2022 Starling Murmur Review: The Steel Rock Crusher | 2021 Fall Field Test

[@davidnicholson6680]

The simplicity of the design, the toughness of steel and the elegant look of this bike are all very appealing. I'll bet the ride is awesome.

[@richardcaddick6298]

Brilliant. I’m also in the same city and took delivery last week. Looking forward to several years of riding on something unique and special.

[@camrivers3122]

Oh man I have been wanting one of these for a long time! As a rider who does all their own repairs and servicing this ticks all the boxes. Plus I love the looks. One day it shall be mine 😁

[@derekbaker8791]

This comment ticks all my boxes, much like a Starling does too!

[@ryanhughs7724]

I've had one of these for a couple years now... I absolutely LOVE it. Climbing on this bike is really, really good in my opinion - especially considering how it gobbles up downhill and gnarly stuff. When climbing techy trail, you are glued to the ground for smooth traction. I live in Colorado where chunky, steep, unpredictable trails, and really tight switchbacks (with scary fall lines!) are the norm. This bike shines. The only place where I feel the long length of the bike is in the occasional SUPER tight Colorado switchback. I disagree a bit with the review up top about it's pop. I don't have a coil shock, but this thing pops and moves and manuals great for me. I ride it for hours in the pedally up and down of Moab, rip downhill under confident full control, and take it to the downhill park and ride everything. Did I mention its gorgeous?! If you want to increase ride confidence, save some money over production bikes, have something unique, and have a bike you'll love in EVERY situation... this bike is for you.

[@samuelbigelow3480]

Any rust issues? I love the simplicity of this thing and I like steel in general but it does concern me that it’ll rust easier than aluminum

[@lemonade916]

Yeah same question I'm having. Looking at getting one and I'm worried about rust

[@mikekrasovec6390]

@@samuelbigelow3480 the corrosion issue of steel is overblown. Before building it up spray a corrosion preventative into the frame. Respray it every 5 years or if you're already doing an overhaul. If the frame doesn't already have a hole in the underside of the bottom bracket shell drill a small hole so when water gets inside the frame it'll drain out. I've got a steel road bike that I've had for 23 years with 100,000 miles with no issues and another steel road bike made in 1958 that hadn't gotten any special care before I bought it 6 years ago also still going strong. I've wrenched thousands of old steel bikes which were neglected and abused and most held up fine.

[@secretsquirrel3793]

Starlings are made in the UK, on the border of Wales. It's generally wet for half of the year. Quality bikes and components made here have good corrosion resistance, mud clearance and tolerate grit and grime. My Starling is no exception - one very happy customer!

[@donutbarbell]

I too was a bit in the middle of sizes! Between a small and a medium. So I had a medium length & small stand over. Bloody perfect. Love my Starling

[@beerenmusli8220]

Really enjoying Alicia's and Kazimir's input and descriptions! Really helps to narrow the own decisions.

[@studiotsunami3446]

STEEL IS REAL!!! IM IN LOVE! those starling birds 😍 DETAILS! aw aha aw woah ahhhh

[@lordnormington]

Alicia nailed the summary. A simple and beautiful bike.

[@superspecky4eyes]

I've been riding a single pivot for years and I love it. I think everyone should try one. Sometimes simpler is better.

[@84viper]

I'm a bit confused about the pivot bolt coming loose while testing. feels like you just mentioned it but didn't explain anything. it's kind of a deal breaker for some I imagine.. did you not inspect the bike before testing and noticed it was loose after a while? or did it just come loose while riding even though it was super tightly fastened before testing began?

[@andrewgardner6699]

I am a bigger rider (6'5" 240lb) so flex would be a concern for me but Starling does list on the website that they have extra strut reinforcement for sizes XL and XXL. I am loving the look and everything about this bike. I might have to get one.

[@clubdevoiture1618]

Gmbn did a video on it a month ago. Pretty cool company

[@roryennis96943]

am the same size as you, ride my Kona Honzo ESD everwhere and im super interested in one of these. love the steel ride feel from my bmx racing days until now. thing this thing would be a blast

[@traildogisla]

Unless you are a park rat, sololy smashing berms over and over, you will be fine and be astonished as the grip off chamber

[@MrJwhittaker93]

Not many things more beautiful than Alicia riding a Murmur!

[@gabby-dm1wz]

hhuuugee fan of starlings geometry and designs, great bikes.

