Global Domination

OK, maybe we are not taking over the world of cycling, but our riders have been making some noise. This past weekend saw IFBRT riders taking part in two different round the clock races one in Lofa Austria the other in Finale Italy.

Sandi played guest heavy hitter on the Team Herzlichst Zypern squad in an effort to win the Lofa24 Hour race in the mixed 4 person category. Sandi had a blast doing her first 24hour race on their way to the win, but more so for her she had a strong race the entire time and had fun in the process.

While Sandi was off in Austria, the LosLobos (aka Italian Single Speed Mafia) was wreaking havoc in Finale. Our man Andrea Compri was debuting our new team kit courtesy of Biciclista. Los Lobos of course won the SS category while breaking hearts in the process.

The prior weekend our man Wolfgang did another race this season, the BikeMax Marathon, blowing himself out along with the competitors for a 31st in Masters, 40 overall.

Next up is Tegernsee Marathon, Willingen and then 24hours in Munich.

Dream Test Ride at the Gardasee Bike Festival 30.04 - 02.05.2010

We are offering one rider a chance to ride and race an Independent Fabrication Ti Deluxe 29er during the Gardasee Festival. Those interested may submit their name, contact information, their sizing information (height, inseam and weight), and why you would like to ride and race our Ti 29er.

If chosen, you will get fit to the Ti Deluxe 29er on Friday during the festival at out booth F5 in expo area before going out to ride it on Friday and then racing it in one of the Marathon distances on Saturday. You will also receive a team kit (short sleeve jersey and bib shorts) which you can keep after the race. Not too mention you will get to hang out with the rest of the IFBRT Racing Team in our team area, sip some great espresso and be the envy of the rest of the competitors.

Requirements: must be 18 years or older, you have to sign a waiver/ liability form, provide a valid passport for security, be registered for the Marathon, provide us & Bike Sport News with feedback on your experience. You must bring their own pedals, ride with a helmet at all times, and we will also need your current bike setup dimensions.

The winner will be selected on Tuesday, 27. April 2010.

Bike specs:

Ti Deluxe 29er (58.5 cm virtual toptube/ 46 seat tube center to center)
FOX F29 90mm 15 QR
Chris King/ EDGE wheelset w/ Geax Suguaro TNT tires
SRAM XO
Magura Marta SL Mag Discbrakes
Thomson bar & post
Fizik saddle
Syntace bar
Ergon GA1 grips
Rotor Agilis 2x9 cranks

Münsingen

Having been on the DL for a few weeks early this year, I benched myself and took the roll of waterboy for Sandi at this weekends first round of the Bundesliga MTB Series, the German National Series. Really it was a no brainer to take up the supprt role, still trying to build some sort of fitness following my surgeries, and the fact I like to support Sandi at events like this, Colin and I gladly handled hand-ups in between watching the racing, feeding lamas & horses, and gathering rocks.

Münsingen has been the first round of the German series for some time and typically draws top riders from around Europe, as was the case this year. The top ten in attendance here could easily be the top 10 at any World Cup event, and to top that, Münsingen is an autobahn course...fast as hell and void of any technical sections (at least in the dry).

The speed on display was impressive to say the least, the girls were drilling from the start and hardly faded through the race. Sandi played it conservatively going into the race, knowing that she was out powered, had only a fraction of the training that these girls have and it just wasn't her style of racing, she still found her groove out there, and hung tough with the World's elite.

After a rough couple inital laps, ASandi began to flow more with the course, and while she couldn't emulate the top-end of the other girls, she was able to clean, and do so at speed the short techy sections peppered throughout the course. Her own little triumph. Best of all she had a lot of fun out there, and actually faired quite well against some girls she will be facing later this season at some marathons.

We love going to races and the whole experience around it, having Colin around and seeing his enthusiasm for it made it even enjoyable. While our days off top level racing are numbered, if not already behind us, we can take solace in still being competitive at regional events and finding pleasure in the process.

Next up is Gardasee for us and some mountain style riding.

Long-Cross

Our man Wolgang Seyfried went out over the weekend and mixed things up between a couple of runs and mountaibike to tackle the 2. Crossduathlon der LLG Wonnegau long-course.

His Ti Deluxe saw some muddy action...

But of course was up for the task, and looked good all dressed up in mud.

17th overall, 11 in Masters. Nice work Wolfgang!

