It’s a while since we saw anything new new from Airdrop, a Yorkshire-based mountain bike manufacturer responsible for the Edit, a 155mm travel 27.5″ bike now in its 4th generation. The brand are still alive and kicking, however, proving they are more than just a one-trick pony with the release of the all-new Airdrop Filter, a 135mm travel trail bike “built like an all-mountain bike but sharper, more responsive and more direct”.
Airdrop Filter
Like its longer-travel sibling, the new AirDrop Filter runs a 27.5″ wheelset. It also gets a 6061 alloy tubeset and the same Horst-Link suspension platform proven on the Edit. The 135mm rear end is paired with a 150mm travel fork, sat at a head angle of 65°. The brand describe it as a bike aimed at riders who view the trail differently, seeking out doubles, high lines and inside lines on corners… Those who ant a bike that gives back, pumps harder, boosts higher and changes direction quickly.
With that in mind, you’ll not be too surprised to learn the Airdrop boasts a short rear-end with 430mm chainstays and a bottom bracket drop of 22mm. Equally, the reach is by no means excessive, spanning a 425mm to 500mm range from S-XL.
Seat tube lengths are short (400mm to 480mm) allowing for the fitment of longer travel dropper seat posts. This also makes choosing the right size easier for riders, as most folk need only concern themselves with the reach figure without worrying too much about standover. The actual seat tube angle is 74.5°, with the effective angle stated as 78.7° at a saddle height of 600mm, 78.1° at 700mm, and 77.7° at 800mm. That’s pretty steep by modern terms, and should offer the rider a commanding seated pedaling position.
The Filter is said to be progressive enough to work well with air and coil shocks. It has a boost rear-end. Airdrop tells us tire clearance is for a tread width of 71mm, with a tread tip radius of 361mm with 6mm ISO clearance each side and 7mm above; that’s for the largest 2.6″ tire they have available. We’re still waiting to hear back from Airdrop on leverage curve info. Cable routing is external, save for that of the dropper seat post which can run a stealth setup. Dropouts are replaceable and the BB is threaded.
Pricing & Availability
The Airdrop Filter is available now as a fame-only (1149), frame and shock only with the choice between RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil or Air (£1449), the Cane Creek DB Coil IL (£1399), or the EXT Storia LOK V3 (£1949).
There are also three complete bike options starting from £3099 for the Filter Luxe, £3599 for the Filter Deluxe, and £4099 for the Filter Works. Head to the Airdrop website for complete spec info.
