It’s a short-travel trail bike, designed to be fast and efficient, but capable enough when the going gets tough. According to Joe, this is the kind of bike he prefers to ride, whether it’s for a power hour or a longer loop.
It uses the same frame as the original Murmuur with 140mm travel, but uses the adjustable shock absorber and a shorter shock and fork to drop the travel to 120mm. Combined with lighter parts and faster tires, this is designed to help it climb and cover the ground much better.
• 120mm travel, 120mm fork
• Steel frame
• 29″ wheels
• Head angle of 66.2°
• 445mm chainstays
• Sizes: M, Medium+, L, XL, XXL
• 7 year warranty
• Claimed weight: “approximately 13 kg” (28.7 lb)
• Frame price with DT shock: £2,549
• Full price including VAT: £7,650
• starlingcycles.com
Frame details
This isn’t a purpose-built downcountry frame, so it won’t be the lightest option in the category. However, Starling’s approach is more flexible. With a different shock absorber and fork it can be turned into a regular Murmur with 140/160 mm travel thanks to the adjustable shock absorber. With an alternative swingarm it can also be converted into a mixed wheel Twist or a longer travel Mega Murmur enduro bike.
The frame is also covered by Starling’s 7-year warranty against manufacturing defects to the original owner. Additionally, they offer a crash replacement service, where Starling promises to repair any crash damage for just the cost of shipping. Both new and existing owners can also take advantage of their refurbishment and repair service, for new bearings, paint and graphics (for a fee).
The combination of adaptability, simplicity and after-sales support could ensure the frame lasts a long time. At least that’s what Starling says.
The frame’s front triangle is handmade in Britain using Reynolds 853 heat-treated steel tubes, while the rear triangle is produced by ORA in Taiwan using heat-treated chromoly.
The Mini Murmur uses a 210x50mm shock to deliver the 120mm of travel. It has a UDH hanger, bottle bosses under the top tube, a threaded BB, ISCG tabs and fully external cable routing.
Geometry
Starling offers five sizes between medium and XXL and can keep the sizing quite granular for those in the middle of the bell curve. The change in range between sizes starts at just 15mm, then 20mm and finally 30mm towards the larger sizes.
The head angle isn’t anything special these days, but the effective 79-degree seat tube is noticeable – it’s very upright for a bike in this travel class. That might lend it more to sprinting up steep hills than long-distance cruising.
The 46mm BB drop places the bottom bracket about 325mm off the ground, which should provide some stability on steep descents.
Components
The Mini Murmur will be available as a frame without a shock absorber for £2,150, or with a DT Swiss R535 shock absorber for £2,549. The complete bike shown here with DT Swiss, Hope and Shimano XT components costs £7,650 including VAT.
Mini Murmur Full Specification:
FORK: DT Swiss F323 One 120mm
SHOCK: DT Swiss R535 120mm
WHEELS: DT Swiss XMC 1501 F/R
TYRES: Michelin WildXC
CRANKSET: Hoop carbon 165mm / 32T
BB: Hoop 30mm
CHAIN: Shimano 8100 (XT)
CASSETTE: Shimano 8100 (XT)
MECH: Shimano 8100 (XT)
ACCELERATOR: Shimano 8100 (XT)
BRAKES: Hope XCR 4-piston front/rear
ROTORS: 180mm Hope Floating F/R
HANDLES: Sensus Lite
BAR: Renthal Fatbar Lite V2 T6 Alloy
ROD: Hoop TR 40 mm
HEADSET: Heap
TOP COVER: Heap
SADDLE CLAMP: Heap
SEATPOST: Bicycle yoke Divine
DROPPER REMOTE CONTROL: Bicycle yoke
SADDLE: Fizik Alpaca X5