First Look: All-New Bird Aeris 9

Aug 3, 2022
by Seb Stott  
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Readers outside of the UK may not be familiar with Bird bikes, and that's a shame because the British brand has earned a reputation for offering solid value and an innovative spin on the direct-sales approach. They ship internationally and are looking to set up demo partners outside the UK.

They started out in 2013 as a 27.5"-wheel-only bike company, but soon spread their wings to include bigger wheels. The Aeris was their first full-suspension bike in 2014, and now they're releasing the sixth bike to bear that name. Confusingly, it's called the Aeris 9, where the number relates to the 29" wheel size, not the design iteration.

Bird Aeris 9 Details
• Travel: 160 mm or 180 mm rear, 160-180 mm front
• Wheel size: 29"
• Adjustable geometry
• Customisable spec
• Internal or external cable routing
• Sizes: M, M/L, L, XL
• Reach: 457, 486, 515, 544 mm
• MSRP: From £1430 (frameset) or £2870 (full build)
www.bird.bike
Bird describe it simply as "an all-mountain machine with a bias towards gravity racing." That might be putting it mildly, though, because the bike pumps out 160 mm of rear wheel travel in standard form but can develop 180 mm with an optional linkage, can accommodate 160-180 mm forks and boasts adjustable geometry that can get pretty wild.



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Cables can be run inside or outside the tubes, but alas, not through the headset.

Frame Details

The Aeris 9 frame may look similar to Bird's 150mm-travel AM9, but it's an all-new aluminum tube set designed to cope with the stresses of 180 mm forks. Among other differences, the Aeris 9 takes advantage of SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger.

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One feature that's easy to miss is a flip chip in the chainstay (Horst) pivot which simultaneously changes the chainstay length, BB height and frame angles.

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The top-tube mounted shock can fit a large bottle even with a piggyback reservoir. An optional shock link increases the travel from 160 mm to 180 mm while using the same 65 mm stroke shock. There's little information about the kinematics at this point, but it's offered with both coil and air shocks.



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Geometry

Bird have gone big on sizing. With sizes going from Medium to XL, the Aeris 9 is aimed at riders on the taller part of the spectrum; keep in mind that Bird also offer 27.5"-wheeled bikes with Small sizes included. The Medium is recommended for riders around 168 cm (5'6"), while the XL is for those around the 194 cm (6'4") mark. With a 544 mm reach, the XL size might be best suited to those pushing two meters.

The above chart is for the bike with the short chainstay flip-chip setting and a 160 mm fork. In the alternate flip-chip setting, the chainstay length is 6 mm longer, the BB is 7 mm lower and the frame angles are 0.5-degrees slacker. Fitting a 180 mm fork will take about a further 0.8-degrees off the angles. In the short chainstay setting, the head angle goes from 64 degrees with a 160 mm fork to 63.2-degrees with 180 mm, but this could go to 62.7-degrees with the lower flip-chip setting. Simple, right?

In addition to all that complexity, the effective seat angle changes by size, from 77° in the Medium to 78.5° in the XL - that's in the steepest configuration of fork travel and chainstay setting.


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Specs and Pricing

Bird take advantage of their direct-sales model to offer complete customisation of the parts and setup using their online configurator. Supply problems notwithstanding, you have a choice of almost all the components. The idea is you can get the bike you want from day one, without wasting time and money swapping parts to your tastes.

You can pick parts from RockShox, Fox, SRAM, Shimano, RaceFace, MRP, Hope, DT Swiss and Formula. You get a choice of Maxxis tires too.

bigquotesWant an XT shifter with your Deore drivetrain? No problem. Need to match the colors of your headset and hubs? We’ve got you covered. Need your bars cut to 764.2mm? Sure - we’ll do that for you.Bird

By today's standards, the pricing is relatively cheep ... I mean cheap. The Aeris 9 frameset starts at £1,430 and the entry-level build starts at £2,870. Bird recommends aiming a little higher up the pecking order, though, suggesting a build with a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM G2R Brakes, RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil shock, Bird Factory wheels, Maxxis Assegai tires and Bird & RaceFace finishing kit - for around £3,875.

Bikes are available to order internationally now at www.bird.bike. Demos can be arranged in the UK at Bike Bothy’s stores in Pitfichie and Laggan, Glencoe Mountain and Bird's showroom in Eversley, Hampshire.



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Author Info:
seb-stott avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2014
297 articles

276 Comments
  • 267 5
 Ugh an affordable, well specced bike, get outta here! We want more 12k 25kg eBikes
  • 79 1
 Preferably with head set routed cables, a brand new rear axle size measured to the nearest 3 decimal places and strikes a good resemblance to Trek's downhill bike please.
  • 172 0
 @bigtim: Their website actually says:

"No cables through the headset or bars, because we don’t hate you."
  • 12 48
flag krashDH85 (Aug 3, 2022 at 8:21) (Below Threshold)
 @rallyimprezive: Then they put them through the frame. So they still kind of hate you
  • 38 0
 @krashDH85: only if you want us to! It's an option.
  • 17 0
 @benpinnick: Good deal, like to see companies still offering external routing
  • 20 4
 @krashDH85: To dumb to read the article bit still complain? I mean I shouldnt be suprised for pinkbike comments.
  • 11 14
 @fred-frod: Nah, I like the pretty pictures more.
Smart enough to spell and punctuate correctly though.
  • 4 0
 @BirdBikes, this looks great! Can't wait to see the Ethic too. Bring it on!
  • 7 1
 @rallyimprezive: Haha, so it does. Well done guys.

www.bird.bike/product/aeris-9-sram-eagle-12-speed/#configuration

It looks they hired a graphic designer who wasn't their sister's son too.





