i'm after a frameset to build into a 2nd bike for uplift/park days. i have a trek rail that gets 98% of my riding. i've been using an ibis ripmo af at 170mm front, with a 216x63mm shock rear to make it 170 rear then a -1 degree headset. TBH quite liked this but sold that shock to my mate when he bought my orbea rise, and its proving very hard to get one 2nd hand again.
basically do i get a 2nd hand carbon mega (i have an EXT coil that would fit straight into this), or a giga with a lesser shock? would the EXT offset the downhill capabilities of the mega against the giga?
i'm 6ft and i'm leaning towards an XL as these geo numbers nearly match up exactly to my trek rail compared to the large, and it is easier to pick up a bargain in XL compared to large.
if i get get the mega/giga frame for 1000-1300 then i don't think it will cost me that much to move from a 2020 ripmo af to a 2023 bike.
I've gone from air to coil on a trail bike, then upgraded to a frame with more travel with an air shock.
Air to coil made the bike feel like a bigger bike as long as it wasn't overwhelmed, ie it was much plusher and had better traction in most places. However I still felt underbiked in some situations. Having gone to more travel, I don't feel underbiked any more. But at the same time that was a move from a 2017 frame to a 2022 frame.
For your use case, I'd go with the Giga. I think you can get EXT shocks rebuilt for different travel?
the EXT i have came from a Mega, it just so happens to work brilliant on my rail. i was just thinking that for the 1 or 2 times a year i would use the mega/giga then i could just swap the shock with the rail. but this would only work with the mega.
What about a Bird Aeris 9? Similar sort of bike to the Giga and I think has the same shock size as the Mega, it's about in your budget brand new without a shock as well
Lots of the current Mega frames seem to be cracking. Loads of wanreanty frames being sold where people are jumping ship and taking a loss. So I wouldn’t buy one of those personally.
I haven’t seen the same thing with the Giga so I’d probably go with one of those instead out of your 2 choices.
If it’s uplift mostly then I’d second having a look at an Aeris 9 if in budget - go with the 180mm linkage and a big fork if you do t need to pedal it much.
What about a Bird Aeris 9?
I came in here to vote for the Giga, but I have one of these and would thoroughly recommend for an uplift/park bike.
Just had a couple of weeks in the Alps on mine, it was really good in the bike parks (especially in mullet mode, which is an easy switch) but I also took it on the Tour of Mont Blanc as it pedals fairly well.
just to add a few tuppence into the frame cracking.... i know 3 guys that have had 7 giga frames between them.
But they love them and keep with them. And they ride pretty damn hard (but you would hope with the frames intentions that they could survive a beating).
If it is for uplift/park days, then it has to be Giga, it is a magnificent frame.
Its based on the dissent(dh) rather than a trail bike, but pedals well
I recently tested both as I wanted something a little bigger than my AM9 for uplift/park riding.
For me, the Mega felt like a better race bike - seemed more planted, less poppy/playful but more direct. The Giga was an absolute hoot to ride, was really fun. Not quite as planted as the Mega but not quite as muted either. Of the two I'd have gone for the Giga if I wanted a play bike, Mega for a race bike.
As a comparison, my AM9 is setup fairly stoutly with an RS Super Deluxe Coil and Mezzer Pro fork, it's not the springiest of bikes and takes a bit of effort to get in the air, the Giga took much less effort to move around, the Mega about the same.
Not ridden an Aeris 9 but based on mine would imagine it slots between the Mega and Giga.
Not ridden an Aeris 9 but based on mine would imagine it slots between the Mega and Giga.
I've not ridden the Mega or Giga, but the Aeris 9 has a very solid frame which only really starts to feel lively when you're going pretty fast. With the 180mm linkage especially, it might be past the Giga on the spectrum of gnar.
Thanks guys. U’s have really got me looking at aeries 9 now!
no m/L on the site and at 6ft would a large to too big?? Couple of headset spacers to bring the reach back as it’s quite low headtube but would it be too big??
then the question of raw or burple?
I'm 5ft 8in on a M/L.
