New Airdrop Fade DJ Frame & Bank DJ Wheelset 1

Airdrop has dedicated a lot of time and effort into this project and hope that it shows. At Airdrop, they build the bikes they want to ride, and ride the bikes they build. That ethos has helped to create a following amongst core riders who value the quality of product, service and experience that’s so important.

The new Fade and the Bank wheels are projects that they are incredibly proud to share with customers.

What's New?

Fade

The new Fade frame retains the original Fade’s DNA but offers subtle improvements in key areas, accompanied by new sizes, refreshed finishes and a new range of build options.

Refined Layout

• Revised Tubeset
• New Head Badge
• 2x New Sizes
• 3x New Colours
• 3x New Builds

Bank/Motive

An all new, dedicated dirt jump wheelset developed in-house and built in the UK. Incorporating Airdrop’s new Bank DJ rim and Motive DJ hubs and available with two hub finishes: Polished and Matte Splatter.

• New Airdrop Bank DJ Rims
• New Airdrop Motive DJ Hubs
• Built in the UK
• Available on all new Fade builds
• Available separately
• Full range of spares & accessories
   

Two Wheels, One Gear, Zero Hassle

The Fade launched in 2018, when Airdrop was just Ed and James working out of a damp old workshop. The original idea was for it to be a proper dirt jump bike, not an extra-small version of something else. No compromises: no removable dropouts, no mech hanger, no ISCG tabs. Just clean lines and a heap of fun. They only made 50 frames and didn’t know if they’d sell. They didn’t know then that the Fade would become an underground hit.

Five years later and they’re now launching a new Fade. At its core, it has the same DNA as the original, but they’ve tweaked things here and there. If anything, it’s even cleaner than before; more focused, lighter and tighter. More fun.

One Frame, Three Bikes

Naturally, the Fade is available as a frame-only option. They’ve held the pricing at £399. They’re re-introducing the Luxe build level and adding a new Deluxe into the mix. The Works tops the range.

Fade Frame

Better frame, same price. Low standover, horizontal dropouts with integrated chain tensioners, forward-facing seat cinch and external brake routing.

£399

Fade Luxe

Take a Fade frame, add Airdrop Bank DJ wheels, Maxxis tyres, Manitou Circus DJ forks and Burgtec finishing kit. An incredible spec at this price.

£1399

Fade Deluxe

Derived from the original Fade Works. Airdrop Bank DJ wheels, Rockshox Pike DJ forks and Burgtec finishing kit. The core rider’s choice.

£1699

Fade Works

Built on the hit Öhlins limited edition. Airdrop Bank DJ wheels with Matte Splatter Motive hubs, Öhlins RXF 36 DJ forks and Burgtec’s finest. The best. 

£1999

All Airdrop bikes are built to order in our Sheffield workshop

Three Colours

All Fade frames come in their unique matte powder coat finish. The new brushed alloy head badge comes in silver or black, and there are ten decal options to choose from. That’s a total of sixty combinations to go at.

Two Sizes

The Fade now comes in two sizes: Regular and Long. The new Regular size is aimed at both shorter riders and those focused on transition and trick riding. The long frame is closer to the original Fade and is best suited to taller riders and those who favor stability over agility. Both sizes have a shorter seat tube, lower standover and cleaner lines than the original Fade.

Going to two sizes means the Fade now ticks more boxes for more riders. Not only does the Fade work now for a broader range of rider height, age and ability but it also offers a genuine choice on ride characteristic.

A Dedicated DJ Wheelset

They didn’t set out to create a new wheelset, but things have a way of happening organically at Airdrop. They knew the new Fade would be a great platform, and the builds had to be right. When they put together the wish list for the wheels, they just couldn’t find a product that ticked every box. So they got around to thinking: could we do it ourselves?

Two years, many prototypes and a lot of work later, the answer is yes.

The new Airdrop Bank DJ wheelset is exactly what they wanted: strong rims with a wide profile and bombproof construction. Fast hubs with excellent sealing and solid reliability. All tied together with quality spokes & nipples, built in the UK. There’s even a dedicated rim strip. And of course, a full range of spares and accessories.

The icing on the cake is the finishes. The new Fade comes in three matte powder finishes so they put the same care and attention into the wheels. The rims are shot-peened and anodized black with laser-etched graphics. The hubs have two finishes: polished or matte splatter.   

Bank DJ Wheelset 26”

Dirt-jump specific 26” wheelset. Features Bank DJ rims laced onto Motive DJ hubs with Sapim Race DB Black spokes and brass Sapim double-square nipples. 135x10mm bolt-in rear hub and 15x100mm bolt-through front hub (15x110mm & 20x110mm adapters sold separately).

Weight: 1020g (front) / 1260g (rear) / 2280g (pair)

£399

Bank DJ Rims

They wanted a wider rim with modern construction, akin to an MTB rim, so they partnered with Fratelli Industries to produce the Bank DJ rim. The profile is internally reinforced like a DH rim, with a convex shape in the bed for extra strength. The 6061 alloy rim has a sleeved joint rather than being pinned or welded to avoid weak-spots, and is shot-peened prior to anodizing. The wide profile offers stability for modern, high-volume DJ tires.

Bank DJ Rim

26” dirt-jump specific 32-hole rim with 26.5mm internal / 32mm external width. The convex, internally reinforced profile offers high strength at a reasonable weight. Shot peened & anodized finish is super durable.

Weight: 634g

£60

Motive DJ Hubs

Uninspired by the available offerings in terms of price, performance and spec, they thought they could do better. Enter the Airdrop Motive hubs.

Motive Hub Internals

6061 alloy hub shell with 7075 axle & bolts. The 2x sealed cartridge bearings are protected by additional seals. The driver assembly uses a hardened steel helical drive ring that remains in full contact with the ratchet ring at all times. There are 72 points of engagement for fast, accurate pickup and the whole thing runs on 3x sealed cartridge bearings with additional seals. All-in-all the Motive is a durable package offering rapid engagement, excellent reliability and serviceability.

A full range of spares are available and the hubs can be completely rebuilt. 

Motive DJ Hub - Front

Dirt-jump specific, 32-hole front hub without rotor tabs. Comes supplied with 15x100mm end caps. 15x110mm and 20x110mm adapter kits available.

Weight: 162g

£60

Motive DJ Hub - Rear

DJ specific, singlespeed, 32-hole rear hub with 6-bolt rotor tabs and 11-tooth sprocket. 72 points of engagement. 135mm spacing with bolt-in fitment.

Weight: 374g

£160 

More info www.airdropbikes.com

View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the new Airdrop Fade in the Vital MTB Product Guide.