Starling Cycles is a UK-based bike brand based in Bristol, probably best known for its single pivot, steel full-suspension MTB, the Murmur. But founder Joe McEwan and his team also produce a number of other bikes, which include the Roost hardtail I've been testing over the winter.
In the UK, the Roost is available as frame only, a full custom build or the Hope Edition we're looking at here. Unfortunately, the Hope build is not distributed in the US, but other builds and the frame-only option are readily available. The bike looks properly stunning with its stainless steel frame (it was a dull day in a very dark and wet few weeks when we shot the Roost, so the photos don't do it justice), but does it ride as well as it catches the eye?
