Hand-built, exotic, and downright stunning – the Starling Mega MurMur features a slim steel front triangle made from thin tubing and a handcrafted chromoly rear end. The old-school single-pivot design is paired with a coil shock, while numerous small details add a unique touch – like the cut-out starling birds in the cross braces, the industrial-looking shock mount, and the rear-end reinforcement. The “Mega” in the name indicates that this is a long-travel bike, while “MurMur” — as opposed to “Twist” — denotes a full 29” wheel setup. By contrast, the Mega Twist comes as a mullet build with more travel.
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
Starling Mega MurMur: Specs and details
There’s exactly one complete build of the Mega MurMur – the one we tested – priced at € 6,937. It’s the only bike in this test field to feature an Öhlins suspension. Up front is the RXF 36 m.2, which relies on 36 mm stanchions – unusual for the enduro segment – rather than a burlier 38 mm chassis. But it’s a clever move from Starling that plays to the bike’s strengths. The fork uses two separate air chambers, which require a bit more attention during setup. A TTX22m.2 coil shock takes care of the rough stuff at the back. Just be sure to choose the right spring rate. Once dialed, it offers plenty of meaningful adjustments and a very composed ride feel.
The BikeYoke Revive dropper post offers 213 mm of travel, is fully insertable, and impresses with an ergonomic remote and low actuation force. Classic UK: the Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes with 200 mm floating rotors and braided steel hoses – pure eye candy. The brakes bite hard, are easy to modulate, and deliver consistent performance. The slight rattle from the floating rotors when you’re not braking, and the extra-long levers, are mostly a matter of personal taste. For the drivetrain, Starling keep things classic with a proven Shimano XT setup.
No other bike in this test stands out in the field quite like the Mega MurMur, with its slender steel tubing and elegant details.
As old-school as the bike’s look, but dead-reliable and rarely problematic. The chainstay protector is quite thin, but it still works surprisingly well.The build also includes Starling’s in-house steel stem (35 mm standard) and Renthal FatBar Alloy handlebars. All cables are routed externally along the downtube, and are neatly clamped for a tidy look. This also makes it easier to service the bike – although certain sections route the cables near sharp edges, increasing the risk of abrasion over time.
For the wheels, Starling picked DT Swiss EX1700 alloy rims – solid, durable, and easy to service. The tires are Michelin Wild Enduro MS front and rear, which deliver tons of traction thanks to the super soft rubber compound and low rebound properties, ensuring excellent grip in all conditions. The tires come standard with CushCore Trail inserts, which protect the rims and reinforce the tires’ sidewalls – though they make pedalling a bit more sluggish. If you’re planning longer rides, we’d recommend a different, faster-rolling tire setup. Despite the tough spec, the Mega MurMur tips the scales at a solid 16.8 kg, which is only slightly above average.
Specifications
Fork Öhlins RXF 36m.2 170 mm
Rear Shock Öhlins TTX.22 Coil 165 mm
Seatpost BikeYoke Revive 213 mm
Brakes Hope Tech 4 E4 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 12-Speed 10-51; 32
Stem Starling Steel 35 mm
Handlebar Renthal FatBar Alloy 780 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss EX1700 29
Tires Michelin Wild Enduro MS/Michelin Wild Enduro MS 2.4/2.4
Technical Data
Size M+, L, XL, XXL
Tuning tip: None
The Geometry of the Starling Mega MurMur
Starling offers the Mega MurMur in four sizes. At first glance, the size labels seem a bit unusual, ranging from Medium Plus to XXL. Reach values increase in 20 to 30 mm intervals depending on size, extending up to 545 mm in XXL – a dream for tall riders. Smaller riders get fewer options, but the Mega Twist mullet variant starts at just 425 mm reach – which we think is a clever solution. The seat tube is nice and low, and a long dropper can be fully inserted into the frame. Chainstay length remains consistent across all sizes. There are no flip chips or geometry tweaks – true to the motto: keep it simple. However, a replaceable shock mount does allow for installing a lower-travel shock if desired.
| Size | MediumPlus | Large | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 611 mm | 628 mm | 663 mm | 690 mm |
| Seat tube | 430 mm | 440 mm | 480 mm | 510 mm |
| Head tube | 110 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head tube | 64.1° | 64.1° | 64.1° | 64.1° |
| Seat angle | 77.2° | 77.2° | 77.2° | 77.2° |
| Chainstay | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm |
| BB Drop | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,257 mm | 1,270 mm | 1,308 mm | 1,338 mm |
| Reach | 465 mm | 485 mm | 515 mm | 545 mm |
| Stack | 647 mm | 647 mm | 656 mm | 656 mm |
The Starling Mega MurMur on the trail
As unique as the Mega MurMur looks, that’s how it rides. Seated pedalling is efficient, but the rear end bobs significantly under load – so take it easy on the climbs. The seated position is comfortable and suitable for long rides. The Michelin tires, however, don’t do you any favors here — their super-soft rubber clings noticeably to the ground.
Riding downhill, the Mega MurMur offers a well-balanced feel, though it can feel a bit rear-heavy on flatter trails. On steeper terrain, the tall front end feels more appropriate, though it doesn’t inspire as much confidence as some of the other bikes in this test. The bike’s distinct feel is largely the result of its comparatively high frame compliance.That’s also why the choice of a 36 mm fork makes sense – a stiffer 38 mm chassis would clash with the compliant front triangle and throw off the bike’s handling.
When ridden on the right trails, the Starling shines with tons of traction and control, helping you hold even the wildest lines.
When you’re fighting for grip – think wet off-camber sections, root carpets, classic UK trails – the Mega MurMur shines. It holds its line impressively well and generates heaps of traction thanks to the flexible frame and soft tires. But when the going gets fast and rowdy – think Schladming-level downhill tracks – handling starts to feel vague, and the compliance becomes very noticeable in hard G-outs. In very slow terrain or when strong braking traction is needed at the rear, the suspension struggles, but the geometry helps keep the bike agile and flickable side to side.
Who should take a closer look at the Starling Mega MurMur?
The Mega MurMur is for lovers of rare, stylish bikes with character. If you appreciate clever details and want a ride that stands out, the Starling offers loads of charm and trail fun – provided you ride it on the right kind of trails. It thrives in slippery off-camber sections, spots where holding your line can be tricky, and on terrain that’s consistent but not overly fast. No surprise for a bike developed in the UK. It’s not well-suited to ultra-steep trails with lots of brake traction demands or fast bike park hammerfests.
Conclusions about the Starling Mega MurMur
The Starling Mega MurMur combines hand-built steel craftsmanship with Öhlins suspension and delivers traction, sensitivity, and precise line-holding in slippery terrain like few other bikes in this test. That’s where it plays to its strengths, remaining agile and easy to control. But when speeds increase and impacts get bigger, the bike feels less defined and becomes more demanding to ride. It’s not an all-rounder – but if you’ve got the right trails nearby, the Mega MurMur is a hell of a good time.
Tops
- Great looks and beautiful craftsmanship
- Excellent traction and control in loose terrain
- Cool spec
Flops
- Not a fan of high-speed and rough terrain
For more information, visit the Starling Cycles.
The Testfield
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
All bikes on test: GHOST POACHA FULL PARTY (Click for review) | Instinctiv Kodiak MX 150 (Click for review) | Lapierre Spicy CF Team (Click for review) | LAST COAL V4 (Click for review) | MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Orbea Rallon E-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Firebird Team XX Eagle Transmission (Click for review) | Propain Spindrift (Click for review) | RADON JAB 10.0 (Click for review) | Rossignol Heretic GX T-Type (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV (Click for review) | Starling Mega MurMur | Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 (Click for review) | Yeti LTE T4 (Click for review)
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Words & Photos: Peter Walker