Bristol-based Starling Cycles have released the Big Bird, which, above anything else, sports a different mixed wheel combo of 32″ and 29″.
Sporting a 40mm higher head tube with the similar axle-to-crown a a 170mm fork, as well as a shorter reach compared to a Murmur, Starling Cycles’ Big Bird is a 32″ front, 29″ rear Mullet version of the Murmur.
Prices (Inc VAT):
- Frame £2456 (without shock)
- Intend Samuria 32″ 130mm fork, £1550.
- Intend Hover Rear Shock, £860.
- Carbon 32″/29″ wheelset (Nextie 30mm rims, Hope Pro5 hubs), £1500
- Maxxis Aspen £TBC
Beyond the standard Murmur geometry, the main difference in spec is the Intend fork as well as the 32″ wheel and tyre. Before we all lose our minds, remember we were all pretty cynical about bigger wheels than 26″, but event full 27.5″ isn’t that easy to find these more.
As Joe mentions, and not with any real surprises, he claims that the wheel rolls over chatter, but like when throwing the bike around, the wheel wants to stand up more than a 29″. Timing and forces involved change, so you need to ride them differently.
The video poses the question, is 32″ the future of MTB?
The pros:
- We like going fast, big wheels are fast
- Larger tyre contact patch
- Better roll-over
The cons:
- 3 ‘standards’ exist. Someone creates a ‘standard’ to replace these 3. There are now 4 ‘standards’.
- Remember how rubbish early 29″ rims and tyres were?
- Is this the first step to needing wider hub spacing for 13-speed? i.e. trying to sell more bikes
