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Murmur

Frame

29″wheels
Hard-Hitting, Versatile Trail and Enduro Frame
135mm
Starling Murmur Light Grey Render
Starling Murmur Steel is Teal
Starling Cycles EXT Vecta Shock offer
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 4
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 1
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 2
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 3
John Watson Murmur 18
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 11
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 red 10
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 12
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 17
John Watson Murmur 15
Starling Murmur downtube Light Grey Render
Starling Murmur headtube Light Grey Render
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 13
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 14
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 15
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 16
John Watson Murmur 17
Starling Murmur Light Grey Render
Starling Murmur Steel is Teal
Starling Cycles EXT Vecta Shock offer
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 4
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 1
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 2
Starling Cycles Cosmic Purple 3
John Watson Murmur 18
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 11
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 red 10
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 12
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 17
John Watson Murmur 15
Starling Murmur downtube Light Grey Render
Starling Murmur headtube Light Grey Render
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 13
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 14
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 15
Starling Cycles Frame Detail 1x1 steel is teal 16
John Watson Murmur 17

Starling Cycles Murmur Frame

Our award winning, do it all, steel shredder. Handmade with 135mm rear travel in Reynolds 853 steel. Base price is for frame only, without shock.
CORE: Sizes M, L, XL. EU made, 3-5 days lead time where in stock.
RARE: Sizes S, M+, XXL. UK made to order, 8-12 week lead time.

Price range: £2,222.00 through £2,567.00

Choose your frame

Add upgrades

EXT Vecta Coil Rear Shock (210x55mm)
EXT Vecta Coil Rear Shock (210x55mm)

In stock

Original price was: £780.00.Current price is: £500.00.
Ohlins TTX22M.2 Coil Rear Shock
Ohlins TTX22M.2 Coil Rear Shock
£745.00
Hope Headset
Hope Headset
Clear
£90.00
Hope Seatclamp
Hope Seatclamp
Clear
£22.00

USA Tariff guarantee

No surprises at the border. We guarantee you’ll never pay more than you have to, and refund the difference if it is more.

Euro payments

What you see is what you pay. Euro countries will see their bill in euros with all duties pre-calculated. No surprises at the border.

Cycle Scheme + Klarna

Make payment easy. We work with all major Cycle Scheme providers and offer Paypal in 3 and Klarna at checkout.

Add extras

Related products

Super versatile, mid-travel 29er. Does it all.

Starling’s original, award-winning, and bullshit-free steel mountain bike. One frame, many bikes.

The Murmur is a tough-as-nails, race-winning, adventure-seeking, do-it-all.

It has 29″ wheels, 135mm rear travel, and our award-winning, bullshit-busting, handmade steel frame that made with Reynolds 853.

That perfect compliant steel ‘feel’ creates a one-of-a-kind ride feel that’ll handle everything from your local singletrack to your once-in-a-lifetime season in the mountains.

Just two bearings to maintain. Zero marketing gimmicks or next-best-thing shithousery.

29″ and 135mm not quite right? Mix and match rear shocks and forks, and choose 120mm, 135mm, 150mm, or 165mm rear travel for your perfect setup. Switch swingarms and rear wheels to go mullet. Switch between air and coil. The bike you build now can transform into something totally different later on.

Review

The Loam Wolf
“The ride quality offered by the steel tubing gives exceptional grip and a comfortable ride. By fitting high-quality suspension units, the Murmur can be a seriously fast and capable bike.”

Review

BikeMag
“The Starling Murmur’s feel is second to none. Its steel front triangle is elegantly simple and sleek, round tubing speaks of the beauty found in function over form. The Murmur is a bike that’s built to be ridden, plain and simple.”

Review

Pinkbike
“A beautiful bike, and so unique. A rowdy, rock crusher. “

Review

The Radavist
“This new Murmur just proves that with the right kinetic engineering, proper geometry, and tube selection, a steel full suspension bike can offer the same, if not better, performance and ride quality as a carbon bike. The way Joe and his team have set up this simple single-pivot design, there is little to no effect on the suspension from hard braking (anti-rise), yet with the new geometry tweaks, the Mumur climbs even better than before and still holds its own on descents.”

