Starling Mini Murmur: "Mini" doesn't always mean small - a new steel MTB for almost everything

The British expert Starling Cycles, which specialises in fairly casual steel-frame MTBs, has added a small colleague to the downcountry bike presented in January. Not a children's bike or a super-affordable alternative: Starling is now calling the new model the Mini Murmur. No, it is also not a co-operation with the former British car manufacturer. But why "mini" when it's a full-blown trail/XC/downcountry bike with 120 mm rear suspension travel and full-blown 29-inch tyres?

So what makes a Starling Mini Murmur?

The Starling Mini Murmur is said to be even faster and livelier than the version presented in January - a trail rocket, they say. The Mini Murmur is based on the award-winning, handmade steel frame with single pivot shock mount, which is now available with an F232 ONE from DT Swiss 120 mm suspension travel. In addition, there are now lighter components, such as fast Michelin tyres, DT Swiss wheels and - it doesn't get any better than this - lightweight Hope components. However, the manufacturer Starling doesn't say anything about the weight. But the previously presented Murmur is said to come in at just 12.7 kg.

The idea of calling the Starling bike Mini Murmur probably goes back to Starling founder Joe McEwan. According to his marketing department, he likes to ride bikes that don't actually have enough reserves for the trails Joe rides on: "underbiked" bikes. From this idea, the Starling Murmur downcountry MTB from January just a short suspension travel with fast tyres and light parts. Starling describes it like this:

A bike that doesn't need the biggest terrain or the steepest trails to be really fun, but still feels comfortable when it finds them. - Starling Cycles about the Mini Murmur

The British manufacturer has its sights set on those people who don't need a fully equipped, long-travel enduro bike but still want to have fun off-road. You can choose between the complete bike and the frame kit, with or even without a shock.

What are the features of the Starling Mini Murmur?

The complete Mini Murmur has the lightweight DT F232 ONE shock in a length of 210 x 50 mm, which offers a rear travel of 120 mm. As you would expect from Starling Cycles, the front triangle is handmade in the UK from heat-treated Reynolds 853 steel tubing. The rear frame triangle is handmade from heat-treated chromoly steel by ORA in Taiwan. The Starling Mini has a UDH dropout, a thru-axle and an adjustable shock mount.

The star is of course still the steel frame. It has the advantage, especially over carbon, that it can be easily repaired, overhauled, recycled and repainted. Against the throwaway mentality! If you have a Starling bike, you can have it converted and turn the Mini Murmur into a "big" Murmur with 135 (Twist) or 165 mm travel (Mega Murmur).

All Starling V3 frames come with a 7-year warranty against manufacturing defects. They are also covered by a crash replacement service. The deal with the Brits is as simple as it is enjoyable: you crash, pay the postage, Starling Cycles pay the labour and materials. The warranty and crash service only apply to first-time buyers. However, everyone has access to the paint, overhaul and repair service.

The Starling Mini Murmur is available worldwide. Customers can order directly from Starling Cycles or from one of the 3 European dealers: Bristol in the UK, Stallikon in Switzerland and IRONworkX in Biebertal, Germany.

Available are:

• Frame without shock absorber: 2150 British pounds (currently around 2540 euros)
• Frame with DT shock: 2549 British pounds (currently around 3011 euros)
• Complete bike: 7650 British pounds (currently around 9037 euros)

The final euro prices will be revealed at the time of purchase - Starling himself only quotes sums in pounds. But already in comparison with the Januarythe price of the frame has risen from 1990 British pounds to 2150.

Features of the Starling Cycles Mini Murmur in detail

• Fork: DT Swiss F323 One 120 mm
• Shock absorber: DT Swiss R535 120 mm
• Wheels: DT Swiss XMC 1501 V/H
• Tyres: Michelin Wild XC
• Crankset: Hope Carbon 165 mm / 32T
• Bottom bracket: Hope 30 mm
• Chain: Shimano 8100 (XT)
• Cassette: Shimano 8100 (XT)
• Rear derailleur: Shimano 8100 (XT)
• Shifter: Shimano 8100 (XT)
• Brakes: Hope XCR 4 piston V/H
• Brake discs: 180 mm Hope Floating V/H
• Grips: Sensus Lite
• Handlebars: Renthal Fatbar Lite V2 T6 alloy
• Stem: Hope TR 40 mm
• Headset: Hope
• Fork cover: Hope
• Seat clamp: Hope
• Seatpost: Bike Yoke Divine
• Shift lever for dropper post: Bike Yoke
• Saddle: Fizik Alpaca X5