AIRBORNE

[SK08]

Can anyone tell me if AIRBORNE is still in the business? From what I see on the Internet (for example high-end carbon road frame) I believe they still are. But I can't find their website or anything else about them. Do they have an official web site?? Does anyone know anything about this make?

Some time ago I read (but now I can't remember the source) that AIRBORNE belongs to several different companies. Is it possible??

[jazclrint]

Here you go. Gotta love google.

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index ... 35096.html

[SK08]

Thanks for the answer. But I have another one: why are almost all the companies selling bikes without pedals?? I haven't got the faintest idea.
And even one more: I can't see any Pro Teams using Campy pedals (and seat posts). Why is it so? Not good enough or what? As far as I am concerned I have been using a Record seat post (and an attached Campy alu clamp) for over two years and all I can say is: great. Absolutely no problems whatsoever with either of them.

[jazclrint]

Good questions. Most bikes nowadays don't come with pedals. I'm not totally sure why, but having worked in a bike shop I've got some reasons. The main reason is that there are so many pedals on the market that take different cleats a company doesn't want to alienate anyone by guessing wrong. Also, they are expensive, so not stocking them on bikes brings the price tag down. many people will use the same pedals for years and just move them from bike to bike. And finally, the bikes don't fit well in the box with pedals on, and they are one less thing bouncing around in the box during shipping.

As far as Campy seatposts and pedals: The seatposts are actually very nice, but racers ride what is given them (for the most part). I think it's sponsorship thing. When's the last time you saw an advertisement for Campy products? They are a small company really, and do not appear to have much of an advertising/sponsorship budget. So, if a team can bring in more sponsors and money buy bringing in another manufacturer's seatposts, and yet another's pedals, then that is more money for them (and possibly the riders). The pedals however only seem to be coveted by Campy aficionados. While they are of typical Campy quality, they are not very competitive in the market I don't think. I don't think they have changed for years. It was even rumored on here they were going the way of the dodo bird. It hasn't happened yet but Ergobrain is gone (mostly because they never updated it and refined it), flatbar shifters and V-brakes are gone (there was once 3 levers of shifters and 2 of the V-brakes), and the Centaur Alloy seatpost seems to have received the hatchet as well. I'm surprised the pedals have hung on really. I want a set, but we'll see if I'll ever be able to afford them.

I hope that helps answer your questions.
Rich

[SK08]

Yes! Thanks, great help! Really reasonable. Does the same (as was in the case of pedals, seat posts and Ergobrain) apply to Campy time trial brake levers? They still seem to be the previous generation models - at least in look. No changes in look whatsoever. I suppose they do function very well but does Campagnolo have any purpose in designing them this way? All new time trial trial shifter are sleek and aerodynamic but Campy makes them look like standard road ergopowers. Should we believe them that "every detail is critical, nothing is left to chance"?
On the other hand I've found this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pho ... naco/77770

So maybe Campy do have their own reasons to design their Record time trial brake levers the way they do? For more control, more gripping space on time trial "technical courses"??
My English is not very fluent, it's not my native language so maybe I don't understand the caption below the photo properly and I make wrong conclusions but from what I understand the caption says about having more control on the road while using standard / standard-shaped (as in Campy case) levers. Or not...?

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Do you also happen to know what the difference is between CARRERA and CARRARO bikes? By saying "the difference" I mean if they have anything in common because the logos are quite similar (an eagle and an eagle's head) and the name is similar, too.

CARRERA: http://www.carrera-podium.it/en

CARRARO: http://www.carrarocicli.it/

[jazclrint]

Those brake levers are not for time trialing. They are miss-labeled, and they are not aerodynamic at all. They could be used in any situation where you don't need or want ergo powers, but still want Campy brake levers such as single speed, or touring where you use bar-end or down tube shifters. I don't know for 2010, but last year the bar-end shifters were 10 spd only, and they may have yet to update them. Back to the brake levers. I don't know why they haven't updated the brake levers yet, but I'm sure it is for the same reason they haven't changed pedals and ergobrain. However most aftermarket brake only levers are similarly shaped to Campy's levers, so there may be no need.

I know nothing of those brands of bike, sorry. And your English seems fine to me!
Later,
Rich

[SK08]

Probably you'll be surprised (like me when I first saw this)! Some teams did use Campy Record brake levers (labelled or mis-labelled by Campagnolo as time trial brake levers) for time trial use. And in 2007 Pinarello used them in their Montello TT model. Look here:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RD9qqt9mu4U/S ... n-bike.jpg


Here is Trek:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9IQuGzk3veo/S ... 737339.JPG


And... :

http://www.cyclingfans.com/fabian_cance ... papera.jpg


In my opinion it would be great to see Campagnolo time trial brake levers: carbon, sleek, aggressive, aerodynamic, fast... Wouldn't it? And of course an updated to 11 speeds version of bar end shifters... And an updated Campy site... Ufff, wishful thinkinking I'm afraid...



