Independent Fabrication are designers and fabricators of custom handmade bike frames. Located in Somerville Massachusetts, they offer a variety of bike types, Road, Mountain, Touring and Cyclocross. Materials range from steel, titanium and carbon fiber. Take a look at their new 2008 bike catalog of custom bliss — love the dark theme and the image on the cover.
Ti Crown Jewel
IF is the only frame builder shotpeening their titanium frames. What does shotpeening do for your frame? The process imparts residual compressive stress which counteracts the tensile stresses created in the cutting and welding processes. The result: fatigue strength doubles.
Silver IF head tube badge. Also available in solid gold. $2000
Razor sharp transitions between paint colors.
IF can paint your bike any color you want, in any design you can think of. Check out their site to see custom paint jobs galore. Submit your own design or work with them on a collaboration.
The Somerville Castle
Thinking about getting a custom bike built for yourself? Inquire with your local bike shop to start the process. All I can say is working with Joe and crew at IF was a breeze! Read more: here’s a recent inteview with IF at bikeradar.com