Summary: Got one of the last Bead Blast frames and built up with Campy Record Triple, Neutron Wheels, Richey WCS bar/stem and Alpha Sub Q fork. Rides like a dream, soaks up the bumps and very responsive. I stated out with an aluminum frame so it was quite a treat to get the Airborne.
Strengths: Responsive/smooth ride with bullet proof finish and nice detail work. I really thought it was great that the local shop could get the frame and sell it too me for the mail order price. The customer service and wedsite was excellent. I really liked being able to add or subtract components and see the weight and price of the bike change.
Weaknesses: none noted
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Bike Setup: full ultegra, rolf wheels, richey pro stem/bars/seat post
Summary: Even if I had bought the Zep at full price from airborne.net without even a test ride, I still would have been blown away. I scored a light, stiff, fast, and damn good looking bike for $1649+tax. I bought a 54cm and other 54cm bikes I rode felt just a little to big; I like the top tube geometry (sloping). So far the only outside expense was a new saddle, $65 for a flite gel. Looking for a unique and well equipped bike for under $2000? Forget the big names and don't worry about paint jobs- buy a Zep!
Strengths: under 20 lbs, under $2000, very sweet looking ti frame
Weaknesses: cheap seat and seat clamp, cheapo decals/head tube plastic logo, service dept. at the bike store I purchased from sucks- learn to build a bike right the first time
Similar Products Used: test rode nearly every steel bike out there for under $2000
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Bike Setup: Mix of ultegra and dura-ace 9 speed. Reynolds Ouzo fork, ITM Millenium bar/stem. Rolf Vector wheels.
Summary: If you are on a budget and want a bike that will last you a long time, there is no other choice. The Zeppelin is stiff and responsive on climbs and sprints, not the lightest but this is titanium we're talking about. Unfortunately I bent the der. hanger in a crash but was able to bend it back. Bottom line: you can't beat the price for titanium.
Strengths: Inexpensive!! Quality titanium for third of the cost. Stiff, responsive.
Weaknesses: Weak dropouts, nowhere to fit a frame pump.
Similar Products Used: n/a
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Bike Setup: Campagnolo Chorus/Daytona Mix, Icon Air Rail fork, and Custom wheels.
Summary: I bought this frame and had my LBS (http://www.chainreaction.com) build it up with Chorus Racing T, shifters, crank, bottom bracket and headset. Daytona all else. The bike has several thousand miles on it and has performed flawlessly. I am a VERY heavy rider (near 300) and have not had any problems with frame flex. The bike is very responsive and gives a comfortable and supple ride. I get a lot of comments on the bike because it is a beauty to look at and is not particularly common around these parts.
Airborne service has been excellent. When I first started riding the frame, I called concerned about a clicking from the seatpost area. Two days later I received a can of Frame saver in the mail. One squirt down the tube and inverting the bike for a night solved the problem (seat tube shim air gap...similar to what has been seen on Treks). Great bike, excellent service, a must buy!
Strengths: Excellent value, Supple frame with no observable flex. Comfortable after the first hundred miles. Excellent manufacturing quality. Great customer support.
Weaknesses: Initial noise from seat tube. New finish shows dirt.
Similar Products Used: Trek 5200, Lightspeed
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Bike Setup: 2001 Zeppelin with Rolf Vectors and Dura-Ace
Summary: I bought this bike as a mileage award to myself and I could not have picked a better company and frame to go with. I was a little iffy about purchasing sight unseen, but I have to admit, the customer service ROCKS and completely washed away any fears I had about the company and frame. They are THE BEST company I've ever worked with and deserve your business.
I've ridden the frame for about 300 miles so far which includes my first century last weekend. The ride quality was great during the century and I enjoyed not having the extra 10 pounds of my old steel frame! The thing just climbs like a BEAST!!!
Craftsmanship of the frame is great, and the frame has that beautiful titanium look! Everything was as promised on their website and then some. When I found that the purchased stem was to long, an Airborne employee suggest that I come in on a Saturday (when the place was closed) so that we could swap stems. That shows the level commitment to their customers and because of this, I will forever be an Airborne fan.
I'm recommending Airborne to everyone I meet on the road and EVERYONE that picks up the frame at stops can't believe that I have a 17.9 pound Dura-Ace titanium bike for what I paid.
It was a pure joy to buy, put together and most important… RIDE!!!
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