I agree that the early airborne frames weren't the best, but anything post-2002 is fairly good quality. While I may not like the business practices of that particular CEO on occasion, I think the products are very good today. It's true they started out as mail/internet order only, but I'd venture to say now that 95% of their sales are thru shops nowadays, there is no advantage to someone ordering a bike online from them as the pricing is fixed (supposedly).
As far as the "soul" thing goes, I hope that isn't some dig against a 944 owner, because I love all porsches, not just one particular model#. I don't see how a moots bike has any more soul than an airborne bike. Both are designed by people who have passion, the only difference is that one is welded up in the US and one is welded in China. Both are single-pass welds.
Of course, this is assuming we are comparing a moots 3/2.5 frame to an airborne 3/2.5 frame. Now, when you get into the airborne frames that are 6/4 seamless Reynolds tubing, there really is no contest IMHO. Having spent a lot of time on many ti bikes, I can tell you that 6/4 seamless gives a better ride feel and is less flexy than 3/2.5 no matter how you shape or manipulate the 3/2.5 tubing. Compared to the standard seamed 6/4 that Litespeed has used for years, it still offers great power transfer yet doesn't beat the hell out of you on rough roads. I no big fan of Litespeed either. BTW, people who yell and scream that Litespeed is better than airborne because they are all made in Chattanooga TN..............the majority of Litespeeds are made in china nowadays as well. That's why they went to selling complete bikes only at their dealers instead of giving the option of just buying frames. The complete bikes are assembled in china and shipped to the US.
BTW, I am in the industry.
Eric----------screw you too, pal!
MUAHAHAHAHAHHA.