Anyone familiar with Starling’s current Murmur full suspension bikes might feel that calling this an “all-new” model is a bit of a stretch but the truth is this frame marks a big move for the UK frame maker, and could mean we’ll be seeing more Starlings on the trail.
The big news here is that this is the first Starling bike not to be manufactured by Joe McEwan in his shed, but rather in Taiwan by ORA, a well respected Taiwanese steel frame fabricator.
The collaboration between Starling and ORA will see the Taiwanese giant manufacture frames based on Joe’s designs which means that geometry will be set on these models and there will only be 2 sizing options at launch. Customers who want different geometry can still have Starling’s custom made here in the UK.
Other than where the Murmur Factory edition is made and the fact that it doesn’t have custom geometry there is very little to tell the new frame apart from UK made models.
The Factory edition is still crafted from Reynolds 853, has the same simple single pivot design and, when built, runs on the 29in wheels.
Speaking of builds, Starling will sell you either a frame, rolling chassis or frame with build-kit which you can then assemble in to a finished bike yourself (or ask a LBS to do it for you) all you have to do is pick and choose what parts you want from a list of Rockshox, DVO, Fox, SRAM, Hope, Burgtec, Middleburn, and Maxxis.
Frames will be offered in Primer Grey with black graphics as standard but custom colours will be available at an additional cost.
Which leads us nicely on to price! The cost of a frame with Rockshox Deluxe shock will set you back £1850 which pre-orders taking place right now. Those of you who do decide to pre-order the frame will receive a Hope headset and seatclamp as part of the deal and if you choose to pay for your pre-order in full you’ll also receive a Burgtec control kit. For more on the pre-order and the offers head over to the new Starling Cycles website at starlingcycles.com.
You will also find details of Starling’s UK made 27.5” Swoop, the 29” Murmur, and the Beady Little Eye on site too.
And if that wasn’t enough for you then read our review of the Starling Murmur Factory Edition here!