Review

Blister Review
” It’s a genuinely good bike, period, albeit one that offers a somewhat different combination of traits and ride feel than most other bikes in its class. The Murmur’s greatest strengths are in traction and composure on rougher, off-camber, slippery bits of trail — probably not coincidentally, the kind of stuff the UK is famous for”

Review

Singeltracks
“The Murmur stands out with its overall comfort and poise while descending. The first ride on this bike felt familiar, with an easy handling character and smooth-footedness on rocky trails that inspire fun riding. I carried it to the top of a mountain on the second ride and was as comfortable bouncing across the trail-less crest into the valley below as I would be on my personal bike.”

Starling Cycles V3 Frame Design

Our bikes eliminate complexity.

They are the counter-argument to mountain biking’s obsession with ‘more’.

With more pivots and more space-age materials. More acronyms and more marketing bullshit. The misconception that more tech means more fun. 

We make unapologetically simple bikes. We include only what’s necessary, nothing more. Zero marketing gimmicks and next-best-thing shithousery.

We’ve stripped away the bullshit and left tough, long-lasting, beautiful and hassle-free mountain bikes. Bikes made to ride, not polish and preen. Simple to ride and bags of fun.

But simple doesn’t mean basic, and it certainly isn’t easy. It takes a whole heap of experience, expertise, testing, refinement and raw passion to make bikes this good, and this simple.

Our full suspension frames are made using high-end, recycled steel. They have a smart and simple adjustable shock mount to vary travel. They have an aluminium seat-post insert to eliminate stuck seat posts. There’s a tough-as-nails anti-flare headtube, a neatly integrated chain guide, a machined main pivot piece that’s strong, stiff and easy to maintain. And they have SRAM UDH hangers, of course.

And to give you the confidence you need, our frames are covered by our 7-year warranty and crash replacement service. They can be repaired, refurbished, repainted and often upgraded to keep them charging hard for years to come.

Features

  • V3 frame design with updated technology.
  • 29″ wheels.
  • 135mm rear travel as standard.
  • Adjustable shock mount also allows 120mm/135/150mm rear travel (new shock required).
  • Front triangle handmade in the EU using Reynolds 853 steel tubing.
  • Rear triangle hand-built by ORA, Taiwan, using heat-treated Chromoly.
  • Sizes S, M+ and XXL handmade at Starling in the UK to order.
  • UDH derailleur hanger.
  • Up to 200mm rotor.
  • Fits standard tapered forks.
  • Boost rear axle spacing (fits non-boost with spacer).
  • Seat tube reinforcing strut on XL and XXL.
  • Stainless & numbered dropper port.
  • Starling headtube gusset.
  • Bottle mount in frame on medium & above.
  • 7-year warranty/crash replacement service.
  • Frame repair, refurbishment and repaint service.
  • Designed, tested, assembled and shipped from Bristol, UK.

Starling Cycles are made by real flesh-and-blood humans. The perfect blend of precision and passion.

Our frames are hand-crafted with quality, lightweight steel for an unmistakable feel and undeniable speed.

Our single-pivot suspension design eliminates complexity. A blast to ride and a breeze to maintain.

Geometry and sizing

Frame SizeSmallMediumMediumPlusLargeX LargeXXL
Shock210×55210×55210×55210×55210×55210×55
Rear Travel135135135135135135
Max Rear Tyre2.6″2.6″2.6″2.6″2.6″2.6″
Fork Length150150150150150150
Rider Size Range5’2″ – 5’6″5’6″ – 5’9″5’9″ – 5’11”5’11” – 6’1″6’1 – 6’4″6’4″-6-8″
158cm – 167cm167cm – 175cm175cm – 180cm180cm – 185cm185cm – 193cm193cm-203cm
Reach425450465485515545
Stack602629629629638647
Head Angle65.065.065.065.065.065.0
Seat Tube Length375410430440480510
Head Tube Length110110110110120130
Chainstay445445445445445445
Wheelbase120312281247126012981328
BB drop463434343434
Eff. Seat Angle79.278.078.078.078.078.0
Eff. Top Tube*571596611628663690
Max Post Insertion245280300310340370
Standover #820825832839843862
* Effective ST Angle measured at 750mm from BB Centre.
# Standover measured at top tube mid point.