Those prices are pretty wtf. It's like traveling back to 1999. What's the catch?
  • 2 0
 @rallyimprezive: That is awesome!
  • 5 0
 @DirkMcClerkin: Truly astoundingly good prices and their component availability is impressive as well... lifetime transferrable warranty... killer deal can't wait to see more in-depth reviews. I could see Bird growing quickly if they keep putting out stellar alu bikes, after all it worked for Commencal
  • 4 0
 If this bike brand was made in American would it be "Babe Bikes"?

These are questions that need answered...
  • 6 0
 @stiingya: no, if these bikes were made in America they'd be called Freedom Eagle Cycles, weigh 50% more, have electrolytes, and have a built in holster for a good guy gun.
  • 5 0
 @stiingya: It'd be called Guerrilla Gravity
  • 83 9
 If only brexit didn't happen...
  • 4 2
 Boš mogu še zmer tastarga furat...
  • 83 3
 At least you're on the good side of it.
  • 2 0
 @Kanta: tko kaže Razz
  • 12 5
 @Fix-the-Spade: Escaped Brit here. Postage costs to Europe have risen so much since Brexit that I rarely bother ordering anything from the UK now.
  • 2 0
 @Fix-the-Spade: not when there's a want of a new Bird... But I get what you're trying to say and overall I agree with you...
  • 51 1
 Looks fantastic, also worth giving them a shout out on their excellent transferable warranty, not many do that!

www.bird.bike/the-industrys-best-warranty
  • 3 0
 My Aether 9c has been acceptable, but I'm tempted to change it for something some long legged, and this Aeris 9 looks a great option. Bird have proven helpful on warranty, with turnaround times about as good as you could hope for. Their dispatch arrangements were less good, where they twice shipped things to the wrong address.
  • 20 2
 Finally. Bikes should be like cars in this regard. Getting a one-year old, barely-used bike shouldn't negate a lifetime frame warranty.
  • 1 0
 2 years tho. Specialized is lifetime for original and 2 years transferable.
  • 14 0
 @senorbanana: the Bird warranty for this frame is lifetime for first and second owners as long as the transfer occurs within 2 years of purchase.
  • 1 0
 @BirdBikes: OH sweet!
  • 34 0
 Aluminium frame - check
No trunnion mount - check
No yoke/strut - check
External routing option - check
Customizing option - check
Reasonably priced - check

I can't believe this is happening in 2022 in MTB industry, someone please pinch me
  • 8 0
 Dual crown compatible - check Mullet option - soon 200mm front and rear - almost
  • 2 7
flag DC1988 (Aug 4, 2022 at 1:47) (Below Threshold)
 They're not the prettiest bikes but aside from that there's very little to criticise.
  • 4 0
 you've missed bottle cage. should be the top of your list!
  • 2 0
 @jamesg55: I consider it as an enduro standard these days, although some brands are still behind
  • 2 0
 If anything were to happen to my current bike, I don't think I could pass up this one. About the only potential negative is that they don't offer my favorite Manitou suspension. Like you posted, it has everything I'd want for the price I can afford.
  • 3 0
 @NWBasser: unfortunately Manitou isn't the most popular in the UK, but I guess that's why they offer frame only option as everyone has different preferences
  • 2 0
 @NWBasser: order frame only without the shock!
  • 25 0
 I'm sure there are going to be a few puns flying around in the comments section...
  • 13 0
 two Birds on stone?
  • 27 0
 D'aeris some puntential here, for sure.
  • 5 0
 Word
  • 3 1
 I bet you'll be flapping around to see with your own eyes.
  • 16 0
 Writer of the worst pun gets tarred and feathered
  • 10 0
 I like it, but it's no featherweight
  • 6 0
 These silly puns make me sick like the avian flu.
  • 13 0
 @rallyimprezive: username pecks out
  • 4 0
 Big Bird
  • 10 0
 People who dislike this bike need to flock off
  • 14 0
 I'm also surprised that none of their bikes use a quill stem.
  • 1 1
 @gooral: like Mitch Hedberg comedy. lol
  • 4 0
 Riders sick of soaring and already sky high prices are gonna flock to this.
  • 1 1
 Nope
Everybody knows
The Bird ,is the Word
the B B Bird bird bird the bird is the Word @gooral:
  • 2 0
 The first Bird e-bike will be known as the 'Emu'...
  • 1 0
 @IamDave: I wonder what a full built bike weighs?
  • 18 0
 As a bird owner I'd also like to highlight that Bird have THE best customer service of any company I have ever bought from. Any little issues have been sorted immediately. Once sent an email at 08.50 and had a response by 09.05. new part sent that day no questions asked. My AM9 is so good I'm not really tempted by this new bike yet, but when my DH bike gives up the ghost I'll certainly looking at the LT version of this to build up a single speed park bike.
  • 1 3
 Not trying to be negative as I own a Bird and love it, but I've sent an email before and never even had a response.
  • 3 0
 @DC1988: what email address did you send to? We have an email system that tracks every email and makes sure that we reply to everyone. Happy to look into this for you.
  • 1 0
 @BirdBikes:
I don't remember, it was a couple of years ago so doesn't matter but appreciate the follow up now!
  • 1 0
 I'd like to ask what the weight is on your bike?
  • 2 0
 @NWBasser: it's never exact as everyone is different. Budget 34-36 lbs depending on tyres and other component choices for a coil/zebbed bike
  • 1 0
 @BirdBikes: That's right in line with my current alloy enduro bike. I'm considering selling it because 29-inch wheels might work better for me in the chunk. My locale terrain in Washington State is very much like your Forest of Dean trails. Amid a very crowded field of enduro bikes on the market, the Aeris stands out on value and component choices.
  • 2 0
 @NWBasser: 34.8 lbs for my AM9 with DD tires, lyrics, SD ultimate air shock, hope alloy wheelset, guide re brakes including DH clipless pedals. Not that bike weight is any issue to me (I weigh 210lbs so barely notice a few grams here or there on a bike).
  • 1 0
 @CamRivers: That's pretty similar to a lot of carbon bikes. Some of these alloy enduro bikes are pushing 40lb. which seems excessive to me.
  • 18 0
 Omg, well built bike for a fair price and like nothing to bitching about. I am pleasantly surprised.
  • 7 6
 The brexit stupid tax you'll have to pay if you live outside the yUK...
  • 36 3
 @ridestuff: Trust me, those of who live in the UK are also dealing with the cost of stupidity
  • 4 12
flag hubertje-ryu (Aug 3, 2022 at 11:29) (Below Threshold)
 @TommyNunchuck: yep, but you chose it yerselves.
  • 14 2
 @hubertje-ryu:

