The chassis will come standard with 160mm of travel that eats up a bump and is biased towards declining performance. However, Bird will offer an aftermarket linkage, which will increase travel to a super-enduro-style 180mm. The side profile of the Aeris follows a common theme with its other models. Ornithological Laboratories All of this is backed up with a new tubeset that allows the use of 180mm forks, whether you travel 160mm or 180mm rear. To make sure the Aeris 9 is up to the task, it’s been hidden in plain sight under Bird riders Liam Clement (EWS U21 racer) and Tomas Kupstys, as they’ve claimed multiple domestic podiums.
Bird Aeris 9 chassis details
Jet Black is one of the color options offered by Bird. Ornithological Laboratories
While Bird offers a carbon version of the Aether trail bike, they stuck with aluminum to build the Aeris 9. Bird says that while the bike is designed for enduro use, it has fine-tuned the anti-squat to hold the pedal well, while also giving each size unique seat tube angles to ensure the rider’s weight distribution is kept in place , no matter how tall (or short) the rider is. Chains are sculpted for ankle clearance. Ornithological Laboratories Above a link that changes the travel, there is a chip in the rear triangle for adjusting the geometry. This adds 6mm to the chainsaw, loosens the corners by 0.5 degrees and lowers the bottom bracket height by 7mm. Those running 160mm forks will get an even looser shape with the chip flipped, while those with 170 to 180mm forks will see the BB height return to numbers similar to a ‘normal’ 160mm Aeris fork, but with an even longer and slacker bike. The Aeris 9 is built with shock absorbers in mind. Ornithological Laboratories The frames offer the option of routing cables internally for a cleaner look or externally for those who want an easier maintenance schedule. The wires don’t go through the headphones because Bird says “we don’t hate you”. Cables can run internally or externally. Ornithological Laboratories The four-link suspension system has large main pivots, with double bearing caps to reduce dirt and water ingress and extend their life. Other frame features include SRAM UDH, threaded BBs, room for 29×2.6-inch mountain bike tires, and room for a “good-sized” bottle on the smaller frame, even when using a coilover shock. Raw aluminum, ‘Jet Black’ and ‘Blurple’ (blue/purple flip flops) will be offered.
Bird Aeris 9 geometry
Burply flip flop paint appears to change color in the sun. Ornithological Laboratories
Bird has long been a purveyor of long and loose bikes, and that continues to be the case with its latest enduro sled. Bird will offer the bike in four sizes, from medium to extra large (with a medium-long being the size you might not have guessed). This covers riders from around 168 to 193cm tall.
Bird Aeris 9 area information
Bird has long been pleased to offer customers the ability to customize their bikes from a wide range of suppliers, including suspension from the likes of Fox, RockShox, Formula, Cane Creek and Fast. The brand has its own line of hand-built wheels and on the stock bikes, it takes care to choose components that give the best possible result – for example, using Shimano’s XT shifters on Deore-spec bikes, in light of the improved performance this upgrade gives the real world. Formula levers with sneaky color combinations. Ornithological Laboratories Bird says they are happy to ensure color matching between seat collars, hubs and headsets, and will even cut your bars to the required width if desired. Therefore, there are not many model sets. However, frames start at £1,295 and bikes can be built for as little as £2,870. Bird offers 0 percent financing for 24 months. At £3,875 the Bird’s recommended build looks excellent value:
Bird Aeris 9 frame RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 180mm RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Absolute shock SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain SRAM G2R brakes Bird Factory wheels Maxxis Assegai tires Bird/Race Face Finishing Kit
Although Bird is a direct selling brand, it works closely with The Bike Bothy, which has stores in Laggan Wolftrax and Pitfichie in Scotland, where models can be seen. Bird’s own showroom is at Eversley in Hampshire and will also have a demonstration fleet at Glencoe Mountain Resort (lift assisted). Further demos will take place at the Scottish Enduro Series round at Pitfichie from September 3-4, Laggan Wolftrax from September 9-11 and the Tweedlove Festival from September 16-18.