Technical

Travel 135mm
(and adjustable to 120mm/150mm)
Shock 210x55mm
Headset Top ZS44/28.6
Headset Bottom EC44/40
Seat Tube 31.6mm
BB 73mm Threaded
Seat Clamp M/L/XL 36.4mm S/M+/XXL: 34.9mm
Chain Device Integrated 28T-34T
Rear Axle 148x12mm Boost
Max Tyre 29 x 2.6″
Brake Mount Post Mount 180mm
Max Disc 203mm
Front Shock Hardware 30x8mm
Rear Shock Hardware 35x8mm
Main Pivot Bearings 6902 2RS
Bash Mount ISCG05
Derailleur Hanger Replaceable SRAM UDH T-Type Compatible

 

Tech Journal

Reviews

1 2
Mega Twist photo review
Marvin
I am simply blown away by the MegaTwist. It hast phanomenal grip, handles steeps like a champ and is planted and fun at the same time. Thanks...More
I am simply blown away by the MegaTwist.

It hast phanomenal grip, handles steeps like a champ and is planted and fun at the same time.

Thanks Joe and the great Team behind the scenes for a simply awesome mountainbike and the good times!
Swoop photo review
Assaf
When I ordered the bike I was sure it would be a big fail but couldn’t resist this thin tubes 😂 After 3 months it arrived and that’s the most close t...More
When I ordered the bike I was sure it would be a big fail but couldn’t resist this thin tubes 😂
After 3 months it arrived and that’s the most close to perfect bike I can think of for me and I rode the last years on Canfield balance,
The swoop hits you hard in the face with all the shit this industry feed us for years, it’s like the frame run naked in the forest and laughing out loud on all the other companies best efforts to make a good bike , like the pre sale support told me before I ordered them - it’s not one measure/ angel/matireal , it’s how all those things talk to each other, that’s the starling experience
Steve
I have one of the Murmur LTD frames. It was a handmade version of the 'Factory' model. I guess it's reasonably similar to the v2? Whilst I'm sure tha...More
I have one of the Murmur LTD frames. It was a handmade version of the 'Factory' model. I guess it's reasonably similar to the v2?
Whilst I'm sure that the v3 is an improvement I really can't find anything wrong with mine. It's the best bike I've owned & the best full sus bike I've ridden by a long way. The ONLY thing that could be better is the fact that bottle mounting is tight! I solved it with a fidlock bottle that will change shape a bit with boiling water and some pressure, then cold water! I'd probably sacrifice a little bit of standover to solve it but then that may reduce dropper travel. I think the newer frames have less of an issue with this though.
It climbs, pedals, descends and corners great and so far seems as tough as they come. I would have another Starling anytime I have the cash to spare!
I run mine 650+ which isn't a common setup, but I prefer it to 29. Going to try some of the new Schwalbe radial tyres on the 29er wheels but I really like the feel of the plus set up... The newer frames take slightly wider tyres in 29" through so that may make 650+ less relevant.
Oh and Cushcore - use them! Better everything, no real downside!
Beady Little Eye photo review
Simon C
I can’t get enough of this bike. I set it up as a trail bike and have been riding it everywhere I’d normally ride my Swoop. It is so much fun. It goes...More
I can’t get enough of this bike. I set it up as a trail bike and have been riding it everywhere I’d normally ride my Swoop. It is so much fun. It goes like a rocket around the Ashton Court/Leigh Woods motorway type stuff encouraging you to pump and pop just about anything and on the natural stuff, for how I like to ride, I really think this is as good as it gets.

