[weiwentg]

I'm thinking about getting an IF custom from Wrenchscience, and I've searched the archives but I can't seem to find a lot of comments on how the experience was. anyone?

 

[terry b]

I'm thinking about getting an IF custom from Wrenchscience, and I've searched the archives but I can't seem to find a lot of comments on how the experience was. anyone?

I've talked to the numerous times and almost come to the point of buying - one time they couldn't get the frame, the second time they refused to even talk about pricing (on a Colnago vs. a UK price) but our relationship has never been consumated. They seem very earnest and helpful - they've called me to offer their services following a couple of bike builds I did on their site. Tim seems like a really nice guy.

But, their prices on their builds are not very good and so I've always shopped elsewhere. Like you, I've not found much service information, postive or negative.

I had not thought about them as a source for an IF, thanks for planting that idea.

 

[Phat&SlowVelo]

There you go Terry,

I've talked to the numerous times and almost come to the point of buying - one time they couldn't get the frame, the second time they refused to even talk about pricing (on a Colnago vs. a UK price) but our relationship has never been consumated. They seem very earnest and helpful - they've called me to offer their services following a couple of bike builds I did on their site. Tim seems like a really nice guy.

But, their prices on their builds are not very good and so I've always shopped elsewhere. Like you, I've not found much service information, postive or negative.

I had not thought about them as a source for an IF, thanks for planting that idea.

Now you can get your IF without secuming to your incompetent LBS. Your awesome stable really is incomplete without one. buy the way did you ever get the Crumpton?

 

[jnwarner0]

Berkley

I drove down to their shop when I was looking at getting a C-50. very nice people but due to their prices i chose not to purchase. I found a shop out of state with great reputation and great prices. Plus if I buy a 6K bike here in California in will cost me another 450+ in tax.

 

[terry b]

Now you can get your IF without secuming to your incompetent LBS. Your awesome stable really is incomplete without one. buy the way did you ever get the Crumpton?

Not yet and probably not until Q3 or Q4. Or maybe 07. I still want to do the American CF Hat Trick, but I'm not in a hurry.

I'm waiting on my travel bike and I have another sort of special thing in the works.

 

[weiwentg]

I've talked to the numerous times and almost come to the point of buying - one time they couldn't get the frame, the second time they refused to even talk about pricing (on a Colnago vs. a UK price) but our relationship has never been consumated. They seem very earnest and helpful - they've called me to offer their services following a couple of bike builds I did on their site. Tim seems like a really nice guy.

But, their prices on their builds are not very good and so I've always shopped elsewhere. Like you, I've not found much service information, postive or negative.

I had not thought about them as a source for an IF, thanks for planting that idea.

I had just wondered about buying a frameset from them - they still have the steel crown jewel listed for $1600, although I'm not sure if those are only for stock sizes. IF has raised the price to $1750.

related to that thread castigating Seven, I did specify a serious race bike when I ordered mine. now, I'm getting out of racing - long story. I may get out of it for a few years, or a few decades, but I want something comfy and steel. if I don't get the IF, I may get a Vanilla, actually. yes, I know, Vanilla would be a bit more expensive.

 

[terry b]

I had just wondered about buying a frameset from them - they still have the steel crown jewel listed for $1600, although I'm not sure if those are only for stock sizes. IF has raised the price to $1750.

related to that thread castigating Seven, I did specify a serious race bike when I ordered mine. now, I'm getting out of racing - long story. I may get out of it for a few years, or a few decades, but I want something comfy and steel. if I don't get the IF, I may get a Vanilla, actually. yes, I know, Vanilla would be a bit more expensive.

Price-wise, I don't think the Vanilla would be hugely more expensive. The wait would be a killer for me, although the end product might make it worthwhile.

After your thread got me thinking, I went over to WS and had a look. I was wondering if they listed the newer "factory lightweight" frame that's now seen on the IF site. Unfortunately, they don't. That, or their potential 953 frame would be what I would consider.

Have you thought about Carl Strong or Dave Kirk - another interesting possibility. If you know what you need dimensionally, that could be a quick(er) turnaround for a great steel frame.

 

[[email protected]]

I had just wondered about buying a frameset from them - they still have the steel crown jewel listed for $1600, although I'm not sure if those are only for stock sizes. IF has raised the price to $1750.

related to that thread castigating Seven, I did specify a serious race bike when I ordered mine. now, I'm getting out of racing - long story. I may get out of it for a few years, or a few decades, but I want something comfy and steel. if I don't get the IF, I may get a Vanilla, actually. yes, I know, Vanilla would be a bit more expensive.

If I may be so bold as to pipe-up.

All Independent Fabrications are custom. The price includes custom geometry unless you specifically state that you want Indy Fabs "stock" specs.
It is true that Indy Fabs prices have gone up and I have made the changes on our we site. If you want a frame at the old price, call me before we update our site tonight or tomorrow night.

as far as our pricing goes... We're not interested in being the cheapest on the web. Our focus is selling the best bikes set-up just the way you want them. Our prices are fair and competitive. We are concerned with setting standards in the industry rather than blowing out product.
We are a bunch of old bike-nuts who refuse to grow up and get "real jobs", but we take what we do seriously. No one here is younger than 30 years old save for our receiving grommet and assistant bike builder. We are former racers, tourists, trials specialists and a grumpy old mechanic who is an encyclopedia of bicycle knowledge.
I'll stop blowing my own horn. Give us a call and decide for your self.
By the way...Tim is a nice guy and a pleasure to work for.

 

[[email protected]]

Price-wise, I don't think the Vanilla would be hugely more expensive. The wait would be a killer for me, although the end product might make it worthwhile.

After your thread got me thinking, I went over to WS and had a look. I was wondering if they listed the newer "factory lightweight" frame that's now seen on the IF site. Unfortunately, they don't. That, or their potential 953 frame would be what I would consider.