Plenty of us didn't vote for it, especially younger age groups

In fact anyone under 24 wasn't even able to vote at the time

Daft thing is as it adds costs and reduces our freedoms our ageing population mean no government dares to reverse it

Anyway Bird bikes are ace & the guys that run it are really nice and care about the sport
  • 8 1
 @hubertje-ryu: it's been shown that by about 2018 enough old buggers and already died that the vote would have been the other way. What a country eh. And by country I mean England
  • 8 0
 @hubertje-ryu:
If only it were that simple! As Kimbers says, there are plenty of adults living with the consequences of something they couldn't vote for/against. The winning margin was very close and many people didn't/couldn't vote meaning there's hardly a majority of the UK that are pro Brexit. Add in the fact that we were simply asked to vote to either stay or leave the EU, there was nothing beyond that. We could have had a "soft" Brexit and stayed broadly aligned to the EU but the electorate were never consulted on the finer details.
  • 2 0
 @DC1988: still, I don't think anyone in the EU asked / wanted the UK to leave.
It was a decision which nobody really understood on this side of the water at the time.
  • 3 0
 @DC1988:
Anyway, it is of course not a personal insult at all, and politicians screw up shit here as well, by deliberately pushing their political agenda against the will of the big majority, so I get what you're saying and rejoyce in the thought that next generations may not be as opposed to cooperation.
  • 15 0
 I had two different AM9s (V1 and V3) and they were absolutely amazing bikes. Too often people refer to value when mentioning Bird, I'd say they are top notch regardless of the price
  • 1 0
 aren't they just! working in the industry for 12 years and have had all sorts of exotica, but the AM9 is BY FAR the best riding bike I've owned. its not even funny how much better it is in pure performance terms and when you take the cost side in it makes you wonder about the rest of the industry.
  • 14 0
 Bird strike me as a brand doing so many things right; aesthetically pleasing, durable bikes with great kinematics, design features & geo, plus excellent pricing, warranty & reputation. Chapeau!
  • 15 0
 I'll applaud them for routing the cables out and above the bottom bracket. unlike some other major companies..
  • 10 0
 For any y'all outside the uk worried about "brexit taxes" remember that in UK sales tax is included in consumer prices as standard, is 20%, and is not chargeable if the goods are going out of the UK. You can also ask the exporter for a price "DDP" where they take care of all the duties to remove any doubts.
  • 8 0
 I love my AM9 and the way Bird does business. There needs to be more bike brand out there like them. I’ve had mine for 3 and half years, this new Aeris 9 is the first bike in that time I’ve seen that I would consider replacing mine with, but it’s so damn good, I’ll hold off for now. Keep up the fantastic work Bird.
  • 2 0
 Similar story here. Had my AM9 for over 4 years and I still love riding it so would certainly consider an Aeris 9 as a replacement. I think I’ll book a demo ride on one at Laggan to see if it feels different enough to warrant the change.
  • 8 0
 Congratulations @BirdBikes I think you absolutely nailed it. Looking at it I can't help myself but think that everything about it looks amazing! You kinda flew under my radar until this point, but now you definitley got my attention.
  • 10 0
 That's a bike and price I can relate to.
  • 18 9
 Nobody wants cables run through the headset @seb.
  • 87 1
 Nobody wants sarcasm, apparently.
  • 38 0
 @seb-stott: ahh, fair dues. My mistake.
  • 9 0
 @gotohe11carolina: An upvote for admitting you were mistaken Smile
  • 2 0
 Eh?! Sure we do! I mean, this looks to have well thought out & executed internal AND external routing, giving the end user the choice, and with minimal faff to boot.
Now ask yourself this; why would anyone want that kind of nonsense, when we could instead have an intrinsically crap design whereby everything is squeezed down through a hole in the headset (hopefully using some weird proprietary parts too, for good measure)…?
  • 7 0
 @gotohe11carolina:
Also Bird saw fit to mention it on their own website: “No cables through the headset or bars, because we don’t hate you.”
  • 8 0
 Thank god, some people are still trying to put valuable bikes on the market, Glad to see this kind of bikes on Pinkbike
  • 7 0
 simple lines, simple cable routing, no fancy-pants 17bar linkage, alloy frame, reliable proven parts. looks like an amazing bike
  • 1 0
 Kind of impossible to resist it. I just have to sell off my basses first.
  • 7 0
 Would be great to get some info about suspension kinematics. This bike looks great!
  • 7 1
 Just go to RockyMountain.com
  • 2 0
 That was sarcasm, btw. I have no idea if they’re similar, but man they sure do look it!
  • 9 0
 @mrosie: Rocky Mountain's website is actually bikes.com
  • 2 0
 Agreed, I'm super curious how the suspension performs.
  • 1 0
 @Muscovir: That was a joke.
  • 1 0
 I believe that information is on their site.
  • 8 0
 Simple, aluminum, cheap...I pick all three.
  • 6 0
 Affordable, colors for everyone, decent geometry, actual custom options. This looks like a solid buy, would love to try one.
  • 4 0
 So here is a thing ,I am a bike mechanic and I am the first to poo poo direct sales brands and a lot of big none direct sales bike brands for poor quality frames and piss poor alignment,when you take full Sus bikes apart for a living you soon know what bikes are quality and what are not!, Now I have 2 good pals who have had several Birds one of which is very fast ,and I have rebuilt many with new frame bearings and I can say they are very very well made with good alignment -could do with bigger bearings in the Horst link though!.So just goes to show you that a lot of the big brands are ripping you off if bird can do it this well made with far fewer frames being made so with economy of scale etc etc ,oh and yeah any spec you want and colour choice and good cable routing.win win .
  • 5 0
 if its half as good as the AM9, it'll be a belter. some nice features and Geo adjust that might make me consider a frame swap
  • 5 0
 I was thinking of swapping for a few mins, then remembered that my AM9 already weighs enough and is already on the verge of too much bike, so I stepped away from the shopping cart Smile
  • 9 0
 @thingswelike: i dont know if its encouraging or not, but its worth noting that the am9 frame is one of the lighest full sus aluminium frames in this category. youre saving nearly 1kg by not having a commencal or transition.

