15th of April I bought a new bike frame..... (under construction ;))
Description
3AL/2.5V aerospace grade titanium tubing
Custom drawn, seamless, 100% cold worked tubing
40mm aero down tube
31.8mm extended seat tube with double butted insert
31.8mm ovalized and sloping top tube (sizes: 43,50,54,56,58)
34.9mm ovalized sloping top tube (sizes: 60, 63)
Front derailleur: 31.8mm clamp on
Water bottle bosses on down tube and seat tube
Titanium seat stay chain hanger
22.2mm tapered chain stay with "S" bend
7mm thick titanium road drop outs
Standard shifter boss on down tube with head tube cable guides
Accepts 27.2mm seat post
Hand polished finish
Complete Bike Options: WHICH ONE SHELL I CHOOSE?
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was engineered to help competitive road cyclists win races by reducing bicycle-induced stress. High-precision mechanisms provide amazingly sensitive control response and excellent power transfer efficiency. Advanced low-mass designs reduce weight while still delivering the absolute dependability that racers demand. Advanced features include Dual Control Levers with built in control keys for the Flight Deck computer. The Dura-Ace advantage continues to be proven on the great road courses of the world. |
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is the sport-racing component group for serious road cyclists. Ultegra components offer precision operation and dependable performance for road racers, triathletes, and sport-performance cyclists who demand the best equipment. UltegraÕs smooth flowing contours bestow a look of quality and performance on any road bike. |
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The racing heritage of 105 is reflected in designs that have evolved directly from ShimanoÕs experience in pro road racing. The 105 components are interchangeable with Dura-Ace and Ultegra due to identical 9-speed drive train specifications. The 105 crank set even features the latest Hollowtech construction. Sti Dual Control levers are also Flight Deck compatible. |
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The Tiagra components make possible a recreational road bike that combines the light and responsive feeling of road cycling with easy-to-operate control functions. TiagraÕs 9-speed specifications are the same as Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105, so the pedigree is unbeatable. Tiagra is a quality component group that makes it easier for anyone to ride a road bike with complete confidence from the start. |
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The Record groupset has achieved yet another extraordinary leap forward to offer unequaled performance to riders all over the world. This year, as well as being the lightest groupset in the world, Record also boasts unprecedented technological advances. |
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The Chorus groupset maintains its huge success year after year since it appeals to top-flight riders who demand the same quality as the Record groupset but who are willing to accept slightly less exotic materials in a few small parts. Chorus uses a little less carbon and a little less titanium but is identical to Record in terms of quality and production tolerances, reliability, and durability. Superb performance is assured. |
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The Centaur groupset - known and highly regarded until today with the name DAYTONA - owes its extraordinary success to an incredible performance-price ratio ensuring champion good value.
Never has such a high-range product offering such impressive performance been so affordable to large numbers of enthusiasts. It is a ten-speed groupset ideal for top-level competition racing, with many components directly derived from the Record range - such as the oversize hubs in light alloy, the Ergopower system and Pro·Fit PLUS pedals. |
And a word about the History of ZEPLIN name: Zeppelins were used in both war and peace. In the era before the widespread use of the airplane. In demonstration flights, the Graf Zeppelin traveled to the Arctic and to Palestine, and also circumnavigated the globe. The U.S. Navy built and used Zeppelins as part of its own dirigible program in the early 40’s.
Named "2000 Bike of the Year" by Cycling Plus Magazine, The Airborne Zeppelin has been our flagship road bike for over two years. For 2002 we have further refined its award winning design incorporating cold-worked, tapered and size-specific tubing, a new lighter machined head tube, and GAMS (Graceful Arc Maximum Stiffness) seat and chain stays that increase rear triangle stiffness and heel clearance. (Seven sizes available: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62cm)
Some REVIEWS from the Internet:
Favorite Ride:
Around Lake Tahoe
Bike Setup:
All ultegra, Kestral EMS Pro OS fork, truevativ crank, Ritchey Bars, Mavic Cosmos wheels.
Summary:
Well, I've had the bike all winter but the snow only went away recently. I have 500 miles on it now. I'm 6'5" and 230lbs and needed a large (61cm) frame. The long top tube has taken a little getting used to, but small seat adjustments have improved the feel. It took me some time to figure out what was going on, but the rear triangle IS wobbly (as other reviews have said, maybe it's just with us large riders) Never felt it on any other bike. Only wobbles at speed, which can be terrifying!
For a recreational rider it's a very attractive bike and a smooth ride. I love the look and feel of it. It's slower than my aluminum k2 frame, but I guess I don't mind the trade of speed for the smooth ride. It's hard to imagine riding anything other than Ti in the future.
Strengths:
Good looking. Price. Geometry.
Weaknesses:
Not a fast bike for me. 40mph is about all I can stand. Large and/or fast riders beware!
Similar Products Used:
Nothing titanium.
K2 MOD4, Specialize Allez Comp.
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Favorite Ride:
Any ride away from noise and traffic!
