Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel

Price Paid:  $1225.00 at bought used

Favorite Ride:
somewhere w/o rednecks in trucks

Bike Setup:
3TTT Zepp bar and stem, CC headset, Selle San Marco saddle, Mavic Reflex 32 3x / DA hubs built by Wheelsmith (bought after original purchase for $250). DA / Ultegra components, Easton CT2 seatpost, SH SPD-SLs (nice!). Bike also came with a new Look CF fork in addition to the IF steel fork and some cheaper Shimano wheels, Conti Ultra 3000.

Summary:
I bought this 56 cm IF Steel Crown Jewel (2000 model) used but with very few miles on it. I got a superior deal from what I can tell. The bike is in perfect condition and is a joy to ride. Material is a personal choice, but I just don't see why a rec rider, or even a racer would overlook steel. The ride is supple and smooth, while also providing great reflexes. The bike feels great at over 40 mph - very stable and sure. There are no rattles or creaking. It might weigh 19 pounds with DA/Ultegra components, but that's plenty light enough for me. Great paint also! My only issue is I wouldn't mind a slightly shorter top tube with same size seat tube.

Strengths:
Stiff, strong, durable, pretty light, nice ride over rough roads, workmanship top notch, great paint.

Weaknesses:
None unless you want a 16 pound bike.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 660

Price Paid:  $650.00 at LBS (used frame)

Favorite Ride:
Downhills

Bike Setup:
Chorus hubs, Record brakes, Athena/RacingT everything else

Summary:
I went into a Waterford dealer to see about a future purchase. I was offered this, Right Now!, for $650. Duh...

It replaced my 1971 Raleigh Professional, a sweet ride. I couldn't believe how much better this was. I climbed my favorite 17% grade two gears higher than before, it was smoother on rough chip roads than was the Raleigh. It corners like it's on a string. LOVE IT!

Strengths:
Performance, weight, beautiful weld jobs

Weaknesses:
Expensive (if new); beautifully applied paint chips pretty easily; decals and stickers need a clear coat.

Similar Products Used:
1971 Raleigh Professional, Peugeot PX-10,

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Up Boulder canyon to Ward, Peak to Peak dwn through Ned to Boulder

Bike Setup:
Chris King HS, ITM bar and Stem, Ouzo Pro Fork, Full Durace, Speedplay pedals, Thomson laidback SP,

Summary:
Sweeeet ride. This bike eclipses all of my previous rides. I actually have the Ti crown jewel, my first ti frame and I absolutely love it. Stiff as aluminum, comfortable as steel. Its cornering prowess allows you to accellerate out of corners others brake through. Gives a killer jump too. All in all, this is the realization of my dream bike.

Strengths:
See above review

Weaknesses:
HA! What weaknesses?

Similar Products Used:
Several Cannondales, trek 5400, Stowe

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Buchika's in Nashua,

Favorite Ride:
Anything with hills

Bike Setup:
Full Dura-Ace gruppo w/ Dura-Ace wheelset, ITM bars and stem, Chris King headset, Selle Italia saddl

Summary:
What a beautiful bike! I wish I had it when I was racing. From the first ride, I was about 2 mph faster on all my favorite loops. The bike is light, stiff when climbing, and VERY comfortable, whether going for a short, fast ride after work, or a Saturday century. It's rock solid on fast descents, and makes climbing a joy. It's hard to believe a steel bike (57 cm) can only weigh 18.5 lbs! It's a little slacker in its angles than most road frames, but the geometry fits my body perfectly. If you want one with more traditional geometry, the guys at IF would be happy to build you one.

Strengths:
Light weight, beautiful paint and finish, and overall attention to detail. Plus, you don't see them everywhere, and there's something to be said for a little exclusivity.

Weaknesses:
Steel does rust, so you have to be a little more careful to maintain its appearance. Yeah, it's expensive, but it's worth it.

Similar Products Used:
Tommaso SLX, Serotta CSi and Legend, Cannondale, Pinnarello, Bianchi, Ritchey, Lemond, among others.

Price Paid:  $650.00 at Ebay - Used Frameset

Favorite Ride:
Maremma, Tuscany

Bike Setup:
King HS, Salsa Stem, Ultegra/DA Mix, Open Pros

Summary:
This is my second steel bike, having been a Cannondale (road)user for 10 years. This bike is Amazing. Not as direct in acceleration as a Cannondale, but climbs better, it's more stable at speed and on descents, and much, much more comfortable. After a bad accident mountain biking, I thought I could never ride Road bikes again, but thanks to this bike, Now I can. My bad back does not suffer on the road anymore. I don't know how to describe the ride, really. It is firm and stable, but no vibration comes through. Amazing. The long top tube makes it more aero, and I think helps also with stability. And the construction is beautiful. Nobody builds more beautifully out there except Moots.

Strengths:
Comfy, Comfy, Comfy, but a great platform for climbing. Very light for steel. Beautifully built.

Weaknesses:
In Miami, rust in the steerer fork, but nothing maintenance can't solve. The ride more than makes up for the inconvenience.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale from '87 to '97, Old Eddy Merckx SLX frameset