By the way, I did some research and found some photos of Team Liquigas bikes with Record seat posts:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZttgGq9UYok/SORPL ... G_1911.JPG (all the bikes)

http://www.athleticmindedtraveler.com/b ... 0bikes.JPG (only the first bike)

[jazclrint]

Nice finds! I's guess that Trek was an individuals ride though. Trek has always had ShimaNO on their bikes, until the recent switch to Astana and SRAM. Well, you would catch me dead using those things on a time trial bike, if I had the money.
Later,
Rich

[SK08]

I don't know for 2010, but last year the bar-end shifters were 10 spd only, and they may have yet to update them.

I also don't know about 2010 bar end shifters but if they haven't been yet updated to 11 speed Campy should do so as soon as possible. Why not equip Campy Pro Tour teams also with a complete Campy time trial groupset? Simple and logical, I believe. To me it would be very strange to see any Campagnolo sponsored Pro Tour team equipped with Record or Super Record road groupset and the time trial stuff from another manufacturer. Or maybe they still use Campy 10 speed stuff in time trial?? But on the other hand it's highly unlikely because all (excluding Veloce) Campy groupsets are now 11 spd.
I have a humble dream: full 11 speed time trial Campy groupset that includes new, sleek, aerodynamic brake levers and not those crazy Record levers offered now.

If it goes like this Campy will soon be offering only Ergopowers, cranksets and chains, I'm afraid...

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Talking about racing components it has just occurred to me that some teams are still using 2008 equipment. Very often during TV transimission of any Pro Tour race it's possible to notice that some riders are using "old" ShimaNO Dura Ace with cables outside. (I don't really know if the same is also true in the Campagnolo case). Why is it so? I understand why some of the riders prefer alu and not carbon parts but what about using older - I mean 2008 - groupsets? Any reliable explanations anyone?

[SK08]

Wow! I've just come across this: http://www.colnago.com/collection.php?name=CF-7

A complete bike with pedals! And what a bike! And what pedals! Campy pedals!

[jazclrint]

I'll see your Colnago and raise you this:

http://imperiale.wilier.it/

[SK08]

Coming back to Airborne for a moment if anyone would be interested:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=170131

Some more research results:

1: "From Van Nicholas: As you might know Airborne went out of business
3 years now and this means also they cannot give any support for
Airborne product anymore as they do not exist anymore."

2: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bik ... yukon.html

3: "Van Nicholas (ex. Airborne)"

A few other websites mention the demise of Airborne as well.
Apparently not a demise but a resurrection under Van Nicholas brand.
So I consider Airborne mystery solved at last (I've been really
strongly and fanatically determined to reveal the Airborne
disappearance... )

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Wilier is OK, VERY nice but what is the point? I can't get it... Maybe I've missed something. (I gave the link to the Colnago-Ferrari since it was all Campy equipped even with Campy pedals).

[jazclrint]

Well, for me Colnago is just as hard to get as a Willier, which can come with Campy as well. I just like the Willier better for whatever reason. I was only having a bit of fun.

Rich

[SK08]

Personally I prefer Colnago And not because of Campy pedals I like their design, front fork especially - always straight, no whimsical, conspicouous shapes (as for example in Pinarellos) and other bizarre solutions that sometimes (thanks God not so often! ) can be seen on other bikes.

But my secret love have always been titanium bikes: Airborne, Moots (although they seem to restrain themselves too much in designing their bikes) and Lynskey. Now it is Van Nicholas, perfect machines! Love them all!!

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By the way, do you happen to know anything about FIR wheels? I don't want to create a new thread because no one answered my questions about Gipiemme products (and they very well known! More than FIR, I believe) but I'm very curious about FIR wheels. They have no website and any information concerning their wheels or any other products is scarcely available.
Nevertheless, I've found a nice pic of FIR Speedlite wheels:
http://www.andrewwhyment.com/Wheels/FIR ... Rear_b.jpg

Nice spokes and Gipiemme skewer (hub as well?). Maybe FIR is only rim manufacturer


FIR time trial wheel: http://www.thehubsa.co.za/uploads2/2009 ... 3742_1.jpg
FIR Antara: http://www.cyclingnz.com/reviews/127_CN ... ANTARA.jpg

More on FIR:
"Today this research and developement is directly involved with teams such as Lampre-Daiken, Rabobank, Kelme and Credit Agricole. A mission of manufacturing excellence and emphasis on reliability, performance, safety and longlife make FIR the worldwide reference point for quality.
Today a new Arrigoni generation continues this tradition and work in progress of product innovation without forgetting that technology and image, marketing and service ride side by side. Professional Teams that have used FIR wheels for include Rabobank, Jean Delatour, Kelme, Lampre-Daiken, CSC, Gerolsteiner and Credit Agricole."

So it's strange they have no website...

[bikerjulio]

for you Ti lovers:

if I only had one bike, this would be it - my '95 Merckx Ti frame by Litespeed with '06 Centaur group.