STEEL SPLENDOUR - INDY FAB'S STEEL CROWN JEWEL

This build, for those who haven't popped into the shop for a quick squizz, has been a labour of love for me for the last couple of months. With a list of other customer builds to get through, it took a little longer than anticipated, but the wait was well worth it.

 An Indy Fab paint job is the lifeblood of your creative expression. While your IF custom frame speaks to your desires, it's the one-of-a-kind paint job that reveals your soul. Twenty-six standard colour options allow you to express yourself however you see fit. And if 26 colours aren't enough, they will do their best to mix whatever custom hue you’re looking for. For this build, we went with Nagaro Blue.

 First impressions? Well this bike rode exactly the way I expected, and more. Steering was firm and direct. Coupling Enve's 2.0 fork with this frameset was a perfect touch. At no time did I feel uneasy or lack confidence in it's steering ability. A pure delight. Power transfer was immediate. A true steel bike should give quick and smooth acceleration and this bike was certainly no exception. One of the most enjoyable riding experiences I have had to date.

 Chris King components round off the build. It is pictured here with Tune hubs and Enve rims but a set of more durable alloy rims coupled with Chris King hubs will soon complete this bike.

 The new Sram Red painted in custom Tangerine Candy. This groupset is set to be the standout for 2012. Being a Sram convert myself, even I was amazed at the difference in shifting quality this new groupo has compared to the last model. Those who think Di2 is the best shifting groupo should give the new Red a go. It was the perfect match for this frameset making the overall weight of the bike impressive to say the least.

 Every frame that comes out of Indy Fab's factory is custom built to each customers geometry and spec. For those of us who suffer from 'short leg-itus' this becomes an appealing factor.

 The weight of the complete bike speaks for itself. The superb feel of steel without compromises, at a carbon superbike weight. We could have shaved even more weight off the components without too much trouble, but then again, you buy steel for the ride, not the grams factor.

All this for a fraction of the price you would pay for an Italian/made in China factory bike.

Enjoy. I certainly did!

STEEL CROWN JEWEL PROJEST - STAGE 4

 Picture me rollin..

STEEL CROWN JEWEL PROJECT - STAGE 3

A quick snippet of some new editions... Custom painted Sram Red 2012.

STEEL CROWN JEWEL PROJECT - STAGE 2

 So I know it's taking a little while... but it is my bike and we have been busy little bees and well, what can I say, customers bikes always come first. Here are a few pics of some recent additions to the Independent Fabrications shop show bike.

 Polished steel/chrome and mango will finish off the beautiful Nagaro Blue.

 Arundel make these sweet steel cages that will certainly do the job.

Still in two minds though about the orange re-upholstered Concor...

THE ITALIAN JOB - PARLEE TT with RECORD

SPEED MACHINE - PARLEE TT IN CUSTOM BLACK

 Your Tuesday fix. The 3T components work perfectly to create this Parlee TT bike. Parlee have managed to produce a TT bike which allows for much more adjustability and user friendly geometry.

 3T Mistral Pro bars coupled with ski-bend extensions give this cockpit both aero-dynamics aswell as adjustability. 3T also makes an appearance in the brake department with these minimalist levers.

 Enve Composites bring the hoops. All we need now is a disc! Parlee havn't crammed the chainstays either so almost any disc wheel will fit.



A SUNDAY IN HELL - FILM NIGHT

Here is all the info. To book your ticket online, visit http://www.roadie.net.au/?p=11902598111

The South Bank Bunch invites you to a Film & Pizza night raising funds for the Endeavour Foundation

A Sunday in Hell

Witness the battle between Merckx, De Vlaeminck, Marten & Moser in this dramatic and psychological masterpiece of cinematography of the 1976 Spring Classic: Paris-Roubaix.
Date: 24 April 2012
Time: 7.00 pm
Place: Schonell Theatre, University of Queensland
Cost: $25 includes pizza and admission to the film
Arrive 6.30pm onwards. Pizza from the Schonell Theatre Pizza Cafe served 7.00pm. Drinks also available.
Online bookings close 23 April.
If you require a vegetarian or gluten-free pizza, please email supermarg@gmail.com

Fantastic Lucky Door Prize

Steve George from Crankstar has generously donated a Crankstar jersey and knicks as a lucky door prize in support of the Endeavour Foundation. Valued at $250, the Crankstar kit is just about the best looking kit going around Brisbane. Every ticket holder will go into the draw to win the Crankstar kit and you’ll be able to purchase additional tickets in the Crankstar kit draw on the night.

What the critics say

“One of the greatest cycling films of all time!”
“A true masterpiece of cycling cinematography.”
“Possibly perfect. An artful documentary on the one day Classic Paris-Roubaix road race.”

WHAT'S NEW @ CRANKSTAR

Moot's finest. The Vamoots RSL.

New colour options for Parlee's Z5's.

A 'lil sumthin' special for a Z1.

CUSTOM PARLEE QUARK CRANKS

Enough said.

STEEL CROWN JEWEL PROJECT - STAGE 1

Crankstar's first Independent Fabrications delivery. A Steel Crown Jewel made with both True Temper & Reynolds 853 tubing. An Enve Composites fork finished with a Mango Chris King headset. We chose Nagano Blue, but IF's paint shop gives you the choice of 24 stock colours as well as custom options. A taste of things to follow...

