5 years since the first Bird Zero took to the skies, Bird Cycleworks release undeniable bargain builds of two of their best selling bikes, the Aeris and the Zero AM. A direct sales-only bike company, Bird have sold 2000 frames since their beginnings, and are bucking the reputation of direct sales winning awards for customer service along the way. From the humble beginnings of the original Zero model, Bird have expanded the range to include 4 full suspension models, 3 hardtails, with some 29ers thrown in there for good measure.
Bird Aeris 145 special edition
I am a big fan of the Aeris 145. Keep an eye out for our long term review of this enduro beast landing shortly. With the S and SE special editions, Bird have priced these builds bringing them into hot competition with the likes of the giant Canyon. Pick up the Aeris 145 S with RockShox Revelation Forks, RockShox Deluxe Select+ Shock, DT Swiss M1900 wheelset and SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain for £1950 (~$2525). Upgrade to the SE edition with Pike forks, Deluxe Ultimate Shock, and SRAM NX drivetrain for £2225 (~$2880). The Aeris 145LT shares the same frame as the 145 but has 160mm of rear wheel travel with a slightly longer suspension linkage, dropping the BB by around 5mm. You can pick up the SE spec 145LT with SRAM NX drivetrain for £2295 (~$2970). Not to be sniffed at.
Bird Zero AM special edition
The Bird Zero AM receives similar bargain treatment as the Aeris, with the SE edition featuring a SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, Pike RCT3 fork and DT Swiss M1900 wheelset for £1495 (~$1935). A classic hardcore hardtail, the Zero AM has been a popular choice among UK riders for sloppy winter conditions, saving their full sus pivot bearings until dusty summer conditions return (it does get dusty, honestly).
The S and SE build kits, priced as they might have been 5 years ago, deliver incredible value for money at even better value than the customised lines offered by Bird. Perhaps the most exciting thing about these builds is the (very, very new) SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed groupset, offering an 11-50T range, available on the Zero AM SE and Aeris 145 S models. We can’t be sure, but it is likely that these special edition Bird builds are the first bikes to be shipped with this groupset.
The custom model that Bird use to sell bikes is what allows them to deliver bang up-to-date builds to customers. Bird ship the latest kit on the day it comes out, as standard. Still a very small company on the ground, with only 4 people on the ground at the UK HQ, Bird design all their bikes themselves, in-house, giving them complete control, of every tube, every part, each individual nut and bolt, while delivering very decently priced bikes.
Bird have one of the most extensive demo fleets in the country with permanent fleets available from their HQ in Hampshire, near Swinley Forest, and at the northern office near Hamsterley, County Durham. You can also catch founder Ben with a demo fleet at the following UK events:
18th-19th May – Boltby Bash, North Yorkshire
25th-26th May – Southern Enduro Champs, Minehead
31st May-2nd June – Sea Otter, Girona, Spain
Pricing and Availability
The special edition Aeris and Zero AM models are available from Bird now. See below for full details, spec and pricing on each special edition model.
