While wandering around the Enduro event at Ae yesterday (in the hosing rain) I happened to spot a marquee with Bird's logo on it.
A quick exchange of messages on Facebook, the good news that they DID in fact happen to have a medium demo bike up with with and a fast forward to 8:30am (new time...) this morning I was slinging a leg over said demo bike.
Met up with Ben in the car park, got the bike set up and off I went (+1 on all that's been said about these guys before - top bloke, genuinely interested in getting the bike set up properly and that what you're looking to buy isn't just the most expensive. He actually talked me down on a couple of blingy bits I'd been looking at).
My initial aim of getting a quick, short lap in soon changed to doing the full Red route (dodging the odd race competitor, marshall and taped off section here and there) - anyone who knows my usual level of enthusiasm for Ae could probably stop reading there.
So, the bike - it looks ace, this was the mad Yellow colour but there were loads of others - the blue & orange ones in particular look brilliant and will almost certainly be what I go for.
As a starting point, my usual stead is a 2010 Trek Fuel Ex, few upgraded bits on it but by & large it's a 6 year old 26" trail bike with 120mm travel. I struggle with bits of the Ae red route, namely the rougher up & downhill sections (so, most of it really).
I initially found the climbing harder work than I'd hoped, however in reality, I smashed my regular times on every climb according to Strava, maybe I was just peddling a bit harder, so that was clearly b*llocks!
Downhill, man - it destroyed rough terrain like a fat kid at a buffet -absolutely glorious.
I did find myself wanting for an extra cog on some of the steeper climbs, partially down to my own fitness as much as anything, but it did confirm my concerns of 1 x 10 setups. I think I'll stick with the dreadfully untrendy 2x10 option, live with the shame of having TWO levers on the bars and bask in the extra gears as & when I may need them.
Suspension - this was set up with Pikes & Monarch and they worked like butter. Couldn't fault them at all.
All in all, I'm thoroughly impressed. A great bike, from a company that seems like they actually, genuinely give a toss about it's customers - and I got to have the pre-sales chat with the guy who designed the bike and owns the company. What's not to love?!
PS - yes I'd buy one (and almost certainly will do just shortly)
So good to hear the positive real world reviews - got one coming in a few weeks. Have gone for 'mad' yellow.
How did you find it on tight twisty stuff? I don't doubt the stability but the wheelbase is a fair bit longer than my soul.
Go 1x11
Testing one at the beginning of May, can't wait, nice to hear good things
When i got mine i upgraded the chainset to allow me to run a 28 tooth ring with the 40 tooth expander on the back , top end speed never really bothered me to much as there is not much mtbing i do where i would spin out but really like the low gear on the last climb of the day . I really like 1 x but it is about finding a ratio that works for you .
As for the bike had mine coming up a year now and its been brilliant for me
How did you find it on tight twisty stuff?
Totally fine - after the first 20/30 minutes while I was getting used to it at least. Much easier than my 29'er hardtail (Boardman Pro) and no great difference to my 26" Trek.
Looking at my Strava feed, it's done everything better than the other bikes I ride - maaaybe climbing/zipping along fireroads aside, but that's hardly a fair complaint against a lighter bike with bigger wheels, 60mm less travel and no rear shock bobbing away.
The more I reflect on this morning's ride, the more I'm convinced I want one - it WAS [i]that[/i] good a bike, it really was.
Go 1x11
This might have been a 1x11 - I should really check to be fair. That said, I really don't see the great fuss in removing a trigger from the bars... Fashion over function?
Thanks for the letting me know. The next two weeks are going to pass veeerrrryyyy slowly.