Taking shape

This winter has been long. OK, I don't like much snow, rain and cold, but that's not the point. This winter has been longer than others because I was waiting for my new team bike. I've been riding as much as my body allowed to prepare for the coming season, but I couldn't stop thinking about THAT bike.

Last monday, the frame and fork finally made it home. I've seen a couple photos a few days before, but opening the card box was a whole different experience. I drooled over the frame the whole evening. The paintjob blew me away. I then spent a couple days enjoying its naked beauty.

Come the week-end and it was time to take the tool box out. I was eager to see the bike I've been thinking about for months. I finally got rid of all the boxes laying around and the result is worth the wait. I'm extremely happy of out it turned out, but make your own opinion.

Through the winter, I spent a lot of time thinking about the geometry of the bike and how I wanted to build it. The whole concept of the bike is oriented to all mountain riding. Laid back head angle, shorter and higher position than my XC rig were mandatory. I wanted the perfect machine to ride technical and rough trails. A brief description of the current setup:

- Frame : IF Deluxe 29er

- Fork : IF

- Chris King all over the place (headset, hubs and bottom braket)

- Thomson accessories

- Shimano transmission

- Avid Elixir brakes

- ESI Chunky grips and Fi'zi:k Aliante saddle, two of my favorite bike parts ever.

After the first short ride, it seems the bike is more than up for the job. Coming from the 26" singlespeed I spent the whole winter on, it sure feels very different and I have to tune my riding again to 29" wheels. But the bike behaves really good. Climbing is almost too easy. Grip is plenty and the front wheel stays on the ground, even with the short and high position I chose. The low bottom bracket helps for sure. And when the trail heads downhill... Well, I can't even describe how confident I felt immediately. Just let off the brakes, rail the corners and hold on!

Time now to make the final tuning, test a few things and get used to it, which won't take long anyway. I can't wait for the first event I'll ride on it!

PS: For more photos of the bike, have a look here.

Berliner Fahrrad Schau 2010

Ich bin ein Berliner...or at least I feel like one, fitting for the fasting time. We are heading to the capital of Germany for the first annual Berliner Fahrrad Schau on March 6 & 7 and could not be more stoked. Together with Biciclista, Geekhouse, Waridi and LaMarzocco, we will be showing some of the finest wears in the cycling industry in the form of of Independent Fabrication bikes and frames including a spanking new Ti Deluxe 29er complete with SRAM XX, EDGE/ KING wheels among other goodies. To top off our collection in Berlin we will have on hand from IF will be the infamous 2006 NAHBS Best Track Bike, the XS Pursuit bike as we have brought it over for a spring tour around Germany. Two new customer Ti Deluxe's will show off the incredible attention to detail and beauty of the IF paint shop, and of course our unswaying love for cross will be represented in the form of a stealthy SSX.

Geekhouse has joined our growing family and we will have a couple dripping new frames on hand, one fixed geared and a 29er mountain bike.

Biciclista will be showing off their 2010 collection which happens to be their best to date. Part of the collection will be the IFBRT team kit in both team racing green or only if you are man enough pink.  The fine Italian cycling wear company will show off its "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" collection of jerseys, along side the reto but stylin line of wool garments.

Waridi will also be on hand lighting up the world of cycling and sports with their unrivaled line of lamps, handmade of course in Germany.

Also in the line of handmade, La Mazocco maker of fine handmade espresso machines and grinders will make sure ll who stop by stay juiced up for the show via our GS3 stainless steel espresso machine, pulling fine shots of our own espresso blends.

Be sure to stop by the show March 6 & 7 at the Station in Berlin. More info under www.berlinerfahrradschau.com

We have been playing in the kitchen, testing out our new La Marzocco G3 espresso machine and trying out some new beans. Armed with beans from Speicherstadt, we have been pulling shots of their two espresso blends along with blending some varietals on our own to come up with some tasty blends. My fav thus far was a blend of Mexican, Ethiopian Yergacheff and Peru SHB (the doses are a secret).

The G3 is part of a joint marketing coop between us and La Marzocco this season in an effort to promote their beautiful machines, while tying the coffee and cycling cultures together. We will have the G3 at most events this year pulling shots for friends and fans, plus you can pick up a bag of our beans.

Be looking for a more detailed post on the G3 in the future!