also, i couldnt break mine, i went and cased the drop at the bottom of stile cop about 5 times just before my ankles had had enough (sorry bird) and the frame took it fine. they told me theyve never had a broken frame, I'm not sure i believe that, but i dont doubt their statistics are really good.
  • 18 0
 @GumptionZA: Weve broken a few now. You must have had an early one. But no, we don't break too many but still 180 is enough to warrant some new tubes for this one!
  • 9 0
 @BirdBikes: afaik mine was an early one ya, i got it lightly used, did the warranty transfer with you guys and never had anything but exceptional customer service from you.

10/10 would purchase again/recommend to a friend
  • 2 2
 @BirdBikes: when you make this in carbon, please give it frame storage, then all my feeble excuses for not getting one will be gone, also the 18-24 or so months itll take you to sort that out will make the timing perfect for my next bike
  • 2 0
 @GumptionZA: I've how the AM9 climbs. I went out last night to a rocky ridgeline here in the Peak District (The Roaches) and had the absolute best ride! No need for me to change for now. I'd love to shed a couple of pounds off it, but that coil shock provides sooo much support on trailsy sections. Love it.
  • 1 0
 @thingswelike: i ruined my am9 with the coil shock... i got a DHX RC4 and converted it to metric length (if you get the 241x76 its pretty straight forward to do) but the tune was all wrong. not making that mistake again!

by mistake i mean shock with the wrong tune, not coil shock, or trying new things.
  • 1 0
 @GumptionZA: Mine is the Super Deluxe Ultimate, but I had to swap the nice red spring for a 275lb nukeproof one to get more travel. I'm probably better off with an air shock in future.
Only problem I have is on continuous rough hits when not too steep, it seems to get slowed down. Thought the lighter tune would help, but it hasn't. More playing needed. Love it on the big stuff though and as I said on the trialsy stuff.
  • 7 2
 Probably the best bike here I’ve seen in a while. Just simple/clean welds to match. Can this be a large with 27” wheels? I’m no fan of The 29” wheels sorry.
  • 8 3
 Im afraid not @nfa2005 - just not enough demand now to carry on the 27.5 lines. Sorry Frown
  • 4 0
 @BirdBikes: that's really sad. I'd like to upgrade to something newer but 29ers just don't work for me. 27.5 with 180mm travel and a bottle mount inside the frame, can but dream.....
  • 2 1
 Hands down on a sic looking rig but Sad, the 29 wheels are just too big for “me” very twitchy (unexpected wheel twist in slow technical sections I find) @BirdBikes:
  • 2 0
 @BirdBikes: would it be possible to throw in 27.5 wheels or would it be way too low?
  • 1 0
 @NoahJ: it would be too low I think
  • 1 0
 @BirdBikes: is there going to be a mullet version coming out?
  • 5 0
 @deli-hustler: There will be a mullet conversion option.
  • 4 0
 @BirdBikes: what about mullet version and 27.5 180mm fork, to make a full 27.5 bike?
  • 5 1
 I got to demo one of those when I was on a Holiday in the UK a few years ago. Always wanted to bring one in for the shop...maybe now it's time! Smile
  • 5 3
 @birdbikes Looking forward to seeing this bike on my next ride with street pigeon. He’s already been raving about it to me. And I quote “ Instant PRs on enduro trails. Coil is incredible and for my style of riding it was the right choice. Should've trusted you. Didn't notice the weight but my god it makes you feel invincible. I want to hit Schiehallion again.”
  • 1 0
 His video on the bike is pretty cool. About the only review that I've seen yet.
  • 5 0
 A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird
  • 4 0
 Might be a typo in the geo section - I think it’s the L (515 reach) that is aimed at 6’-4” riders rather than XL(?).
  • 1 0
 Ha, agreed. As someone who is 6'2", I cannot really get comfortable on a bike with more than 485 mm reach.
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: If that's not a typo, it would be hilarious to try an XL. 6'3 and my 510 bike is already a chore.
  • 1 0
 Height suggestions are just that; suggestions. I think Bird embraces the long reach thing more than other companies. I doubt this is a typo. Meanwhile you have a company like YT suggesting a reach of 487 for somebody up to 6'4" on their enduro bike, which many would say is way too short for that height. Just suggestions, pick what you prefer and slide your saddle to adjust for TTL.
  • 1 0
 @Gristle: Totally. And I am sure there are some very tall folks who will appreciate their size XL. But man, that has to be a very small demographic!

