Initial Impressions of the Starling Twist
Bike setup:
The Twist is Starling’s modular mixed wheeled offering. I built my Twist up to be an enduro rig with 160mm suspension travel front and back thanks to an Ohlins RXF36 up front and a TTX2 Air shock in the back. I’m running 25% sag front and back and have added an extra volume reducer to the shock to make it more progressive. I opted for 30mm rise bars and propped them up on 30mm of spacers. For tires, I am using a Maxxis Minion DHRII Max Terra with 25PSI on the back and an Assegai Max Grip with 22 PSI up front. Other components on the bike include Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes, a BikeYoke Divine dropper post, and a Reserve AL/HD wheelset.
Pre Ride Assumptions:
Starling Cycles has been on my radar for some time now, so I was looking forward to trying out what they have to offer. Throughout my years of riding, I have had the chance to try many unique and high-end bikes, and over time my wants and needs have shifted. I no longer yearn for the lightest weight, most technologically advanced or complicated machine, and instead find myself opting for a more simple, durable, and trustworthy rig. I also see bikes as a form of self-expression, so I appreciate something which is interesting and captivating. Going into my ride aboard the Twist, I wanted to keep an open mind and let the bike do all the talking. I knew it was going to be slightly heavier than its carbon counterparts, that the steel frame would help absorb vibration and give it a slightly more “damped” feel, and that it was going to be easy to get along with since the geometry is similar to bikes I’ve owned previously. Other than that, I had little knowledge of how it would ride and was looking forward to getting out on it. After bedding in the brakes and doing some last-minute adjustments, I was ready to load the bike and head out for my ride.
Climbing:
My first big ride aboard the Twist took place in Cumberland B.C. Cumberland is a world class trail riding zone located right here on Vancouver Island which offers more than enough trails to fulfil days of exploring. Riding any trail in Cumberland means doing a lot of climbing, and I must admit the steel frame and single pivot suspension didn’t fill me with confidence. I kept an open mind and found my worries went away as soon as I put a few miles on the bike. It’s not a fast climber by any means, but it performed admirably compared to bikes with similar suspension travel and purpose. I found myself leaving the suspension wide open for certain climbs and even then, had an easy enough time pedaling the bike. The biggest takeaway was how comfortable it was to put miles on. The steep seat tube, modern reach and stack figures position you right in the middle of the bike and make long climbs very manageable. After getting to the top, I was left with plenty of energy and was excited to take the bike downhill.
Descending:
Descending the Twist was what I was most looking forward to, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. After only a couple of laps I was feeling more comfortable and confident than after spending far more time on other bikes. Descending the Twist was extremely fun. It felt exceptionally well thought out, and everything worked together flawlessly. The bike felt very spacious and stable, while still being impressively responsive thanks to the relatively short 435mm chainstay and 27.5” rear wheel. The Twist is a very eager bike, wanting to be pushed harder and to be taken into corners at high speeds. It’s also a very forgiving bike; it allows you to take more chances and lends a hand when minor mistakes are made. Another takeaway was how comfortable the bike was to descend on. After a few laps, I had little to no arm pump or fatigue, presumably to do with the steel frame helping to damp any bumps and vibrations coming from the trail. Descending the Twist exceeded my expectations, it descended confidently and eagerly and didn’t leave me feeling sore at the bottom.
Conclusion:
I was initially curious about how Twist would handle the steep and rocky trails found here on Vancouver Island, and after a few laps, I found that it could handle them better than most. The Twist is the perfect balance between stable and playful and was at ease when thrown into larger features. I found immediately that the Twist is fast in nature. It pushes you to ride at your limit and yearns for more. Its cornering ability also shocked me; I found myself braking later and taking more speed into corners than I would’ve otherwise. I found the steel frame to be no less stiff than ones made from carbon fiber, and it felt exceptionally well thought out and put together. The steel frame only served the bike positively. It absorbed bumps and vibrations very effectively, helping to reduce fatigue. Overall, my experience with Starling Twist was excellent. It embodies everything I want in a bike and has become my new favourite enduro rig. It pushes you to take your riding to the next level, and I look forward to getting out on it more and attempting to find its limits.
Author: Nick Cavaggion