Hi Stephen,
There is a lad down my Avenue with a very nice retro Airborne TI, he flys past my house 2-3 times a week with 2 blokes, one on a nice Cotic Soul and one on a Soda TI !. All, very nice machines!...only now to be out-blinged by my Rag
I think the surge and ease of climbing is partly due to the lighter weight of my bike, but also due to the change of geometry / ride position from my previous full susser. The shorter stem and HUGE bars have completely changed the ride feel to one of unbelievable control on rough ground, easier and more controlled cornering and a far more relaxed and comfortable ride position. I totaly get this bike now!, when I had the long stem and 680 Easton CNTs it felt too skwat and far too much XC.
Yes I think Shedfire have designed some TI handlebars, they look interesting ?, Lynskey also do a beautifull TI stem....if you can afford it !
If you are a tall lad, and like you say a "TAD" overweight
like me, consider longer and slightly higher riser bars ?.... check out my new cock pit on the pics below.