[@AbrahamBarberi]

This is definitely my next bike!

[@scottyscreaming]

I'd totally sell my 22 stumpjumper frameset and swap all my parts over. Steel is real baby. If you think it's slow just get faster 😜

[@thomasamos4055]

Recommend the Orange Stage Evo for short travel / single pivot trail bikes. The newer ones come specd with the RS SD shocks and absolutely fly.

[@chrisvejnovich116]

Hey Pinkbike..... How about an all steel trail bike field test. There are at least 5 or 6 different companies out there producing steel full sussers.......Myth, Cotic, Moxie, Stanton... And I'm sure there are more.

[@j.luismacedoc.7436]

Starling Cycles Sturn V2: A Single Speed, Jack Drive Downhill Bike: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnO3nalmi6pqgsU

[@bicycleremedies4391]

Well, you all did quite well with your test. pivot loosening is a bit of a weak con to mention, especially on a new bike. Nip it up with a drop of locktight and no more loose pivot . Pretty good review though all round. A Starling is a bit like your favorite Aunty, once you've ridden her there's no gong back.

[@TeddyParker]

Yeah, maybe more so for the budget bike category where it's just "good to mention" to the viewer. But I have a sneaky feeling nobody who is new and afraid of maintenance is going to opt for this bicycle.

[@JeremyFacer]

I would not recommend loctite on pivot hardware

[@kekhrieshuya5479]

hold up📸😲

[@bicycleremedies4391]

@@TeddyParker much less maintenance required than normal. Much less moving parts and only 2 pivot bearings instead of 8 or 10

[@mabecka]

I have a custom geometry Starling Swoop, looks like the Murmur but with 27.5" wheels. It's good, really good.

[@sinevenia4212]

Do these bike require all out assemblx through the customer? Starling writes "components will not be fitted to frame". So do i have to assemble it from the ground up?

[@secretsquirrel3793]

I've just returned from a backcountry trip to Finale / Molini in Italy on my Starling. I was riding in the company of much more capable and experienced riders on more modern / expensive bikes but am pleased to say that the Murmur just ate up the rocky, rooty, steep trails without issue. Its a bike that has a twang in sharper corners, like carving on skis you have to find a rhythm that matches the elasticity of the bike; when you do, it sings! I can't really comment of climbing ability - I can make up for a small loss of efficiency in the groups I'm in. Don't buy a Starling if you want to fly under the radar tho. In a group with some seriously swish machinery nothing else got a look-in. I had other riders call out compliments (on the bike!) from trailside as I rode by. Dare to be different!

[@joshsaintlaurent1712]

Best bike I've ever owned .. it's a keeper for sure. The beuty is in its simplicity . I feel slow on this bike lol. Because of the natural damped feel of steel . And it's stealth quiet . I love it

[@alexrtsimpson]

Wonder how it would stack up against a cotic?

[@bicycleremedies4391]

They eat Cotics for breakfast Not really. Pretty similar Id say

[@daveandmerlin]

I had a Cotic but I'm more excited for this

[@hashy4940]

Seems very simple, I wonder how they got the rear triangle to be stiff enough

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

They made it out of steel

[@hashy4940]

@@SnootchieBootchies27 ah I see

[@chrisw3327]

I had a Rock Lobster Team Tig 853 made from the same tubing and that was special too. I gave that bike to my brother-in-law in the end, but otherwise would have kept it if I didn't need to make space for a newer bike. Reynolds also make the 953 tubing which is stainless and you don't need to paint it.

[@monoperative]

No mention of the beautiful Middleburn cranks.

[@finleybakerwhite3953]

the nimbleness would be better on the swoop as its 27.5 not 29er

[@XNick291X]

Fun fact about Starling: they're built in the same city as me and sold through my local bike shop. Also one of the people who work there is sponsored by them IIRC!

[@richardcaddick6298]

I picked mine up last week for the Bristol and regional trails!

[@XNick291X]

@@richardcaddick6298 Have fun my guy!

[@wonderwatch2239]

Aaaand you were build in what city?😜

[@richardcaddick6298]

@@wonderwatch2239 Bristol, UK :)

[@NoBrakes23]

I love steel hardtails, but a great linkage, (Anything by Weagle,) on an alloy bike is my preference for full sus. Still, this thing is very interesting.

