[Closed] Bird AM 160

I'm on an AM9 but my mate is currently doing 35-45k rides on his AM160. Great bikes, plenty of options on the build so you can build it up to be a reasonable weight or go for the hefty mini-dh build.

I am right in thinking it is the same frame as the Aeris 145?
But unfortunately they don’t have any XLs left

Improved cable routing, more tyre clearance I think. 160 linkage as stock obviously. Warranty is transferable if secondhand was an option but decent value regardless

I've got a 145LT which is basically the same thing.

No, it's not a Mini DH bike, it's no XC race bike but it climbs surprisingly well. Basically no fork bob, the rear needs a climb switch I'd say and they're really comfortable too.

The only downside of it's alldayness is you can't run a big bottle with a piggyback shock (you can run a small one.

I can fit a 600ml bottle on the ML AM9, from what I've seen XL gives you better flexibility with this

Thanks - don’t want a cross country racing snake machine ...

It's not a XC bike for sure, but it's fine for all day trail riding. I even road mine 50k on the road a couple of days ago with the wife. I even did an XC race on it (I did not win!)!

If you're never going to take it to the alps, i'd be inclined to get the Ather though.

I have a big bottle (high five bottle) in my Large AM160, got an RS piggy back on it. Just had to be inventive with the bottle cage mounting.

Ewan
Member

It’s not a XC bike for sure, but it’s fine for all day trail riding. I even road mine 50k on the road a couple of days ago with the wife. I even did an XC race on it (I did not win!)!

If you’re never going to take it to the alps, i’d be inclined to get the Ather though.

Odd you should say that ... because it is hard work?
I have a Cotic Flare Max - which is pretty damned close to the Aether - other then 29er.
I was probably looking at a bigger bike for big bike days - but as none of those will be happening in the next 9 - 12 month, I guess the answer is to rent something when it doe s- and not tie up capital!

I’ve just gone from an Aeris 145LT with 170 Lyriks on to an Aether 7 with 14m Lyriks on it. The AM160 is just an updated 145 with a bit more rear tyre clearance mostly I think.

I had the Aeris for 3 years and it’s definitely not a mini DH bike - for the travel it’s pretty good at pedalling. I did a near 50k off-road day on it round Brechfa and Cwm Rhayader in the same day a few summers ago and rode up Snowdon on it last year. On the same trips it was awesome at uplift days at BMCC and Antur.

I swapped to the Aether as I fancied something that went uphills a bit better / was more lively on average trails that the Aeris made a bit dull. It’s definitely this - although it’s a similar weight it’s definitely better uphill as it has a more progression suspension linkage and resists bob more (although I didn’t notice the Aeris being that bobby).

I haven’t had a chance to do an uplift day to see how much more punishing the Aether is in comparison. I’m definitely running the suspension stiffer though as there’s less of it.

In it's original 145 trim it was a good pedaller, but the 160 link makes the seat tube slacker, so not quite as comfortable. The back end is fine with a climb stuff on fireroad drags and efficient enough unlockws if you have to get up anything nadgery.

Depends on the build as much as anything though - I run mine with double down tyres and a full coil setup so it's a right porker and if you want to be out for five hours slogging up fire roads you certainly need to be motivated.

The waterbottle thing is a pain - I can cram a small bottle in my medium frame with an offset cage mount and a load of spacers, but it's less than ideal in that respect.

Interesting on the bottle cage for the 145.....I think the shock you have makes a big difference. I had a medium long 145 with a RS Deluxe rt3 (non piggy back) and a 600ml bottle with a cover over the cap fitted fine with a normal side entry cage.

As soon as you get a piggy back shock it makes things more tricky.

Thanks for all the replies - I guess I need to get up to the Bird Mothership and have a test ride ....
TBH it was more of a thing driven by Aeris 145 frames being punted out for 560 GBP - but I missed the XLs , so not so much of an issue now.

I was looking for moon on a stick with a longer travel bike but can still climb. The Bird may not be it - and I am better sticking with what i have.

Personally (as a 120 LT owner, and formerly an original aeris) - fine for big days out. Rarely bother with the pedal switch on the shock.
If big days means hours of winch and plummet, it'll be great. If its lots of road and flat fire road to link things up; then things like coil shocks, heavy duty tyres, and steep seat angles are going to be less than ideal. This is more of a fault of big travel bikes in general, rather than the bird.

Have they still got the 145 frames on sale? I'd be tempted to get one a size down, slide the seat back a touch, and run with a 150 fork and some light tyres (EXO Minion front, EXO ardent rear). A good all rounder for now, but a fairly cheap conversion to Alpine bruiser for summer 2021?