Independent Fabrication Delux Redux

This is one I've been waiting on for a bit.  While I love following the technological advances in carbon happening now, not the least of which is the Felt Nine FRD I covered here, there's something so incredibly awesome about a retro-modern steel 29er.

After I met Gary Smith of IF, I became even more smitten with their bikes.  He was kind enough to help me out with getting me a Cross Jester last fall, has set us up with the first SSR Maxx available to the public, and an incredible Ti Factory Lightweight just to name a few.

But when Gary started teasing info on the Delux Redux I knew he was doing something a little different but a whole lot the same.  The details are just now rolling out in full, but a steel frame, an Ingleheart segmented fork, full Shimano XT, and handbuilt wheels by Luxe Wheelworks.  Go for El Fabuloso and you also get one-off purple anno Chris King parts!

Just a few of my favorite shots follow, but if you want one you'd better act fast.  These are limited to 12 of each color!

Independent Fabrication Steel Crown Jewel w/ Campagnolo Chorus 10

Here is the beauty I've been gushing over.  Independent Fabrication Steel Crown Jewel with a matching steel fork, Campagnolo Chorus 10-speed, hand-built Record hubs to Mavic rims, Thomson seat post, and Tiffany-inspired teal main color with Lamborghini-inspired green panels.

This thing is just so classic....

I love jobs like this....

I'm happy to see anyone bring just about anything into the shop that we can work on.  No, I'm not going to start replacing spark plugs on the bikes that someone rigged up with an engine, but if the rider is the sole source of power we most likely want to work on it.

Sometimes though, we have bikes like this one come in.  The Crown Jewel is a staple of the Independent Fabrication line-up.  It's their history, it's the baseline of their stable.  This one in particular is made even better with Campy, hand-built wheels, and custom paint.  The main color is oh-so-close to the packaging Tiffany is known for.  The panels are painted a beautiful lime green.

There's something special about this one.  I get excited when it comes in the door, I get excited when it goes into the stand, and I get excited when I see it on the road.  This one has seen the road for plenty of miles over it's 12 year life.

Yes, this bike is 12 years old.

That's what you get when you make the investment upfront, a beautifully crafted steel bike, custom for you, that over a decade later will look as good as the day you bought it yet provide you with even more value every day.

Niner Carbon Air9 RDO - FIRST!

You may have seen this first on Bikerumor.com, but our order was in first.  Yes, that's right, there's only one shop that can claim getting the first Air9 RDO, and that's us.  A large, licorice version of the complete bike with XTR, American Classic 29 Race wheels, SID World Cup XX fork, and a Niner cockpit.

If you want it, speak up.  Only 50 are being made in the first run and they're all sold.  Demand is expected to be like the Jet9 RDO, which means the wait will be looooong......

Rear brake mount has been moved inside the stays.  This is said to allow Niner to use less material to reinforce the stays, reducing weight.

The CYA bottom bracket system was left behind on this model and instead uses SRAMs PF30 system.  30mm spindles are lighter and stiffer.  The system also allows for a full carbon bottom bracket shell, saving more weight.

Niner has done away with the previous Air9 Carbon cable routing and instead uses a full housing run.  You may not care about this, but I am thrilled.  After having built a dozen or so Air9 Carbon frames, this is HUGE.

This is the color of our forthcoming Air9 RDO, LICORICE!  While the green is something sexy, green just doesn't work for me.  I'd love to see this thing in Tang eventually.