Single speeds are my favourite type of bikes and that little bit of give that you get over a hardtail is just enough to let you really push it and leave you with a little bit of wiggle room on the drops and jumps or when things get steep and rooty. It was definitely worth the wait!
Murmur photo review
Travis
Now that I've got a few hundred kilometers on this rig, I wanted to chime in. Man! Believe the hype! I commute 50-60km each day on gnarly fire roads w...More
Now that I've got a few hundred kilometers on this rig, I wanted to chime in. Man! Believe the hype! I commute 50-60km each day on gnarly fire roads with over 1,000m of climbing. The MM is the ideal rig for this terrain. I can super comfortably peddle the steeps in the morning and rip into some singletrack coming home. This bike is perfectly poised on everything I like to ride. Thanks a million to Joe and the Starling team!
Murmur complete bike photo review
Flo
German Version below. I love this bike so much. It is beautiful, simple and rides wonderful. The grip that is provided at the rear end of the bike i...More
German Version below.
I love this bike so much. It is beautiful, simple and rides wonderful. The grip that is provided at the rear end of the bike is unbelievable. The "simplicity" of the linkage combined with the frame material is absorbing everything super comfortable, makes the rear wheel stick to the ground and the travel feels endless. Everything routed externally, almost every screw can be reached without disassembling parts, this bike is super simple, if it needs maintenance. Completely in love!

Schockverliebt. Das Rad ist wunderschön, einfach und fährt sich wunderbar. Der Grip am Heck des Bikes ist unglaublich. Die „Einfachheit“ des Hinterbaus in Kombination mit dem Rahmenmaterial sorgt für super viel Komfort und absorbiert alles, lässt den Hinterbau am Boden kleben und der Federweg fühlt sich endlos an. Alle Leitungen und Züge sind außen verlegt, fast jede Schraube ist ohne das man irgendwelche anderen Teile abbauen muss zu erreichen, das Bike macht es einem echt einfach, wenn es mal repariert werden muss. Einfach in Love mit dem Hobel.
Roost photo review
Jamie E
Big fan of my custom Roost, built with Microshift, Manitou and various other shed-found bits. It's really capable and feels very confidence-inspiring ...More
Big fan of my custom Roost, built with Microshift, Manitou and various other shed-found bits. It's really capable and feels very confidence-inspiring on technical terrain. I really enjoy jumping onto the Roost for trails I'd usually ride on my Murmur, it adds a bit of challenge (but not as much as I thought it would!) and makes for a low-stress, low-maintenance bike. It's going to be great through the winter when I want to keep my full suss tidy.
Murmur complete bike photo review
DR
I love my Murmur - recently refurbished by the team at Starling with 135mm/160mm travel and it rides so well. Use it for everything from local steeps,...More
I love my Murmur - recently refurbished by the team at Starling with 135mm/160mm travel and it rides so well. Use it for everything from local steeps, bike parks to cross country epics. Got a weekend in the Peaks and Golfie later this year for some big days out, the Murmur will be perfect for this. Climbs really well, descends amazingly. Size XL and fits a 750mm bottle in there no problem with the Fox shock.
Swoop photo review
John
From day one I’ve always loved the look of starling cycles frames, Simple design with an old school look. I demo’ed one back in 2019 and love it f...More
From day one I’ve always loved the look of starling cycles frames,
Simple design with an old school look.
I demo’ed one back in 2019 and love it from the get go

Have now been riding the swoop now for 5 years and couldn’t ask for a better trail bike.
STRONG , FAST AND FUN
Murmur photo review
Jamie
Love my Murmur - a crazy capable, versatile and reliable bike.
1 2

10 reviews for Murmur

  1. Murmur photo review
    Josh H
    My Murmur. It’s been ridden. And ridden some more. I’ve ridden a lot of different bikes over the years and by far its the best trail/down country w...More
    My Murmur.
    It’s been ridden. And ridden some more.
    I’ve ridden a lot of different bikes over the years and by far its the best trail/down country what ever you want to call it that I’ve ever had the pleasure to ride.
    Just completed a full strip down and clean ready for another day out on the trails.
    Thank you Starling Cycles.
    Murmur photo review
    Timeo
    Incredible bike! I got a murmur from 2021, didn’t knew exactly what to expect from it as I never rode any single pivot or steel bikes... After a f...More
    Incredible bike!

