Shown at the recent North American Handmade Bicycle Show was this stunningly painted Independent Fabrication Ti Factory Lightweight. It’s the latest frame in the company’s range, and we first brought you news of it earlier this year, but considering how delightful this finish is we simply couldn’t resist sharing it. An update on our previous first look, we can now tell you the price: £3950.
This though, is new. The Cross Jester is an all-new carbon fibre cyclo-cross frame that has clearly been based on the flagship Corvid, but obviously modified for ‘cross riding. So there’s increased tyre and mud clearance, canti brake bosses and other ‘cross considerations.
But more interesting than that, in this example at least, is it wears a single speed Gates belt-drive configuration with a Phil Gates sprocket. Belt-drive has been simmering under the surface of the bicycle industry for the past couple of years but at NAHBS 2011 there’s clearly a higher uptake with many more manufacturers showing a belt-drive equipped frame or two.
We imagine when the Cross Jester becomes available you’ll be able to specify alternative transmissions.
