MF builds his dream bike(s): a Starling and a Jones.

I think it depends on the bike, as well as what you're used to. Often the geometry can dictate whether the saddle gets in the way more

At least you'll be able to stop quickly, if it all gets a bit sketchy

This bike 100% needs a dropper

Recommend me a suitably boutique dropper and I'll have a look!

This bike is aiming for simplicity first and foremost, and in my experience a dropper adds unneeded complexity and I rarely feel the need for one, except for on the steepest gnarliest tracks, which must make up less than 5% of my riding time.

Hanging your arse of the back as far as it will go isn’t the way that most people ride their modern geometry bikes down things. Curious to see if if you’d change your mind on droppers once you ride this bike and maybe try one. Personally…it’s my favourite bit of kit!

I've had a range of modern geometry bikes over the years (Mondraker Foxy XR, Orange Five, Ragley Mmmbop, Pole Taival, etc), and while I accept that the majority won't now ride an MTB without a dropper I really don't feel the need for one, I just find them a bit annoying for 90% of the time, and only useful for 10%.

Happy to change my mind down the line, but for now it'll be a rigid seapost on the Starling.

In other news, as promised, some photos. Firstly the latest bits for the Starling. No photos of the shock as that's a) already in the shed, and b) a bit boring!

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Damn, those brakes are so nice

And the Jones. Went out on it first a shakedown this morning and did 30-odd miles on a round trip to my local riding spot for a few laps of some trails I know really well to get used to it. The Paul stem is on this bike and I think it works really well on this build, so I'll be seeking something different for the Starling (possibly an Intend Grace to match the fork, or maybe an Enve).

Very pleased with it. The big wheels take a bit more getting going than the carbon 27.5 I've been used to for the last few years, but once they're going it holds speed really well. Starting on 32x20 and I think it's probably about right for this build, although might gear down for some of the hiller XC races around here over the next few months.

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Jones is wild!

Didn’t realise you quite had the pedigree with full sus bikes. All ridden without a dropper? Either way I’m sure it’ll be awesome.

Beautiful!

How is the handling with short stem + sweep combo?

@cheekysnaker, the Taival and the Five both had one for a while but I took them off! I'm no DH racer, but I can mince down most things fairly competently :)

@🅑🅐🅣🅣 It takes a bit of getting used to, but I'm coming off the back of pretty much only riding the Stooge MK4 for 4 years so any change will take time! Feels like I have to muscle it about a bit more through the twisties but I understand that's to be expected on the bigger wheels and tyres.

Naturalische. Hard to tell from photos but sweepback goes negative beyond the steerer or is it closer to parallel?

Near as damn it to level at the rear-most position on the bars. I wouldn't want them any closer but after 3hrs on it this morning I had no major aches or pains so probably a good enough starter for 10.

Thanks (I think) to @Black_Rainbow_Project I now have a 2nd pair of eeWings coming, in a slightly shorter flavour, meaning my current 175mm pair can go onto the Jones, and the incoming 170mm pair will be kept back for the Starling.

Worth it? No, absolutely not. But will the Jones look damn cool with some eeWings on? Hell yes!

I am not much of an mtb man but good lord that's beautiful

Can't get my head around riding without a dropper. I'd sacrifice front and rear suspension before I let them take my dropper away.

That Jones is wild, I love it.

Much better, cheers Scott!

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Just what it needed!

Although I'd consider putting the cranks in line with each other. 😁

Bollocks, good spot! * heads back out to the shed *

Endgame stuff that

I like the combination of black and titanium much more than I thought I would.
I hope it rides as well as it looks!

The only minor gripe I have is the kink in the brake lines just before they enter the calipers

To be fair it's harder with eewings as there are so many 'splines' and they always move as you're trying to hold them together and tighten at the same time. 😁

killer bike, good job