FIRST GLANCE
One of our team, Theo, has been happily riding a Starling Swoop for a few years now. So when he spotted a killer deal on a Mega Twist rolling chassis, it was never really a question of if – just how quickly he could get his hands on it.
The Mega Twist brings a little more travel than his trusty old Swoop and, importantly, is designed to be run as a mullet.
True to Starling form, it keeps that trademark thin silhouette and simple single-pivot design, a setup that appeals to anyone who values a low-maintenance bike with a clear philosophy: fewer moving parts, more moving fast. It’s a commonsensical approach in a world of electric and acronym-heavy innovation.
Both the new bike and the original 27.5 inch Swoop joined Theo on a recent trip to Vermont, where they were packed up, flown across the Atlantic, and unleashed on the ever-growing trail network that the VMBA crew are building.
They suited the place perfectly – steel frames, dirt, and maple trees. The pair looked good together, too, and were admired by the locals who pull off that effortless grungy granola aesthetic that certain corners of America do so well.
Version 1 of the Mega Twist build was a gloriously simple single-speed setup – clean lines, quiet trails, and no excuses. It looked brilliant and rode smoothly, right up until a few too many steep climbs persuaded Theo that perhaps a bit of mechanical sympathy (and a cassette) wouldn’t hurt.
The gears are back on now, so it looks less like a BMX, but it has the range this bike deserves and has probably saved a few knees in the process.
Available at Starling Cycles.
Frame price – £2222.00
