BIRD FORGE
£695 frame Brilliant value as a full build, but how does it ride?
Bird have received many plaudits, including winning our 2021 Trail Bike of the Year test with their Aether 9 full-sus. So when we heard there was a new steel hardtail in their stable, we had to get one on test. The upgraded SRAM Eagle build they sent us is outstanding value for money, especially when the Forge frame costs more than the others here.
The frame
This 29er frame is optimised for 140mm to 160mm-travel forks and features Reynolds 853 DZB top and down tubes – arguably the two that most affect ride quality. Elsewhere, Bird use 4130 chromoly, with the thin-diameter tubing giving that classic steel hardtail look. They’ve opted for an IS (International
Standard) brake mount rather than the more modern PM (post mount) style, so you’ll likely need an adapter for your rear brake. The throughaxle bolts into a SRAM UDH. Other features include two sets of bottle bosses, external cable routing and an ISCG-05 mount.
Bird are known for their modern geometry, and the Forge is no exception. It has a 64-degree head and 77-degree seat tube angle, paired, on our large size, with a long 496mm reach and low 290mm BB height. For ‘size large’ riders who don’t want such a long stretch to the bar, Bird offer a ‘Medium Long’ size with a shorter seat tube but still rangy 473mm front end.
The kit
There’s a fairly wide range of parts customisation available. Our bike was based on the £2,357.99 SRAM GX Eagle build, but had a Formula Selva R fork and Cura brakes, instead of the stock RockShox Pike Ultimate and SRAM G2 RSCs, plus sturdy DT Swiss rims rolling on Hope hubs, with a CushCore insert fitted in the Maxxis Dissector rear tyre. What really stood out, though, was the upgraded SRAM GX Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain, which proved dependable, consistent and frankly excellent – especially for the money.
The ride
With a similar-length front end to the Cotic and the same slack head angle as the Pipedream, it’s no surprise that when the going gets rowdy, the Bird comes back for more. It inspires confidence on the steepest tracks and holds a line well when things get loose, aided by the BB height, which is so low we were glad of the bashguard when riding rock-rolls.
Cornering performance is also stellar. The distance between the tyres’ contact patches, the raked-out fork and the proximity of your heel
to the ground when you drop the outside crank arm allow the Forge to rail berms and eke out grip on surfaces you’d normally pucker-up over. At the same time, the 435mm stays mean it isn’t a chore to lift the front wheel over obstacles.
Front-end comfort is also good. There’s a hint of zing in the frame – not quite as much as on the Moxie, but enough to retain traction over off-camber roots and keep the bike tracking true in corners. The Formula Selva fork has an incredibly plush initial stroke, separating you from trail chatter, and the Cura brakes are favourites, too, with a light feel and powerful calliper. Like the fork, they help keep your hands fresh when battering down bike park tracks. The Selva offers plenty of tuning options, too, with adjustable positive and negative springs, plus swappable ‘CST’ compression valves.
The 2.4in Maxxis Dissector tyres we chose shone in dry conditions, although compared to the 2.6in rubber on other bikes here, they felt noticeably less comfy when rattling over real rough stuff. On rocky terrain, the CushCore insert was a real bonus, allowing us to run a touch less pressure, and saving the rim a couple of times. We tried the Forge with the BFeMAX’s chunky rubber and had no clearance issues, so one of the 2.5in Maxxis tyres that Bird offer should work well. Our only kit niggle is that we found the flange of the DMR Deathgrips made accessing the AXS upshift paddle tricky, but Bird do offer other grip options.
WHEN THE GOING GETS ROW DY, THE BIRD COMES BACK FOR MORE. IT’S CONFIDENT ON THE STEEP EST TRACKS AND HOLD SA LINE WELL WHEN THINGS GET LOOSE