Freeride: "please explain to me how a beginners bike that constantly requires maintenance and has linkage problems witch the only way you can remedy them is by customising the linkage and getting custom made parts is good?" Ok, it goes like this: Received bike from Airborne. Assembled it. Rode it. Back end felt funny. Contacted Airborne. Airborne sent new bushing for the shock. Installed bushings, and issue with the back end solved. How old is your friends Yakuza? Iron Horse has been out of the game for a while... did he by it used, like you are suggesting? He bought a used bike didn't he? Just like you recommend others to do, just like you did. Apparently, your bike has not been so trouble-free either. And guess what, you don't have a warranty or company support to fall back on. You don't have to like Airborne bikes, but you shouldn't talk so much smack about something you don't really know. Santacruz-rider-09 has basically told us all the untold story regarding your bike, you are pretty much discredited. Until you've purchased a bike from Airborne, you can't really pass judgement on it. Your "Opinion" is ill informed. Again, not trying to persuade you at all - just here to refute your opinionated, smack-fill posts with some facts. going to work now, and have a lunchtime sesh. scheduled aboard the Taka. Cheers.