Bird AM9 frame and shock deal- thoughts?

(I’ve messaged Bird too but it’s the weekend, and STW knows everything- plus good to get some opinions)

I’ve a rocketmax which is a great bike but I’ve never really fully gelled with, so I was thinking of a change, mostly just to try something different. Bird has V1 and V2 (depending on size) AM9s on sale for £625 including shock, which is an awesome price I reckon, but I’m not sure if it’s right for me…

Partly it’s sizing, I’m 5’10 and I’d take an m/l from choice but they’re sold out. I can definitely fit on an L, I’m not at all worried about it being too big to ride and I’ve ridden bigger bikes and been happy, but it’s a bit reachier than I’d normally choose. Worth a flutter I think but it’s a wee bit of a doubt. I guess doubling on that is that the rocketmax generally doesn’t feel that playful and sometimes I feel a little bit like I’m just the payload not the pilot! WHich is not exactly a bad thing, but at the moment isn’t exactly what I want from a bike, especially since I’m not racing- I’d prefer a bit more waggy tailedness, a bit more joy? And going with a big reachey frame can sometimes have that same effect.

Partly it’s the shock, I just wouldn’t choose the superdeluxe RC2 myself. At the price, I can’t complain though! I’m not really a big fan of frames with lots of anti squat generally but from reviews it doesn’t dominate the ride like, say, my BMC Trailfox did (which was a ridiculously well pedalling, super fast enduro bike but I just hated how the suspension worked if I pedalled in rough stuff- it was a positive thing overall but when it was being a downside it really bugged me, so it didn’t balance out)

Partly it’s that I can’t tell the difference between V1 and V2 and V3, if I understand right the geometry is the same, the newer ones are warrantied for longer forks, there were some changes in cable routing and tyre clearance, and the V3 gets the RRR linkage (which you can fit to the older frames,but it’s sold out).

But tbh even with all that, it’s a seriously nice bit of kit from a cool company at a low price and I can probably sell my Rocketmax for more. And since the shock would sell easily enough I don’t mind replacing that if that’s how I get the feel I really want.

So any thoughts or opinions would be really helpful! There’s 5 left btw.

I picked up a cheap second hand V3 AM reccently for similar reasons to yourself. I wanted something more lively than the Pole I was riding before. On paper the reach isn’t much shorter. However, the headtube is a bit shorter so the effective reach once you’ve added some spacers is shorter than it looks but would depend on what you had before.

I can’t comment on the anti squat issues as I can’t say I pay much attention to anything like that. The older linkage was more progressive I believe so better for some and worse for others.

It’s certainly a lot more lively than what I had before and I’m more happy to ride it in on mellower rides because of this. Probably a smidge slower on the downs though. The V3 has a slightly longer chainstay though so the older versions would be livelier still perhaps.

At the end of the day, I’m not sure you’ll get better value for £500 these days!

I’d say go for it. At worse it will be cost neutral / positive and if you don’t get on you can sell again (and I believe pass the warranty on within two years).

I love my 3yo V2 with the old linkage.  If I never updated to another mountain bike again that would suit me fine. It’s fun but also forgiving. It looks after me.

The pinkbike thread is a good resource. There was a guy RMR who seemed to know what he was talking about.

They are big long bikes…. I’m 5’11 and have tried the m/l and the l and definitely felt the large was too big. I looked at there are ruled them out on the sizing.

Thanks folks- looks like I am buying rockthreegozy’s m/l, for various reasons but mostly because it’s probably the right size. Cheers though!

You’ve got an inch on me and I ride a V3 M/L, never wished it to be any larger.

32″ leg and I run a 170 Brand X dropper.

I think you’ll be good on the M/L 👍

I’ve just changed from a rocketmax to a am9 v3 (rocketmax snapped and needed a replacement quick)

Am9 is more playful but not as planted on fast descents. I was an XL in cotics and have kept XL for the bird and it seems fine to me.

I just pushed the button on an XL V1 Aether frame and shock, looking for a do it all FS to replace my XL Mega290 (excellent bike just too much for most of my riding, frame shortly to appear on classifieds) and maybe my hardtail. I’ve test ridden other Bird FS back in the day and always liked their poppiness (is that a word?). Reckon you’ll love the AM9. I was tempted to go for one too, but would’ve been too similar to the 290

@harr, can I ask how tall you are?

Yea no problem, I’m 193cm.

How did you get on Northwind?

I asked the question about the differences between the V1 & V3, the seat tube is 20mm shorter on the V3. I wasn’t looking at the V2 at the time so didn’t ask.

I’m of a similar size to you OP, I have sat on a long Aeris 120 and a long Aether. Both of which felt massively too long for me. But I’m coming from a bike that has about 450 reach.

I was looking at a used V1 M/L, which knowing the seat tube is 20mm longer than the current version I can just about get away with a 170mm dropper post.

I’m still on the look out but not actively looking atm as I have other priorities.

