Ibis Cycles Inc. 1999 Spanky

Price Paid:  $0.00 at e-bay

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra 8sp, save for Chorus bb and Stronglight crank. Training wheels are 32-spoked Mavic Reflex clinchers laced with 14/15DB Wheelsmith spokes to Ultegra hubs, 25x700c Conti Ultra 3000. Keywin CRM pedals - also highly recommended!

Summary:
A very good combination of lightness, solid feel, good handling, and understated aesthetic - in a swanky steel frame. Bought the frame on E-bay, bought remaining parts lightly used on-line. The 57.5cm frame with original steel fork (700-800grams!), set up as described, weighs in at around 20.5lbs. With lighter tubular wheels, current DA and a plastic fork it'd drop under 18. The handling is superb - quick in the turns, stable "no hands", predictable tracking, and nimble in "sprints". As much bike as I (a nor-eastern Cat.3?)deserve.

Strengths:
Pretty. Supersmooth welds and funky detailing. Frame is light enough. Bike handles very well. And, well..."Spanky"

Weaknesses:
Native steel fork is on the heavy side.

Similar Products Used:
Variety of steel road bikes; American, French, Japanese, Italian

Price Paid:  $800.00 at South Bay Pro Shop

Favorite Ride:
Monterey Peninsula

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus, King headset, Look pedals, Shamal wheels

Summary:
I thought I was going to miss my Team Miyata (I had it for 14 years) but after one ride I knew Spanky was the bike for me. I love that the bike is unique, as I have only seen one other Spanky on the road. (Death Ride 2000)

Strengths:
Very smooth and comfortable on long rides. Handles great. Minimal flex. Nice paint, although it does chip easily. Welds are flawless.

Weaknesses:
None that I can think of.

Similar Products Used:
Team Miyata

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Ibis

Favorite Ride:
Any Road

Bike Setup:
Basic steel frame with steel fork. Dura-Ace 9-speed STI. Spinergy Spox Rims with Vittoria Tires. Ti Flite Gel Saddle. Color is Not Judy Yellow.

Summary:
The best of both worlds with this bike. Steel without the weight and rough ride. With the Spox rims gives it even a smoother ride. With the European style larger frame design this bike is made for long rides. Climbs and accends with little effort. When I go on a charity ride or any organized ride I end up talking more about the bike than riding. My bike came in at 19 pounds after assembly. Was told I could make it under 18 with a fork change. Hard to believe a steel bike under 18. Ibis was great to deal with and they stand behind their bikes. Now if I could only afford the Bow-Ti.

Strengths:
Lightweight Steel Bike. Flawless welds and paint. Very good company to deal with.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200 OVLV Carbon

Price Paid:  $785.00 at Bicycle Sport Shop

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace 9sp, AME Alpha Carbon fork w/ti steerer, King aheadset, Speedplay Ti pedals, & Mavic Kysriums

Summary:
To iterate from the previous reviewers, there are no excuses with this frame. I have had several great steel frames and the Spanky so far is one of the best. My bike weighs under 19lbs, not bad for their biggest frame. Of course it should be noted that this frame fits me like a glove and that is the biggest factor in one's outlook about a bike. It's also cool to have a frame that is somewhat rare. It's a simple good-looking frame that will treat you right. Also, the folks at Ibis are great to deal with.

Strengths:
This frame is everything one could hope for in a steel frame. It is light and responsive with the perfect amount of stiffness. It also fits me very well (60cm). The workmanship and alignment are first-rate. I have no qualms except for the two very small quibbles listed below.

Weaknesses:
Down-tube shifter braze-ons which have since been changed on the newer models and lack of Ibis applied internal rust inhibitor which I highly recommend, (JP Weigle stuff works great).

Similar Products Used:
Tesch S-22, Janic Custom, Paramount & Bridgestone RB-1 among others

Bike Setup:
D-A 9sp, wound up fork

Summary:
This bike does what it's supposed to do. It WORKS. Not fancy looking, bends, tubing, painting, and still I can win sprints, hill climb, and do any thing properly. Stop blaming your equipment and blam your training with this bike.

Strengths:
Simple
Adequately light (1800gms, less than 4lbs)

Weaknesses:
You can't blame the equipment because you lost the race (hehe!)
May be toooo simple looking to some, not a sexy bike.

Similar Products Used:
Basso, DeRosa, Bernardi, Zeus, Colnago