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Just spotted this on Birds FB page:
Use code XL30 to get 30% off XL frames.
Just tried it and it also gets a discount against a complete XL bike although not 30%.
Size-ists !
You get 30% off the frame wherever its used. That includes frames then used in completes builds.
LA LA LA LA I can't hear you. I do not need a new bike.
Glad it's not just us (Cotic)... there seems to be twice as many people who ask for XL frames then there are actually riders who buy them. Especially hardtails.
For my height (6'1" with a 34" inside leg), I'm a Large - and I like the fit of my 120LT, but my saddle is about 6 inches above my bars and I'm thinking the Large frame may be a touch small. I've often wondered if the XL would be a better fit, but going by the sizing chart, I'm not tall enough for it. I'm feeling the front end could be a wee bit higher and I think the XL might do that.
LA LA LA LA I can’t hear you. I do not need a new bike.
What he said, I think...I might just have one more look at the hardtails....
For my height (6’1″ with a 34″ inside leg), I’m a Large – and I like the fit of my 120LT, but my saddle is about 6 inches above my bars and I’m thinking the Large frame may be a touch small. I’ve often wondered if the XL would be a better fit, but going by the sizing chart, I’m not tall enough for it. I’m feeling the front end could be a wee bit higher and I think the XL might do that.
Would high rise bars not be the better solution?
IME adding rise/stack has been a win-win, you get more space between BB and the bars which is what you want, but without feeling stretched out as it's not tipping you further forwards.
Glad it’s not just us (Cotic)… there seems to be twice as many people who ask for XL frames then there are actually riders who buy them
I suspect this is because the two of you actually make XL frames that are XL as opposed to 5'10"+ and a lot of folk still think "size up, size UP, SIZE UP!" "wow this is huge, turns out I really am a medium at average height, who knew"
FWIW my Aether9 xl is excellent
Would high rise bars not be the better solution?
Yep, this is the way to go. If nothing else there's normally not a huge amount of difference between the stack on l and xl frames (or xs and xl for that matter) certainly no where near as much as you can achieve with an extra spacer or two or bar rise or stem, and certainly not a combo of all three.
I'm 6ft 1in with a 33 inside leg.
My bars are level with my seat on my Large Aeris 9. That's running 170mm fork, 30mm spacers under the stem (35mm long), and 38mm rise bars. Oh, and 170mm cranks.
The large is spot on in terms of fit for me.
Yeah, I think it is the right size for me...I suspect if I did more stretching then I'd have less issues. I'm running a Renthal 35mm rise riser - there are only a couple of times a month where the front wheel will lift up and I think I should maybe be lower. I'll get more stretching done and more core/upper body stuff and hopefully that'll get me better positioned. As the saddle is up so much there are times when I feel like I'm leaning too much on the bars and I'm needing to make a conscious effort to get my head up more to see further ahead.
I'm clearly overthinking things as thankfully, they don't have an XL Aether 7 in so I can't do some trying out. This is always my test...I spec things up and get the build I'd like but then if it doesn't work out and I don't think it is a shame, then I've not really wanted it. This is happening here...specced an Aether 7 up with some nice kit, but not in XL so no discount and I've not thought anything other than I'm still more than happy with my current 120...so all good, saved a small fortune there!
Glad it’s not just us (Cotic)… there seems to be twice as many people who ask for XL frames then there are actually riders who buy them. Especially hardtails.
We used to sell a shed load of XLs. But the market just died. Three reasons I think:
1. Brexit - although it has come back for us in terms of EU vs UK sales overall, we lost a lot of business in the scandi nations post actual-brexit that we never really got back. They bought a lot of XLs
2. Changing demographics - Our riders are getting younger (and so smaller) and also more female. That is a reflection I think of the impact eBikes are having on the market, as well as bikes not being the new golf anymore.
3. Just fashion & a sensible reigning in of reach numbers (and people's perception of what size they need as above). We've seen a gradual increase in people downsizing/rightsizing to the point where we've made our first major geo revision (in terms of real sizing change) in 8 years with the new wingspan geo. People are generally wanting shorter bikes and smaller wheelbases, with increased stack heights to offset the actual reduction in reach/ETT.
