février 07, 2025
If you've been following Airdrop bikes for a while, you're probably already aware that all our frames are fabricated in small batches. It started out that way when we launched the original Edit, mostly because we could only afford to make a few at a time. But since then it's become one of our strengths. Instead of trying to act like the big boys, we lean into our small scale and use it to our (and your) advantage.
This way, we get much better control over quality and details. Every frame is made by hand, one at a time, rather than just being one of thousands on a production line. It also means can avoid some of the issues that occur when companies get greedy and order too much. Being fully independent certainly brings its challenges, but we don't have investors pressuring us to sell more and more all the time.
Most importantly, small batches mean we get an opportunity to learn every time and freshen things up. It's something our customers really appreciate and it keeps us interested too. So what's new?
This batch sees the introduction of a new colour we've never done before: Elastoplast. You can probably guess what that looks like based on the name alone, but it's even better in the pictures.
As usual we've gone for a matte powder coat finish. I was going to say that I don't know why more brands don't use this instead of 'wet paint', but actually I do know: it costs more money, takes more time and weighs a bit more. But the end result is way more hard-wearing than any wet paint finish we've tried. So it's our thing.
As you can see, the Elastoplast looks fantastic with the new Electric Red colour on the 2025 Zeb Ultimate forks and the spring on the Vivid Ultimate coil shock. This is the new Edit MX Works build, in case you're wondering. And yes, we also do it in Raw...
Would we even be Airdrop Bikes anymore if we didn't do a Raw option? And just in case you're wondering, we've made another batch of Edit 27.5 and they will also be coming in Raw in the new batch.
Another big advantage of small batch production is that it means we can jump on any new product releases and make sure the bikes have the very latest build kit (if you do model years, this is much harder). This time we've made a big change to the range, which now consists of only two bikes: the Edit MX Core and the Edit MX Works. Naturally, they're both better than ever before.
The new Edit MX Works is built with the 2025 Rockshox Zeb Ultimate fork with Charger 3.1 damper in Electric Red. We've specced Electric Red springs on the 2025 Vivid Coil Ultimate shocks too. Brakes are upgraded to Maven Ultimate for maximum stopping power, and drivetrain is SRAM X0 AXS with the rocker pod shifter. Maxxis Assegai (front) and DHR II tyres roll on Reserve HD30 AL rims hand-built (by us) onto Hope Pro 5 hubs. Yes, you can upgrade to Reserve HD30 Carbon if you like.
I haven't done the studio photos of the new Edit MX Core bike yet (sorry about that) but it's a killer build. 2025 Rockshox Zeb Ultimate fork with Charger 3.1 damper in Gloss Black, paired with a Vivid Coil Select+ rear shock and black spring. Brakes are Maven Silver, and drivetrain is SRAM GX 1x12 mechanical. Maxxis Assegai (front) and DHR II tyres roll on Reserve HD30 AL rims running on DT350 hubs. Again, you can upgrade to Reserve HD30 Carbon if you like.
As with all our bikes and frames, we build these to order. That means we can offer a variety of customisation options on the bikes, meaning you get your dropper length, bar rise and width and spring rate dialled in perfectly. When you place an order, we take the frame, do a final QC check, then assemble everything you've ordered by hand. If you've gone for the Edit MX Works or the Reserve HD30 Carbon wheel upgrade, we build the wheels by hand too. It's a very different approach from your average big-box brand, but it works for us.
Preorders are now live for the new batch of Edit MX and Edit 27.5. That means you can shop the entire range and place an order now. The advantage of getting a preorder in is that you are guaranteed your preferred options, and a slot in the build queue is reserved. You'll get your new bike as soon as possible, rather than having to wait. At time of writing, we expect to ship preorders during the week commencing Monday 24th March. Of course, there are only so many bikes we can build in the workshop in a given week, so as more customers join the build queue, that date may slide back a bit.
We like to think that our bikes are pretty good value, considering how good they are. But we also know it's not easy for everyone to find that kind of money. That's why we offer frame and shock options so that people can build their own bikes. But we also put a lot of work into offering various different payment methods. You can use all the usual credit and debit cards, but you can also use PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay. If your employer is enrolled in Cyclescheme.co.uk or Green Commute Initiative, you can save up to 39% on a bike through a C2W salary sacrifice scheme. And last but by no means least, you can now pay using V12 Retail Finance:
Ed is the owner of Airdrop Bikes. A former web and graphic designer, he sacked off his job one day and decided to start up a bike brand.
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