It’s April Idiot’s Day, however this isn’t a joke! Starling Cycles is providing a tiny batch of 26” wheeled MTBs, known as the Dive. They’ve apparently been fascinated by reintroducing a 26” MTB, and at last determined to go for it. Right this moment’s launch date places an ironic twist on the truth that it’s not a joke in any respect! In their very own phrases, “Perhaps we’re the fools, let’s discover out!”
Not solely does the Dive give off retro vibes with its 26” wheels, nevertheless it’s additionally constructed from metal and boasts a single-pivot suspension linkage. Starling is providing the Dive as a body solely, body/shock, and even full builds on the buyer’s request.
Starling Dive – Body Options:
Now this isn’t simply an adaptation of a 27.5” body, Starling needs to make it clear they designed the Dive from the bottom up as a 26” particular bike.
The identify ‘Dive’ was impressed by the dingy Bristol dive bars Starling’s Joe McEwan favored to social gathering in whereas racing single-pivot 26” MTBs in direction of the podiums. Each the retro bikes and low cost grungy bars provoke nostalgic emotions of enjoyable and good instances… however no regrets about shifting up and onward!
The Dive is a 160mm journey single-pivot full-suspension MTB. Provided that lengthy journey 26” suspension forks will not be very obtainable lately, Starling has constructed the Dive’s entrance finish round a 170mm journey, 27.5” Fox 38 fork – however it’s supposed to run a 26” wheel. In case you purchase a rear shock from Starling, they’ll present a Fox DHX2 Manufacturing facility Coil (230x65mm).
Starling’s adjustable shock mount is included on The Dive, so the body’s journey may be diminished to 135mm in the event you run a 210x55mm rear shock. Starling recommends a fork of comparable journey to keep up the Dive’s supposed geometry.
The body’s entrance triangle is constructed by hand in Bristol, UK, and constructed from Reynolds 853 metal tubing. The rear triangle is constructed from warmth handled chromoly. Regardless of its retro aptitude, the Dive was constructed with all of the DNA of a contemporary Starling V3 bike.
The Dive body options an additional powerful anti-flare tapered headtube, and an aluminum seat mast insert to get rid of seized posts.The body matches 31.6mm posts and is routed for droppers, and its rear finish presents beneficiant tire clearance for treads as much as 26×2.6”.
One other distinctive body element is the machined BB shell/essential pivot junction. Launched with their V3 frames, this piece hosts a 73mm threaded BB, and is stiffer and stronger than their outgoing design.
Some trendy touches on the Dive embody a UDH derailleur hanger, and a Enhance 148x12mm rear axle. The Dive additionally will get an built-in higher chain information, and an ISCG05 bash guard mount.
Cable routing stays totally exterior, and there’s one water bottle mount on all body sizes. The small’s is on the underside of the down tube whereas medium and enormous frames get one on the underside of the highest tube.
Geometry:
The Dive’s body geometry is updated with at the moment’s numbers, guaranteeing the bike can shred trendy trails. Small, medium, and enormous body sizes can be found.
Because the Dive does run a 27.5” fork, you can in fact set it up as a 26/27.5” MX bike. Nevertheless, that’s not within the spirit of this retro construct, so Starling solely offered geometry numbers for 26” wheels.
Construct Choices:
The Dive body solely sells for £2046.67. Consumers can add a Fox DHX2 Manufacturing facility Coil shock for an additional £537.50. Starling does supply the choice of a whole construct by request, however since that will be totally customized no specs or costs had been offered.
As one final particular contact, the Dive will probably be obtainable in a singular IPA/Darkish Lacquer uncooked end. This end retains the body’s unpainted aesthetic however protects it in opposition to rust. The Dive is debuting this new end, which can later change into obtainable on all of Starling’s bikes. Starling can also be providing Dive frames in 4 different colours: Metal is Teal, Powder Pink, Landy Inexperienced and Anodic Bronze.
Starling Cycles will probably be accepting orders for the Dive till Could 1st, or till they’re bought! Frames will probably be obtainable in 8-12 weeks.
starlingcycles.com
