, both amazing bikes, Im sure the Aether 9A will be amazing too.
Yes I guess I can cut it down. That's what I thought.
Hmm I've ordered a 20mm riser bar.
Maybe I should get a 35mm one instead?
I believe the 35mm would be considered a high rise, and be the one to go for if you spend a lot of time going down steep things.
There are some pros and cons listed here: https://enduro-mtb.com/en/the-right-mtb-handlebar-rise/
“I believe the 35mm would be considered a high rise, and be the one to go for if you spend a lot of time going down steep things.”
I used to run lower bars but more recently discovered that high rise works better. I think it’s a body proportions thing - if you have long legs then your hips are higher so your bars should be higher. Conversely if you’re the same height but have shorter legs and thus a longer torso, your hips will be lower so you need less bar height but you also need more frame reach.
The steepness of trails makes a difference too but I don’t think it’s as large a difference.
@chiefgrooveguru Totally understand with about the terrain you ride. Thanks for the point about the torso/legs, makes sense good point. Cheers
So has anyone got one yet? I'm 5'8, and I was looking at medium but they're pretty much sold out of those with only the odd ML left. @benpinnick you getting any more in? I notice some of the equipment lead times are about March April which would be perfect for me.
New bird for the bird. Building it up today.......
3 rides in on mine and loving it!
What shock and forks do you go for there?
Fox 36 and DPX2. Bought frame and wheels from Bird and a mixture of parts from previous bike and second hand stuff.
Have you seen the state of Orange welds? And how inconsistent they are? Depending on how many beers the apprentice had the night before.
Here’s my Aether 9A, I’m 5’7” and went for the size medium. I never thought I’d get on with 29” wheels but I love it!
That looks really nice, not too much orange, is it set up mullet or is that the camera angle?
I didn’t want it to look like I’d fallen through the Burgtec/Hope shop and bought every orange item! As they say less is more. That’s just the camera angle, but I could see a mullet being pretty cool.
The wife's medium in Ron Burgundy just before it got properly mucky (and crashed). I have to say I'm impressed with the build, manufacture and weld quality - it has been designed to be cheap(ish) not cheaply designed (a compliment). And the red in real life is lovely.
Hi guys,
Trying to decide between a Bird Aether 9 I've specced and the Vitus Escarpe 29 CRS.
The Aether has better tyres, brakes and shifter, whilst the Escarpe has 10mm more travel at the front and back, a carbon front triangle, bigger rotors, internal routing and space for a bigger water bottle.
Any thoughts on what would be the better choice? Prices are identical.
The wife’s medium in Ron Burgundy
I like that colour, looks way better in your pic than it does on the Bird website
I think the question you need to ask yourself is "are the difference's deal breakers?"
Parts, you can change and if you want bigger rotors then they upgrade price is not much really (unless you are going for Ice-tech). You can spec bigger forks too.
So, will the carbon RT and the +10mm of travel make a huge difference to you, whether it's mentally or in real world performance? e.g. some people just want the "carbon effect" and "mentally bigger travel", others it doesn't matter. Those two features are the ones you can't change.
Do you use a water bottle regularly?
I would look at the geo more than the parts. The Aether is longer in reach and ETT and has a lower BB, with 10mm shorter chainstays (medium to medium size). And then if you want the suspension curves etc and see what the kinematics are like.
Here’s my Aether 9A, I’m 5’7” and went for the size medium. I never thought I’d get on with 29” wheels but I love it!
Bonus points for valves inline with tyre logos and pedals/cranks level
bigger rotors, internal routing and space for a bigger water bottle.
Rotors are the size you specify, if you are running the Select+ or Deluxe Ultimate shocks you can have any bottle size you like (Within reason)
The wife’s medium in Ron Burgund
that looks great. love the colour.
one more thing, where did you get the sunshine?
Rotors are the size you specify, if you are running the Select+ or Deluxe Ultimate shocks you can have any bottle size you like (Within reason)
That's a good point - cheers Ben. I hadn't realised bigger rotors were such a cheap upgrade. Do you have any links to pictures of the bike with a larger water bottle? All of the ones I've seen have looked to be <500ml. Thanks
I think the question you need to ask yourself is “are the difference’s deal breakers?”