I’ve had a ML V1 and V2 and the V2 went to Northwind. I ran a Oneup 210 post, shimmed to 200 IIRC. I’m just under 5’10.

Great bikes and for me I preferred the lighter V1/V2 over the thought of the more robust V3 (another 200g I believe?)

Never had any complaints, ran mine at 150f and briefly at 160 but I found climbing suffered more than descending improved with the +10mm. 

Now on an Aeries9, still great but less of an all rounder (and maybe 600g on the V1 AM9)

Coil shock for the win.

Similar to rockthreegozy I have an ML V3, I’m bang on 5’10 and run a 180mm OneUp, and if anything it’s a little too short, a 200mm would be perfect.

I seem to recall I test rode a V2 and bought a V3, the V3 does seem a little beefier than the bike I test rode, but over time I’ve also contributed to that (Mezzer Pro, SDU Coil and so on).I ran mine at 160mm and found it OK, upped it to 170mm for an Alps trip and tbh didn’t feel a lot different.

I’ve started pushing the boundaries of it a little bit so NBD on the horizon (tomorrow), going to swap the frame out for a more trail oriented build soon.

@datsunman, I’m near enough the same height, but have shortish legs (according to the other half) at 30ish inseam . The V1 seat tube is 20mm longer than it is in the V3 (according to Ben) version which limits me to a 150mm dropper post. With the M/L V1, I can have a 170mm post.

I’d be keeping it at 150mm, still think it might be too much for most of the stuff I ride. I think the Aether 9 would be more suitable with 130mm at the back. But it’s unlikely I’ll get a used Aerther 9 frame. They just don’t seem to be around used.

I’m trying to do it on the cheap (kids at uni emptying my bank account) and I’d be moving up a wheel size too so swapping parts over is not really a viable option.

I’ll just have to be patient

@asbrooks polar opposite of me, I’ve got a 33 inseam. 🙂

You’d be surprised, it’s such a good all round bike, easily my favourite over 20+ years of riding. I test rode the Aether 9 too and didn’t really like it, felt too long in comparison with the AM9. Horses for courses I suppose.

Good luck in your search, worth holding out for.

I’m *really* hoping that Bird release a shorter travel version of the new AM, would buy that in a heartbeat.

asbrooks
Full Member

How did you get on Northwind?

It’s still sat waiting to be built! Basically wanted to ride the Rockemax a load first so I can really judge which is better, so I’ll probably swap it in a few weeks and see how it goes

I’m *really* hoping that Bird release a shorter travel version of the new AM, would buy that in a heartbeat.

Seems unlikely within the current lineup.

Was a rumour of a revised Aether9c… might for the shorter travel AM thing.

Would you still buy an AM9 in 2024?

I’ve got an Aether 7, I love it but I think I want something with a bit more travel and bigger wheels, the carbon AM is probably perfect but I don’t want to spend £5k+

I’m wondering if a V3 AM9 is what I want, with a 160mm fork (or possibly even 170) with an angleset -1° headset and a coil shock. It would get used in the Alps, UK mountains and maybe closer to home in the Tweed Valley.

I’ll need to pedal it all day and sometimes carry it so think the Aeris 9 would be too much bike. The Aether will be staying as it’s so fun.

In the end I’m really glad I got it, it’s a great bike. (V2). I put a 160mm coil fork and angleset in it and it’s just imo 100% positive on these bikes, I think it should have been like that from the factory. It’s a decent pedaller, and seriously capable- it does has a slightly oldschool “big trailbike” feel sometimes rather than “small enduro bike”, frinstance I took it up to fort william and it was noticably quite a bit more of a handful than the rocketmax it replaced, you have to think it through things a little bit more, you can’t just rely on it to smash things for you… but at the same time it never once felt like it wasn’t up for it, it just demanded a more respectful approach. I just swapped the coil shock that came with it in to see what effect that has.

But I am loving it, for tweed valley bombing and basically 99% of what I do it’s really suitable. I wish I could fit a wee bit more dropper post in it, that’s the main thing I’d change right now.

Thanks, great feedback.

I’ve thought about sizing up to the Large, I’m 5’11 so at the top of the ML and bottom of the L.

I had a quick go on my friend’s ML and compared to the Aether it felt a bit short and low but she has flat bars on it, seat was low and the fork was way too soft for me not a fair test!

It’s my V2 that Northwind has having swopped to the Aeries 9- which is a great bike but I do miss the AM9, the weight increase is noticeable. This is probably compounded by switched to Continental tyres at the same time as the back wheel is quite lethargic feeling 😂 Great fun pointed down just not quite as agile or rounded imho.

I eventually managed to get hold of a V1 AM9 ML and have just about squeezed a 170mm dropper in with mms to spare.

My mate who had the Aether 9, has replaced it for the a Jeht, he felt he had to work the at getting the bike moving, he said that he is essentially a lazy rider. So lazy that I can’t keep up with him.

