2001 Ti Airborne Corsair - Infant Joy / Eternal Conflict / Tinkerer Test Bed 🍷🤪

[Frankenorange]

c) swap between the above with minimum fuss.

I am thinking modular systems. Set up two totally independant systems of stem+bar+levers+cables+brakes+mechs so to change from one to the next you just undo stem steerer bolts and canti/V post bolts, two mech bolts(hanger and band) and two mech cage bolts(front cage plates and bottom pulley bolt). Then switch in the other system. The cable stops on the frame will need slots in them for the inner cables, though, for this to work.

Not something you want to do every day but it would be very plug and play when you do the swap.

 

[Woz]

y=z c=inconceivable

Maths is indeed the language of truth.

I even have Venn diagrams amongst my scribble notes concerning usage / build / future thoughts / evolution. I think I may be re-producing the same Venn diagrams from distant memory even with an upgrade.

Then I go to the attic to hunt parts. To the stash. Realise I'm actually not there completely after umpteen years of buying and dumping cheap-ish Ebay purchases over several years into a build box for this. It's a long term fetish I have.

Actually, half of the build box is on Ebay right now. Never say I don't know what I'm doing and can look ahead.

I re-iterate right now. I am organised. I need time. I need a drink. I need to optimise. I need to get this right. I have two almost identical frames - double trouble? I want bicycle Nirvana. I want my cake and eat it too. I want the butter and the money for the butter. I want it all 26".

I refuse to buy a modern 700C Gravel thingy(ies). in either variant rigid or suspension, flat bar or drop-bar, disc or not, suspension or not. I want to know what a solid base frame with a foot in the modern grave can deliver. I want to know it's longevity path for the riding I do. There's so little answers, the +98 section needs to get more involved to exchange information.

 

[grantoury]

Could this be an idea; use cable splitters to attach your straight and drop bar configurations to the same brake/derailleur cables?

http://www.jtekengineering.com/other/cable-splitter/

 

[Woz]

I am thinking modular systems. Set up two totally independant systems of stem+bar+levers+cables+brakes+mechs so to change from one to the next you just undo stem steerer bolts and canti/V post bolts, two mech bolts(hanger and band) and two mech cage bolts(front cage plates and bottom pulley bolt). Then switch in the other system. The cable stops on the frame will need slots in them for the inner cables, though, for this to work.

Not something you want to do every day but it would be very plug and play when you do the swap.

Yeah. <y yTrhinking too. Modulluur.

 

[moonlite]

I'm a bit of an Airborne fan having bought a Carpe Diem in (I think) 2004 for commuting. I still have it three countries later and it's done triathlons, centuries and 'gravel' with me all over the place. I wasn't aware of a US connection -- I completed the order online after emailing someone in (I think) Holland who advised me on size and fit. I went for Ultegra 10-speed triple with XT V-brakes and Mavid Cosmos wheels. When it turned up it was spot-on and I fell for the ride straight away. No sign of cracking so far.

I've replaced seat, bars, stem, wheels, tyres and brakes since then. It's past due a new crankset (or at least chainrings), but I think I'll be keeping it for as long as I can ride.

Looking forward to this build thread!

 

[Woz]

@moonlite Loving the Carpe Diem - had this model on my "need to get list" for many years.

Pretty sure yours is a late model looking at the drop-outs. Does it have a IS disc brake tab too? Agree it's an absolute keeper.

How are you getting along with v-brakes with the Travel Agent (roller cam) and STIs? Pretty sure I need to go the same route, but hesitant - there's a lot of mixed reviews - but would appreciate your input.

 

[moonlite]

Hi @Woz -- yup, it has IS disc tabs on both frame and fork. I've toyed with upgrading to discs but it's quite a big job, once you factor in wheels, etc.

The setup with travel agents was how the bike arrived and it's always worked really well -- no complaints re the stopping power or modulation. I did change the XT calipers to Avid Ti ones after breaking the base-plate of one of the XT arms -- also working very well.

I used the travel agents approach in updating the brakes on my Kona Jake to improve the braking on that too.

 

[Woz]

Some actual progress ......

Got to admit to procrastinating a lot, being grumpy in heatwaves, and life getting in the way.

Back when I first joined here, @WD Pro did a really fascinating Airborne build thread. I think it took about 9 years - a lot of attention to detail.

My build speed is going to be variable and now I've finally got some clear plans, better view of parts (what to use, when, what amount of spares to stash, what options, what to try, what to buy, and what to sell off). Plus do my usual bike tart faffing around.

 

[Woz]

Made for Bike Tarts in mind?

So Airborne pretty much used a decal colour scheme similar like the XTR grey of the period, plus black, plus white, plus silver. Depending on the model, a lot of the top-tube decals near the head-tube I think ranged from totally sublime to "a bit too much".

AFAIK, early Airborne's head-tube badges had a Ti "A" badge, later an embossed metal one and then later just a decal.





Like with any unpainted Ti frames, some strong mono-chrome contrasts work best I think. XTR does look good, but there won't be any on this - and to be honest it's a gruppo that always had some niggles, oddities and on many occasions I personally found the extra expense not that justifiable.

The stalwart M739 gruppo also looks good. The under-rated LX M570 series work too with the blueish-grey version, but absolutely obviously not the gold version.



Just yuck on something Ti. Ooouff. Perhaps for a Colnago, Klein, or Cannondale. See what I did there - managed to get all "my favourites" slated off early in the build thread

For years I've loathed Shimano never really did a complete black scheme (going well retro LX M56x perhaps the closest), or less retro perhaps Hone or Saint but I'm not too familiar with them. Today it feels almost the opposite, shiny polished silver gone, some silver parts, but mainly black concerning todays modern.

Some of the past XT or Deore I think is most suitable for this. Oh perhaps I should have mentioned ..... this frame doesn't have any decals left on it so all that what I've just rabbited on about is probably a bit over thinking

 

[Woz]

Cleaned, inspected for cracks, and new forks mounted.

Originally the Corsair shade is a bit duller. One advantage of no decals is just go straight in with a Scotchbrite pad, WD40 or lemon juice and try not too "polish" it too much. I don't get too concerned about cable rub etc. Frame is still in great condition.

Had help from head-barman @Imlach concerning forks and what is out there these days. It was almost going to be some Salsa Cromotos (on the right), but decided to try these Darkrock Chinesium Goth Metal jobbies - it's about some experiments like mentioned.