[@joshfoster6669]

Let's GOOOOO Starling bikes are so cool!

[@sepkorn]

Great vid!!! Would be interesting to have the Marin El Roy reviewed...

[@silasbeaver6408]

Regarding the single pivot design, what do you all think about the theory that the advent of the 1x drivetrains allows optimization of single pivot suspension? Optimization for the chainlink of a 32 tooth chainring vs dealing a triple chainring front end..?

[@silasbeaver6408]

chain line not link..

[@DrMaillard]

The thing is that with dual suspension bikes you are not enjoying the benefits of steel as much as you would with a hardtail. I would have one in a heartbeat though.

[@kevinw791]

Love that this bike was reviewed and excited it performed well. Cool company, cool bike.

[@pscion12]

Wonder if speccing an air shock would have been better overall

[@alang253]

I had a coil on mine and it went pretty good. Went back to air and it’s more lively/poppy. Personally I feel like air compliments the steel frame better

[@antrace92]

Wait. So it has an 11s drivetrain? Kinda weird in 2021 However I just put a 10-45 shimano cassette on mine, for a 27.5 wheel size climbs nice, but it's a 12s. I can't complain until now 😌

[@killgates9890]

I bunnyhopped highest with my oldest steel bmx, steel is real...

[@jfnurod]

I would love to try this out!

[@davidross8233]

I’d buy one just for the external cable routing.

[@TeddyParker]

Oh that was kinda misleading. Not the 11-speed bit that's the issue just older low range cassette. There are some 11 speeds with 50-51 tooth dinner plates on them. Also, obviously, much easier to just change the ring up front to make a sub 50 dinner plate work for the steeps.

[@mrvwbug4423]

28t chain ring on the 11 speed would be spun out at like 15mph though. Would probably climb fine on 27.5, but gearing was another reason why 29ers didn't catch on at first. 29ers of a decade ago could only really climb on 2x or 3x back when people were switching to 1x but with 36t and 40t cassettes. 50t cassettes are what made 29ers with 1x drivetrain doable

[@TeddyParker]

@@mrvwbug4423 wait, whats wrong with 28-46 compared to 30-50? Nearly identical gearing ratios.

[@adamcline121]

@@TeddyParker he’s saying that you would run out of high gears since a 28 tooth pared with 11 speed which was generally 11 in the back leads to a pretty easy “hard gear”. Where as with the 50 you have the 30 which gives you the same “easy” gear but allows you to have a higher gear at the same time.

[@TeddyParker]

@@adamcline121 Hmmm, yeah but I'll take that sacrifice 100 times out of a 100 when mountain biking. I think maybe only an XC racer would say they absolutely need optimal power during a flat or slight downhill. Whether it's 10t or 11t. It's still an annoying compromise to make in the era of 12 speed 51t dinner plates with 30t up front, etc. But I'd venture to guess people buying this bike won't shy away from a negligible compromise.

[@tonyparkin3379]

This video just melted their servers. Sites sending out errors lol.

[@paulmanias8269]

Like the design and the external cable routing. Does the gusset by the headtube allow you to pass a brake caliper or brake lever through?

[@petercroce]

I'm curious about this too

[@remyperretmtb2238]

If you have the gusset by the headtube you can't pass the brake lever and have to separate the brake. I'm riding a Large Starling Swoop

[@paulmanias8269]

I like the look, but i'd want a larger pass through.

[@BowzKnows]

Steel is Real

[@zachscherpa944]

853 steel ride quality is amazing! Also cf bikes create 14x more emissions than steel.

[@ertugrul791]

This bikes cool because it’s the least complicated bike out there

[@dadlife8289]

Tire contacts the frame when suspension compressed

[@donkatio238]

That’s a bike you can keep up with yours friends on the trail at the same time that you are having a complete different riding experience.

[@fairyhardcore]

If you need a heavier rider to test these bikes I'm the same height as you guys but 93kg (205lbs). Just saying...

[@MrKneeDropper]

Rowdy rock crusher, love it!

[@nathantoney.1501]

Question: I compare bikes to skis often. I like really damp bikes and really damp skis. Reason being is they feel safer and glued to the ground. The question is: does the Murmur feel damp as compared to a bike of different material but similar geometry?