Anyway, first proper ride coming this week after building it up, which didn’t go as smooth as I’d hoped. You know, all those little parts that you forget, next postage costing more than the actual parts.
I’ve spent some time setting up the rear suspension, having the usual 30%ish sag I felt it was too wallowy. It’s now set at 20% and I’ll see how it goes Wednesday eve.

Let us know how you get on with it please 🙂

It’s my V2 that Northwind has having swopped to the Aeries 9- which is a great bike but I do miss the AM9, the weight increase is noticeable. This is probably compounded by switched to Continental tyres at the same time as the back wheel is quite lethargic feeling 😂 Great fun pointed down just not quite as agile or rounded imho.

I think if I went to the Alps more than once a year or got uplift more then the Aeris 9 would be good, but I still want to be able to pedal this.

Have you stuck with the same ML size?

I’ve got an AM9 v3 frame in Large taking up space in the garage that I’d be happy to let go for a reasonable offer. :).

It did my lad great from ages 11-14 until we got an XL Aeris 9. It’s a bit scratched in the normal places but mechanically in great condition.

phil5556
Full Member

I think if I went to the Alps more than once a year or got uplift more then the Aeris 9 would be good, but I still want to be able to pedal this.

For whatever it’s worth I’d be totally happy taking it out to the alps and so far only fort william has been a bit testing for it, innerleithen etc was fine, and though I’ve not made it there yet it’s a lot <more> bike than I’ve usually had at BPW, Antur, Dirt Farm etc, it’ll be ideal for that. Obviously the alps are big but when you consider these bikes are more capable than, say, an old Alpine 160 or similiar that helps keep it in perspective… For a Bikevillage or Whiterooms sort of holiday it’d be damn nearly perfect I think, for a week of smashing laps in Morzine probably not so much but it’d not be a problem. And again it’s a more capable bike than what I raced the mega on (an old Remedy 29) but I never once thought that bike was a problem. Modern bikes are awesome and it’s a really good modern bike

Equally the Aeris 9 could do anything I want to ride too, it’s just the compromises are in different places.

(I mean, the first time I raced at fort william was on a cotic hemlock with 120mm of rear travel so maybe I’m just an idiot)

Yeah I was comfortably on a ML V1 and V2 AM9 (same geo) then ML on the Aeries9 also. 5’10

Yeah I was comfortably on a ML V1 and V2 AM9 (same geo) then ML on the Aeries9 also. 5’10

Cheers. I think ML is probably the right size, same as my Aether 👍

I’ve got an AM9 v3 frame in Large taking up space in the garage that I’d be happy to let go for a reasonable offer. :).

I’d have to decide if I should go for L or ML. I’m waiting to hear back from Bird to see if they have any collecting dust in the warehouse, but if not and as long as yours isn’t yellow I could be interested.

For whatever it’s worth I’d be totally happy taking it out to the alps and so far only fort william has been a bit testing for it

I’ve only had my old T130 and now the Aether in the alps, both were fine but the Aether is much better. My main driver for a new bike is that we’re probably doing the Tour Du Mont Blanc next year, I think there will be some big descents and a bigger bike will handle them better. A 29er might also roll a bit than the 27.5 on the Aether even covering distance.

I’ve just had a couple of days at BPW on the Bird and it’s been great fun, much better than the Orbea Rise I’ve taken for the last 2 trips. It handled it brilliantly tbf.

I like a few laps of Morzine but get a bit bored of it, I prefer more all mountain out of the bike park.

Ok, I’ve been riding the AM9 for some time now, it’s amazing!
Before I built it up, the only other bike available to me is my Cotic Solaris, I’d been riding for 6 months and was just about getting used to the back end flicking around. Before that at the end of last I retired my Boardman FS PRO.
So compared to what I was riding it’s night and day, so stable when descending at speed and I’ve been tackling features on it that I normally have ridden around.
Takes a bit of effort to get it up and over janky stuff, or probably better timing on my part. I run the rear shock at about 18% sag, it works for me, and I don’t bother with the lock out it climbs so well without it. I’ve had four days at the golfie on it a few weeks back. Oh man it was effing great!! Only my lack of skill holding me back. I love it and should have bought one instead of the Boardman all those years back.. You live and learn!

One little gripe I have, now that I run a 30t chainring the chain slap I get on the chainstay has chipped the paint away (chain length it correct). I think I would benefit one of those rubber ones that sit on top the chainstay that can extend up to the chainring would be better than the Bird sealskin one. Any recommendations?

@asbrooks VHS Slapper tape on my am9 chainstay and it works a treat, worth the money. I also have a roll of the 3M Scotch 2228 Rubber Mastic Electrical Tapethat I’ve used on my hardtail that works well.

My Aether has one from a Nukeproof Reactor although maybe not easy to buy now.

I’ve also seen mentions of using the one for the Raaw Madonna.

Good to see another positive review of the AM9.

I’m still torn between an AM9 and going all out for a new Carbon AM.

I’m also stuck between ML & Large sizes. I could get away with either but think the shorter one might be best for the majority of my riding.