An Independent Abomination

[AngryScientist]

I think Indy Fab has made some great bikes over the years.

And then, you see one of these....

How the hell does this come to be, and why??

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226031869302

[BruceVelo]

At least they only made 10.

[echelon_john]

On the topic of IF, who even are they now? I bought a 29er Deluxe about 5 years ago from NH that hasn’t really sparked joy. It felt like a contract build compared to my Somerville-built Deluxe from 1999. They’re in Lynn, MA now. Nothing on the website about who’s doing what. Seems like an empty shell. Am I wrong? Anybody have insight? Genuinely curious.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by echelon_john

On the topic of IF, who even are they now? I bought a 29er Deluxe about 5 years ago from NH that hasn’t really sparked joy. It felt like a contract build compared to my Somerville-built Deluxe from 1999. They’re in Lynn, MA now. Nothing on the website about who’s doing what. Seems like an empty shell. Am I wrong? Anybody have insight? Genuinely curious.

I'm hoping to go to the Philly show and see what they have to say.

[Alexi]

Originally Posted by echelon_john

On the topic of IF, who even are they now? I bought a 29er Deluxe about 5 years ago from NH that hasn’t really sparked joy. It felt like a contract build compared to my Somerville-built Deluxe from 1999. They’re in Lynn, MA now. Nothing on the website about who’s doing what. Seems like an empty shell. Am I wrong? Anybody have insight? Genuinely curious.

Keith who I believe was at Merlin (?) and at the early days of IF and Shawn Estes whose been with IF for a while we’re the two folks there last year.

[kingpin75s]

LOL. First thing I thought when I saw the pic is that is very 2006.

I was close.

[duff_duffy]

This is the only way to do a double top tube.

[Hank Scorpio]

Originally Posted by duff_duffy

This is the only way to do a double top tube.

I see your Haro Master and raise it a Redline RL20II. One of my teenage dream bikes.

[AJosiahK]

admittedly have not read through the this whole thread so I may have missed some pertinent info, but why would someone build a bike with a double top tube? Larger riders? Dated tech / practices. interesting stuff.

I dont mind those riv like rigs, but that IF, yikes not my cup of tea.

[duff_duffy]

His bike may say Redline but the pants show who the Master is. Just messing, my Redline was stolen and am still sore about it! I’ve had a few Haro masters over the years and is my favorite bike - my first one my mom bought me for Christmas and to this day no idea how she afforded it. You remember weird things in life, but I can remember the smell of that Master on Christmas morning! The shop put some strong oil on the chain and my house smelled so good (to me at least)

Originally Posted by Hank Scorpio

I see your Haro Master and raise it a Redline RL20II. One of my teenage dream bikes.

[Hank Scorpio]

Originally Posted by duff_duffy

His bike may say Redline but the pants show who the Master is. Just messing, my Redline was stolen and am still sore about it! I’ve had a few Haro masters over the years and is my favorite bike - my first one my mom bought me for Christmas and to this day no idea how she afforded it. You remember weird things in life, but I can remember the smell of that Master on Christmas morning! The shop put some strong oil on the chain and my house smelled so good (to me at least)

We couldn’t afford a master but I got a blue sport with those fold down shin destroyer platforms on the fork and Peregrine mags. We had to get it on layaway. Thanks mom!

[downtube42]

Historically, low quality steel needed additional strength, particularly on taller frames. Over time, double top tubes became associated with strength. Even as the quality of steel made the design unnecessary, the image of strength persisted. Eventually it became retro cool, at least to some beholders.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by downtube42

Historically, low quality steel needed additional strength, particularly on taller frames. Over time, double top tubes became associated with strength. Even as the quality of steel made the design unnecessary, the image of strength persisted. Eventually it became retro cool, at least to some beholders.

Better quality and stronger steel alloys doesn't always mean that double top tubes aren't still advantage. Many large frames are prone to shimmy, and a tendency to shimmy can be improved by increasing frame stiffness. But using a stronger steel to make a tube doesn't change its stiffness. Double top tubes does increase frame stiffness, and therefore can decrease the tendency to shimmy.

[notlance]

Abomination^N

[bironi]

Originally Posted by notlance

Abomination^N

A friend showed me this on his phone a couple days back, but on the small screen I did not notice the nicely crafted ridiculous stem. It does match the overall aesthetic.
And it's a single speed or fixed?
There's too much going on here.