Silverexpress

Hello, I just came upon what I think is a good deal on an Titanium Airbourne Zepplin. It has a full 9 spd Ultegra Gruppo with a triple crankkset....for $1999

I noticed that the seat stays only come up 2/3rds of the way. The top ends do not meet with the back end of the top tube below the seat. Can anyone give me an indiction of what road handling characteristics this would provide? Is this a setup for comfort or race?

Also any opinions on Airbourne bikes?

sydney

The shorter stays could be stiffer ,but don't take that to the bank.

EricDJ

You can talk to other owners of that model at flyte1.com on the message board

sydney

And that is about like one Cdale owner saying a caad4 is plush and another saying it's a jackhammer.Take it all with a real big grain....

Mentor58

Airborne has a good rep, the only reason that they are no longer being sold in the US has to do with licensing of the Airborne name from Huffy. I'd love to see them come back, seemed like they provided good value for the money. The 2 riders I know with Airbornes love 'em. Plus, I REALLY liked the way their website looked. (I know, that is not a reason to endorse a product, just a personal opinion, I like WWII Warbirds)

Steve W.
Who often imagines that he's flying his Mustang over the English Channel

sydney

Check www.flyte1.com

EricDJ

Here is the photos of that model. Are you saying yours looks different?

https://www.airborne.net/eready/janet...25&Submit.y=10

Silverexpress

Hi EricDJ,

See how the seat stays are below the top tube? What effect does this have on the ride? I've noticed that most roadbikes have seat stays that are directly behind the top tube.

EricDJ

While most bikes go to the top tube, or slightly below, i don't think it will matter. I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with this frame. A newer version of this bike is still sold under their new Flyte name But it retails for $2500. I think you will be most pleased with the bike. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame that is covered by Airborne/Flyte. In Fact even if you crash it and it isn't covered, they'll sell you a replacement frame at half of cost.

A few years ago it was bike of the year, so others think highly of it too.

rmfnla

Are the seat stays the same distance from the top tube in all sizes or does it vary? If they use the same jig setting for all their frames regardless of size it would lower production costs by reducing set-up time.

An indication of this would be that the smaller the frame the closer to the top tube for the stays. If the distance is consistant throughout the size line-up my guess is wrong.