I'd have to think someone would reasonably need to be at least 6'6" to fit optimally on a 544 reach bike. That means XL's would be useful to roughly 0.04% of the population, or 1 out of every 2,500 men.
  • 1 1
 @KJP1230: I'm 5'10" and the 495mm reach on my bike is perfect for me!
  • 2 0
 @KJP1230: As an am9 XL owner 6'3'' with rather longer legs and shorter upper body, I can asure you, long reach is just fine. If it fits your riding preferences. These bikes don't flip around playfully but damn they hold the line you aim for ;-
Addionally the stack of the birds is quite low, so as a tall rider you will run some spacers, which shortens the reach. Me I go for a 40mm riser bar and even 50mm stem at 522mm reach and don't feel too streched at all.
But I also own a bird forge and set it up with dorpbars for gravel. As said, preference but definitely not extreme.
The wheelbase of the new aeris 9 though...whoohoo. Hold fast and enjoy the ride!
  • 1 0
 I'm 6'6" on 535mm of reach and a 1350WB and it's fine but I have to run a 50mm stem and the bike is quite long - proportional but long. 544mm of reach means I could get back to a 35, which would be nice. A bike with 544 reach and 1330 WB would be a nice balance for me.
  • 2 0
 @bishopsmike: Holy smokes! I am fully 4" taller (and with very long arms) and my 485mm reach bike feels borderline cumbersome - and that is for a full on enduro rig. Just goes to show - different people can have radically different preferences in terms of feel.
  • 1 0
 @alexsin: You are the 1 in 2,500! Smile
  • 1 0
 I’m 187cm (is that 6’1ish?) and am comfortable with my 535 reach, 1345 WB and 50mm stem, but even I’d be thinking twice about XL on this Bird!

Ticks so many boxes this bike does, and only heard good things about Bird as a company. If I wasn’t already happy on my Geometron I’d probably have already configured a Bird…
  • 2 0
 I'm on an old (by today's standards!) XL Bird Aeris 145 with a reach of 528mm, I'm 6'5" and run a 50mm stem. The 544mm reach could fit me fine as I could reduce my stem length by the same 16mm increase in reach. It's definitely a long bike but it gives you options to downsize. I could ride an ML if I wanted something playful.
  • 5 0
 I'd love to see a picture of a Bottlerocket standing next to this thing
  • 1 0
 I thought the same thing. Love it!
  • 1 0
 I was more thinking the Blindside. Also yeah it's a Transition.... direct to consumer brand that only does Alum, calls a 160-180 travel bike "all mountain"
  • 2 0
 @BirdBikes will this be in warranty with a 180/190mm Boxxer or 190mm Fox 40 fitted (same A2C)? The AM9 v1 is still going strong (somehow!) but have destroyed 2 sets of SC forks on it.
Good job ditching the 160 brake mount.
  • 6 0
 @xalexander keep it under 596 a2c and you're good to go.
  • 2 0
 I've had my Bird AM 9 for a couple of years now and I love it. The only thing is that I think the large is a little on the long side for my 185cm height, so keep that in mind. It's a lot of bike for the money these days!
  • 1 0
 I'm about the same height. Maybe a M/L is the way to go if I order one. How are the climbing habits of your bike?
  • 2 0
 @NWBasser: I don't really have too much to compare to. I had a first-gen Cotic Rocket Max beforehand so that's my main comparison and I would say it's good compared to that. Not the lightest bike, but its a bike that's not really about the climbing performance and it gets you to where you want to go.
I think I would go for an M/L if I were ordering it now as I'm more of an all-mountain rider than an all-out Enduro rider, but if your focus is going downhill fast and less on agility then you probably won't be disappointed with the L.
  • 4 0
 does anyone know the frame weight?
  • 2 0
 Wondering this myself, looking for a new frame currently @BirdBikes
  • 1 0
 I would also like to know frame weight.
  • 1 0
 A medium is around 3.5kgs without hardware. Thanks, James.
  • 2 0
 Considered Bird when buying my bike but they didn't quite match the value of Privateer. I think with the price increases on the 161 it's probably pretty close now
  • 2 0
 I also went 161 before their prices really jumped but the amount of customization around this bike regarding build spec is just next level. Well done Bird.
  • 1 0
 Depends if it's a brick like the 161
  • 2 0
 @NorCalNomad: it's a f*cking fast brick that's for sure
  • 1 0
 I was so close getting an Aether 7 frame but after import duty, taxes and shipping it would end up costing the same as an alu Santa Cruz. Went for Privateer instead which is currently the best deal by far if you don't mind a bit of extra weight. That said I've been following Bird from the beginning and I really like their approach. My only complaint is that their latest frames don't cater for shorter riders.
  • 5 3
 These guys, Revel, We are One, these are the companies ill be buying from in the future. Will NEVER own a Pivot, Santa Cruz or Yeti. Leave those brands to the golfers.
  • 4 0
 Just imagine combining WA1 wheels with a Bird then.
I did that with my AM9 and the thing just go. A stupid strong frame with a superb geo and some strong lightish enduro carbon hoops. Combining DD/ebike tires, durable alloy parts that AM9 alloy frame in size L and the thing ends up at 32.6lb/14.8kg.
  • 3 2
 That's why it is best to let the market solve problems rather than all the whining on PB about taxes and prices and politics, etc. Go out and buy yourself something cool and support a growing company. No need to whine about the big boys.
  • 1 1
 @foggnm: but his identity is based around "bEiNg iNdEpEnDeNt"
  • 3 0
 Nice to see a lower leverage ratio for heavier riders on a bike that accommodates larger riders. Very cool.
  • 2 0
 The Aether9 is one of my favorite bikes I've ever built and this one should deliver even more smiles when things get rough. Must resist...
  • 1 0
 @BirdBikes: Since there’s some problem with your website and it can’t operate lightly, i gotta ask here: what are the BB size and rear hub measurements of the frame? And can it fake a dc-fork? Smile
  • 2 0
 Sorry, seems like we forgot to add the go faster stripes for the website on launch days for bikes.

