Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Grace Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Independent Fabrication CJ SE

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace, Richey, Fizik, Speedplay, Topolino.

Summary:
Beautiful Bike with performance and comfort characteristics that make me look better than I really am! Bike weight (without pedals) is under 17 pounds, amazing for a steel bike. Roy at Grace Bicycles helped guide me through the selection of components and we wound up with what I consider to be the most perfect bike I have ever ridden (Until I get my next IF!).

Strengths:
Climbing, comfort, acceleration, eye appeal.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi, Klein, Scapin.

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Plum Grove Cyclery i

Favorite Ride:
any

Bike Setup:
Full DA except for Ultrega level compact crank. Ksyrium SLs, with Conti tires. Tompson seatpost and stem, Easton aluminum bars, Speedplay pedals with + 1/2 inch axle extensions recommended by Dr. Andy Pruitt (I did the 3-D medical bike fit at Boulder Center for Sports Medicine to tweak my fit due to misaligned knees - highly recomended this ultimate fit if you have physical problems).

Summary:
Indy Fab steel CJ SE: Fabulous bike. After 3 different stock geometry bikes I finally realized that I needed a custom rig. It makes a huge difference. I no longer have to fight the bike to get comfortable. The ride of steel is sweet. This bike is by far the best I've ridden. It feels solid and steady but at the same time acts a like spring underneath you, giving just the right amount of feedback from bumps and undulations in the road. And the paint and welds are beautiful. My bike measures at around 58.5 cm, and weighs exactly 19 lbs fully dressed with pedals and computer. Perhaps a bit heavy for some folks taste, but after riding this bike I no longer care about weight.

Strengths:
Rides like Cadillac with great handling. Great power transfer with just the right amount of flex. Spot-on cutom fit is all day comfortable.

Weaknesses:
None at all.

Similar Products Used:
Cervelo Soloist (harsh aluminum), Giant TCR (too light Carbon with wasted energy transfer), Giant Trinity with Alliiance tech (carbon-aluminum tri bike that was actually nice but was an aweful fit for me).

Price Paid:  $0.00 at IF pro deal

Favorite Ride:
Orcas Island

Bike Setup:
Full DA-10; Alpha Q full carbon fork; Open Pro rims; King HS; Vittoria CX corsa tires; Ritchey cockpit; Time pedals;

Summary:
This review is for the steel IF Crown Jewel. This is the finest-riding road bike I've ever had the pleasure of piloting. (And after 6+ years of wrenching in a shop, I got to ride them all.) Every time I get on it, it makes me swear that I will ride more; it just reminds why I love this sport in the first place. The steel ride is incredible--compliant and responsive in a way that carbon and carbon/aluminum race bikes aren't. The slight weight penalty is well worth it. It tracks like it's on rails, and the paint and welds are the sharpest I've ever seen. BTW--huge props to Matt for incredible customer service! IF absolutely stands behind their product.

Strengths:
Ride quality; construction and finish quality; skilled craftspersons actually MADE IT--you know--with their HANDS!

Weaknesses:
Maybe the wait time, but it's definitely worth every second.

Similar Products Used:
Trek carbon; early 90s steel lugged Basso; Cannondale R series; etc.

Price Paid:  $3500.00 at Grace Bicycles, Holl

Bike Setup:
Ti CJ frame w/ S&S couplers, Ultegra 10sp with compact cranks, Pro Ouzo carbon fork, Ksyrium SLs turing Bontrager race-X-lite tires, Bontrager race-X-lite carbon handlebars, Ritchey WCS carbon seatpost and stem, Terry Zero Y saddle

Summary:
First off, the old adage is correct...you get what you pay for. First let me specify that this review is for a 2006 Ti Crown Jewel with S&S couplers for traveling. This bike is a road-riders dream. It is responsive, light, and corners on rails. It is strong with hard stands with minimal flex in the frame due to the oversized Ti tubing (and I am no small fellow at 6'3" 220lbs). The finish is impeccable and the bike fit is fabulous. No more shifting of position to gain comfort on long rides, no more aching or numbing....just simply unbelievable. No production bicycle can come close and I doubt many "custom" bikes can as well. Plus, Matt at IF is super nice to deal with, knowledgable, and genuinely passionate about IF's.

Strengths:
Fit and finish, unbelievable ride, working with folks at IF to design and build. Hey I liked mine so much my wife went out and bought one!

Weaknesses:
They should be characterized as a drug of abuse...because they are addicting.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5.2SL Madone, Softride TT, Cannondale

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at LBC

Favorite Ride:
Any/All

Bike Setup:
IF Steel Crown Jewel with Record, Easton Orion II (or Zipp 404), K Sword Handlebars, Thomson Masterlight seatpost, Arione, Yadda Yadda...

Summary:
I am reviewing a Crown Jewel with the carbon Seatstay. First off, I totaled this bike and went right back into the shop and ordered another. That really is all that I need to say, isn't it?
But why? Mine rode like a dream. It flexed and sprung back on sprints, it stuck to the road on rough descents, it climbed like a monkey. It was perfect.
Anyone who is considering whether to get steel or Ti, I highly recommend the steel, it just ride better. It only adds a pound of mass. Just eat one less donut a week and you can afford the weight gain on the bike.
My only complaint, is DAMN, those steel frames are getting expensive.

Strengths:
All, including superior customer service.

Weaknesses:
Order wait time.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Victoire Ti, Merlin Agilis, Moser AX Leader, Old Team Fuji Fixed gear conversion, Tommassinni steel...