Bike Setup:
(62cm)04 zep, Look HSC3 forks with 45mm rake, 04 centaur 10sp, mirage hubs, ma3 rims, deda magic bars and stem, vp pedals dura ace copies, itm big one seatpost, flite max ti saddle.
Summary:
I was sick of being jarred by alu so I stretched out to ti instead of taking the cheaper option and getting another alu frame. I looked at litespeeds but they were far to pricey so I settled on an airborne.
I was put of by the weight and the fact that the tubes were plain gauge, but being a tall rider I had to choose a frame available in a large size. Ti is known to be a complient material and I was worried that it might feel floppy.
I could have gone for carbon but but I wanted a compromise frame that I could go for long rides on, do my favorite scenic bumpy back road routes and also race.
I'm pleased to say that the frame has met my expectations and seems to be a wise choice that will outlast any alloy/steel/carbon frame.
The toptube is slightley longer than most but provides an aerodynamic stretched out position which is comfortable partly due to the frames absorbtion properties. In my opinion the frame seems as thought it has about 10mm of travel, but dosn't seem to flex noticabley out of the saddle and is stiff in the front triangle seemingley with good geometry allowing confident decending and turning at speed.
The ride is so good that I find myself taking lines through broken tarmac and small potholes that would have seen me swerving to avoid them or reaching for the brakes on my old frame, the difference really is that great.
The airborne customer support on-line is worth mentioning, getting questions anwsered my the company founder with his in depth knowledge of cycle engineering is somthing I doubt other manufacturers can offer.
Even for a race only frame the zeppelin could cut the mustard and especially so if you want a do it all frame.
£945 with forks and headset.
Strengths:
Ride quality, price compared ti other ti frames, customer support, goemetry, looks of bare metal and frame details such as drop-outs, all round abitilty and long term durability
Weaknesses:
I'm not keen on to many stickers especially those of the gimmickey variety which have since been removed.
Not as stiff as SOME carbon and alloy frames or as light(who cares?)
Plain gauge tubes?
Similar Products Used:
None in ti
Ribble cycles deda scandium frame in 60cm(death trap on wheels with coke can tubing and handling), mirage 9sp.
Quite a few alloy mountain bikes.
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Bike Setup:
full campy record triple
Summary:
I rode this bike almost every day this past summer for about 50 miles. It has to be the most comfy ride I have ever had. It looks real slick (especialy w/ the carbon brakes) and it's TI!!
Strengths:
Smooth ride
very light
wonderful staff - It was so easy to order and customize over the phone...when i got it one of the tires had a tiny slit in it (probably from a staple) which blew my tire when i filled it to 120. i called airborne and they overnighted me a new carbon comp no questions asked. very impressive!!
Weaknesses:
none really - pay close attention to the geometry!
Similar Products Used:
cannondale
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Favorite Ride:
hard fast weekend rides
Bike Setup:
Campy record , Shamal wheels
Summary:
Bike went together with Campy record and look fork. Worked great and rode good.
Strengths:
Low priced titanium frame
Weaknesses:
frame cracked at the seat post top tube weld. Probably poor anealing during mfg. So far, Airborne has not honored the warranty(ie, claimed a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects.)
Similar Products Used:
Merlin, Colnago CT1
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Favorite Ride:
France: anywhere
Bike Setup:
Shimano 105
Summary:
Once you've tried titanium, there's no going back to harsh aluminum, delicate carbon fiber or heavy, rust-prone steel. This bike is thoughtfully designed, comfortable, handles great and is a wonderful bargain. Customer service is better than at most bike shops. Bike is plenty stiff, yet compliant.
The bike arrives nearly assembled. It took me about 10 minutes to be ready to ride. The graphics are really nice too -- retro. Weld quality looks great.
Note their warrantee program: you can actually transfer the warrantee to the new owner if you sell it. They inspect the bike and reissue the warrantee. If the frame doesn't pass inspection, they give you a new one and pay to have the components transferred! If you crash it, they give you 50% off a new frame!
I've never heard of any manufacturer standing behind a bike to this extent.
Strengths:
Warrantee program. Customer service. Customization. Value.
Weaknesses:
More options are needed in customization. For instance, there was only one option in the crank length and cassette I wanted. Pedals of some sort should be standard. More pedal and saddle options needed -- why only 2 women's saddles? Top tube is too long. Staff are boy racers, and spec reflects this on all bikes, even their touring and comfort bikes.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R500, Miyata, Bianchi, Trek Carbon Fiber Road Bike.
Fork:
Product Type: Forks
Manufacturer: Ritchey
Model: Ritchey WCS Carbon Road fork
Part Number: Ritchey
Weight: 308g
Race tested design. Carbon monocoque construction. Unique drop out design allows for secure wheel clamping at a reduced weight. Entire fork designed to dissipate loads throughout the fork, reducing stress on the critical crown area. 44mm crown shoulder aligns with integrated and standard headsets for visual alignment. Carbon fork end.
Specification: Merida 04 Matts Speed MTB
