For this edition of Readers’ Rides, a forumite shares his Bird Aether 9: “the STW forum helped me a huge amount with returning, including pointing me towards this bike which got me hooked again.”
Bike brand and model
Bird Aether 9
Why this bike?
First bike in over 10 years, so I was quite set on something that I’d be able to demo. I tried an Orbea Occam and liked it, before I found out about Bird on this forum. The Aether 9 was barely a rumour at this point, and I was sold on a full suspension 29er, so a demo of an AM9 followed. I liked it, but it wasn’t the right bike for 90% of my riding and where I live. I waited for the Aether 9 release and for demos to resume, but eventually bit the bullet and ordered unseen – all turned out well.
Frame
Bird Aether 9, medium, Tungsten Grey
Fork
RockShox Pike Ultimate RCT3 140mm
Shock
RockShox Deluxe Ultimate
Suspension Set Up
I’m 70kg, running 60psi in the fork (3 tokens, -7 rebound), 145psi in the shock (-5 rebound). It’s a firm-ish lively setup which suits this bike and puts some much needed spark into my riding.
Wheels
Bird Factory – DT Swiss XM481 & Hope Pro 4
Tyres
Maxxis Minion DHR II front, Dissector rear (2.4WT Maxx Terra EXO) with Rimpact Originals inserts – since a few months ago, I like them.
Chainset
Shimano Deore M6100, switched down to 30T and 165mm a few months ago
Drivetrain
Shimano Deore M6100 with Deore XT M8100 shifter
Brakes
Hayes Dominion A4 203/180mm – recently upgraded from SRAM G2 RSC
Bars & Stem
Bird Big Baw bar 760/20mm, Bird 35 stem 40mm
Grips
DMR DeathGrip Flangeless
Seatpost
Bird Down 125mm
Saddle
Ergon SM Sport – switched from Fabric Scoop soon after I got the bike
Accessories
Unite Instinct pedals, AMg V2 CS guide/bash, Nukeproof downtube and chainstay protectors, Race Face crank boots, Mudhugger EVO front, Zefal RS75 rear, Specialized Zee II cage, Trigger Bell, Haf Clip, 76 Projects Enduro computer mount, Wee Cog frame bag, VC hand guards.
Size and Weight
Medium, it was around 15kg new but I’ve changed a few things since.
Additional Comments
The recent brake upgrade and tyre inserts have taken the bike a step up, and the shorter cranks help too. I’ll probably be fitting a OneUp or Vibrocore handlebar soon. The bike is everything I hoped, it works well wherever I take it. I did a few skills courses and learnt a huge amount about how to ride a modern bike properly. The only history of minor interest is that I was a Covid biker returning, the STW forum helped me a huge amount with returning, including pointing me towards this bike which got me hooked again.
Want to share you bike with the group?
Whether you’ve got a special new bike or just a bike that’s special to you, this is where you get to tell us about it! You send us your submissions, and then we cast our judgemental expert lustful eyes over them and bring them to the world to ooh and ahh over. We’re picking the prettiest, the most curious, and the ones with a good story for you to appraise, praise, and maybe look wistfully at.