Possibly a touch long for me, but worked pretty well in the Alps. I have a long torso, so I was mainly on large bikes for the past five or six years anyway.
I got raw but I wish I'd got the blurple.
They re-stock throughout the year (rather than running standard model years), so it's worth asking when they expect more ML frames if you feel that's the right size for you.
The frame requires a low compression tune shock, so you may need to get your EXT re-tuned, but I'm sure you know Mojo are amazingly helpful with that side of things.
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #eeeeee;">just to add a few tuppence into the frame cracking…. i know 3 guys that have had 7 giga frames between them.</span>
How have they failed?
I also know a few people who've broken carbon nukeproofs recently. The aluminium frames seem to fair better.
I had a large 2021 mega, which I enjoyed, but was looking for a larger frame. I bought a large aeris9 a few weeks ago, it's an awesome bike. Its a fair bit lower than a large mega, but feels better in every way tbh. I'm 5ft 11, I'd say a large will fit you fine.
Miles built as an enduro bike with 160 rear 170 frint travel. I'd like to try it with 180 front and back.
I’d like to try it with 180 front and back.
It's really good with 180 front and 160 rear.
I took the 180mm linkage and spring to the Alps, but never felt I needed to swap over for the riding I was doing (Pila, Verbier, TMB).
What shock have you got on yours? How are you finding it?
one went at the seat stay bridge, not sure on the others. I only see them once or twice a year, as they live oop north.
anyone running the Aeris 9 in mixed wheel size? Also contemplating a Giga but had not seen the Bird before...
I had the same dilemma a few months back after opted for a Mega MX despite really wanting a Giga MX. I read / watched a couple of comparisons my tweed valley bikes & maybe a video by Bike Radar or someone? I came to the conclusion the Giga required a more active riding style and as I ride mtb less, an easier bike to hop on was the right one for me, id echo the above the mega just plows fast.
I went MX for the tight and twisty bits riding a XL, only time I miss a full 29 is when blasting thru the rough stuff.
As for cracking frame, two very good, capable riders from within the industry that I know have both snapped / cracked the rear triangle on their Giga's & replaced them with a Mega in the last 6 months.
anyone running the Aeris 9 in mixed wheel size?
Yeah, I switch between 29 and mullet a fair bit. What would you like to know?
<p style="text-align: left;">Chakaping, I just have a superdeluxe coil on it atm., which seems good. It's only around 25% sag, feels very controlled and racy. I'm planning to put a softer coil in there to see how that feels.
I also have a dvo jade x that would fit, but it needs a service first. I'm tempted to sell both and buy an ext or ohlins instead. What are you running?</p>
I haven't tried it in mullet yet. I may pinch the rear wheel off my gfs bike to give it a try though. I'm yet yo even try it in thenslacjer setting, as it feels so good in the steeper setting.
What are you running?
I bought a Formula Mod coil shock with the frame.
It's excellent now I've swapped the compression valve to the light one. Medium tune made it ride too harsh.
Well the bird has definitely tweaked my interest. But I need the frame set early next week.
I’ve rang them and emailed but haven’t got anyone to answer the phone or a reply to my email.
It’s putting me off to be honest.
Im very spur of the moment…if I purchase I want it imminently, if I have to wait, I’ll not go through with it 😟
Often they’re quick to respond on social media - the Bird owners group on fb is pretty active
You can also try Clark at Bike Bothy Bennachie.
They (Bird HQ) usually answer phones no bother so maybe tech issues..
Aeries 9 is great, had mine for about four months now and no complaints
probably getting behind answering the phone to people who have emailed & vice versa 😉
Well rang today and got speaking to both HQ and the factory! Very happy to talk on the phone. Large Aeris 9 blurple ordered!
Frame was due to be despatched yesterday (as was told twice on phone before and after ordering)…. Have received no despatch notification yet 😡 secretly hoping it’ll turn up tomorrow or Monday. Otherwise I may look into cancelling it as my reason to push through and buy was for a riding trip next week (hence then assuring me it would be despatched yesterday)
I'd persevere. Understand it's frustrating but it's a decent frame and should be worth the wait