Falling over in the forest: Starling Murmur

I already posted these photos in the current projects chat, but here goes anyway.

At some point earlier this year I decided that I need a full suspension MTB. I have what seems like a decent range of natural trails starting almost from my doorstep, and given that I'm actually doing cycling workout these days, I figured MTBing could be a nice way to add an "adventures close to home" sorta component to the mix.

I've had a few single-speed MTBs over the years, but never the whole 29er / rear suspension / gears / dropper post shebang. My previous offroading experiences could be largely summarised as "keeling over from standstill", so the only way is up I hope. On the flip side my concern is that this folly doesn't stick, and I end up blowing up a silly amount of euros for nothing *shrug*. I'm also not completely unfazed by the prospect of ending up hurting myself. So this thread may (or might not) end up documenting these secondary outcomes as well.

Looking back, I can't reliably reconstruct my thought process of deciding on the Murmur specifically. Broadly speaking though, I spent loads of time looking at a bunch of different OTP bikes, and failing to purchase one on two separate occasions (in both cases the specific models were sold out while I fretted over my decision) was kind of a "fuck it" tipping point leading to building up my own.

Frame came from Starling with the shock installed. The other stuff I amassed while waiting for the frame. I've built all of my own wheels for the past, dunno, decade or so? but I succumbed to the convenience of getting ready-made wheels. They do feel decent—still, might end up replacing them later, out of a principle if nothing else.

2 Attachments

At some point earlier this year I decided that I need a full suspension MTB.

Concerned I'm having the same thoughts looking at this build..

Always remember that you live inside M25 in London before considering a full sus bike.

I accidentally found myself in North Vancouver on a rental full sus and it all cascaded from there.

Very nice. Would be my money no object frame of choice.

Always remember that you live inside M25 in London before considering a full sus bike.

shh! used to have a full bouncy bike.. but also had a car then.

Ooh, that's nice looking

Oof.. what prompted the Mattoc (rather than the usual fork suspects)?

what prompted the Mattoc

Honestly, given that the frame choice is a bit left field, I was sort of following a theme here. But it also seemed like the new Mezzer that's been out longer is pretty well liked, so that was another factor.

This already looks buckets of fun. It needs Hope team green something on it for the full Mr Blobby colour scheme look

Well I've got the mandatory Fidlock bottle in this colourway, close enough? 🙃

1 Attachment

More like this

Right. I don't think I'll be able to accommondate 🙂

My opinion might count for naff all, but I REALLY like Murmurs.
Would have one on order if my bank account said yes

Disappointed not to see a set of Middleburn crank on it mind.

It’s very easy spending other people’s money

It’s very easy spending other people’s money

You should be part of the government!

My friend, I’m as far from the VIP lane as you could get

Trimmed the rear brake hose and bled the brake. I don't have too much experience working with hydraulic brakes, but seems like it worked out fine. I'm pleased with the curve of the shifter cable and brake hose coming from the levers, less so with my chain slap guard solution. I wrapped half a roll of self-amalgamating tape around the chainstay, and it ended up looking a bit crap. But it'll have to do for now.

2 Attachments

I just zip tied on an old inners tube wrapped around. Need to re do it but it does the job. Looking ace so far!

Clear helicopter tape is my preference. Mostly it just ends up being an inner tube or electrical tape or whatever shit I have to hand.

Mattoc with the Dorado damper and IRT additional air chamber is a sublime fork. Andrew Major's writeup on nsmb is a good reference for starting pressures and Dougal at shockcraft NZ does a nice high-flow piston upgrade too if you fancy improving it even more further down the line

I used the self-amalgamating tape partly in the hope that I'd look neater than an inner tube, but I'd say it's more of less a tie. Heli tape might not dampen noise much, dunno if that'd really be an issue. Some people apparently use Scotch 2228 tape, but availability/price kept me from trying that.

Thanks for the affirmation. I read all I could find on the fork before I took the leap, but given that there were relatively few real-world experiences out there, the good feedback on the Mezzer with similar tech gave me some extra confidence on the choice.

I really like that colour and interested in how you find the coil shock. Here’s my rather more muted one.

1 Attachment

That’s lovely.