Starling Cycles is never a brand to conform. Known for simple, repairable single-pivot steel frames, giving away free frames seven years after the date of purchase and now turning an April Fools joke on its head – the brand has pulled the cover off the Dive, the brand's attempt at a 26-inch wheel resurgence. This is not a joke!

• Starling Cycles Mini-Murmur first-ride review - big fun in a small-travel package
• Starling Cycles MegaMurmur review
• Starling Cycles Roost frameset review

Since the introduction of 29-inch and 650b wheels, the 26-inch hoop has all but faded into the past. But Starling Cycles has pulled the 26-inch wheel out of retirement and has released the Dive, and no, this isn't just a rebadged 650b bike, it gets its very own frame.

That frame is every bit as 'Starling' as you would expect. Its front end is hand-built using Reynolds 853 heat-treated tubing, and the Chromoly rear end is built in Taiwan. It uses a single-pivot suspension platform with an adjustable shock mount, allowing some variability to the 160mm of rear travel. There's 170mm of squish up front using a fork built for 650b wheels.

2025 starling dive shock mount.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Despite coming with 26-inch wheels, it's a totally modern affair, too, with a UDH hanger and Starling's V3 features, including an aluminium insert in the seat tube to avoid stuck seat posts and an anti-flare headtube. 

2025 starling dive head tube.jpg, by Liam Mercer

As for the componentry, the bike will come with Hope kit, suspension from Fox, Schwalbe tyres and a Bike Yoke dropper post. Renthal also covers the cockpit.

The Dive will be available in three sizes, each of which gets a 63-degree head angle, a 77mm effective seat tube angle and a 435mm chainstay. A large frame boasts a 485mm reach.

2025 starling dive stem 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The introduction of the Dive also marks the release of a new colourway for Starling – IPA/Dark Lacquer. It's a raw and unpainted finish that Starling promises won't rust. We're told that it'll be available on all Starling's bikes in good time.

While this 26-inch-wheeled bike certainly isn't an April Fool's joke, there is a bit of a catch – there are only 10 available. Orders will close on 1 May or when the 10 have been sold. The Dive will be available as a frame only, as a frame and shock package, or as a full build-on request.

Prices start at £2,456.

• www.starlingcycles.com

You might also like:

• Starling Cycles unveils its V3 frames - The Murmur, Twist and Swoop get updates
• Starling Cycles publishes environmental footprint assessment and policy
• We talk with Starling Cycles about thermoplastic carbon