Have you thought about Carl Strong or Dave Kirk - another interesting possibility. If you know what you need dimensionally, that could be a quick(er) turnaround for a great steel frame.

Hey Terryb, we would, but all of their frames are custom order. If you do see an IF at our shopit will be a customers or an employees. We have dream o fbuilding a Wrenchscience Crown Jewel... Orange and Grey, I hope it happens and I hope it's a 54cm

 

[terry b]

Hey Terryb, we would, but all of their frames are custom order. If you do see an IF at our shopit will be a customers or an employees. We have dream o fbuilding a Wrenchscience Crown Jewel... Orange and Grey, I hope it happens and I hope it's a 54cm

Oh, I didn't mean I came over literally, I just went back to your website and browsed a bit. It would be really great if you offered their Lightweight steel frame, great enough perhaps to pry my credit card out of my pocket.

 

[Stjtoday]

They built my DeRosa Merak last March. Cannot say enough good about the experience, sent photos during construction and asked alot of questions to ensure they got the fit just right. 3k miles the bike still rides like a swiss watch.. they will build my next one.

(Err.. by the way guys I need to get a price on a Look 565.. )

DeRosa

 

[[email protected]]

They built my DeRosa Merak last March. Cannot say enough good about the experience, sent photos during construction and asked alot of questions to ensure they got the fit just right. 3k miles the bike still rides like a swiss watch.. they will build my next one.

(Err.. by the way guys I need to get a price on a Look 565.. )

DeRosa

I'm happy to hear the Merak is treating you well. Give us a call and we can talk about that Look. You can get our toll free number off of the web site (see link below)

 

[[email protected]]

Oh, I didn't mean I came over literally, I just went back to your website and browsed a bit. It would be really great if you offered their Lightweight steel frame, great enough perhaps to pry my credit card out of my pocket.

That is the great thing about the web bike shop. It's open 24/7 and you don't even have to put on a jacket to come on by.

Thanks for the head's up. I do offer the Lightweight though it is not yet on the site. I will also check with Joe at IF and see if they are ready to offer the 953 frames yet. Tt will show up on the web site very soon

 

[saywhat]

I'm happy to hear the Merak is treating you well. Give us a call and we can talk about that Look. You can get our toll free number off of the web site (see link below)

where does one take a bike that has been bought off the web to be serviced? How does the LBS that has the exclusive dealership for a brand feel about servicing that bike? In a perfect world I could fix it myself but I am lucky to get the time to ride let alone acquire the skills it takes to do beyond the simple repairs.

 

[terry b]

Every bike store in the world is happy to work on your bike. Your money is just as green as the next guy's whether you bought the bike on the 'net, or from some other store next door, in the next county, state, country or continent.

If you buy a Pinarello in a store in San Francisco, and then move to Dubuque, do you think you'll never be able to get your bike serviced again?

 

[kajukembo]

Diy

In a perfect world I could fix it myself but I am lucky to get the time to ride let alone acquire the skills it takes to do beyond the simple repairs.

Remember, some of us live quite far from convenient and competent LBS's and shopping on the web has allowed us to source products not available in our local markets. Separately, the ability to service my bike from top to bottom allows me much more time to ride. I didn't learn these skills over night, but they now save me substantial time and money.

 

[[email protected]]

where does one take a bike that has been bought off the web to be serviced? How does the LBS that has the exclusive dealership for a brand feel about servicing that bike? In a perfect world I could fix it myself but I am lucky to get the time to ride let alone acquire the skills it takes to do beyond the simple repairs.

If you work with an LBS and buy a bike off the web because it was cheaper, you are doing a disservice to yourself, the LBS and and the web dealer.
I'm not sure what you mean by "exlusive" dealers. There are dealer "territories" that range from a few blocks to a few miles depending on population density. We have dealer territories here in California too. We don't encroach on anyone's territory and no one encroaches on ours.

As far as taking your mail-order bike to a shop... Any good shop should be able to work on any bike. I know that I love to work on high - end bikes.. I don't care where they come from. If you worked with me for weeks on sizing and specing say and Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel, bought it elsewhere, and brought it back to me for service, I'm not going to give you any breaks on parts or labor, I'm not going to bump you to the front of the repair schedule and, if you have a good sense of humour, I'm going to razz you about getting your bike elsewhere. You'll still get the same level of service as anyone else who brings a bike in for repair (yes, we are an actual shop.)

We like small bikes shops. We are one that happens to have a huge internet presence. Remember, there are folks out in the middle of No Bike Shop land.

 

[Under ACrookedSky]

I'm thinking about getting an IF custom from Wrenchscience, and I've searched the archives but I can't seem to find a lot of comments on how the experience was. anyone?

A friend of mine bought from them. Best packing for shipment I have ever seen. Not that I have seen a lot, but it was impressive. The bars even had a little piece of tape next to the center with a pen mark showing where they should positioned in the stem so they would have the right orientation.

 

[Under ACrookedSky]

where does one take a bike that has been bought off the web to be serviced?

Tell them you bought it somewhere else. Out of state. It was a gift from your brother. Bought it from a college bud who found out that riding on the road was a lot different than spinning classes. Are they really going to turn down your money?

The best way is to just do the work yourself. There is not much to simple maintenance.

 

[Phat&SlowVelo]

Hey Terry

Hey Terryb, we would, but all of their frames are custom order. If you do see an IF at our shopit will be a customers or an employees. We have dream o fbuilding a Wrenchscience Crown Jewel... Orange and Grey, I hope it happens and I hope it's a 54cm

I don't know how much the factory lightweight will actually weigh, i can tell you my IF weighed in at 4lbs exactly. And it's a pretty small frame.