73mm Threaded BB
148 x 12mm UDH rear (Axle is included in frameset)
Yes to DC as long as you keep the A2C under 596
  • 1 3
 @BirdBikes: what made you choose the boost standard over the superboost for such a serious bike, especially one that can be ridden as a full 29er? More and more brands go 157mm at the bike even on their enduros with less travel than the new Aeris. Smile
  • 7 0
 @hitarpotar: superboost for us is an unnecessary step. Realistically no-one is folding over wheels anymore so they don't need to become laterally stronger, and there's plenty of downsides to the wider rear end including heel rub, placing your mech further into harm's way, and being forced onto a wider q factor.

If we suddenly found people taco-ing wheels we'd consider it but until that happens were sticking with 148.
  • 1 0
 just ordered one to replace the aeris 145LT. ordered an xl as it is perfect with the steeper seattube. ett is 675, the 145 has 680. cant wait!!
  • 1 0
 How tall are you mate? Still hesitating betwenn L and XL as I'm 6'3"
  • 1 0
 @P1fp4f: i’m 6’3 also. with 90cm inseem
  • 2 0
 looks like a Jamis Dakar XLT from the "old days"... maybe an old chumba XCL as well
  • 3 0
 Raw aluminum is beautiful . Shows off those solid looking welds .
  • 1 2
 "The Aeris was their first full-suspension bike in 2014, and now they're releasing the sixth bike to bear that name. Confusingly, it's called the Aeris 9, where the number relates to the 29" wheel size, not the design iteration" - so not the Aeris 6 then!!?
  • 2 0
 Sick rig, best UK brand bar none. Looks like a modern rig should, no bullshit gimmicks just ready to shred.
  • 3 0
 The fact you can choose external cable routing is amazing.
  • 2 0
 I was just looking at their bikes the other day again always wanting one....now might just be the time!
  • 1 0
 Someone has been reading the comment section
List of features includes- "no cable routing through the bars or stem because we don't hate you"
  • 3 1
 Finally they fixed the cable routing
  • 5 1
 It was perfectly fine as it was, what do you mean fixed?
  • 2 10
flag lurch710 (Aug 3, 2022 at 5:22) (Below Threshold)
 it was ugly
  • 7 1
 @lurch710: but functional. The bike itself is not the most streamlined bike out there, but is easy to work on in most cases. I prefer a functional bike that's easy to service. Internal routing does not fall in that category. It can die a slow, painful death for all I care.
  • 2 0
 @Primoz: yes it was functional but the cables were running too much on the sides if u know what i mean. visually it wasnt that pleasant and the cables may get rubbed/tangled during crashes. fyi, all my bikes are externally routed
  • 2 0
 @lurch710: that's something we had on earlier models but we updated that routing for our gen 3 models some while back. If you externally route the Aeris 9 you get that same clean and straight gen 3 routing on this one. It gives the straightest available run for hoses and outers. The internal run is almost as good but not quite so clean but still without harsh turns or awkward spots.
  • 1 0
 @lurch710: In the 4 years of running an AM9 I've only had a small nick on the Reverb hose near the BB area from a rock or something. The cables/hoses never tangled up in anything.

