Was very tempted with the Aeris but now they have launched a new rear linkage to give 160mm travel it looks highly likely to be my next bike.
Has anyone been lucky enough to ride it with 160 travel?
Any current Aeris owners thinking of buying the linkage?
Really clever bit of thinking this. The new linkage lowers and slackens the bike and also gives it a more progressive leverage curve as well as more travel. Basically turns it from a trail bike to a fullbore enduro gnarpoon.
Interesting that they also found the frame is strong enough for 170mm forks (as Cotic just did with the Rocket).
I have a 145 with 160 fox 36 on and cane creek dB coil which i have only had a couple of months, just tinkering with shock atm and feel like I am getting there. I think a may give the linkage a go depending on price to compare the feel, could be useful for alps etc
The leverage curve on the LT will be really good with a coil shock. Sounds like a great bike with the 36 and DBcoil!
It does feel good as is, just been mucking about with the HSC quite a bit which the LT may improve to be fair. I have always preferred a coil when sent up right and the weight penalty is not that bad with the vault spring. The aeris is not that weighty either.Just waiting to see a price as the link does not seem to work for me when I click on it on the bird site.
AERIS 145 LT LINKAGE KIT
£90.00
This item will be released on 19th February 2018.
Aeris LT Linkage kit for your Aeris 145. Converts the rear travel to 160mm while dropping the BB and slackening the head angle a touch too.
Comes pre-assembled so its really simple to fit with just 5 & 6mm allen keys.
Available for pre-ordering
Would love if they did someting similar for my 120. Maybe take it to 140 but I suppose then it's basically a 145. Don't think there's much between the ftames but I'm assuming the 120 is a bit lighter
£90 seems worthwhile, I must have been drunk when looking !!!
Sounds great, my bike has 145mm and 160mm options and it’s enough to change the character of the bike without ruining it.
Assume it doesn’t mean a longer shock?
My 145 doesn't need anymore travel, but for £90 it would be rude not to try it out!
Assume it doesn’t mean a longer shock?
No, it’s already a very long stroke shock, 63mm I think. The new link takes it from being pretty much linear around 2.3:1 to progressive from about 2.7:1 down to 2.2:1 IIRC.
Yep...getting one for mine....I currently have fox 36s on front (160mm) with a super deluxe on rear....the rear is great at 145 but can't see a draw back to going 160. Thinking of getting a fox float x2...or maybe a nice coil.
Pretty sure we sorted sprocker the DB Coil CS shock out for his Aeris so pleased to hear he is happy with it!
I'll second that BoardinBob.
You did Slickandslide 😀
An Aeris just moved up my short list thanks to the LT version... im sure 145 was fine for Alps etc but just was a bit of a niggle as i need all the help i can get when over there! However that niggle has been dismissed by the LT as 145 for Surrey Hills etc, 160 for trips away...perfect
Would love if they did someting similar for my 120. Maybe take it to 140 but I suppose then it's basically a 145. Don't think there's much between the ftames but I'm assuming the 120 is a bit lighter
Me too. I think the 2 bikes would still be different enough though, the 120 being a XC/trail bike with the option of being a more aggressive trail bike; and the 145 being an aggressive trail/enduro bike with the option of being an aggressive enudro bike.
My 120 is my one do it all bike so it would be great to be able to change the character of it if needed.
Just bitten the bullet and pre-ordered the linkage for my 145. Excited to see how it changes the bike for different types of riding. In my mind it'll be 145 for most riding with 160 for uplift days. However I like the sound of the more poppy and progressive suspension feel with the new linkage so will see how it rides in general.
Think the buy button will be getting hit tomorrow night.Like the idea of the 145 for normal riding then 160 for uplift and trips to the Alps.
Now just need to pick a colour.
It is not all pluses, the linkage works similar to offset shock bushes and in addition to the slacker head angle and lower BB you get a slacker seat tube angle.
Which in my mind is fine - as I'm thinking the 160 setting would be for uplift days so not much seated pedalling. I think the seat angle on the Bird is steeper than a lot of other bikes already - it certainly pedals well enough up steep technical climbs.