John May

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  • in reply to: Spending money on your bike… #4794
    John May
    Member

    I'm 54 years old and thanks to the Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel SE, with 2,500 miles his year, I am keeping my health in textbook condition. All my wife had to do is compare that with the health of many our friend & relatives – to see that the money has been well spent. And yeah, she finally discovered all the "invoices". We're still together!

    in reply to: Crown jewel vs ssr.Help me decide. #4847
    John May
    Member

    My Crown Jewel SE (55) weighs in at wee bit under 17 pounds. If I had the extra $1,300, I might have chosen the SSR on the fact that it would not corrode – and it’s a very unique frame material. (Yeah, snob appeal! I’ll admit it!)

    However, I did not have the extra $1,300 and I can tell you that my SE is a sweet ride. I plan to put 3,000 miles on it this season and I more than halfway there.

    Actually, if I had enough money, I’d buy one of each frames that IF makes – so if money is not a factor, buy both!

    in reply to: Group #4837
    John May
    Member

    Okay,

    I’ll start making some inquiries with the Boston area.

    Funny thing is that two guys I work with are Harley Davidson owners and they were headed to something this weekend – and asked me if bicycle brands do the same thing. I told them, “Well, we’re about to find out”…..

    in reply to: First IF #4808
    John May
    Member

    My first IF is my present IF. I was looking at getting a custom bike and figured that my first step would be finding a good bike shop to advise and build it for me. Roy at Grace Bicycles in Hopkinton was an easy decision to make. The next step was the frame. With all the frame builders in Massachusetts, I had a lot to choose from. What sealed the deal was an IF Ride and Presentation @ Grace bicycles last summer. Meeting the actual people who would be building the frame and listening to their clear objective of frame building made it an easy choice. I decided on a Crown Jewel SE after reading the ride reports of those who had them and seeing the demo at Grace Bicycles. The next hurdle was the money. I had been saving a few bucks each year and figured that I’d need one or two more years to make the deal. That’s when lightning struck and I won the frame raffle held by the IF race team.

    Sweet.

    Roy and I went over all the options and decided on a selection of parts that were, in Roy’s words, “Just under Formula 1 level”. In other words, all top notch stuff, but nothing exotic. My focus was on a bike that could climb, sprint, and be comfortable on long rides. Weight was not a primary concern – but even so the bike came in at just a few ounces under 17 pounds -not bad for a steel bike.

    I’ve never really cared about the color of my cars or bikes or so forth – and to put a little “harmony” in the family, I let my wife pick the color. In the interests of visibility and safety, she chose Velocity Yellow. And since I won the frame, I decided to add the green decals and official green IF Cateye Wireless to stay in line with the company colors and help promote the brand.

    Now after 1,000 miles, I can say that the bike is everything I expected to be and more. It has exceeded my expectations. Thanks IF.

    in reply to: Spending money on your bike… #4790
    John May
    Member

    I’ll bet she does!!!! <G>

    in reply to: IF Selling Out to Mass Market Shops?? #4772
    John May
    Member

    Dilution of brand? Lying about it?

    I’m beginning to think that Mike is not telling us everything he knows.

    Maybe he should visit his boutique store, ask them what’s really going on, and get back to us?

    in reply to: IF Selling Out to Mass Market Shops?? #4766
    John May
    Member

    I’m just wondering what frame would look the best with Halle Berry on the saddle….I’m thinking an XS with the burgundy tinted carbon tubes and the lugs with a rose satin finish, Campy Record, and pink Terry Damself saddle…..ouch!

    I’m also wondering, if Halle had a twin sister on the same bike just two miles away, would she be any less hot?

    Excuse me while I ponder the possibilities….

    in reply to: IF Selling Out to Mass Market Shops?? #4759
    John May
    Member

    Two shops within a mile of each other does seem odd. I suspect there is more to the story and I am not about to specualte about it in an open forum out of respect for all parties involved.

    I was at the 2009 model/catalogue launch in Boston last week and I had the chance to meet with the people who built the Crown Jewel SE that I just received. I have also been lucky enough to visit the factory and get a glimpse of things. I would be suprised if any of the individuals at Independent Fabrication would allow anyone to run that company into the ground. There is too much well deserved pride for that. And while I did not have the chance to meet with Gary, I fail to see him as Gordon Gekko.

    Further, I fail to see how the IF Brand would lose its exclusivity image if sold in a shop that carried Trek or Giant or any other mass market company. It’s in a different market segment.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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