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At this years' EHBE, one of the major crowd-pullers was a stunning black and amber beauty by Independent Fabrications.
The bike, a full custom-build designed by Ken Bloomer of IFBikes.de, (Indy Fab's guy in Germany) was commissioned by German coachbuilders Weismann; the bike being a limited-edition model exclusive to Weismann owners.
For EHBE, Wiesmann brought along one of their extremeley rare, extremely beautiful hand-built sports cars to take part in the IF display. The two contrasted nicely, with both dream bike and dream car appealing to connoiseurs of fine, hand-built personal transport.
As a whole, the bike is a study in elegance, featuring an eclectic mix of Campy Super Record grouppo, mated to a to a state-of-the-art steel frame featuring Reynolds' superb 953 tubing and finished with a deep glossy paintwork and brushed stainless stays. The jewel-like finish of the frame is topped off with a beautiful, custom iguana head emblem, carved from solid silver.
The SSR (' Stainless Steel Racer ') certainly caught the attention of both public and press alike. So impressed were Rennrad Magazine, one of Germany's leading bike-centric print publications, they went on to feature the bike in a full page spread in this months' edition.
Rennrad heaped praise on the bike not only for its build quality and its departure from the use of a 'normal' carbon frame, but applauded both the bike and the IF brand for Der Reiz des Unvernünftigen - roughly translated as 'the Allure of the Unconventional'.
But that's not all ...
Frameforum can reveal the Indy Fab SSR frame has has just won the prestigious 2009 Eurobike Design Award for Best Frame!
This is a sparkling achievement for Independent Fabrications, a brand that has gone from strength to strength since its humble beginnings as a worker's co-operative in 1995. Today, with its ever-growing army of loyal fans, IF is arguably one of the most desirable custom 'micro-brands' around, regardless of frame material.
The award also marks a remarkable achievement for Reynolds, supplier of the 953 tubeset used in the frame. This time last year, Fixie Inc's 'Chip Race 953' was the recipient of a Eurobike award - a frame featuring the same 'magic number' from Reynolds!
When you consider examples of work built in all materials were submitted to the Eurobike judges, it just goes to show there are still those in favour of the qualities of a cutting-edge steel frame.
The official awards ceremony will be held during Eurobike on 2 September, 2009 at 6.00 p.m. on the Fashion Show Stage in Hall A4.
All award-winning products will form a special display in the West Foyer of Messe Friedrichshafen, home of Eurobike, on opening day. Afterwards, the SSR will take pride of place on the IF booth (Hall B1 stand 502) shared with its fork supplier Edge Composites (no doubt with a change of wheels!)
This is definitely one bike not to be missed; if you didn't get the chance to see it at EHBE, make sure you do so at Eurobike!
• Link-O-Rama •
Indy Fab Germany
Independent Fabrications USA
Reynolds Technology
Edge Composites
Rennrad Magazine
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