Author Archives: Justin Fox

Day made 😅

Featured on The Radavist Readers’ Rides: https://theradavist.com/readers-rides-justins-starling-murmur-v3

She’s ready for a new home!

Fixed up my friend Abi’s Merida Juliet so we can get it up on FB Marketplace. She paid 99 Bikes $1,000 for a service (insane!), and recently her rear derailleur snapped. Thinking she would have to fork out another insane amount of money to get the bike back on the road for her next triathlon she instead bought a new bike, which she did not have to do as a new derailleur hanger costs only $40.

It’s a great little bike worth saving so I’ve replaced the bent derailleur hanger with a new one. Turns out the rear derailleur cage was bent so I also replaced the entire rear derailleur with a brand new one. I’ve also put new bar tape on as well as a new specialized Power saddle.

Nick and I dropped in to check out O’Spire in Mosman as they’re officially open now. The shop is looking really fleshed out! Lots of awesome trick bits on display too so be sure to drop in: 57 Harbour Street, Mosman, NSW 2088.

Bit of a muddy one, but absolutely had to get out there this morning to avoid a mental breakdown.

I had the fork and shock set up with the default settings. The coil feels great, but no better or worse than the Fox Float X Factory on my Amflow. The Lyrik however does feel way more plush than my Fox 36 Factory forks on the Amflow. I think the Lyrik works better for my 60kg weight (I have an issue where when I drop pressure on my Fox fork for a more plush ride I lose fork travel).

The bike is VERY quiet! No rattles, the drivetrain is dead silent in every gear and the Project 321 hubs are more quiet and a make a lower note than the Industry Nine Hydra2 hubs on my Amflow (which for this bike, I like!). The bike is very stable over roots and rocks. It climbs really well up tech when out of the saddle but man I can feel the weight of the bike. IE: I’m just not strong or fit enough to get up all the stuff I can get up more easily on my (much lighter) hardtail.

Fit and position is bang on. I feel very centred on the bike. So much grip! The Hope brakes are insanely powerful (and quiet even when wet). Much more powerful than the Magura MT7’s and a much lighter lever feel too (ergonomics wise I still prefer the Magura MT7 levers but those brakes give me arm pump). Absolutely no pedal strikes at all, very happy about that.

All in all I’m really happy with the bike. It’s not playful, but it is stable. I can really feel the weight of the bike once I’m pointing upwards, and on very slight fire road inclines it feels draggy and slow. I think a super light weight set of carbon wheels would help, but I’d like to keep this build carbon free, so for now I’m committed to the silver rims (I’ll just have to get stronger!).

Hangs at CCACHE today to have mechanic Jordan bleed my Hope brakes and also to gawk at Alan’s wild Starling Murmur! Jordan did a killer job on the bleed. Brake lever feel is so damn good. I’m excited to hit the trails next week!

Worth the wait!

My Starling Clutch stem custom painted to match my Starling Murmur frame came in the mail today. It’s beautiful. I love it!

Silver Protaper A50 bars from CCACHE also came in the mail. I really like how black bars tie in with the black fork, but I had to at least get these bars on to see what they looked like, and hey. I think I like them!

Bleeding brakes tomorrow, ride and a photoshoot out on the trails next Monday!

Visit: Bicycle Tattoo Club

I met Abi at Charlie’s 40th last week. She’d just bought a new Canyon Aeroad and asked me to help her build it. Was a pleasure! Such a rad little bike!

Before.

After.

Less is more.

I blacked out the huge yellow MAXXIS logos on the tyres with a Sharpie. Also removed all the orange! Steady hand. Yes.