Dry January noticed me mincing concerning the Tweed Valley aboard a brand new hardtail from Starling Cycles; the Roost. This chrome steel mixed-wheel dimension eye-catcher is the primary hardtail to fit into the UK producer’s lineup. At launch, Starling had been fairly eager to not give it the “sickly” hardcore hardtail tagline, although with a 64° head tube angle, mullet wheelset and beneficiant tire clearance, we really feel it actually doesn’t sit too far outdoors of that class.
When founder Joe McEwan supplied up a pre-production Roost for testing, I used to be, admittedly, pretty apprehensive about taking it on. It’s been a very long time since I rode a hardtail with any frequency, so the considered pointing one down among the native EWS-worthy enduro tracks was somewhat daunting. On prime of that, at 163cm tall (5ft 4″), I truly sit outdoors of the advisable dimension vary for the medium body – the smallest dimension out there. Weighing up the 440mm attain with the 410mm seat tube and 76° seat angle, I made a decision to throw warning to the wind. Boy, am I glad I did!
Motion Pictures by Blair Kemp
Assessment: Starling Roost Hardtail Mountain Bike
The Starling Roost is handmade in Taiwan by ORA. It will get a seat tube diameter of 31.6mm. Credit score: Blair Kemp
Not all bikes rolling out of Starling Cycles get the Stainless Metal remedy seen on the Roost hardtail, a motorcycle that obtained greater than a handful of “Ooh, a titanium hardtail” feedback whereas out on the paths. Neither the value, nor the load of this medium body might be in comparison with what you may anticipate of a titanium equal.
A Starling Roost body will set you again £1,220, and weighs a claimed 2.6 kg. The £3560 full bike examined right here weighed in at 13.62 kg (with a set of DMR Vault Midi pedals).
Earlier than we get into the driving expertise, let’s check out some spotlight elements of the construct that point out the Roost’s true intentions. Seated to the Stan’s Arch wheelset is a set of Michelin Wild AM2 2.4″ tires, although Starling declare there’s ample clearance for as much as 2.8″ tires. What you may’t see in these footage is the CushCore Professional tire inserts (entrance and rear). For me, the inclusion of tire inserts on what Starling founder, Joe McEwan, claims is a “ride-wherever, ride-whatever, tough-as-nails stainless do-it-all”, is somewhat befitting. I ran simply 16 PSI in every tire, although do keep in mind that I weigh round 60 kgs soaking moist.
Neat welds on the headtube gussets of this chrome steel hardtail. The headtube is tapered, taking a ZS44/28.6 – EC44/40 headset. Credit score: Blair Kemp.
Up entrance we’ve the RockShox Pike 140mm fork with the top-end Final damper. This medium construct with a 410mm seat tube got here with a 160mm BikeYoke Revive dropper, a great match for my 163cm body.
The minimal chainring dimension on the Starling Roost is 30T. Credit score: Blair Kemp
Additionally contributing to that 13.62kg weight is a Middleburn RS8 X-Kind Crankset, a 35mm Funn Equaliser stem and alloy bar, Hope headset and seat clamp, and an 11 pace cassette with Shimano XT derailleur and shifter. MT Path Sport brakes spherical off the construct (4-pistons up entrance, 2 within the rear).
Journey Impressions
Leaping on the Starling Roost for the primary time, it didn’t really feel so long as I believed it’d. The 76° seat tube angle put me in a commanding place over the underside bracket for a direct and environment friendly pedaling expertise. I did run the saddle pushed ahead alongside the rails, although that is one thing I love to do with nearly each bike I trip. If it had been mine, I might have in fact lower the handlebar down from its 780mm to 740mm, not simply because it was a bit too broad for my shoulders, but in addition as a result of the Tweed Valley trails might be slim, and their bordering timber unforgiving.
Joe says the choice to go along with chrome steel wasn’t purely about aesthetics, commenting that it will possibly create an much more compliant and cozy trip than ‘normal’ tubing and added power
For seated pedaling, the match was somewhat off. My again was at a better lean angle than I’m accustomed to, one thing {that a} narrower bar would have gone some option to addressing. I discovered it comfy sufficient for 3 hour rides, however would possible expertise some decrease again hassle for an all day epic. At this level, I’ll remind readers that the medium body is advisable for riders 167-177cm tall (I’m 163cm tall). Whereas I’d agree with that suggestion within the case of seated pedaling, the additional size was a whole non-issue for descending.
