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I’m interested in an Edit Mx, I’m 5,11 and currently on a large Privateer 141 and a large Pivot Firebird, Im probably going to sell the Firebird.
The Edit is 10 and 13mm shorter reach than both my bikes and im concerned that I’m just at 475 it may feel a touch short.
Has amyone here got an Edit MX, what size do you ride and how they are getting on with them?
Not Airdrop but the newest offering from Bird is 475 reach and I believe both Ben and Dan who did most of the development are around 5'10 hence settling on that figure. I'm the same height and can't say I noticed much going from 475 on my previous to the current 486, certainly not the standout difference between frames..
Do they do demos?
I have one. I'm 5,9 and could easily have chosen a medium or large. Fortunately I was close enough to pop over and have a go on one which is what I did.
I settled on Medium and it feels plenty roomy for me.
Side note. Before the Edit MX I picked up a Remedy which was 11mm shorter reach than the bike I was riding. The Remedy felt a lot more fun but for some reason it seemed way more sketchy than something just a touch longer. It did have a lower front end though, which makes quite a difference to me I think.
I'm 5'8" on a medium and think it is absolutely spot on the right size for me BUT compared to some bikes Airdrop do appear to be shorter in the reach department. I think they've got it right (I was coming from a 2016 smallest size Geometron with a 485mm reach that has served me well but always with the shortest stem I could find, 20mm Pacenti P-Dent) it doesn't help much but it comes down to personal preference
(I've also noted Geometron appear to have backed off on the extremes of their geometry in recent years)
BUT compared to some bikes Airdrop do appear to be shorter in the reach department.
This is a really good point. When I was looking at the options most manufacturers were punting reach values from 460-475 for my height. It was only the Atherton bike size wotsit that I filled out when I was looking at the 150 that put me on a slight shorter bike.
I guess it comes down to the purpose of the bike. I went to Airdrop primarily because they seemed to focus on what I do most - having fun on bikes and mucking around in the woods. The bike rewards good technique in spades and while it will give me a stern look when I get it a bit wrong it's still gonna get me out of bother (so far...). I'm riding more confidently on a bad day than than my previous bike on a good day.
My rambling point. Airdrop got it right, but only if your riding intent is what they built it for. Give them a call, lovely folks and zero pressure to actually buy.
not directly Airdrop related, but they were on my radar when i got my Raaw Madonna. Was a similar boat size wise, as my previous bike was a 471mm reach and the raw was 455mm. I spoke to Raaw and they assured me it would be perfect for my 5 foot 9 height. Turns out they were 100% spot on. Combined with a high stack, its the best bike fit ever. Turns out which 'long' felt good to start with (was on 480mm, then 471mm and now 455mm), i much prefer what i am on now.
but as others have said, if you can swing a leg over one, then job jobbed!
How far are you from them, they have demo bikes?
At just under 6'1" the Atherton sizing tool put my lad at 476mm reach. His Session is a 465mm with a 5mm longer stem added which i guess makes it closer (or maybe to) 470mm. We've ordered the new A200 in a size 7 which is 470mm reach.
We've done the longer reach thing with me having an S4 Status 160 which is 495mm reach and him with his Session at 498mm and neither of us quite gelled with them.
I'm sure the longer reach thing works for many people, but it's not for everyone.
I'm happy on my 465mm Fuel ex8.
It'll be fine most likely - reach is only part of the story, with stack also being a really important measurement at the front. The way that those numbers interact with the rear centre length is also interesting - I find that for me, the longer the back of the bike is, the higher I want my hands to be, to ensure I'm still weighting the back wheel enough in turns.
I have a Madonna like the poster above, and like the OP my previous bike was a Firebird (both size M, I'm just under 5 foot 9). The Madonna is a much better fit for me at 13mm shorter in reach than the Firebird, with a 16mm higher stack and 10mm longer chainstay. I also have a Ripmo with a similar reach and much shorter chainstay than the Madonna, and don't feel like I need my hands as high on that bike to feel like I'm weighting the rear wheel like I want to.
