A Sick Deal Mailed to Your Front Door
Purchasing a bike online seems to become more popular every year; however, it’s not exactly a new idea. Airborne was founded in 1997 and was an early pioneer in selling bikes direct to consumers. Airborne later relaunched itself in 2010 with a new crew focused on building bikes based on value and performance. Airborne’s current model lineup consists mostly of hardtail mountain bikes well below $2000; however, one model stands out from the rest. That bike is called the Plague. The Airborne Plague is an affordable full-suspension enduro bike built with that same goal of offering the best bang for your buck. The Plague caught our eye due to its attractive price, so we decided to invite it into our fleet for a full shakedown. We strapped on our hazmat suits and prepared ourselves to go face to face with the Plague.
WHO IS IT MADE FOR?
The Plague is designed for riders who want to purchase a bike to shred trails and still have cash left over for post-ride burritos. This bike features long-travel suspension, along with a modern geometry, and comes ready to rip right out of the box. The rider who will be most drawn to the Plague is one who doesn’t avoid trail features and instead barrels right over them. The Plague is for riders who demand a slack head tube for stability during high-speed descents and enough travel to eat up any uneven surfaces. Riders in the market for an approachable entry-level enduro bike are prime candidates for the Plague.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The Plague’s frame is constructed from 6061 hydro-formed aluminum and features 160 millimeters of travel. Cables are routed externally; however, the frame is compatible with an internally routed dropper post. The Plague has non-Boost axle spacing, a threaded bottom bracket and a tapered head tube. This bike is designed with a 66-degree head tube angle, short 17.3-inch chainstays and 160 millimeters of travel, allowing riders to get rowdy out on the trails.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
There are a couple of notable components aboard the Plague that caught our attention. The 11-speed GX drivetrain was the first. Single-ring drivetrains offer simplicity and are highly favored by the MBA crew. The Plague’s cockpit featured a wide riser bar with a short 45-millimeter stem, giving the Plague a true enduro bike feel. The entry-level KS dropper post only had 100 millimeters of travel, which is quite short by today’s standards but is way better than not having one at all. Beggars can’t be choosers. The Plague also comes with entry-level SRAM DB5 brakes and has suspension components from Manitou.
HOW DOES IT PERFORM?
Setting sag: We followed the recommended air-pressure chart on the lower left leg of our Manitou fork and found the base setting for our rider weight landed us around 30-percent sag. We then matched the rear shock with 30-percent sag and adjusted our rebound to match our local trails and riding style. Out on the trail, we noticed we were going through the travel in the rear shock too fast, so we increased the air pressure, putting us at 25-percent sag.
Short and sweet: Our Airborne came equipped with a KS dropper post, which offered 100 millimeters of travel. Many riders may want a post a touch longer, but we found this short and sweet post was better than not having one at all.
Moving out: The Plague has a modern trailbike feel with a roomy top tube, short stem and wide handlebars. We noticed the front end sits high due to the riser bars and long-travel fork, but the upright seating position was comfortable for casual days on the trail. Our testers liked the overall fit of the Plague, but were less than pleased with the tire choice. A wider and more aggressive tread pattern up front could quickly elevate a rider’s confidence.
Climbing: The IPA (Incremental Platform Adjuster) switch on our Manitou McLeod shock received a thorough workout during our testing. We quickly discovered the Plague climbs better with the shock damped. On technical terrain, the shock could be left open for added traction, but our testers found climbing with the shock wide open hindered pedaling efficiency. Riders will also need to shift their weight forward during steep climbs to help apply pressure to the front tire; otherwise, the front end tends to wander. The 11-speed 1x drivetrain, on the other hand, gave us a great range, allowing our test riders to spin an easy gear up any climb.
Cornering: This is not an ultra-stiff enduro race weapon designed to destroy berms, but the Plague can be quickly maneuvered around the mountains. The Plague has an agile feel, thanks to its short stem and short chainstays. Our test riders would have liked a slightly more aggressive tire up front for fast and loose turns, as well as a longer-travel dropper post for a lower center of gravity, but, overall, the Plague handled the curves in the trails well.
Descending: The Plague comes alive when the trails head downhill. Its aggressive geometry lends confidence to riders, allowing them to charge trail features head-on. The bike uses entry-level suspension components, which can’t be finely tuned; however, they soaked up the trail’s uneven surfaces well. Faster riders will enjoy the high-speed stability from the slack head tube angle and will find the cockpit offers great control.
Braking: Airborne spec’d the Plague with a pair of SRAM DB5 brakes and 180-millimeter rotors front and rear. This gave the bike a positive braking feel and kept our test riders under control. These are not the most powerful brakes on the market, but they get the job done. The Plague’s suspension handled braking forces well, which allowed our test riders to get on the brakes hard without diving too deep into the travel.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
Going to a tubeless setup benefited our Plague in a few ways. First off, it helped minimize rotational mass, which is the best place to reduce weight on a bike. Next, it allowed us to run lower pressure, giving our tires more traction and small-bump sensitivity. And last, our tubeless setup acted as a safeguard against small thorns and tire punctures. Aggressive riders looking to use this bike for enduro racing should opt for wider tires, stronger brakes and a longer-travel dropper post. Riders looking for a weekend trailbike will find the Plague is well equipped right out of the box.
BUYING ADVICE
Mountain bikes can vary in price from $500 to $10,000 and everywhere in between. The Plague is designed to appeal to a rider looking for an entry-level full-suspension bike that’s trail-worthy and won’t break the bank. The Plague might not be ideal for racers due to the long list of upgrades it would take to be competitive, but it will suit beginner or budget-minded riders well. If you’ve been looking to purchase an entry-level enduro bike without stealing from your post-ride burrito fund, the Airborne Plague is a bike you should consider.
