£2.5k Trail bike alternatives to the Bird Aeris 145?
Discussion
Afternoon all!
I've just decided to give my hardtail to my son. It's a lovely bike, but a little bit too small for me and perfect for him.
This leaves me with just a 2015 Stumpjumper 650b which I detest, for the simple (and f
king infuriating) reason that the bottom bracket is far too low as a result of Spesh rushing it out too quickly as a horrible mutant 29/27.5" because they wanted to get a 27.5" version to market and couldn't be arsed to do a proper job. Other than that, no complaints! 
So... it's time for something new as an only bike.
Must be able to try it first!
Price range up to around £2.5k. Interest free credit would be nice but not critical.
Full sus, happy with 2x10 or 1x with sufficiently wide range. Mostly riding the likes of Swinley and the Surrey Hills, but still want to be able to haul my lardy carcass up the likes of Cwmcarn!
27.5 preferred to 29. Thinking around 150mm travel each end.
I like the look of the Bird Aeris 145, and as I've got the day off on Monday, might head over to visit their head office to try one, but was wondering what else to consider. I quite like the thought of "Buying British", but again not a deal breaker.
I've just decided to give my hardtail to my son. It's a lovely bike, but a little bit too small for me and perfect for him.
This leaves me with just a 2015 Stumpjumper 650b which I detest, for the simple (and f
king infuriating) reason that the bottom bracket is far too low as a result of Spesh rushing it out too quickly as a horrible mutant 29/27.5" because they wanted to get a 27.5" version to market and couldn't be arsed to do a proper job. Other than that, no complaints! So... it's time for something new as an only bike.
Must be able to try it first!
Price range up to around £2.5k. Interest free credit would be nice but not critical.
Full sus, happy with 2x10 or 1x with sufficiently wide range. Mostly riding the likes of Swinley and the Surrey Hills, but still want to be able to haul my lardy carcass up the likes of Cwmcarn!
27.5 preferred to 29. Thinking around 150mm travel each end.
I like the look of the Bird Aeris 145, and as I've got the day off on Monday, might head over to visit their head office to try one, but was wondering what else to consider. I quite like the thought of "Buying British", but again not a deal breaker.
I bought my wife a Aeris 145 about a year ago, she loves it. We're in the NW so it was all done via email. The guys at BirdHQ were brilliant answering loads of questions and making spec. recommendations. She rides the bike regularly even commuting on it.
I also looked at the Airdrop Edit, they are based in Sheffield and the Whyte T130 but a bad experience with a dealer put paid to that.
I also looked at the Airdrop Edit, they are based in Sheffield and the Whyte T130 but a bad experience with a dealer put paid to that.
Depends what you mean by buy british, uk made is probably out of your price range, the new Cotic Flare starting at £3k is closest on price I can think of with the front triangle made in Scotland. Orange start at similar money. If its uk brand made in Taiwan then there is a lot more choice, like the bird you mentioned. A lot of the direct to market uk companies have demos, definitely worth a look on the websites.
Sonder Evol worth a look too, maybe Airdrop. Both as "british" as Bird, as in they design here then get made in Taiwan.
Had a quick look at geo numbers for that Stumpjumper and BB height is likely to be very similar on most other recent bikes - part of the whole "long, low, slack" geometry trend is keeping a low BB - lowers centre of gravity and makes the bike feel more stable. We've gone from BB being 10+mm above the axles to 15 or more below it - although wheels getting bigger did cancel out a little of that. Definitely get a test ride if you think it'll be a problem for you.
Had a quick look at geo numbers for that Stumpjumper and BB height is likely to be very similar on most other recent bikes - part of the whole "long, low, slack" geometry trend is keeping a low BB - lowers centre of gravity and makes the bike feel more stable. We've gone from BB being 10+mm above the axles to 15 or more below it - although wheels getting bigger did cancel out a little of that. Definitely get a test ride if you think it'll be a problem for you.
I have the Norco Sight A2, lovely all-rounder but larger sizes are 29er. Trek Remedy 8 is great if you prefer 27.5 wheels.
To be fair the Bird looks like a good buy itself. Buying full-on made in UK at that price is tough, but the Whyte T130 or S150 are both British built.
If you're happy to go online, then the Canyon Spectral and YT Jeffsy are well-specced options too.
To be fair the Bird looks like a good buy itself. Buying full-on made in UK at that price is tough, but the Whyte T130 or S150 are both British built.
If you're happy to go online, then the Canyon Spectral and YT Jeffsy are well-specced options too.
After going down to see Bird today, I think I've got down to a shortlist of three bikes...
1. Bird Aeris 120
2. Bird Aeris 120LT
3. Bird Aeris 145
The guys there were so nice and helpful, and with the integrity to recommend cheaper options rather than trying to bump their bill that I'd really have to hate the bike to not want to purchase one from them, so it's just a case of figuring out which one!
I was originally thinking 145, but after talking to the guys this morning, I've booked a 120LT to try on Saturday.