The stack on the Airdrops is similar to the Firebird - perhaps not a huge concern given the back end is also fairly short with the Airdrop, and also that you can get 40mm+ riser bars easily these days. So if you did feel the need to you can raise your hands up without resorting to a big stack of spacers under the stem, which can screw up a whole bunch of other stuff.
Only reason I ruled out the Airdrop when I was looking was that I'm happy on full 29er. They look great though.
I went for the S4 with the 500mm reach but I'm 6'2. I visited HQ and tried the S3 but it felt a bit cramped. Previous bikes were Geometron G16 and Privateer 141 with I think 520 & 515 reach numbers.
Going down to 475 looked and felt like a step backwards. I couldn't imagine any benefits of downsizing. If I wanted to do tricks or learn 360's maybe I'd go shorter.
As for how I'm getting on with it, I really like it. But... I'm glad it's not my only bike.
I bought it as a DH bike substitute because I can't really justify one of those anymore. I wanted something that was fun to ride on bikeparks, uplifts and Alps trips. It's definitely 'fun'. I love how easily the mullet tips over and slaps into corners. The short chainstays make it really easy to hop it and yank it around. It's very lively and great for jumping and throwing around.
Plus, because I only use it for descending I've absolutely battered it. I've had zero reliability or mechanical issues so far. It's been to the Alps twice, I'm doing 2 days at BPW this weekend in the torrential rain. Dyfi next month probably.
I say I'm glad it's not my only bike because I've also got a full 29er, 160/130 travel trail bike. Same 500mm reach but the chainstays are 30mm longer and the stack much higher. It's a much more comfortable bike for getting around on and it's got much more neutral/user friendly handling. It's a more balanced ride and it's faster, smoother and less effort everywhere. But, if I rode it the way I ride the Edit I'd break the bike or myself.
Any questions just ask.
^ good point, I should have mentioned when I commented that my Edit hasn’t done a single entirely self powered day. It’s all been uplifts and a week in the alps, but for the little I have pedalled/pushed/carried it’s been fine. I’m sure it’d be fine for riding loops but that’s not what I bought mine for.
I'm 5'10 and on a large (S3) with 50mm bars. Fit is spot on for me, certainly not on the short side.
Previous bike was a Spesh Enduro s4 which was a big unwielding tank by comparison.
When I spoke with Airdrop they said either S2 or S3 would be fine. I've previously had an Edit v2 in medium which I sometimes found a bit cramped so that thought I'd give the large a try.
Awesome bikes, super capable and suits the riding I do perfectly- I'm defo a mullet convert.
Thanks for the reply’s peeps, I’m not that far from Sheffield but im busy mid week so will struggle to get down sadly, I’m looking for a bike to take on holiday do the odd enduro on, is the Edit a decent enduro bike or more of a “play” bike?
I’ve just got back from Molini on the 141 and it handled it fabulously, I feel really comfortable on the 141 and it feels a lot more compact than the Firebird which is a 3mm longer reach and identical wheelbase, the bike I should have got when I got the Firebird was the Madonna, I love them but I got a smoking deal on the FB there where loads of Madonna’s in Molini and always loads in Finale, I regret not get a L one when they where blowing them out.
I almost loved my 141 it was brilliant for the money. I had the Ohlins version so the suspension was above average. I took it to Málaga for a week and did a few uplift days on it.
For a 140mm bike it was ridiculous how well it monstered over rough stuff.
Downsides were that I find full 29ers want to stand up and go straight. It felt fast everywhere but they need a different high and wide cornering technique. I'm not racing so I'm not concerned with maintaining a slightly higher average speed.
The mullet is definitely more 'fun'. It tips over so easily and it's much nicer for berms, switchbacks and steep stuff. No more tyre buzzing on my arse.
Interested to hear people building an Edit as an uplift focussed bike. Any reason you've opted for that over something bigger?
I'm contemplating replacing my DH bike with something pedallable but still very much descent oriented. Current thinking is 170/180mm mullet but there's nothing really catching my eye at present.