[@tuftschristopher]

Truest analogy; and so glad $8,000 skis aren't the "good" ones lol

[@adamcline121]

@@tuftschristopher Skis are however just a ski. So either a simple wood core or in the more expensive ones some carbon and or metal fiberglass etc… a bike had way more material and a lot more parts so it’s not even close to being comparable (in my opinion ofc). However, ofc it is nice not having to drop as much cash on them even if they’re much simpler.

[@maxgrass8134]

Steel is fucking real!

[@ej1_drew]

looks so good!

[@JoshTaylor]

Bikes like this would be awesome to rent for a day trip to demo without the fear of committing to something that isn't real.

[@chrisbartett8696]

If you're uk based you can demo for a week or so

[@TeamCykelhold]

looks cool but I really don't see how a single pivot this simple is going to be great when braking since it's not possible to separate the forces.

[@TeamCykelhold]

@@daveandmerlin I ride faster on my XC bike on DH than some on full DH bikes. It doesn't mean my XC bike is the best bike for the job. Anecdotal at best.

[@wasaker09]

@gustav paisson makes no sense, right? In reality, it's not an issue. I have been riding my Starling Swoop Trail (short travel version) for nearly 3 years now. I've taken it on all-day epics in the Downieville area that includes the lakes basin. There's a trail there called Jamison Creek trail. It's basically a steep and super gnarly boulder field of a trail. I could not believe how well the Swoop ate it all up, I can only imagine how the bigger wheels of the Murmur would've made the run feel even better! I used to own older generation single pivots and those were not as predictable and controlled as the Starling (stink-bugging, significant loss of traction while braking). I don't know what it is about the Starling that makes it ride so well but my suspicion is that it's the sum of all parts.

[@TeamCykelhold]

@@wasaker09 could be because it flexes since it steel, idk. I didn't enjoy the Orange single pivot bikes the least.

[@superspecky4eyes]

I ride an Orange Four and I think it's great. Perhaps if you're a pro level rider, the single pivot isn't the most efficient design on paper but it's perfect for me and I like the fact that I can strip the bike and replace the bearings in about half an hour.

[@nomadtrails]

Damn Alicia rips!

[@Ryantcross88]

Has anybody purchased one in the US? This bike is exactly what I’ve been looking for

[@docalvin15]

That drone shot of alicia is FIRE!!!

[@adamcvanwinkle]

I could watch this bike huck to flat all day 😌

[@ctsingletrack]

Sexy bike, and I'd say 34 lbs. is actually on par with a lot of aluminum framed bikes.

[@Hugo_Helgas]

14:27 levy thats not a centimeter thats an inch😂

[@qualm43]

Call me a hipster, but I love the look of this.

[@fetB]

why do you have the brake on the wrong side?

[@janeblogs324]

Muricans don't use their hands for critical operations

[@bendavis2157]

This bike is beautiful!

[@jfnurod]

Are you being sarcastic??? 😂

[@jonundercover]

I demoed this bike and liked it. I ended up with a Hugene which is a fantastic bike. Horses for courses.

[@ertugrul791]

Tomorrow the ghost so excited

[@kotelettschweiss7811]

Gearbox version?

[@TheJayhawk4]

Gorgeous bike!

[@sthr2110]

515mm reach in an XL and 545mm in an XXL? Wow.

[@RCKING1]

lmao look at geometron not to crazt

[@CreamyBone]

Levy is the Karen Carpenter of mountainbike coverage 👍

[@justinbogart278]

That's beautiful but whats the point of a steel fully? Wouldn't vibration dampening be redundant with a rear shock?

[@daveandmerlin]

Flex, compliance,grip etc etc

[@justinbogart278]

@@daveandmerlin wouldn't all of that be less noticeable with a rear shock? Seems like a lot of extra weight

[@clubdevoiture1618]

Steel is real....

[@borisbank6812]

Could someone compare this to the cotic rocketmax o.o ?

[@philiphopkins3176]

Y’all should test the Stanton Switch9er FS. Both steel/alum and Ti/carbon

[@studiotsunami3446]

i wish they had a thousand or twelve thousand dollar frame range though

[@f1hotrod527]

Where is it made?

[@antonioperez-ch3mx]

UK

[@f1hotrod527]

@@antonioperez-ch3mx That’s cool.

[@daveandmerlin]

"this one time at Bandcamp "

[@j.luismacedoc.7436]

Good, beautiful. Marino also makes single-pivot custom bikes with the geometry you request in 4 types of steel and has an excellent website...I would like one in steel with the Horst Link or FSR system...I like the shape of the tubes, that essence has the Atherton bikes and the new Specialized Prototype Demo...

[@wozza77able]

Sick bike except for the integrated seat post clamp

[@mudkayak6305]

How tall is Alicia?

[@alicialeggett1831]

5'10"

[@mudkayak6305]

@@alicialeggett1831 same here, its always nice to get a reference. Thanks Alicia !

[@richardcaddick6298]

I’m just under 6ft and after trying L and M went for the M. I think mainly because it suited the type of bikes I’m used to riding rather than being more stretched out. A personal choice in the end.

[@kazbba]

15kg frame only or whole bike?

[@adamcline121]

While bike lol

[@travellerseko]

It is great bike. Definitely you should check Starling Bikes Sturn V2. It is the best bike I’ve ever seen. I’m dying to buy it but my wife will divorce me definitely 😂 Also let me remind you that you add your body measurement and they make it for you. This is the best part working with small company.

[@sebastianfs3825]

everything is better than the ghost ;---;

[@andrewtate8745]

how heavy is it

[@asifitmatters1]

Considering that these frames are literally a few simple steel tubes and a few standard bearings, their price is RIDICULOUS! Not to mention that only that front triangle is handmade in the UK. The back is industrial Taiwanese import…

[@mrvwbug4423]

Definitely sounds like a "not for anyone over 150lbs" type bike.

[@jamesrussell7982]

I'm 210lbs and a rowdy rider I love my Starling. It's not a wet noodle, more like a tightly drawn bow.

[@finroddd]

So Alicia is riding trail bikes and Henry downcountries?

[@alicialeggett1831]

Yep! Levy and Henry rode the downcountry bikes and Kaz and I rode the trail bikes.

[@finroddd]

@@alicialeggett1831 if there were enduros, who would be riding those?

[@alicialeggett1831]

@@finroddd Hard to say! Any of us can ride any of the bikes so it would depend on who is at the next enduro Field Test. But Matt Beer would be an A++ candidate, and he and Henry rode enduro bikes at the Summer Field Test.

[@finroddd]

@@alicialeggett1831 don't you want to test the enduros? What is your favourite type of mtb?

[@pbanthonyv]

I can deal with the downsides of steel for the sake of simplicity and longevity, but I want it to be cheap. Which this is not.

[@joseantoniorubiogonzalez9602]

Everything functions properly kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Nothing was damaged in the box aside from a decal on the fork. The decal was missing a piece of a corner but I ended up peeling them off anyways. Assembly is easy BUT make sure you tune up the derailleurs. Both the front and rear need adjusting. I'd advise going to a bike shop but I opted out and put in 10+ hours with the help of KZbin. Ended up fraying a shifter cable but all in all I learned from the experience. The Brakes work well but the front caliper needs adjusting or at least mine did because the rotor was rubbing against the pads. Make sure you swap out the seat, grips, and pedals. For the short run you'll be fine though. I've read that this bike isn't built yet for hard trails but I just need it for the city. PA has some of the worst roads and being in a mountain this was a great choice. Worth the investment!

[@sbbeowulf8296]

I would call it a hardtail with rear suspension because it looks like a hardtail

[@mellissanash7517]

I think the word they are looking for is a supple ride.

[@HowToGetMoreMetal]

I have broken every bike I have owned where the rear shock bisects the downtube.

[@wasaker09]

I think that's why they put a doubler plate where the shock mounts. Joe wanted to preserve downtube integrity so much that he refused to place the water bottle cage bosses on the downtube on my custom Starling.

[@downarmy]

by god thats a 1998 rocky mountain pipeline!

[@rewind9536]

Omg, the testers are out of breath. No grannie for you!

[@bryanseare2704]

I wanted him to say, a little bit different, but kinda the same.

[@_Bryant.R]

Steel is real. Not the bike for me however.

[@izakaman]

Looks identical to wildwood cycles

[@emillime7943]

its not heavy enough to call it heavy

[@billmyers991]

I'll never buy another bike with a derailleur, the drivetrain is the most vulnerable part of a MTB but we keep giving our cash to the factories because we're stupid ...and they know it

[@peterjefcoate3067]

Who ever did the cable ties needs to go back to school.