As a counter argument, running the cables and hoses more to the side of the downtube makes it easier to clamp the bike in a roof/tow-hitch rack directly onto the frame, not through the cables and hoses, which gives a sturdier fixation point.
  • 3 0
 Cool bird!
  • 3 0
 Sick bird!
  • 3 1
 I’m loving the return of the old style incomplete geo charts. Not.
  • 3 0
 I was also a bit irritated first, but: www.bird.bike/frame-data-geometry
  • 1 0
 anyone know about the brand/model of that Titanium spring for superdeluxe coil ?
  • 1 0
 Think its a Formula Mod shock?
www.rideformula.com/products/mtb-shocks/mod
  • 1 0
 @j0lsrud: that's correct. If you get spring spacers like MRP it will fit a super d though. Or size up a spring, that works too.
  • 1 0
 @j0lsrud: that's correct. However, it is a super light steel spring, not titanium. Still, cheaper and lighter than titanium.
  • 2 0
 Can I get a longer linkage for my am9
  • 2 0
 Downtube logo looks like KiKu or BiRu to me...cool bike though
  • 1 0
 I love my Aether 9A and if I ever move to somewhere I need more travel this will be on my radar for sure!
  • 2 0
 looks like an aluminium altitude
  • 1 0
 Aether 7 is ridiculously similar to my 2018 aluminum altitude in the details. Same HA, CS, even shock size. Major difference is 20mm less travel and a significantly different outlook on sizing. The FC:RC ratio in L and XL is wild.
  • 3 5
 Looks great. Its nice to see a proper bike made of metal, sensible geometry, well specced, great price and no stupid Mullet set up. A proper bike for riders who appreciate mountain biking as it should be and not fads! Shame there isn't more of this around.
  • 3 0
 They’re shared elsewhere that: “Mullet options are in the pipeline.” A wise move because it’s fairly obvious that a lot of riders prefer mullet bikes on gnarlier terrain.
  • 1 7
flag MattP76 (Aug 3, 2022 at 11:50) (Below Threshold)
 @threehats: It's all in their heads. They make zero difference. You forgot it was tried nearly 20 years ago. It was a fad then and a fad now.
  • 4 0
 @MattP76: who did 29” front 27.5” rear 20 years ago? I ride full 29 because my legs are long - but I still get attacked by the rear tyre occasionally. If I had shorter legs that big rear wheel would be restricting my movement.
  • 4 0
 @threehats: you're wasting your time replying to this dude. it's been at least year of attention starved unhinged ranting about mullet bikes.
  • 3 0
 @MattP76: don’t cry grandad it’s 2022 stuff has advanced slightly since your day
  • 1 8
flag MattP76 (Aug 3, 2022 at 13:04) (Below Threshold)
 @threehats: Mullet Bikes plal. Doesn't need to be 29/27.5 it was 26/24. Goes to know you don't know jack sh*t. FAD then and and even bigger FAD now
  • 2 0
 @MattP76: what about the Trek hardtail from many years ago that was 29/26?
Now if Bird made a Aeris 7 with 180 travel I would be ordering one tonight.
  • 3 0
 @MattP76: you do realise that 26/24 was supposed to use a 3” tyre on the rear to bring the overall size up to the same as the front? It would work coz moto, but didn’t work coz shit. Totally different to current mullets
  • 1 5
flag MattP76 (Aug 3, 2022 at 14:12) (Below Threshold)
 @mashrv1: doesn't matter how you dress it up. A fad is a fad.
  • 1 5
flag MattP76 (Aug 3, 2022 at 14:13) (Below Threshold)
 @Worley1: Clearly it hasn't. Because Bird are still producing it!! Knob!
  • 7 0
 @MattP76: I shouldn’t have engaged but it is funny watching you rant like an old man shouting at a tsunami insisting that it shouldn’t engulf him…

26/24 is in no way comparable to 29/27.5 and if you think so then clearly you’re delusional.
  • 2 0
 @MattP76: nothing you’ve tried to reason has made any sense whatsoever it’s literally proven that mullet set ups 27.5/29 can be faster than full 29 look at the dh scene or 75% of the ews roster
  • 1 1
 @Worley1: Nothing has been proven at all. Just because racers race them doesn't mean they are better than a bike with same size wheels. Racers are told what to race by their employers depending on what they want to sell to the public. If they want to sell Mullets their racers with be racing them and told to swear blind they are better. When in reality they are not.
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: by that argument, every single wheel size is part of a stupid conspiracy to sell us stuff. So what’s the “correct” configuration according to you?
  • 1 0
 @threehats: No it not. Otherwise I would be saying bikes should have no wheels at all! Unlike most people I see straight through total fads and industry bullsh*t.
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: Ok, but what is the correct wheel size configuration according to you? And if you’ve got time, why?
  • 1 0
 @threehats: dude. seriously. stop giving this moron a platform.
  • 1 0
 @threehats: Same size all round. Simple!
  • 1 1
 @blackercanyons: A Moron....... aka "a stupid and foolish person"

Interesting you say that based on some Pinkbike comments.

Fact is you know absolutely nothing about me. Be interesting to hear your 'Moron' assessment if you actually know me. My life, my career, my earnings, etc etc.

Moron you say? ...very interesting indeed!
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: That doesn’t answer my question, I asked what size? Plenty to choose from, so I await your well-informed reply.
  • 1 2
 @threehats: just to be clear. I don't have to answer your questions. Quite frankly I couldn't give a flying f**k about your little questions my good fellow.
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: Is that the “I don’t know what I’m talking about so I’m going to flounce off!” defence? Because your bizarre insistence that wheels must be the same size on MTBs is indefensible.
  • 3 0
 @threehats: careful now, you don’t know his earnings!
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: You've made enough pinkbike comments for anyone alive to accurately ascertain that you are, incontrovertibly, a complete and utter moron. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.