Pointing the Roost downhill, it felt very balanced and composed. I used to be anticipating to really feel as if my shins had been about to cross by means of my knee caps, and I actually did on among the native downhill tracks, however the metal body seamed to do a good sufficient job of damping path chatter on the mellower, slower enduro trails. Don’t get me improper, a full run was nonetheless a hell of a exercise for the quads.
The Starling Roost residing as much as its identify. I’m happy to report I felt no undesirable torsional flex within the body.
The Roost corners extremely nicely. The 425mm rear-center and really low backside bracket (50mm drop from the 27.5″ rear wheel axle) work like a dream, making the bike really feel prefer it slots completely into nearly each bermed nook. Then in fact there’s the progressive improve in entrance wheel traction that may be a characteristic of all hardtail mountain bikes; because the fork is loaded up by means of a flip, the gap between the BB and the entrance tire’s contact patch decreases, forcing my weight ever extra over the entrance wheel demanding traction by means of turns. It’s an excellent mixture.
Attempting actually arduous to string the metaphorical needle… A 64° head angle presents good confidence on steep sections, slack sufficient to make sure angles don’t turn into uncomfortably steep when the fork goes deep into compression.
I did get my comeuppance with the low backside bracket, nonetheless. Often, I discovered myself dragging the within pedal alongside the chamfered fringe of the path bench which did make for some furry moments. That stated, the native trails are extraordinarily over-ridden (particularly since Storm Arwen eradicated an enormous chunk of them) to the purpose the place our small however devoted military of path builders can’t address the pace at which these deep channels are showing.
For terrain reminiscent of this, I’d lean towards recommending the Starling Roost to extra skilled bike handlers who can take full benefit of the nice cornering traits that include a low backside bracket, but in addition the attention to trip accordingly by means of rocky chunder, or down steep slim chutes bordered by stumps.
I had an unrealistic quantity of enjoyable testing this bike. The joys related to the unequalled immersive driving expertise of a hardtail, paired with the Roost’s extremely succesful set of geometry figures and its smash-worthy spec record, ensured there was an enormous smile on my face on the finish of each single trip. From social laps of the native enduro trails, fitness-building blasts across the path centre reds, and moor-top XC-style journeys, the Starling Roost delivered each time.
Some further notes on body design
Rust was restricted to the cable guides on the downtube and chainstays. Joe tells us that is purely as a result of it’s a pre-production prototype; the guides themselves are stainless however on this case they haven’t but been subjected to shot peening, a chilly work course of required to make sure the floor stays stainless.
The chainstay-bottom bracket yoke is bound to be a focal point on the Starling Roost. It’s one which has advanced straight from the Starling full suspension bikes just like the 29″ Murmur, which by the way additionally obtained a restricted version run of chrome steel frames. Body designer, Joe McEwan tells us it delivers every thing they wished from this space; it’s structurally sound whereas providing first rate clearance for increased quantity tires.
The images Starling shared at launch of the Roost didn’t actually present this area in any nice element so we thought we’d take the chance to zoom in right here. As you may see, the tubular yoke is linked to each the seat tube and the BB through two small machined elements. Additionally noteworthy right here is the ISCG-05 tabs for the mounting of bash guard, one thing that riders ought to positively think about investing in for the Roost given its low backside bracket.
When within the smallest sprocket of the cassette, the chain sits very near the chainstay and might be heard slapping about whereas driving. The keep protector on this construct was inadequate to maintain issues quiet, and we reckon there might not be sufficient clearance for a extra strong protector like VHS Slapper Tape.
Pricing & Availability
The body solely retails at £1,220 and is accessible to pre-order now with transport due in April ’22. The Starling Roost is accessible in a M-XL dimension vary (see right here for full set of geometry figures), all of which run the mixed-wheel setup. Starling are capable of supply full bikes, just like the one examined right here, with elements out there from Ohlins, Rockshox, Hope, Funn, Magura, Bike Yoke, Michelin and CushCore.
The Roost takes a 73mm threaded BB and runs 148mm x 12mm spacing on the rear. Credit score: Blair Kemp.