    I got a murmur from 2021, didn’t knew exactly what to expect from it as I never rode any single pivot or steel bikes...
    After a few changes like putting a 230x65mm EXT storia, upgrading the fork for a 170mm fork with a Vorsprung Smashpot inside and putting a 27.5 rear wheel I can tell it is the coolest bike I ever rode! Really suitable for my style of riding and my expectations!
    It’s also perfect for maintenance, no worries, just send it!
    The bike is a weapon of choice for riding whatever trails from alpine adventures to steep freeride trails without being compromised when you go to the local bike park ;)

    Starling is making bikes that are working exactly how they should and that are mechanic friendly ;)

    Thanks guys!
    Murmur photo review
    Morgan
    I'm about a month in to owning my murmur. So far it's fulfilled roles as an adventure bike, pub cruiser and enduro rig. I love it. Definitely a do it ...More
    I'm about a month in to owning my murmur. So far it's fulfilled roles as an adventure bike, pub cruiser and enduro rig. I love it. Definitely a do it all, no nonsense bike. I've setup in enduro mode for 150 mm rear travel. I might never change from this but it's cool to have the option with the adjustable shock mounts if I ever do get the urge. The bike rides beautifully, looks great and is easy to work. Really looking forward to spending more time enjoying my Murmur
    Murmur photo review
    Anders B B
    I’ve been riding my Starling Murmur for about three years and I have nothing but great things to say about it and smiles on face post ride. As a part ...More
    I’ve been riding my Starling Murmur for about three years and I have nothing but great things to say about it and smiles on face post ride. As a part owner in a full suspension bike company that uses a “fancy” suspension design I’d have a hard time telling someone they need anything but what Starling offers.
    Murmur photo review
    Embry R
    Love this new Murmur! I've been through a lot of carbon bikes & wanted something different - something unique, fun & special. This is it. ea...More
    Love this new Murmur!
    I've been through a lot of carbon bikes & wanted something different - something unique, fun & special. This is it. easy to build up, Simple to fall in love with & mint on the trail. The Murmur is a great, versatile platform to customize - I'm looking forward to many more miles!
    Murmur photo review
    Martin
    Murmur, my second Starling. The previous one, a Swoop from the beginnings in the Shed, i rode for almost nine years. What a great ride! Agile, fast a...More
    Murmur, my second Starling.
    The previous one, a Swoop from the beginnings in the Shed, i rode for almost nine years. What a great ride! Agile, fast and very comfy bike. Lot of fun and memories.
    This one comes from the Trade-in and Upgrade programm.
    While the first bike was like a fighter jet, this one is fuckin' spaceship!! 👍🤣
    Soo much better...
    Cheers, Joe and Starling team! ✌️
    Murmur photo review
    Alessandro
    Very funny bike, eats the trails!!!
    I really love it
    Murmur photo review
    Nathan C
    I’ve worked in bike shops for close to 20 years. I always tried a new bike every year from a variety of brands and was never truly impressed. I’ve bee...More
    I’ve worked in bike shops for close to 20 years. I always tried a new bike every year from a variety of brands and was never truly impressed. I’ve been riding my Starling Murmur now for 5 years and it continues to make me smile. I now get more excited about swapping out suspension or drivetrain components to only enhance the joy this bike brings. I’m hoping it lives longer than I do. It’s a keeper!
    Murmur photo review
    Travis
    Now that I've got a few hundred kilometers on this rig, I wanted to chime in. Man! Believe the hype! I commute 50-60km each day on gnarly fire roads w...More
    Now that I've got a few hundred kilometers on this rig, I wanted to chime in. Man! Believe the hype! I commute 50-60km each day on gnarly fire roads with over 1,000m of climbing. The MM is the ideal rig for this terrain. I can super comfortably peddle the steeps in the morning and rip into some singletrack coming home. This bike is perfectly poised on everything I like to ride. Thanks a million to Joe and the Starling team!
    Murmur photo review
    Jamie
    Love my Murmur - a crazy capable, versatile and reliable bike.
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