Post Your Modified Airborne Bikes

[Wildfifty]

This is my Guardian, i've had it for about 4 months and have already started tweaking it.

Main mod was the conversion from the stock 3x9 to a 2x9 by removing the largest chainring and replacing it with a bashguard.
I broke the x5 RD, and replaced the front and back with x7 sram stuff.
Upgraded the front tire with a Kenda Nevegal.
and installed the BIONICON C-Guide.







So far the bike has been great, it has been a great introduction to the mtb hobby. Let me know what you think.

[Carloswithac]

Red bikes are always faster. I like it!

[Barheet]

Love it! How's the new tire working for you up front?

At first glance, I thought the SB8's would suck, but they are amazing. Doubt I'll be upgrading those until they wear out.

[Wildfifty]

Thanks guys!

I really like the SB8's too. But they don't provide any puncture protection. So after 4 punctures, 3 in the front and 1 pinch in the back i got frustrated and picked up the beefier tire on the front. i have only had it on there for about a week. So far so good. i feel i can lean more into corners and bankings with it upfront.

[zukrider]

i like the chain guide. why do you go with it? never seen one before.

what size?

whats your stats?

how you liking the X7's?

[Lenny7]

What is the purpose of the chain guide? I thought they were for single speed and what not.

[comphynum]

What pedals do you have?

[Wildfifty]

i like the chain guide. why do you go with it? never seen one before.

what size?

whats your stats?

how you liking the X7's?

What is the purpose of the chain guide? I thought they were for single speed and what not.

The chainguide can be found here Bionicon USA C-Guide Chainguide
It prevents the chain from bouncing around and falling off the front chainrings. since i have used it i have not had the chain come off even once.

My Guardian is an 18 inch, im 5'7 165lbs 30 inseam.

the x7 fd was def a noticeable upgrade in shifting and rear tire clearance. the rd i havne't noticed any major difference between the x5 and x7.

What pedals do you have?

These are a set of Wellgo MG-1's.

[swl7]

My Guardian is an 18 inch, im 5'7 165lbs 30 inseam.

These are a set of Wellgo MG-1's.

How's the 18" for your size? Does it run a little big? I'm about the same size, but a little lighter, and I'm probably going with a 16". I guess it could all be personal preference up to a certain point.

[Barheet]

Did you have to get a new chain for that drivetrain?

[Wildfifty]

How's the 18" for your size? Does it run a little big? I'm about the same size, but a little lighter, and I'm probably going with a 16". I guess it could all be personal preference up to a certain point.

i don't feel it being big. i think its perfect for my size. I like the more aggressive stance

Did you have to get a new chain for that drivetrain?

no, but i feel i might be able to shorten it some to get even better shifting. i need to figure out how to remove some of the links.

[max-a-mill]

if you remove some links you should be able to ditch the chainguide.

you shouldn't need that extra bit of resistance in your drivetrain if it is properly setup but if you like it go with it.

[ams.jelapang]

Hye. can some want give me suggestion on using this bike. (i'm very noob in this sport~)

This is my very first MTB in my life. Please help me~

[ams.jelapang]

this is my very first mtb in my life. please someone help me~~

[wobbem]

this is my very first mtb in my life. please someone help me~~

Just go out and ride it fool

[Wildfifty]

Anybody else tweak their airborne?

Aftermarket rims or bars?

[BigDaddyFlyer]

Here's mine.

[codyh12345]

Hmmm... well I have changed out the seat to a WTB Laser V and went Tubeless with a stans kit and a set of 2.25 schwalbe nobby nic snakeskins. Currently I have a set of wellgo b103 flat pedals on there but just picked up a set of shimano clipless pedals (m-530) so we will see how that goes. Everything else is holding up well. I do plan to get a setback Thomson and probably replace the stem and handlebars eventually but not right now. LOVE THIS BIKE!!!!







My friend on the right liked my goblin so much he went and got one of his own!





Oh and the best upgrade of all.... the monkey!

[Barheet]

I saw on another thread somewhere that a guy upgraded the bar with a black 9 degree sweep bar, but I never heard if he liked it better or why he even did it.

I like the idea of the 2 ring FD but I would probably just remove the outer ring and add a bashguard. The only other thing I'd like to upgrade on my Guardian is the wheels. I feel like there's a lot of weight there but I can't verify that an upgrade would make a big difference because I've never seen it done.

[swl7]

Here's mine.

dang the black looks so nice

[codyh12345]

Well I can tell you that my brother in laws 22 lb. Niner pedals a lot easier than my 28 lb. Goblin. But his was 2X the price of mine. You would notice a lighter wheelset but you can almost offset those weight savings with a beefy/heavy set of tires. Going Tubeless doesn't offer much, if any, weight savings but does offer convenience and the ability to run lower tire pressures.

[Barheet]

I don't know if I'd call tubeless more convenient. I don't know if I'll ever go tubeless because, like you said, there's no weight savings and it looks like a ton of work. Not to mention, I've never had a flat while mountain biking...ever. It makes me regret carrying around an extra tube, tire levers and pump for the past 20 years. But I know the first time I didn't, I'd get my first flat.

Interestingly, I've had several flats on my road bike. Seem ironic.

[Barheet]

I noticed both of you are running Black Flag wheels. That's not stock is it? I thought the Goblin had WTB wheels. Aren't BF's like $600?

[BigDaddyFlyer]

I'm running the Black Flag Pro's which are a bit pricey but a very nice wheelset. Definitely stiffer and lighter than the stock WTB's.

Next month we are producing a Goblin XO that will have a full XO group, FSA SLK carbon bar/stem/post, and Black Flag Pro wheels. Gonna be awesome!!!!!!

[Barheet]

I'm running the Black Flag Pro's which are a bit pricey but a very nice wheelset. Definitely stiffer and lighter than the stock WTB's.

Next month we are producing a Goblin XO that will have a full XO group, FSA SLK carbon bar/stem/post, and Black Flag Pro wheels. Gonna be awesome!!!!!!

That sounds good. I can never justify (in my mind) spending $600+ on a $1200 bike. But I would spend more to get the better components like you just mentioned.