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Velopedia Bicycle Archive
1997 Independent Fabrication Special (04)
Mountain bike, front suspension bicycle from the Velopedia specification archive.
- Original MSRP
- $2,470.00
- Sizes
- 10", 12", 14.5", 15.5", 17"
- Colors
- Blue/blue fade, Brown/Brown Fade, Golden Yellow, Metallic Black, Metallic P
- Geometry
- Legacy reference · Ride analysis
- Archive ID
- 67871
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Velopedia analysis
What the specifications mean
Suspension is concentrated at the fork, so fork setup and rear-tire pressure are the main tools for balancing front and rear behavior. The 273% cassette range describes the available gearing more clearly than the component-group name alone. With rim brakes, the wheel’s braking surface is part of the system, so rim wear matters alongside pads and cables.
Suspension setup
Front only
Fork settings affect the front while rear-wheel behavior remains dependent on tire and wheel setup.
Gearing
273% cassette range
Calculated from the published 11–30-tooth sprocket span.
Brake service
Rim braking
Pad compound, cable condition and wheel braking-surface wear belong in the inspection.
Frame material
Steel
Paint damage and moisture entry matter because corrosion can start externally or inside the frame.
Used-bike inspection
If you’re buying this bike used
Before any test ride: both brakes should stop the bike firmly and release cleanly; both wheels should run true and be securely attached; tires should have no casing damage; and the headset, handlebar, stem, cranks and pedals should have no looseness or play.
Follow the full used-bike inspection order →- FrameCheck paint chips, vent holes and the inside of the seat tube for corrosion. Also look for dents, bent tubes and cracking around welded or brazed joints.Inspect the frame and fork →
- BrakesInspect pad condition, cable movement and the rim sidewalls or brake tracks for wear. A concave or heavily worn braking surface can mean the wheel also needs replacement.Inspect the brakes →
- SuspensionAsk when the fork was last serviced. Check the stanchions for damage, look for oil at the seals and make sure the fork moves smoothly without bushing play.Evaluate the suspension →
- DrivetrainShift through every gear under light load and measure chain wear. Confirm that the shifter, derailleur, chain and cassette belong to the same 8-speed system.Check drivetrain wear →
- Wheels & tiresSpin both wheels and watch the rims for side-to-side or vertical movement. Check for dents, cracks, loose or uneven spokes and hub play, then inspect both tire casings for cuts, cracking or exposed threads.Check wheels and tires →
Bike-specific inspection checklist 20 checks based on 6 archived component groups Open checklistClose checklist
This checklist uses the archived equipment for this bike. It cannot confirm the condition, service history or later component changes of the example in front of you.
Identity and fit
Follow the full used-bike inspection order →Archived: 1997 Independent Fabrication Special (04) · Mountain bike, front suspension · Published sizes: 10", 12", 14.5", 15.5", 17"
Frame and fork
Inspect the frame and fork →Archived: Frame: TIG-welded · Fork: Rock Shox Judy SL · Magnesium, triple-clamp crown
Suspension
Evaluate the suspension →Archived: Fork: Rock Shox Judy SL
Drivetrain
Check drivetrain wear →Archived: Group: Shimano Deore LX · Shifters: Grip Shift SRT-600 · Front derailleur: Shimano Deore LX, clamp-on 31.8 mm · Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore LX SGS · Crankset: Shimano Deore LX · Bottom bracket: Shimano BB-UN52 · Rear cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 30 teeth · Chain: Shimano CN-IG51, 1/2 x 3/32"
Brakes
Inspect the brakes →Archived: Brakes: Shimano Deore LX V-Brake brakes, Shimano Deore LX levers
Wheels and tires
Check wheels and tires →Archived: Wheel size: 26" wheels · Rims: Mavic 238, 32-hole · Hubs: Front: Shimano Deore LX suspension, Rear: Shimano Deore LX · Front tire: 26 x 2.10" WTB VelociRaptor
Controls and contact points
Archived: Headset: 1 1/8" threadless Dia-Compe Aheadset · Handlebar: Syncros Hardcore · Stem: Ritchey CompLite · Seatpost: Ritchey Expert, 29.4 mm diameter · Saddle: Selle San Marco · Pedals: Not included
Before and during the test ride
Follow the full used-bike inspection order →Interpretation based on the archived manufacturer specifications. Confirm exact fit and standards before ordering parts or performing service.
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Frameset
| Frame Construction | TIG-welded |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | Reynolds 853 |
| Fork | Rock Shox Judy SL |
| Fork Material | Magnesium, triple-clamp crown |
| Rear Shock | N/A |
Drivetrain
| Component Group | Shimano Deore LX |
|---|---|
| Shifters | Grip Shift SRT-600 |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Deore LX, clamp-on 31.8 mm |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore LX SGS |
| Crankset | Shimano Deore LX |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB-UN52 |
| BB Shell Width | 68mm English |
| Rear Cogs | 8-speed, 11 - 30 teeth |
| Chain | Shimano CN-IG51, 1/2 x 3/32" |
| Pedals | Not included |
Brakes
| Brakes | Shimano Deore LX V-Brake brakes, Shimano Deore LX levers |
|---|
Cockpit & Contact Points
| Headset | 1 1/8" threadless Dia-Compe Aheadset |
|---|---|
| Handlebar | Syncros Hardcore |
| Handlebar Extensions | Not included |
| Stem | Ritchey CompLite |
| Saddle | Selle San Marco |
| Seatpost | Ritchey Expert, 29.4 mm diameter |
Wheels & Tires
| Hubs | Front: Shimano Deore LX suspension, Rear: Shimano Deore LX |
|---|---|
| Rims | Mavic 238, 32-hole |
| Spokes | Wheelsmith stainless steel, 2.0mm double butted |
| Spoke Nipples | Brass nipples |
| Front Tire | 26 x 2.10" WTB VelociRaptor |
| Wheel Size | 26" wheels |
Historical reference geometry
Geometry
Historical model-level geometry recovered from Velopedia’s original archive database. The source does not identify which listed frame size this reference describes, so fit interpretation is intentionally limited and no size-normalized Archive Context is generated.
| Measurement | Legacy reference |
|---|---|
| Top tube | 574 mm |
| Head-tube angle | 71° |
| Seat-tube angle | 72° |
| Chainstay / rear center | 425.4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1041.4 mm |
| Fork offset / rake | 40.6 mm |
Geometry source: Historical archive database — model-level reference geometry. The historical source provides one model-level geometry set and does not identify the corresponding frame size.
Geometry interpretation
What this geometry means
Legacy reference geometry
Fit reference
The historical source lists a 574 mm top-tube length, but it does not identify which frame size this model-level reference describes or whether the historical field was measured horizontally. Treat it as an archival frame reference rather than a size-specific fit recommendation. