Starling Cycles unveils its V3 frames - The Murmur, Twist and Swoop get updates
The Murmur, Twist and Swoop get significant performance upgrades
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Today, Starling Cycles has presented its next evolution of frame designs. While the frames may look pretty similar to previous generations, the upgrades are more than skin deep, promising significant performance upgrades whilst retaining the practical steel-tubed look the brand is known for.
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Starling is calling its next-generation bikes, with the Murmur, Twist and Swoop, simply "Version 3".
The most significant change in these bikes is the frames that can now be adjusted into two modes via an adjustable shock mount. Previously, the Enduro, and Trail modes were pre-chosen and built into the frame, but with the new shock mount riders can choose from two different amounts of rear wheel travel.
2022 starling twist shock mount.jpg, by Liam Mercer
That means that the Murmur now offers 135 or 150mm, the Twist 135 or 165mm, and the Swoop 130 or 160mm of travel. However, customers will have to change shock to access the adjustability.
Based on rider feedback and the brand's experience, the three bikes have had a bit of a geometry tweak. The seat angle gets steepened for a better pedalling position. The bottom bracket has been raised to add some clearance and make the stable ride characteristic more manoeuvrable.
2022 starling twist seatpost clamp.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Steel frames are known for their tendency for their seat posts to seize. Starling has combatted this by building in an aluminium insert.
2022 starling twist linkage.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The new frames also get anti-flare headtubes to boost strength and the main pivot's cast has been tidied up to make it look a little nicer. The main pivot bearing has been moved into the swing arm, which not only does make maintenance easier but also offers a wider interface.
2022 starling twist tt dt gusset.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Customers can choose from 10 different colours with four premium metallic paints and three graphics options. Both ends can be coloured to the customer's desire too.
With these new changes, Starling is introducing the V3 bikes as a rolling change on the brand's Core frames. And as before, the Murmur, Swoop and Twist frames are handmade and assembled in the UK by Starling Cycle's own team in Bristol. The front triangles are made in-house using 853 heat-treated steel tubing while the swingarms are handmade in Taiwan.
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