Up for auction is one Independent Fabrication Steel Planet X
cyclocross frame hand made in Somerville Mass from the early days of Indy
Fab. The Planet X is their cyclocross/gravel
grinder frame (cantilever/V-brakes only.)
Officially, the size is listed as 54 x 50 cm, although it seems to
measure out a bit smaller in my workshop.
It comes complete with its original matching steel fork - all in very
good condition. Custom painted in
metallic IF Team Quetzal green with Nogaro blue fade/stars with silver/blue block-style
decals.
History
This frame was purchased earlier this season from the second owner, who bought it from the original owner who is an IF dealer here in the Philadelphia area.
This was the first Independent Fabrication frame that I have owned. The craftsmanship and welds shine through and it is in pretty great shape. That being said, it does have a few signs (love-scratches?) that it has led a busy and well loved life of an adventure bike/cyclocross racer.
When I bought it, it was built up as a 1x9 speed, but it can be built up in any way you want. (Actual frame weight = 1,624 grams.) Disclaimer - this auction only includes the frame/fork.
This is still a current model. (Please look up Steel Planet X on the Independent Fabrication web-site.
Finish and Decals
Finish is Quetzal Green Metallic Green with Nogaro Blue fades and stars. Decals are the box-style down tube logo in silver with blue letters. Overall, the frame and fork look pretty good. There are no dents that I could find, but there are a number of scratches in the paint. As you can see, the decals are just about perfect, and it does have a vinyl chainstay protector.
The frame comes with the matching Independent Fabrication steel cyclocross fork with 1" steerer – set up for cantilevers only. Steerer tube is cut to 200mm, leaving plenty of space above the headset for a cantilever hanger, stem and a few spacers. (Actual fork weight – 717 grams.)
Headset/Seatpost Clamp
This auction also includes a very cool matching silver aluminum seatpost clamp, etched with the matching IF Logo. The auction however does not include a headset, but I did have it built with a silver, made in the USA Chris King 1” No-threadset. It was a perfect match for the IF seatpost clamp - What else would you put on an Independent Fabrication?
Frame Spec’s
From the Independent Fabrication Web-site;
Planet X Steel Cyclocross......
The original thoroughbred racer; the steel Planet X is a cyclocross race beast. Its full custom geometry and precise welds stand up to the brutal conditions of cyclocross.
The steel Planet X features added chainstay clearance for rapid evacuation of mud, a tall bottom bracket for clearing obstacles, ample room in the mainframe for portaging, and a front end that maximizes handling characteristics.
Frame/Fork Price
MSRP
$2,295* (Complete pricing depends on
custom options and selected componentry.)
Features
Custom IF steel
fork
Size specific
tubing to ensure a uniform ride in any size
Tall head tube
for ample shoulder clearance
Extra tire
clearance
Head tube and
down tube gusset for optimal strength and stiffness
Bottom bracket
custom machined and relieved for lightweight strength
Custom machined
and heat treated dropouts
All tubes are
sealed except the seat tube to minimize corrosion (Read about seat tube and
frame maintenance)
Choice of 24
stock colors
11 decal color
combinations
Non-transferable
lifetime warranty on craftsmanship
5-year warranty
on material
Options
Custom paint
applied in our PPG Certified paint shop
130 or 135 mm
rear axle spacing (This one has 130mm)
Frame set up
for V-brakes or cantilever (no additional cost)
Disc brakes
available (Cantilever brake studs on this one)
Regular or
track dropouts for single speed (regular drop outs)
Rack mounts (no
rack mounts)
Pump mount (no pump
mount)
Water bottle
and rack mount braze-ons (no bottle or rack braze ons)
Tubeset
A number of
different tube set options from Reynolds, True Temper, and Columbus. Tubing is
selected based on each rider’s weight and overall riding style for ideal
handling.
No dents, dings, or cracks – and just take a look at those
welds, they are beautiful, and typical of the American craftsmanship shown in
Merlins, Moots, Seven, etc...!
Extras
I will also include the single downtube cable adjuster, as well as the rear cantilever brake stops.
Make no mistake, this frame has been ridden many miles, and seems like it may have been raced by the original owner. I never got a chance to ride it much, as it was not my size.
To purchase a similar frame from Independent today, would cost approximately $2,295 + custom paint, and likely take a few months to build!
Small Print
This frame/fork set is guaranteed to be as described and in complete working condition, otherwise it is being sold as is and there are no returns or refunds. Please look over all photos and ask as many questions as needed to make sure the purchase of this bike is right for you. This bike was just slightly too tall for me (5’6’ tall with a 28” inseam) and should be fine for someone a bit bigger without issue, but please make sure before you bid.
Frame and fork will be placed into a cardboard shipping
boxed designed for bikes. Shipping will
be handled by FedEx and will likely cost me much more than the $50 flat
shipping fee I have listed. I will also pay
for insurance at the final purchase value.
That being said, I will not charge any extra for packaging or handling
fees.
Frame has never been wrecked, crashed etc. No dents on the frame. Physically it's 100%. Cosmetically – it is one of the prettiest frames I know. The only reason I am selling it is that I have too many frames, and I no longer ride this one as much as I should.
The decals are in excellent shape – There might be a scuff mark here and there from normal use.
Based on the condition and value of the frame and fork, it is being sold with a reasonable starting price, but no reserve. I accept PayPal, and I usually ship within a couple of days after I receive confirmation for your payment.
Also, I have had many successful experiences shipping items overseas. However, I have to tell you that shipping a complete bicycle frame outside of the Continental US is very expensive, and has become way too much of a hassle to deal with. Therefore, I will not ship this item to any international customers. Sorry.
Lastly, I try very hard to describe my items as accurately as possible, and all items are sold as is. I only accept returns if the item is significantly not as I had described. Check out my perfect feedback and bid with confidence. (Please also check out my other items I have listed for sale here on E-bay, as many of them will go perfectly well with this frame!) Best of luck bidding!
Brad