Independent Fabrication

Independent Fabrication
Private
Industry Bicycles
Founded 1995
Headquarters Newmarket, New Hampshire, U.S.
Key people
 Gary Smith
Products Custom Bicycles
Revenue undisclosed
Number of employees
 13
Website Independent Fabrication

Independent Fabrication (IF) is a bicycle company located in Newmarket, New Hampshire, USA. It is often mistakenly referred to as Independent Fabrications. IF fabricates bicycle frames from steel, titanium and carbon fiber. Independent Fabrication has twice won the Bicycling Magazine "Dream Bike of the Year" with its carbon-tubed, titanium-lugged XS road frame.[1] Independent Fabrication was founded by and is owned by its employees. In 2005, the company took part in a CNN television program called The TurnAround.[2] The show paired a growing business with a mentor from a more successful company. Independent Fabrication was paired with Jeff Swartz, chief executive of Timberland.[3]

In 2011 the company announced its factory would move from Somerville, Massachusetts to Newmarket, NH within the year. A handful of IF's employees made the move with the company, and several former employees returned.

History of Independent Fabrication

Independent Fabrication was formed by former employees of Fat City Cycles[4] and later Merlin Metalworks. Giana Roberge won the 2004 world masters time-trial championship in Austria on an XS.

In 2007 Gary Smith bought 80% of the company, with the employees owning the remaining 20%.

Bicycle Frames

Independent Fabrication currently manufactures the following custom bicycle frame models:

Road

Note SEC features carbon wishbone seat stays.

Cyclocross

Off Road

Touring

Specials

Independent Fabrication has also produced specials and one-off bikes. Some are show bikes, others have been built to the requirements of customers or other companies:

Owners' Club

An Independent Fabrication Owners' Club launched in 2004. It has a register of over 1,750 IF bikes.

Grassroots Racing

Independent Fabrication has a small but successful grassroots racing program. Racers past and present include:


IF Racing

IF Racing was formed in February 2008 by team director Jonathan Bruno. The squad is a newly expanded U25 Development program for road racing and pro mountain bike racing. In addition to efforts to promote environmental sustainability and healthy choices, the team will participate in an after-school cycling program for Boston public schools.

2010 Team

Women's Team

The team, which started as Merlin/Smartfuel in 1997 and in 2000 picked up sponsorship from Independent Fabrication, is based in New England and rides regional and National Racing Calendar events.[17][18]

Current Riders:

Former Riders:

Gallery

External links

References

  1. ↑ Road Bike Reviews: Editor's Choice 2006 - bicycling.com
  2. ↑ CNN/Money: The Turnaround
  3. ↑ Dirt Rag {Web Rag: News}
  4. ↑ Fat City Cycles to close - BIKEmagic Gear News
  5. ↑ Gear & Bike Reviews: The Independent Fabrication XS Review at Bicycling.com
  6. ↑ http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/UAN/1218/v/2/sp/
  7. ↑ MJ GEAR GUIDE: High in Fiber - Lighter, faster, carbon fiber road bikes
  8. ↑ Gear & Bike Reviews: The Independent Fabrication 953 Review at Bicycling.com
  9. ↑ Independent Fabrication SSR 953 - RoadCyclingUK Reviews
  10. ↑ Independent Fabrication Planet X - RoadCyclingUK Gear news
  11. ↑ Steel Deluxe reviewed in bike group test. Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine, Issue 9. Todmorden, UK.
  12. ↑ Titanium Deluxe reviewed in bike group test. Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine, Issue 29. Todmorden, UK.
  13. ↑ Gear & Bike Reviews: The Independent Fabrication BMXS Review at Bicycling.com
  14. ↑ Prototype reviewed in bike group test. Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine, Issue 16. Todmorden, UK.
  15. ↑ www.cyclingnews.com - the world centre of cycling
  16. ↑ Dirt Rag {Web Rag: News}
  17. ↑ Independent Fabrication/Kempner Women's Cycling Team
  18. ↑ Independent Fabrication/Kempner Elite Women's Road Racing Team
  19. ↑ Katheryn Curi
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