It's a bit more urgent now as well.
I decided to give the Stumpy a really good deep clean to take photos for selling it, and discovered that the rear brake hose has worn a sodding great big furrow into the underside of the chainstay.
It's completely invisible unless you move the hose - which is not something I've ever needed to do - but obviously I wouldn't dream of selling it now I know about it, so I'll just be selling some of the parts.
Anyone fancy making an offer on a 2015 160mm Revelation fork or some 27.5 wheels built up on Hope Pro 4 hubs and Pacenti TL 28 rims?
1. Bird Aeris 120
2. Bird Aeris 120LT
3. Bird Aeris 145
The guys there were so nice and helpful, and with the integrity to recommend cheaper options rather than trying to bump their bill that I'd really have to hate the bike to not want to purchase one from them, so it's just a case of figuring out which one!
I was originally thinking 145, but after talking to the guys this morning, I've booked a 120LT to try on Saturday.
It's a bit more urgent now as well.
I decided to give the Stumpy a really good deep clean to take photos for selling it, and discovered that the rear brake hose has worn a sodding great big furrow into the underside of the chainstay.
It's completely invisible unless you move the hose - which is not something I've ever needed to do - but obviously I wouldn't dream of selling it now I know about it, so I'll just be selling some of the parts. Anyone fancy making an offer on a 2015 160mm Revelation fork or some 27.5 wheels built up on Hope Pro 4 hubs and Pacenti TL 28 rims?
Edited by Kermit power on Monday 1st April 20:49
Well if anyone is in the market for a decent trail bike, I can thoroughly recommend the Aeris 120LT!
It's unbelievably agile, feels as light as a feather when you're chucking it around, and it's so easy to get the back end off the ground!
I was thinking about the Canyon Spectral and a couple of other bikes as well, but off the back of today, I'll be ordering a Bird this week!
It's unbelievably agile, feels as light as a feather when you're chucking it around, and it's so easy to get the back end off the ground!
I was thinking about the Canyon Spectral and a couple of other bikes as well, but off the back of today, I'll be ordering a Bird this week!
Kermit power said:
Well if anyone is in the market for a decent trail bike, I can thoroughly recommend the Aeris 120LT!
It's unbelievably agile, feels as light as a feather when you're chucking it around, and it's so easy to get the back end off the ground!
I was thinking about the Canyon Spectral and a couple of other bikes as well, but off the back of today, I'll be ordering a Bird this week!
Cant believe anyone hasn't mentioned the YT Jeffsy.It's unbelievably agile, feels as light as a feather when you're chucking it around, and it's so easy to get the back end off the ground!
I was thinking about the Canyon Spectral and a couple of other bikes as well, but off the back of today, I'll be ordering a Bird this week!
I have had a Canyon Spectral and a YT Capra but now have 2 x Jeffsy's , one 27.5 and one 29er.
They are great value for money and nothing comes close pound for pound. World champions too.
They are German though so no dealers here but a big forum on facebook so could easily bag a ride on someones. If you were near Dorset you could try mine.
interstellar said:
Cant believe anyone hasn't mentioned the YT Jeffsy.
I have had a Canyon Spectral and a YT Capra but now have 2 x Jeffsy's , one 27.5 and one 29er.
They are great value for money and nothing comes close pound for pound. World champions too.
They are German though so no dealers here but a big forum on facebook so could easily bag a ride on someones. If you were near Dorset you could try mine.
Unfortunately I ruled that out purely on the name! Ridiculous, I know, but the thought of telling someone I'm riding a Jeffsy just wasn't working for me. I'm the same with Schwalbe tyres... I don't care how good they're claimed to be, the names like Nobby Nic and Magic Mary just make me cringe!I have had a Canyon Spectral and a YT Capra but now have 2 x Jeffsy's , one 27.5 and one 29er.
They are great value for money and nothing comes close pound for pound. World champions too.
They are German though so no dealers here but a big forum on facebook so could easily bag a ride on someones. If you were near Dorset you could try mine.
I have just gone and taken a look though, so as not to completely dismiss it out of hand, but they're out of stock until June, and I can't go anything like that long without getting a new bike!
Also, one of the great things about Bird is the ability to change almost anything you want on the bike, with options to change stems, bars, headset colours, suspension, wheels, etc, etc, etc....
The demo bike I rode today was almost perfect, except for the SRAM Guide R brakes which seemed determined to kill me! With Bird, I can just change them for whatever I want and pay the higher (or lower) price. With the YT, I'd have to buy it with Guide R brakes, then immediately take them off, bin them and put some decent brakes on instead.
a7x88 said:
I have an Aeris 145
I'd suggest if you really want an alternative then you could look at an Aeris 145 LT :lol:
Nah... From talking to Dan last week, it certainly sounded as though the 120LT would best suit my riding style, and it felt so bloody perfect today that I don't want to risk trying anything else just in case it's better in some areas and not so good in others. I'd suggest if you really want an alternative then you could look at an Aeris 145 LT :lol:
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff