Submitted by
Ryan Reynolds
a Weekend Warrior
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003
Strengths: lightweight for 21", bought used for cheap, still looks great, love the bare ti finish
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
excellent bike, I already have about 200 miles on it in the few weeks since i built it up from the bare frame. Everythign went together perfectly with no problems caused by the frame itself. The ride is wonderful and feels much faster then my previous bikes. Would deffinatly buy another airborne.
Bike Setup: 21" luky strike, full xt drivetrain with sioux carbon cranks and race face rings, race face taperlock bb, formula evoluzione discs, Z4 flylight air, xt disc hub on sun ds2 rims, titec/DEAN ti post/bar/stem
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Submitted by
Peter Hughes
a Cross Country Rider
from Verwood, Dorset, UK
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002
Strengths: Amazing Lucky strike frame, fantastic quality, looks, and neat welding. Bike very stiff, and responsive on all terrain.
Weaknesses: None I built it exactly as I wanted it. Airborne transfers look a little tatty, I spoke to Airborne they refurbish their frames at a cost, and replace transfers.
Bottom Line:
You really can't grumble at Airborne frames, £ for £, or I guess $ for $ they're unbeatable.
Favorite Trail: Ringwood Forest. Verwood to Stonehenge
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At: Lots of places
Similar Products Used: Merlin WCS
Bike Setup: 19" Lucky Strike frame. XTR mechs fr/rear,XT mega9 groupset, San Marco SLR saddle, easton MG60/EA50, Renthal sub130g bars,Pace RC36 EVO III forks, Mavic X517 rims
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Submitted by
Brennan
a Cross Country Rider
from Groton, CT
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2002
Strengths: Customer Service Bike Customability Frame strength to weight Complete bike value
Weaknesses: No SRAM options anymore.
Bottom Line:
Great customer service as almost everyone has said before. I am a larger rider, 6'5" 215 lbs, and was skeptical of buying online before riding. I did plenty of research and asked around and finally purchased. The assembly process was the only semi-questionable aspect of the whole purchase. The Airborne seatpost that I originally received could not be tightened enough at the saddle. I called them up and they sent me another one. No questions. New one has worked great and took my abuse. Some of the drivetrain needed to be tuned, but I was replacing the Shifters with SRAM components anyways so it wasn't a big deal.
The ride is great. The thing climbs and descends wonderfully. It doesn't whine when I take the wrong line.
Research what your getting. Know what you actually need, not the flashiest parts. Then go ride and not let it sit in your living room as a coversation piece.
Bike Setup: XT package. Sun Ryno lite rims w. XTR hub, Panaracer tires, V-brakes. Avid brake lever, SRAM shifters, Chris king headset, Raceface bar & stem, RS Duke SL.
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Submitted by
Alain
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2001
Strengths: Being able to customize the bike was a plus. Good price for a Ti bike. Good quality welding.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Within a couple of days my order was followed by a call from Airborne to double-check the size and the components chosen. About 5 working days later the bike was delivered. I was very impressed with the customer service and the speedy delivery. The bike was well assembled and didn't need to be tuned before the ride. The pressure in the fork was set-up for my weight(200 lbs). The first ride(and all the ones after...) was incredible. The bike is a rocket up or down hills. I found myself climbing the same hills with a couple of gears left on the cassette. The steering is precise, a very good climber and also just a beautiful bike to look at. I was nervous about ordering without trying at first, but I had such a good experience that I will recomend Airborne to anyone serious about riding.
Bike Setup: All XT, fork Duke SL, Kore Lite stem and seat post, Shimano M535(not the lightest but strong for my weight)
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Submitted by
John Sulouff
a Cross Country Rider
from Naples,Fl.
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001
Strengths: Everything,it's more bike than I wished for.Great frame and the XT parts go togeather like a hand & glove.
Weaknesses: None found
Bottom Line:
I'll add to this later, as for now most of my rides are under 10 miles.But as I get stronger I'm sure the bike will be as good in the miles ahead as it is now
Similar Products Used: None,for the last 15 years the only bike I rode was a exercise in my bedroom with a air hose giving me 6 Ltrs. of air a min.(emphysema).Iwas very lucky to receive a lung transplant in May of this year.This bike is clearly a lot more fun then my last one
Bike Setup: 19"Lucky Strike frame with all XT parts
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Submitted by
TOM MARROW
a Cross Country Rider
from WIMBERLEY, TX
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001
Strengths: Outstanding value. Being able to customize componets on the website with price & weight info. Quality workmanship in smooth, strong welds. Great comfort and control of Ti ride.
Weaknesses: Can't think of any.
Bottom Line:
Customer service at Airborne Direct was friendly and knowledgeable. Anthony at University Cyclery was easy to work with and set up my bike exactly the way I wanted it with no hassle at all. I was allowed 10 days to evaluate the bike at no risk, but knew I would keep it after 10 minutes. I have been able to ride faster and farther with more confidence of control than on any other bike I have ridden.[My other 3 bikes have been gathering cobwebs since I got the Lucky Strike.]
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Jeckel 2000, Specialized Rockhopper A1-FS
Bike Setup: All XT, Easton monkey lite riser bars, Duke SL, Thompson post
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Submitted by
charles
a Weekend Warrior
from nyc ny
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001
Strengths: reasonable price,good selection of components,nice lines on frame,no hassle purchase,
Weaknesses: unable to take to lbs for adjustment, or problems must be settled on-line or telephone. ordering can be stressful wondering how bike will come and buying w/o seeing. alot of reviews written by others are highly naive, and some don't want to admit an purchase error.
Bottom Line:
i like the bike and ride it and commute in nyc daily. it is a pretty bike and when non-riders see it they always complement me on how pretty the bike is. but, today there are excellent dual suspension rides in the same price/weight category, and also with a little research other ti hardtails on sale for the same price. not a bad bike i do like mine, not the best value anymore, and i personally was not happy with the customer service policy. READ AND UNDERSTAND YOUR RETURN AND EXCHANGE POLICY. sorry if this review is not as jolly as the others, just being totally honest
Similar Products Used: owned litespeed and also gary fisher sugar 1. always hanging out by my pld shop and tried numerous others.
Bike Setup: all lx except upgrade on crank, handlebar, and seat. added 1.5 inch semi slicks for city and manitou mars c.
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Submitted by
cc wilson III
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001
Strengths: Great bike, nice lines, good handling and their customeer service is top-notch.
Weaknesses: Frame decs (Airborne logo, bombs on top tube and Varga girl near head tube) are wearing off. Other than that, great ride.
Bottom Line:
For the price and lack of instant gratification by not buying in bike shop, it's the best deal out there. Ordering online was never easier- customer service made it all worthwhile.
Bike Setup: All XTR and Race Face. Kovachi Rhyno lites w/XTR hubs, Thomson stem and seatpost.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2001
Strengths: Can't beat the price for a quality Ti frame. (Price shown was for a complete XT/XTR bike.)
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike for my wife, who is a serious rider. (We did part of the Great Divide Trail last summer.) The Airbourne website made spec'ing & ordering the bike really easy, with a good selection of components to choose from. The bike arrived on time, and the build job was first rate -- I've built a lot of bikes, and they did all the little things that matter to us anal types ;-) My wife is rather petite, and the 14" frame fits her great -- it's nice to see a company that really does adjust geometry to fit rider size. I've definitely seen prettier welds on higher $$ boutique frames, but Airborne has the nicest welds I've seen on a production frame.
My only criticism is that their website seems to be getting overly complicated and slooooooowwwwwww lately. But that doesn't affect the ride ;-)
Also wish I could get some replacement decals, by Airborne tech support says they're not available separately.
Submitted by
Dominik
a Cross Country Rider
from Salzburg
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Strengths: bomb proof, uphill perf., nice finish and of course price/value ratio of Ti-frame
Weaknesses: some decals peel off, but well... a quick release for the seatpost would be a great deal.
Bottom Line:
Just returned from a 4-day trip in southern alps between italy and austria with lots of hard downhill and plenty of carrying up the mountains. it responds to each input and makes you confident throughout the downhill. going up the mountain it is smooth and you even won't mind sitting in the saddle for more than 5 hrs. great deal for marathon and touring.
Strengths: Ti at a great price, need I say more! The Lucky Strike is far better than I will ever be. It handles like a Ferrari on a slot car track. I loved working directly with the builder, as their committment to the customer is first rate. Airborne built the bike for me, and it is no less than perfect. I chose all the components I wanted and they slammed them onto the bike for me. Their customer service is what all companies should strive for! The Lucky Strike craftsmanship is flawless. The welds were smooth and uniform. The stiff frame absorbes all the trash. The geometry is awesome and enables this beast to climb over tall building in a single bound.
Weaknesses: Say What, Ya gotta be kidding? None - Nada - Zero - Zip - Zilch - 0
Bottom Line:
I had never laid eyes on an Airborne Lucky Strike until I got mine and now I am in love at first sight! The Lucky Strike should be called "Superbike" "It's faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to climb tall buildings in a single bound --- 'Look, up the trail,' 'It's a F-22 Raptor,' 'It's a Top Fuel Funny Car,' 'It's' an Offroad Ferrari,' It's Superbike....' " Why would you want anything else, this bike does it all. The Airborne Company is First Class, The Customer Service is First Class, & The Bike is First Class! "If you want to fly with the Eagles you can’t run with the turkeys, you've got to get Airborne sooner or later!" I am giving it 5 Chilis because I can't give it 10 Chilis!
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Big Sur & Others
Bike Setup: 16" Frame-XTR all the way & every day-Bontrager RaceLite Wheelset-Ritchey WCS Speedmax Tires-Butyl Ultra Lite Tubes-Chris King Headset-Race Face Stem & Handlebar-Airborne's Ti Seatpost & Octagon Joy Styx Long Bar Ends & 6/4 Titanium Skewers-Selle Italia Flite Saddle-2001 Rock Shox SID SL 63/80mm-Speedplay Frog Ti Clipless Pedals-Cuissi Stainless Steel Water Bottle Cages-Oh Yeah Its Xtra Light at 22.3#
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Submitted by
Maxime Marchand
a Weekend Warrior
from La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Strengths: This is a real great bike!!! The best i've tried since I'm ridin. You can build your own bike on their web site, you choose every components and you buy directly from the dealer, so the price could'nt be better. I was havin' a little trouble with a weel, and it did'nt took time and they did somethin for me... I realy enjoy ride with this bike cause it's as stiff a I want a bike and it's also well build strong , beautifull and comfortable!
Weaknesses: Only the fact that it takes a little bit of time cause i'm far when I've got a problem with it, but, It almost never appends and they are really there for you!
Strengths: Excellent Price to Value ratio. Quick, yet stable handling, light weight without compromising durability.
Weaknesses: I have long legs so the seat tube is actually a bit short so I need to have a lot of seatpost exposed which has a bit of flex.
Bottom Line:
The bike handles perfectly for my type of New England racing with lots of tight single-track, rocks, roots, and mud. Climbs well, and with it's light weight (22.5 lbs)can accelerate very quickly. The only complaint I've got is that the seat tube seems a bit short for me. The next larger frame size was too big. Not a big deal at all. Overall, the bike has served me well for over 2 years and I've traveled extensively with it.
Favorite Trail: Whakkarewarewa Forest, New Zealand
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: Airborne Direct
Bike Setup: All XTR, Flite saddle, Thomson Elite seatpost, Easton Carbon handlebar, Manitou Carbon fork, Sram shifters, Mavic 517's with IRC Mythos
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Submitted by
James Thilmany
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001
Strengths: Titanium frame with cold worked tubes.
Weaknesses: Slight creaking from the bottom bracket area.
Bottom Line:
I have owned the bike for 2 3/4 years. I have used for off road riding and trail riding, as well as my commuter bike. The finish of the frame is a good satin finish which hides slight scratches, but looks good. The only noticable things that I have noticed about the bike is a slight craking from the bottom bracket area under hard acceleration. I am 6'-2" and weigh 185 lbs. I feel that riding it daily to work and on weekend rides helps me build up my leg strength and endurance. I have pannier bags and a middle bag with rack attached to the bike and the extra weight has not affected the frame in any way. Airborne has produced a very good product that for the money is very hard to beat. The finish and welds might not be the same a Litespeed (my road bike) but it performs about as well. For the almost three years that I have been riding it it has been great and my friends still say it is one of the better looking bikes that they see. If you are looking for a titanium framed bicycle you should look at an Airborne. It is a hard bargain to beat.