Because covid delayed all our deliveries 12 months even though we knew this change was coming, we had frames in the pipeline that couldn't be redone in terms of sizing mix, so we've ended up over-XL'ed. So fill yer boots people. You'll never be able to get an Aether 9 for <£500 again!
You’ll never be able to get an Aether 9 for <£500 again!
You should see the price you're charging for AM9's!
benpinnick
2. Changing demographics – Our riders are getting younger (and so smaller) and also more female.
More birds?
Our riders are getting younger (and so smaller)
More teens then? Love it. Getting the next generation on good bikes is always a win.
[ although our teen towers over me... as I get shorter and they shoot up an up ]
More birds?
🤣👏
Sadly not a positive, rather a changing demographic. My concern has been (and today's Isla news seems to support this theory to some extent) is that ebikes are killing off the serious end of the kids/teen segment.
Well, that's a depressing thought.
Yep, apparently hard to shift analog bikes in Europe too, all eBikes
Why are Ebikes killing off serious kids MTBs?
Same as they are for adult bikes - they make it easier (to ride, to do more runs, etc), so many people are buying into them.
I guess we're talking 13-14yo + on XS 27.5 rather than FS24\26?
Why are Ebikes killing off serious kids MTBs?
Anecdotally from working at our trailhead stores we don't see as many parent/child combos as ebikes have got more popular. We see way more large adult ebike only groups though. That will have some effect on whether parents buy their kids higher spec bikes, not only because the cost of ownership of ebikes reduces available cash for bikes to some degree (I doubt this effect is large) but if parents aren't riding with kids as much, they'll be less inclined to spend on more expensive bikes for them.
At 6’6” I’m definitely an XL person. Love my Aether 9 XL and was thinking of a Zero 29, but got tempted by a Big Al XL .
Generally I struggle to get the biggest sizes and for the US brands (Cannondale/Trek etc) they simply don’t import them to the UK.
Yer long reaches etc. Yer was looking at an Aeris 9 frame, but just got an XL RAAW Madonna frame (505mm reach and 670mm stack (XL Aeris9 is 544mm reach and 645mm stack in comparison)) to test out the shorter reach more stack compared to my two XL Birds (Aether9 and Zero29), I think it does suit my shape better being a long legged 6’5” person.
Can see with the new AM R sizing it is going to fit a wider range of riders, but perhaps less at the very top extreme, but then that is a really small part of the market.
have to say though that the current sale Bird frames are incredible value and people should be snapping them up!
@rwoofer the Zero29 is a really lovely frame and does seem to get a little overlooked.
@benpinnick
yep still surprising to see some many younger riders at places like Swinley on e-bikes, but for most they just seem to be shuttling multiple times to session bits rather than more longer XC/Trail type riding. I think the social media side of things this is also partly pushing this type of riding.
E-bikes seems ideal for shuttling. Hope you manage to get the Ethics out to catch part of the market.
This code doesn’t seem to work now, anyone know of its expired or I’m just a muppet?
@cjr61
just tried on a basket (xl Aether9a in Tungtsen) with code XL30 works:
I've been considering a trail bike lately and this is tempting me but the only issue is finding a cheap shock with bearing mount.
Lots of other cheap parts about mind.
I’ve been considering a trail bike lately and this is tempting me but the only issue is finding a cheap shock with bearing mount.
Get a regular one and try it, if you still want bearings add aftermarket ones?
I just bought a 2nd hand coil for my Bird which only had bushing mounts. Fox sell bearings that press into the bushing hole to give a 30x8 bearing mount.
and really for the aether, only some point on a bearing on the linkage end, frame end hardly rotates.
Always fit one after, cheap and easy enough.
So you can get a shock from bird. If you ask nicely they might fit a bearing for you.
megneg is more beneficial as a starter.
Oh I thought it needed to be a bearing mounted shock specifically. I have a spare shock in that size too. The purple frame looks dreamy too!
Standard mount works fine too, they've just designed the frame so it can fit a bearing (min 30mm wide mount)
Oh man this changes things. I'm already doing mental math.
Yep std 30x8 bushed shock fine, and is std for Bird in their configurator. And shocks from Bird has the correct tune.