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by Ed Brazier February 02, 2023 4 min read

Craig had free choice of any Airdrop bike to go for first, and whatever setup he wanted. He went for an Edit v4 with a sweet build from Burgtec, Reserve, Rockshox and SRAM.

This is the daily rider, the most regularly ridden vessel, ready for anything, setup to feel at home on the local stuff but capable of being ridden anywhere, ready to jump on and ride wherever.

 

 

Rider

Age: 31

Height: 188cm / 6'2"

Weight: 90kg / 198lb

Years Riding: 20 years

Riding Background: All.

Riding Style: Yes.

Craig Evans riding in Wharncliffe

 

Reach Adjust Headset

It’s been nice to have the option to tailor the reach and really get the bike to fit and feel how I want it to. I settled on running a medium frame fitted with a +5mm reach, this keeps the bike short enough in the reach and wheelbase so that it’s really nimble in the tight stuff and I still have range in my limbs to manoeuvre and angle it in the turns. I have Hope bearings fitted to tackle the English slop (image show Hope headset).

Craig Evans Airdrop Edit v4

 

Wheelset

I’ve chosen to ride Hope Pro 4’s for their reliability in tough conditions and easy to service construction, these laced on Reserve 30 rims, a solid bomb proof setup that I’m buzzing about.

Craig Evans Airdrop Edit v4

 

Tyre Choice & Pressures

Trying out the Michelin Wild Enduros at the minute and so far, so good; loads of grip and no issues. Pressure-wise I tend to keep it around 25psi in the front and 27psi in the rear I do go up or down slightly on this depending on the terrain but generally if there’s air in there then it's sound.

 

Fork

I honestly wasn’t expecting to notice much difference on the new Lyrik but I was proved wrong, it has given me loads more front wheel traction while remaining up in its travel and ramping up when it needs to.

Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate

 

Shock

My first coil on a trail bike for a while and again pleasantly surprised, loads of grip but still plenty progressive, this paired with the kinematics of the frame are a great duo, it definitely suits my riding style very well.

 

Suspension Setup

I can’t remember exactly but think I’ve got 2 volume spacers in the fork and the clicks wise you’d have to ask Andy because I copied him. On shock I’ve got a 500lb spring and some of Andy’s clicks again.

 

Cockpit Setup

Full Burgtec cockpit, 42mm, always loved that length, 50mm rise Ride High bars providing the lift and Bartender pro super soft grips, ya can’t go wrong.

Craig Evans Airdrop Edit v4

 

Drivetrain

Cables for me, no problem with the new electric if that’s your thing but I can never remember to charge them and kept getting caught out with a flat battery, trusty X01 with a gear cable.. if it ain't broke, don’t fix it. Running an MRP SXG for a chain guide this has a bash for when I inevitably clatter some rocks and relieves me of the anxiety of dropping a chain.

 

Brakes

Code RSC’s, with 200/180mm HS2 rotors. Been riding these for ages now and I get on really well with them, they have great modulation and lever feel as well as loads of stopping power, I tried using a 200 rotor on the rear in the past but I feel that you lose some of the modulation need for slower techy riding and if you end up dragging rear brake in the turns (which we all know we do) causes you to get stood up more.

Craig Evans Airdrop Edit v4

 

Pedals

Alongside grips these are your main contact to the bike and a big use in controlling the vessel, so you need something with a big platform and loads of grip, Burgtec MK5 flats take care of that.

 

Dropper & Saddle

Burgtec Cloud saddle on a Reverb 200mm fits my arse well.

 

Anything You Would Change?

Nah I’m fully content with this setup and long for nothing.

 

Favourite Components

Hard to choose one but I’m stoked on my wheel setup.

 

Any Secrets or Setup Tips?

Setup's as much a head game as it is physical thing, you must find out what works for you, but you also must be confident that it does work for you.

 

How Does It Compare to Previous Bikes?

I feel like it suits my riding style better than any bike I’ve ridden, I’ve been able to make the setup much more personal to me than ever before and I’m having a load of fun riding it.

Craig Evans Airdrop Edit v4

 

Big thanks to Dave Barton at Burgtec for all the photos and Tommy C for the video.

 

Full Bike Spec

Frame: Airdrop Edit v4 size Medium
Colour: Matte Black powder coat with Silver Chrome decals
Forks: Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate RC2 160mm, 37mm offset
Rear Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Coil RC2T with black 500lb spring
Headset: Works Components Reach Adjust with Hope Bearings
Stem: Burgtec Mk3 Enduro 35mm Reach, 35mm Clamp, Black
Handlebars: Burgtec Ridehigh Alloy 50mm rise, 770mm width
Grips: Burgtec Bartender Pro Super Soft
Seatpost: Rockshox Reverb 1x C1 200mm
Seatclamp: Hope Quick Release in Silver ano
Saddle: Burgtec The Cloud
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Rotors: SRAM HS2 200mm front, 180mm rear
Wheels: Reserve 30 carbon rims on Hope Pro 4 Hubs
Tyres: Michelin Wild Enduro 2.4" Magi-X Front / Gum-X Rear
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle 1x12
Cassette: SRAM XG-1295 10-52t
Shifter: SRAM X01 Eagle 1x12
Cranks: SRAM Descendant 7k Alloy 170mm
Chainring: SRAM Narrow/Wide 34t
Pedals: Burgtec Mk5 Penthouse Flat in Rhodium Silver
Chain: SRAM X01 Eagle
Bottom Bracket: Hope Stainless 30mm
Chain Guide: MRP SXG
Modifications: +5mm Reach Adjust headset, Burgtec axles
Weight: Not sure (it's currently covered in about 5lb of mud)

 

 

Ed Brazier
Ed Brazier

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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