With the new Dive, Starling Cycles is taking an unusual step and launching a full-suspension enduro bike with 26-inch wheels. While almost all mountain bike manufacturers have switched to larger wheel formats since the 2010s, the British company is now returning to the wheel size that has dominated for decades.
The Starling Dive is not a retro bike in the classic sense, but combines retro-modern design and traditional wheel dimensions with contemporary geometry. The steel frame has been completely redeveloped and is specially adapted to the 26-inch wheels. It offers 160 mm rear suspension travel and is designed for suspension forks with 170 mm travel. Starling Cycles sees the Dive as a versatile bike park and enduro machine.
Limited edition & V3 frame design
The Starling Dive is being produced in a strictly limited edition of just ten (10!) units. It is based on the current V3 frame design from Starling Cycles, which brings with it various technical innovations. These include an adjustable shock mount, a reinforced head tube and a Sram UDH derailleur.
An integrated chain guide and a CNC-machined main bearing mount for more rigidity and easier maintenance are also part of the V3 design. The front triangle is handmade in Bristol from Reynolds 853 steel tubes, while the rear triangle is produced in Taiwan from heat-treated chromoly steel.
Modern geometry despite small wheels
Although the Starling Dive looks like a bike from days gone by at first glance, the geometry is based on current enduro dimensions. The head angle is kept very slack at 63 degrees. In size large, the reach is a generous 485 mm, which should ensure a very smooth ride. The 435 mm short chainstays, on the other hand, contribute to agile handling and the effective seat angle of 77 degrees to good climbing characteristics.
Thanks to the smaller wheels, the standover height is lower than on comparable 29-inch bikes, and the bottom bracket drop is only just under four millimetres due to the 26-inch wheels. Starling Cycles offers the Dive in three frame sizes: small, medium and large.
Components, price, availability
Starling Cycles only offers the Dive as a frame kit, a complete bike is not available. Customers can configure the frame with special components via the online configurator, for example with a headset and seat clamp from Hope or DHX2 Factory shock from Fox.
Starling Cycles is offering the Dive as a frameset without shock for exactly £2046.67. Orders will only be accepted until 1 May 2025. Delivery should then take place within 8-12 weeks. Interested parties can choose between five different frame colours: Anodic Bronze, Landy Green, Powder Pink, Raw IPA and Steal is Teal.
Technical specifications
- Main frame/rear frame materialReynolds 853 steel/heat-treated chromoly steel
- Rear suspension travel: 160 mm
- Damper dimensions: 230 x 65 mm
- Wheel size: 26 inch
- Axle standardBoost 148 x 12 mm
- Bottom bracket shell73 mm BSA
- Seat post diameter/clamp31.6 mm/34.9 mm
- Chain guide mountISCG05
- derailleur hangerSram UDH
Geometry Starling Dive (size L)
- Reach: 485 mm
- Stack: 611 mm
- Steering angle: 63°
- Seat angle (effective): 77°
- Chain stays: 435 mm
- Bottom bracket lowering: -4 mm (BB Drop)
- Head tube length: 130 mm
- Seat tube length: 440 mm
- Top tube length (horizontal): 626 mm
- Wheelbase: 1258 mm
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