The differences definitely aren’t deal-breakers, I suspect I would be very happy with either bike. I’m mainly interested in seeing whether most people would lean towards one of them, as I’m having a hard time deciding.
Honestly I don’t know how much of a difference carbon frame and +10mm of travel would give. I’m currently running a 120mm hardtail so I don’t have a great point of reference. I do use a large water bottle at the moment.
I’ll take another look at how the geometry will affect the feel of the bike – thanks.
I do like the idea of supporting a smaller UK retailer, especially with Bird’s excellent customer service reputation.
It's a good comparison between those two bikes. I debated too. I've gone with the Bird Aether9 Al in the end. I could pick and choose what I wanted and what really did it was having birds customer service.
I don't have too much experience on different bikes. I've spec ed the Aether9 Al quite roudy super deluxe ultimate, 150 pike,etc..
Only been out a few times on it. And it feels very similar to the Am9 but a bit more lively. It's still poppy but don't think it's as poppy as the Aether9c, probably because I've put heavier components on it and the frames a little bit heavier.
I debated on the Am9 or aether9 Al I'm glad went with the Aether9 Al.
Don't need any more travel.
I would of liked to demo the XL Aether9 Al I when with the L Aether9. I feel Im in-between both sizes.
Good luck with your choice
@cany0n I can only speak for my own experience, but the customer service at Bird is fantastic. They always answer the phone and emails and in person they are really happy to answer questions they have probably heard thousands of times, without making you feel like you are doing so.
When I got my Zero 29 I was getting back in after a 20 year gap and wasn't sure if it was sensible or not. I asked if I should upgrade anything apart from the forks for my beginner bike.
The guys said to save my money. They could have scalped me for wheels and component upgrades etc.
So 7 months later there was only one place getting my new bike money.
The bikes are great. The build quality is excellent and I had done 1600 hard miles on mine since June, night rides, crashes, mud, clay, sand. The only issue I've had is my dropper post cable and that was after 1550 miles. All the new bikes in my riding group have failed, mostly due to poor building.
I've kept up with FS bikes on the Zero and it is far more capable than me!
My AM9 arrived last February and is the single thing that kept me sane during the last 12 months. the best customer service, from any company, in any market, for any product I've ever experienced. A good bike made by nice people. All of my downhill records have gone in the last 12 months. And after 2 months of nightly turbo training I'm outclimbing the times I set 6 years ago. Good bike. Nice people. Great value. Nothing more to say really.
I would of liked to demo the XL Aether9 Al I when with the L Aether9. I feel Im in-between both sizes.
@ed- Sounds like a great spec! What height are you? I'm 6 ft 1, was thinking I'd go for a large.
I can only speak for my own experience, but the customer service at Bird is fantastic.
Sounds like a great experience - thanks for the input!
I'm 6'2 long torso short legs.im on a large.
It fits ok XL probably be a bit too long plus the XL with such short chainstays isn't what I'd want.
The large is what you want at 6'1.
I've got short legs but still managed to fit a 213 dropper on lol.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it handles in more downhill terrain because today she was flying downhill.
I really like the red. The pic above is true to life in sunshine but on overcast days or in artifical light it is more pink, it puts me in mind of black cherry yoghurt!
Sunshine courtesy of Dundee.......
And I found dealing with bird too be an absolute pleasure and will likely do so again when my bike needs replacing.
Only been out a few times on it. And it feels very similar to the Am9 but a bit more lively. It’s still poppy but don’t think it’s as poppy as the Aether9c, probably because I’ve put heavier components on it and the frames a little bit heavier.
I debated on the Am9 or aether9 Al I’m glad went with the Aether9 Al.
Don’t need any more travel.
I have the same debate. Good to hear that, sounds like what I want having demoed an AM9 and found it soaked things up too much for my riding. I was quite set on it but had some doubts after the "trail centre bike" launch stuff.