Independent Fabrication Based in Somerville, just north of downtown Boston, Independent Fabrication is wholly owned by the employees themselves and the passion resulting shines through clearly in the frames themselves. Unlike many frame builders, Independent Fabrication aren't hostages to one material but will build exactly the steel, titanium or carbon-tubed bike you are after. And the IF philosophy of building every bike as a custom fits really well with our expertise and use of the Sizecycle Fitting system. IF in their own words:-
"Designing and building custom bicycle frames is a fusion of art with science. It requires radical ideas tempered by scientific notions. What starts as a progressive thought is realized through trigonometry, geometry, and calculus. We make light metals stronger and strong metals lighter. We use the finest, most technically advanced steel tubing, the strongest titanium, and a variety of carbon fibers to mold your vision into a tangible work of art. Oh yes, the art. It would be naïve for us to think that other builders weren’t using the same high-end metals and components. But it’s how we transform them that set us apart. It’s the beauty of design and the flawlessness of the welds. It’s the rich colors that wrap every tube. It’s the sterling silver head badge that marks the final seal of approval. We build almost everything out of almost anything. Millimeters translate into performance, and our meticulous attention to detail can be seen in every bike. We look like no one else because we build like no one else. It’s a process that’s steeped in tradition and driven by innovation not bound by convention. It’s Independent Fabrication." A bit of IF history:-
In its first year, Indy Fab designed to its strengths – forging the best steel mountain bike frames the industry had ever seen. Riders agreed, and IF’s cult following began to grow. The Deluxe and the Special mountain bike frames hit the bike show circuit and found success. The following year, the IF team called on their lifelong experience of riding city streets and love of racing to develop several new models: the Crown Jewel – a road bike, the Planet Cross – a Cyclocross inspired frame, and the Roadster – a cruiser. IF quickly emerged from the woods to become a complete cycling manufacturer.
In 1999, IF upgraded its talent by wooing Tom Burnett and Tyler Evans from Merlin Metalworks. Today the IF team of artists and fabricators continue to push the envelope by using the newest metal technologies and refining accepted techniques. But even as production methods become more sophisticated with the use of carbon fiber and titanium shotpeening, the IF team continues to make bikes by hand and respects the craftsmanship of the old way. But they’ll never stop doing things their own way. THAT'S INDEPENDENT FABRICATION. | | Paint Options One of the hardest decisions about buying a new IF frameset is figuring out what colour it should be painted, or if it is Ti, to paint it at all. IF offer 23 stock paint colours that cover the range of popular basic colours, metallics, and pearls. You can choose any one of these colours and paint your new steel IF as a solid colour at no additional charge.
For £175 you can paint your new titanium or stainless IF with a solid colour, 3/4 paint job, or painted panels on the seat tube and down tube. .
All decal colours are available on any of the painted steel, brushed stainless steel and shotpeened titanium frames. IF also offer a large range of non-stock paintjobs and special effects. They categorise these into 4 levels:- Level 1 £175 - Basic level custom paint. These paint jobs consist of simple masking and fades.
Level 2 £325 - Medium level custom paint. These paint jobs consist of multiple or complex masks, combined techniques and additional painting time.
Level 3 £425-£1000 - High level custom paint. They consist of more complex masks, combined techniques and additional painting time. These paint jobs are priced accordingly.
Level 4 - Completly custom paint. These paint jobs consist of unique masking, custom colours etc. These need to be quoted on. Frame Options at Additional Cost Sterling Silver Headbadge FOC if frame bought from mosquito, normally £90
Eccentric Bottom Bracket on steel bike (with insert) - £105
Eccentric Bottom Bracket on titanium bike (with insert) - £195
Slider Dropouts on steel bike - £105
Slider Dropouts on titanium bike - £195 S&S couplings on steel frames - £540
S&S couplings on titanium frames - £860
S&S hard travel case - £425
Da-Vinci cable splitters - £105 Steel Forks Independent Fabrication offers a complete line of custom steel forks. All are built from the best available materials and distinctively straight bladed. Mountain V (suspension adjusted for most 80mm suspension forks) £280
Mountain Disc (suspension adjusted for most 80mm suspension forks) £325
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Touring - £325 |
| | Independent Fabrication win best Tig Welded Frame at NAHBS 2011
Check out the IF blog for more on all things Independent Fabrication |
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