1ST IMPRESSION
Cable routing on the Roost is all external and the frame has an international standard disc mount that’s designed to take up to a 200mm rotor with the appropriate adapter. The ultra neat dropouts make slotting the rear wheel in a breeze, just remember to undo the fixing bolt on the drive side before unwinding the 12mm rear axle. Starling adds the fixing bolt for additional security as there’s not as much thread on the thinner steel dropout. Starling also says that the frame is compatible with 148mm and 142mm hubs. The frame is designed around the 148x12mm standard but Starling reckons there’s enough flex in the rear stays to tighten the axle down to take a 142mm hub. Yes, that sounds like a bit of bodge on a £1,220 frame, but most riders will run a standard 148mm boost hub so it’s not a big deal.
HOW IT RIDES
The Roost had been pretty thoroughly roosted before I got my grubby mitts on it. As such, the 11-speed Shimano SLX gears weren’t the slickest. That wasn’t enough to stop me getting to grips with the bike though. On the first few outings, I played around with the fork pressure and handlebar height to dial in the riding position and weight distribution. With one 5mm spacer below the stem and 80psi in the Rockshox Pike fork the bike felt really balanced. Luckily this set-up leaves just enough clearance to prevent the shifter pod smashing into the top tube if the handlebar was to spin around in a crash.
While that riding position was great for descending and general singletrack shredding, I found that I had to pull myself forward on the bike when climbing, and that was with the saddle shoved all of the way forward on the head of the seatpost. There are two ways that Starling could remedy this. It could make the chainstays slightly longer, but that would rob some of the fun factor and defeat the purpose of the smaller 27.5in rear wheel. So a better solution would be to steepen the seat angle by a degree or so. Not so steep as to lose some of the flex in the seat tube, but enough to allow me to move the saddle forward a touch while keeping it more centred on the head of the post. Not only would this offer a more comfortable riding position for climbing, but it would also reduce the risk of the saddle rails bending.
Actually, there’s a third way. Dropping a 130mm spring assembly into the Rockshox Pike fork would steepen things up a little and probably achieve Starling’s intended geometry.
Still, with the dropper post slammed and gravity aiding progress rather than impeding it, the seated riding position on the Roost is the furthest thing from your mind. With Cushcore fitted front and rear the Roost offers more stability and compliance than expected. And while the insert is probably unnecessary in the front tyre, with only 40mm of tyre suspension on the rear, Cushcore makes a lot of sense as you can run lower tyre pressures without destroying the rim.
How much of the Roost’s ride quality is down to the tyre/insert combo or the frame material is hard to say, but
I did notice the reduced acceleration and increased rolling resistance of the heavier wheels and tyres especially when accelerating or simply bowling along the blacktop. So while I’m convinced that fitting a 2.6in or even a 2.8in rear tyre would increase traction and comfort further, while reducing rolling resistance, it probably wouldn’t be the best choice of anyone wanting the steep up, steep down riding style the Roost is clearly designed for.
HIGHS
Looks amazing. Timeless finish. Good sizing and resilient ride quality
LOWS
Expensive – complete builds approaching £4k. Would benefit from a steeper seat angle. Elevated chainstays increase chain slap