SMOKEY THE BANDIT - CRANKSTAR'S FIRST Z5 SLi ROLL OUT

Well, this one has been a work in progress. A mixture of ultra-modern parts combining with good old fashion functionality. It was as if the moons and stars where meant to align. When we here at Crankstar learnt of Parlee's intentions to release an internal Z5 Sli, it couldn't have come at a better time. Stalwart groupset manufacturer Shimano was just about to release their much anticipated Ultegra electronic groupo, and we knew it was only a matter of time before customers wanted to combine the two. So with only a minor delay, the finished product speaks for itself.

A delicious pallet of greys, silvers and blacks. Ride it, or frame it??

Super smooth cable exit points leave a fresh clean appearance. Shimano's new Ultegra carbon pedal completes the drive train.

Arundel's Trident matte carbon cages will keep a firm hold on the biddons. Note Parlee's carbon front derailleur clamp.

Hubs are from Alchemy laced with Sapim CX-Ray spokes and finished off with Hed's super impressive C2 rim.

The cockpit features Thompson's Road Stem combined with 3T's latest stealth carbon Pro bars. Fizik came through with the goods with this hard to find bar tape.

Keep an eye out for this bad boy flying around Mooloolaba this weekend. I'm sure it will be turning a few heads.

PROJECT Z5 2012 - FINISHED PRODUCT

 Well I might be a little late in posting the story, but our first Z5 project for 2012 is finished with one happy customer ripping around the streets of Brisbane on his new custom Parlee build. It is a superb representation of modern day products melting together to give a classic and classy feel to something which was built with function as its main aim. Here are some pics of the finished product.

The custom pin-striped Campag groupo matches the Parlee logos perfectly to give this build a personal touch. This groupo caused a sensation at the shop. People where coming in just to check it out!

 I'm a bit bias towards American products these days, but the Campag Record groupo seems made for the Parlee. Thompson stem & seat post combo was a must. Lizard Skin bar tape rounds off the cockpit. Much grip?? indeed!

The custom hand built Alchemy hubs with Hed C2 rims and Sapim CX-Ray spokes compliment the frame in both looks and performance. We were surprised at how the wheels combined with the frame to give this bike a special feel. It is not too often you hop on a bike and straight away feel a sense of security. This bike with all of its different elements combine to give you something which is hard to find these days, balance. No stones left un-turned. The Zen of custom bike builds.

CRESTMEAD RACE 2 WRAP UP

Steve George (Crankstar) takes the win. (www.thomascollier.com)

  Well, what an action packed hour. Crestmead has always been known for its high speed thrills and spills but this year is beginning to resemble the Daytona 500! Another block headwind down the finishing straight ensured the second edition again finished in a bunch kick. Being the start of the year and with many riders starting in new teams looking to earn browny points early, the race stayed close with only a couple of short but fruitless breaks getting away. The early sprint points where touchy with Nick Woods (TDU) making the most of his teams work and snatching enough points to take the Sprint Jersey away from team-mate Alex Wohler.

Ryan Macanally (Budget Forklifts) hits the deck after attempting take Peter Thompson's (Drapac) wheel. (www.thomascollier.com)

With 10 minutes to go and no sign of the lap board, it was physical again with riders jostling for position for the sprint. With 2 laps to go, Jayco 2XU took control of the race and led by Darren Rolfe, ensured the finish would be kept honest. The pace on the last lap split the bunch and left Jordan Kerby (QAS), Matt Wood (Jayco 2XU), Joel Lewis (Pensar Hawk) and Steve George (Crankstar) to battle out the finish and hold off a fast finishing Peter Thompson (Drapac).

Results.*

1. Steve George (Crankstar)

2. Matt Wood (Jayco 2XU)

3. Joel Lewis (Pensar Hawk)

CRESTMEAD RACE 1 WRAP UP

As always, the Champion System Sizzling Summer Crestmead Series heralds the start of Queensland's domestic season. With an A grade field approaching 80 starters and big names like Michael Hepburn (GreenEdge), Jay McCarthy (Jayco Skins) and Peter Thompson (Drapac) it was bound to be fast and furious.
The one hour format definitely sorts the fit from pretenders and early breaks where strong but short lived in a race that averaged 48km/h. Early aggressors included Jordan Kerby and Dave Edwards (QAS) who ensured the bunch would have to work hard to keep it together. Jay McCarthy (Jayco Skins) showed why he is being picked as the next big thing in Australian Cycling by pulling big lap turns to catch a number of breaks.
With at least 5 laps to go and the lap boards no-where to be seen, Pensar-Hawk Racing tried to take control of the race with what looked like their entire team on the front, but the quality of the field showed with some of the more experienced riders like Michael Hepburn (GreenEdge) and Michael Cupitt (Budget Forklifts) seizing control of the box seats with 3 laps to go. With a last lap that was marred by crashes, Crankstar's own Steve George took control of the lead-out which delivered the sprinters into a block headwind.

Results*-
1. Peter Thompson
2. Jay McCarthy
3. Ryan Maccanally

*interim results