@threehats He's also droned on about how 29 was a conspiracy. Despite the fact that according to Gary Fisher, mountain bikes were originally designed for 29. They only went with 26 because getting 29 knobbies made at the time was too expensive. but we should prob stop giving the sad attention starved child what he's after.
  • 1 0
 @blackercanyons: The only Morons on here are the ones who bite so predictably to my comments. The 'Stupid and Foolish' people who fall for it every time. Sound fimiliar?
  • 1 0
 @threehats: Simple fact is you don't tell me what to do.
  • 1 0
 Let's reminisce about bygone fads that everyone swore they were they next big thing;

Flex Stems-Fad
Suspension Seat Posts-Fad
Bar ends-Fad
Unified Rear Triangle-Fad
Rapid Rise-Fad
Grip Shift Gears-Fad
Plus Size Tyres-Fad
Linkage Forks-Fad

Current ones;

Mullet bikes-Fad
High pivots-Fad

In the future... Can't wait for this 'Game Changer' pearler;

ABS brakes-Fad
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: like I said. an attention starved child.
  • 2 0
 @MattP76: you could just as easily make a much longer list of innovations that weren't fads. Let's see: front suspension. Rear suspension. 27.5. 29. aluminum frames. carbon frames. thru axles. cassettes and freehubs instead of freewheels. indexed shifting. knobby tires. having a larger width front tire than rear tire. dropper posts. threadless stems. locking grips. quick link chains. clipless pedals. sealed bearings. coil shocks. air forks and shocks. wider rims. carbon parts. electronic shifting. e-bikes. 12 speed shifting. thumb shifters. disc brakes. hydraulic disc brakes. 35mm stems. slacker geometry. tapered steerers. asymmetrical rims. Boost spacing. 1x drivetrains. I could keep going. enjoy your endless and pointless rage aneurysms!
  • 1 0
 @blackercanyons: None of those you listed are fads
  • 1 0
 @blackercanyons: Seems to me you don't know what a fad is my bestest pinkbike friendie
  • 2 0
 @MattP76: WHOOSH. that's exactly the point, genius. They were changes or innovations that stayed, most of which were originally thought of as fads, and there's a lot more of them then there are fads. You really are not very intelligent.
  • 2 0
 @MattP76: No but by asking you to state your opinion and reasoning and then noting your refusal to actually explain yourself, I can do a great job of showing how clueless you are. Well done you! ;-)
  • 1 0
 @blackercanyons: Totally clueless! Chap you have just made my evening I proper LOL'd when I saw your comment. Cheers for the entertainment you never disappoint!
  • 1 0
 @threehats: I'm refusing because you don't tell me what to do! You can dress it up however you like to look 'cool' in this comment section. Will look forward to your next 'cool' comment to make yourself look the man!!
  • 1 0
 @MattP76: I presume you don’t have teenage children or you’d realise how much you sound like one! For many months I’ve seen your foolish comments about mullets being fads and I finally got tired of ignoring it. I’m rather chuffed that your arguments have been shown to be so weak that you’re playing the “Kevin and Perry - YOU CAN’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO” card.

I look forward to spotting any future comments from you on this subject and continuing to expose your lack of wisdom, understanding or humility. Thanks for the entertainment!
  • 1 0
 @threehats: I aim to please my good fellow. I'm so glad you are entertained. Drop me a pm and I'll give you my bank details so you can pay me my service charge. Look forward to it my new best friend.
  • 2 0
 I want to know where they got those purple brake levers for the Cura 4s
  • 2 0
 @deiru: RG components from Italy.
  • 2 0
 Also on this site's buysell Smile
  • 3 0
 Should have gone mullet
  • 5 0
 They’re shared elsewhere that: “Mullet options are in the pipeline.”
  • 1 0
 Liked my Aether 9 a ton. Super playful despite a fairly long reach. Only selling it because I love trying new bikes haha.
  • 1 0
 Pricing one of these out with the stuff that I'd want and it's a great deal.
  • 1 0
 Trasition Blidside stuff Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @BirdBikes what size are the bikes in the photos?
  • 2 0
 Medium - Raw, XL - Black and Medium Long (ML) - Blurple.
  • 1 0
 Would rag in mini mullet, I'd rag it hard
  • 3 2
 This is a disreable bike, highly desireable.
  • 1 0
 Yeay the mega am is back. Love it.
  • 1 0
 Anyone who's shipped to Canada? Tell me your story!
  • 2 0
 These bikes look sick
  • 2 0
 How does it ride?
  • 1 0
 Looks a bit like the Altitude's
  • 1 0
 *blindside
  • 2 1
 Looks like a.....Rocky?
  • 1 0
 Apparently n+1=9
  • 3 0
 Ez got it, its 8.
  • 1 1
 I got a 31" inseam and too old to win at Strava. I'm out. Beer
  • 1 1
 I would like to see a pricing chart in USD.

Edit: Nevermind...
  • 3 4
 Same chainstay length on all sizes? Really?
C'mon Bird, you can do better than that!
  • 2 0
 Use the flip chip
  • 1 0
 So nice!
  • 1 2
 Anybody else think this looks like a older Bronson?
  • 4 5
 4k is cheap?
  • 2 5
 2015 is calling and wants it's V2 Santa Cruz Bronson back
  • 4 0
 Ride a v2 bronson and this down the same course then say they’re the same.
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