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Me and Mrs B have retired and im allowed to buy a new bike. There are lots of bikes here, but none very modern and as soace is an issue I'd lke to get a new bike that would replace 2 others.
The two that are up for change are an Orange Gyro 29. It has 140mm Pikes, 110 rear with CCDB IL CS. It has a -2 angleset to modernise its geometry a little.
The second candidate is a Cube Stereo 160 carbon. Its 650b and has 160mm Pikes and 160mm rear CCDB IL CS.
Both bikes are used and loved but are from 7-8 yrs ago. Geometry seems to have moved on with LLS, and I'd like to have something more modern.
I like the Bird Aether, but im not sure whether to go 7 or 9. I ride and live in Snowdonia. My recent retirement means i have more time to ride further afield too, so trips to peaks, lakes and Scotland. Natural and trail centre is good for me. We also go to the Alps, but i have a 160m HT and a DH bike for there.
Its not a humble brag, but i have some money to spend so if there is something amazing that would replace these two then im open to consideration. Im happy to build from frame, and have some 29 Pikes and 650b Lyriks spare in the garage. I have a spare set of 29 Hope Enduro wheels, which arent boost or v wide rim width.
So what should i buy and in what flavour? Im not too hung up on frame material or weight really. Id like something that flatters and makes me double plus awesome, though it may take more than a new bike....
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/incoming-new-frame-day-bird-aether-7/
Just bought a 7 if my thread helps
Feel free to ask questions although I've not used it tonnes yet.
Demo both?
Get a mate to come along and you can mix and match.
What I did. He decided to get an Aether, I got an Aeris 145.
If you like your 29er I’d probably get the Aether 9C. Won’t be much heavier than a 7 and it’ll be overall faster - especially on the kind of terrain you ride.
If you had lots of tight twisty stuff mucking about in the woods then maybe lean more towards the Aether 7.
I've just built up an Aether 9 too. I would have liked to stretch to a 9c, but I couldn't at the time.
I've only had a couple of rides so far, so still getting used to it and changing settings. The first few rides are promising though. It feels like the best bits from my Trek Slash And Hightower in one.
Mine also has a coil and feels buttery smooth on the rough stuff. One thing I did notice is that the grip is the best I've felt on technical climbs. There are some climbs where I've started to get ready for the rear wheel to spin, only for it to just grip and roll on!
So far it just feels like a sorted, well rounded trail bike that can do a bit of everything.
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Ok. It looks like the Aether is the one for both my heart and my head.
Now to chose wheel size and frame material, then shock!
Happy days... Sadly i think shock may come down to availability as much as anything else for you. There's not a lot about at the moment.
Check to see if you can adapt one of your CC's to use on the Aether. As you are already using them they seem the obvious choice. Nixie had his 200x57 lengthened to fit.
I'm a smidge under 5'8" so stuck with 27.5, as you already run both wheel sizes just choose which one you prefer, if I was taller I would probably go 29'r as I imagine the bigger wheels steamroller effect will make the bike feel even more capable.
I replaced an Airdrop Edit with the Aether 7 and I am jumping and dropping bigger things as it just feels so confidence inspiring (I did go up a size too...).
The lengthening of the shock was literally a longer eyelet fitted at the non damper end. That and a 2mm travel reduction spacer (not sure where that is fitted).
I'm 6'2" and went with the 7. There were a number of reasons including already having the bits to build it and my local riding being tighter trails.
@breninbeener Tftuned, initial they indicated it would need to be done during a service but in the end as my shock was almost new it was the labour and parts cost only.
The 27.5 vs 29 thing is complete personal preference or parts availability.
My missus rides a 29er and she's 5'2" so it depends on the frame. I've had both over the past few years and just prefer how 29ers roll. These were different frames though so not a direct comparison.
I would have been happy with an Aether 7 or 9, but I already have 29er everything else 🙂
For reference, I'm 6'2" and went with the Large.
Good plan, sell now while older bikes are still fetching better-than-usual money.
I'd get the aluminium 29er if you're set on a Bird, mid-travel and big wheels are perfect for your patch and will cope well in the places you want to go.
For reference, I’m 6’2″ and went with the Large.
Similarly, I'm 6ft and went for a 9c in ML. Seat tubes are so low you can get along well with more than one size - just depends on your preference.
Mine will be pressed into woodland singletrack as much as fast open stuff, so I opted for the slightly shorter frame instead of the longer L.
Happy days… Sadly i think shock may come down to availability as much as anything else for you. There’s not a lot about at the moment.
By the end of June I would expect to be able to ship a frame with one of:
Deluxe Select+
Deluxe Ultimate
Super Deluxe Ultimate
SD Coil (Maybe out of stock by then)
Fox DHX
Fox X2
Fox Float X
CC Inline Coil
CC Kitsuma Coil
I think thats what we have coming, we might have (even) more coming in june...
@benpinnick what shock works best with the Aethers? Im 85kg if that helps.
Ian
Just a quick note on this, even though @benpinnick chipped in: If you have the time I heartily recommend giving Bird a call and speaking to Ben or anyone else who answers.
I'm looking at the possibility of buying a 9C later this year, but couldn't get a price on the site for what I'd like due to the current problems every manufacturer is having with component supply. The person I spoke with answered all my questions, gave me a rough expectation on when they expected stock back in and talked through the demo ride process. They've got plenty of frames in stock at the mo, from what I can see, but definitely give them a call - they're as helpful on the phone as they are on this forum.
Worth test-riding now the option is there again.
I'll also throw a spanner in the works & say my AM9 climbs better than a Reactor, or other 130mm bikes I tried (I haven't ridden an Aether 9 yet though). I think the AM9 is a great bike for proper mountains, not just groomed singletrack.
Size-wise, as you've seen, bird's are not conventional, so again, test-ride, or find a local owner who will let you try theirs for size.
You can try mine at FoD on Sat or Sun this weekend.
Argh...im in Snowdonia
Yes I got that, get in your car. Lol.
Ideally bring something I can ride too but not essential.