IF make

headed up to Boston to see me brother to college orientation. i stopped in at the IF shop to meet some folk and see where the pieces parts get put together.

Joe shows a Ti frame welding jig that pumps argon gas in to the frame to push out all the oxygen, to prevent ti welds from failing. somewhere behind the jig was a HUGE container of liquid argon gas that looked like something out of Die Hard. well...you could say that about most of the things around that shop.

...like this ream machine

we wandered our way through many sections of hanging frames. many with SS couplers and Phil Wood eccentric BBs. there was a good mix of Ti and Steel, and some of the new 953 steel. which was super high demand. Joe says that all the 953 they have in stock is already spoken for and other 953 frames are on "back order"

this is Tyler (i think) and his super light lugged fork made from chain stays. for yet another bike he is building for himself. the fork is awesome! he was super excited about how light it was..he was trying to hand it to me as it was still hot. i was really light.

i can't remember whos project this was but...the trike is amazing! Ti frame with a chopped up brooks, and Phil hubs. Joe was saying something about the handlebars not working correctly. i think he said that the problem was user induced.

my favorite bike in the place was this 10th anniversary commuter. sweet paint job, nice rack, nice seat and bars. this is the IF coffee bike, and i'm so jealous.

thank you Joe, for showing me around and being so hospitable. everyone i met at IF was super cool, no ego, no awkward "this is the first time i'm meeting you and i know more about bikes then you" attitudes. i'll hangout longer next time. guaranteed.

-kyle