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Swainy90 - I only rode it at Swinley so not very knar. It swallowed up any line I took downhill though and had plenty laid back geometry. Felt like it was quite 'long legged' and foot high rooty drops on corners just got flattened out.
The AirDrop has 150mm travel vs 145 on the Bird and felt more solid / DH orientated. The back end of it is seriously built. With a coil shock on it nothing upset the back end at all and it was so plush the Yari on the front felt very underwhelming. With a lyric I imagine it would be a beast - yet still cycled uphill.
That said I've heard of people doing some DH racing on the Aeris 145 and winning some races / it taking all the punishment thrown in its direction.
So either would probably suit the bill.
Thank joe, possibly a silly question but doesn't the aeris run 150mm travel, not sure on the back. I'm not clued up on the technicalities which probably makes me think I need 160/170mm travel when maybe I don't. Hopefully you can clarify to travel for me mate. I'm personally looking at the 11 speed slx version aeris if I buy cheers
Cheers Joe, I have a mate looking for his first full suspension bike. He's strictly a red route level rider - so it might be an idea. I'll check the ad.
This is my Boardman (if I'm allowed to post a link)
The Bird Aeris is called the 145 as it has 145mm rear travel. But 5mm travel isn't much of a difference to 150mm. It's more how it rides / the geo though.
I've not ridden the Capra / Swoop / G160 etc - I'm imagining they probably are more capable downhill, but will be less lively as an all round bike. Test riding is the only way to work out which you like. I think in May there are YT demo days at FOD and Swinley if you want to try a Capra. Think you can test ride a Whyte G160 at swinley too.
Sold my Boardman today (sob sob - it was a nice bike that I really enjoyed).... but got to put in an order for a brand new shiny Aeris 145
What colour Joe?
Hopefully slime green, but looks like that's mostly out of stock so maybe the bright orange colour.
Gone for GX / Yari 160mm / Guide R and the rest mostly standard kit.
So excited!
I got a slime green Large Aeris 145 after demoing it in January - trust me, you will not regret it one bit! The guys at Bird are just so passionate about what they do, and the way the bike rides is a testament to that. Enjoy!
Cheers for the comment - what spec did you go for on your Aeris?
Everyone who has one seems to be so pleased with their new bike I'm hoping I've made the right choice. Never spent so much money on a bike before sonit was a hard choice.
Keep seeing Nukeproof Mega 275's when I'm out and wondering what they are like but couldn't easily sort out a test ride.
Brilliant Joe. Pictures when it's arrived!
Got a green on order too, hoping it won't be too much longer!
Think they suggested from order yesterday it would probably a couple of weeks before dispatch. I tend to ride mid week rather than on the weekend (too mamy DIY projects on at the moment) so the weekend it arrives I may not even get to ride it 🙁
I understand the pain of your wait joe, ordered my new bike last Friday for an early mid week delivery. Courier damaged it in transit and had to take it back to the shop. Still got it turned around to arrived yesterday though, winner!
I went for the Super Deluxe rear shock, boost Lyriks, Hope/DT502 and GX - figured that I'd be better off getting the best suspension and wheels I could (not really) afford! Did Ben tell you about putting lighter weight oil in the Yari to make it a bit suppler?
Slow rider - what bike is it you've got?
IDB - sounds like a great spec of Aeris. If I could have justified an it more spec I would have done. Didn't talk in huge depth about the Yari, but my reasoning there is it has the same chassis as the Lyrik so at a later date if I felt the need I could put a charger damper (or Ann other upgraded damper) in.
I'm been riding on 150mm travel Revelations for a year ish until now so figure the Yari will be better than those.
I went for the middle spec shock - but couldn't justify the super deluxe unfortunately. I'm not a huge fan of clicky hope hubs myself so just went with the standard wheels - not sure if they'll be clicky or not! Will be my first tubeless setup bike and first time on Maxxis tyres so keen to see how much more grip I'll have.
You'll have to update us on how the bike is once you've had a chance to ride it.
I plumped for a kona process 153 dl. Really like it
Did you get a bargain on a 2016 model or go for the 2017 one? Looks a good spec if you got one in the sale. A mate has the Process 134 from a few years back with Revelations / SLX kit mostly and he loves it. Front end is a lot more poppy than the Aeris - couldn't believe how easy his bike manuals. Never ridden a 153 though.
I wrote a big post about the reasons for the build choices but no-one will really care!
Suffice to say it rides great - I have a suspicion I'm going to have a proper off on it before long, it's that easy to ride fast!
That is the danger as bikes get more capable - you run out of talent going much faster.....