I went to see Airdrop at the weekend for a ride on the Edit. I thought some people might find it useful if I shared a few thoughts about that on here. I’ve been test riding a few bikes lately, looking to replace a boutique carbon frame that I’ve recently parted company with. As I’m not a million miles from Sheffield and a regular Peak District rider, I thought I’d give them a shot as a bit of a wild card. Like a lot of people here, I’ve read the interviews and threads about the bike and like both the sound of the bike and the philosophy behind the company.
The last bike I test rode was a VPP design so the comparison is with that. While climbing on the VPP, it felt like a bike of two halves. The degree of suspension action varied massively depending on whether pedalling or not. It was a difference that could clearly be felt. By comparison, the Airdrop was supple over everything which was greatly appreciated while slogging up the lumpy stuff on the Roman Road from Hope. This suppleness translated into all the traction I could have needed. The back wheel didn’t skip over the surface at any point like the VPP did. Although both bikes fitted the long/low/slack trend, I also noticed fewer pedal strikes on the Edit. The VPP felt more efficient on the road climb up to the off road section, but while it felt more efficient, it certainly didn’t feel any slower (the slow was down to me). Then again, I’m not planning on buying a suspension bike for the road climbs and despite the difference, I still wasn’t tempted to reach for the compression switch.
Pointing the bike back down was what the Edit really wanted to do though. While the VPP exhibited the pedal induced stiffening, going downhill as well, it felt like the bike wanted me to back off rather than pedal, like it was warning me to back off a bit as it wasn’t happy. The Airdrop was the polar opposite. This bike just wanted to go faster. Not just faster, but it would also ask to pop off things and take a rougher or steeper line…well, just because.
This simple, cheap (relatively), aluminium frame has gone from wild card, to bumping a couple of big name carbon boutique bikes from the short list, to being the benchmark for a couple of bikes that I’ve not tried yet.
I don’t know yet if I’m going to end up on the Airdrop Edit, but it’s a very real possibility. I’ve got about 5 weeks to decide before the Edit V2 is available, although the grey colour on the V1 is much nicer in the flesh.
By the way, I’d not met or spoken to Ed before the weekend and I owe him nothing other than a thank you for the test ride. I appreciate that a glowing review like this might make you think otherwise. 😉
The other thing I really liked, is that you deal with the guy who knows the bike inside out and is passionate about what he’s doing. If you’ve got any questions, give him a shout. Ed is refreshingly honest and straight talking.