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Showing posts with label fork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fork. Show all posts

Friday, June 1, 2012

NEW BIKE DAY! Lynskey Helix with Ultegra 6700

We never tire of building these bikes.  Lynskey is one of those companies that can be so easy to deal with, or so tough.  Depending on their current work load and schedule, you can sometimes get your bike in 2 weeks.  Other times though, if you catch them at the wrong time, it can be 12 weeks.

Luckily this time around, we called at the right time.  This large Helix was ordered as a part of their special for a complete bike with Shimano Ultegra 6700 for about $5000 a mere 16 days ago!  This frame had been produced and was waiting for it's brushed finish and white decals then it was ready to roll.


Lynskey has a whole pitch on the Helix tubing and it's advantages.  I'll divert to their expertise on the actual tubing, but after spending more than a year on one I can tell you it's super stiff but retains the magical Ti ride.  It's extremely compliant on rough roads but still very snappy.  It doesn't have the low-speed, high-torque sprint of an oversized carbon bike, and it's slightly heavier, but since I rarely race on the road those qualities all sit fine with me.


Nice touches on the bike, like this brake bridge, are something many custom builders are known for.  Lynskey doesn't stop there, though....


They also use these beautiful Ti dropouts with the Lynskey clover and bullets ending the stays.


The Lynskey headtube badge is also available separately as a key chain for the Lynskey-lover in your life.  It's a nice touch as a gift as well to remind someone how much they love their bike.


Welds are top-notch as always from Lynskey.  I always expect to find something less with their pricing level, but they continue to impress.


Decal application is always perfect from the factory.  I've had to install a few replacement decals over the years, and it's shockingly difficult.  The decals are terribly thin and fragile until applied.


ENVE fork is always a staple on a new custom build.  I was happy to see Felt placing ENVE forks on their high-end framesets such as the F1x as well.


Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset makes for a killer training and racing wheel.  Not the more aero, but incredibly durable!


Shifting that's head and shoulders above all else, Shimano hollow front chainrings are the best in the business.  Until you've used it, you just can't know.


Saturday, May 26, 2012

NEW BIKE DAY! Anderson Lugged Stainless

When you're currently riding an Independent Fabrication SSR you don't normally long for something new, especially something else that's stainless steel.  But Rob was affixed on an Anderson, I believe he told me after Anderson won The President's Choice Award at the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

This bike was truly something special to see come out of the box, and I can't help but to assume even better to ride.  Brushed KVA stainless tubes with polished stainless lugs on the frame.  The fork is even stainless with brushed legs and polished lugs.  The only thing that isn't stainless is the steerer tube.

Complete bike photos coming in the near future.

Enough with words, just enjoy the photos.


























Friday, April 6, 2012

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....


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Independent Fabrication SSR Max

Main details:

Independent Fabrication SSR, Max tubing, internal wire routing
ENVE 2.0 fork, custom IF crown paint
Shimano Ultegra Di2
Rotor 3D Quarq
Chris King R45 to NoTubes Alpha 340 with DT Swiss Aerolite spokes
Thomson Elite and X2

The Max tubing is incredibly limited.  As of right now, only 6 tube sets were made available.  One set was used for the Abarth-inspired NAHBS show bike, one set is here on this bike.

Ride review coming, but let me spoil it a bit: this thing is fast.  What makes it fast?  It's stiff, but still rides like steel.  That means you can put some power down and it rockets forward but glides over the rough stuff.

Enough for the spoilers.

Better pictures coming soon....