Interested to hear people building an Edit as an uplift focussed bike. Any reason you've opted for that over something bigger?
I really, really liked the green and yellow colour scheme.
As good a reason as any.
Interested to hear people building an Edit as an uplift focussed bike. Any reason you've opted for that over something bigger?
Personally my abilities don’t warrant anything bigger, the Edit is a fun bike to ride with gravity on your side and I have the luxury of more than one bike so the Edit may as well have the heavy tyres etc permanently in place. If I were faster/braver/racing I’d possibly think different
If you want the long answer now that Junior has been dropped off at school....
I wanted an Airdrop from day 1. I always thought they were nice bikes. In 2017 I chose a Geometron over an Edit and after that there was no going back to regular bikes. I did try, but I hated them. The G16 was so good it ruined me. So I thought I'd get one eventually and they've evolved over the years. Then the MX came along at the perfect time.
I was on the Privateer 141. I wanted to keep the Ohlins suspension but have a more nimble, agile bike that wouldn't scrape my arse on every steep chute. The MX with the Ohlins coil was the obvious candidate. I found a heavily reduced RXF38 fork in a shop in Newcastle and that kick started the build. I'm pleased to report it fulfilled the brief and it's a keeper.
There was just nothing else in that kind of travel bracket/freeride range that I was interested in. I also just wanted to buy a frame from 3 lads who are walking distance from my house.
Sidenote: I love DH bikes and can't stop looking at them! I've had a few but they were all in the 26" days so I'd love to try a modern one. But, I don't want to go back to driving all over the UK to ride scary/dangerous trails which are always piss wet and freezing cold. A couple of big injuries finished my DH career.
I was at BPW all weekend and there was a couple of DH bikes in the gang and they'd never admit but they were having a hard time. No dropper, no gears, no momentum. I love being able to pedal around and I'm at the front of the pack on the way down anyway.
You need to ride death defying stuff for a DH bike to make sense and I don't I have the appetite for it anymore.
@sharkattack I have one of those Rimpact chain dampers to fit, I notice you don’t have a guide or bash guard. Is that a choice or do they not fit with the Rimpact ring?
I do have a chainguide now, I bought a Unite Components one with a bash guard.
My e13 one didn't fit because it was pressed steel with big ridges in it. The alloy one is much thinner.
Since you mention it, someone was checking out my bike on Sunday morning so I went over and he introduced himself as Matt from Rimpact. I got to deliver my honest feedback to the man himself. The only problem I could think of was that I have 2 bikes and I need another chain damper.
I was at BPW all weekend and there was a couple of DH bikes in the gang and they'd never admit but they were having a hard time. No dropper, no gears, no momentum
what track was this, the green?
I only take a DH bike to BPW never a trail bike.
Edit: The end of Terry's belly is the only bit I struggle with.
I was in a big group of very mixed abilties and they struggle with some of the rougher stuff like AC/DC, Coal not Dole, Rim Dinger etc.
They're not hitting stuff with confidence so where we'd feel the benefit of the bigger bike they're slowing down and then they're unable to power out. I've ridden with them on their normal bikes and they just go slower and use the pedals to cover the bits in between.
I think some people buy a DH bike and imagine it's going to do all the work for them.
But....I have picked a DH bike that I like the look of and I'm crossing my fingers for a black friday discount. Don't tell anyone.
I do have a chainguide now, I bought a Unite Components one with a bash guard.
Thanks, I do have one of those if necessary but I'm hoping to fit an MRP as I prefer the plastic bash.
But....I have picked a DH bike that I like the look of and I'm crossing my fingers for a black friday discount. Don't tell anyone.
Yes yes yes you need one
I think some people buy a DH bike and imagine it's going to do all the work for them.
Some of those trails aren't really that rough, but the DH bike does a lot of work, but it needs to go fast and work it.
If its confidence maybe a repeat run would speed them up?
It's definitely a confidence issue when it comes to rocks and sketchy stuff especially when it's pissing down.
A few trips to Morzine/Les Gets had them thinking they were pretty much DH riders.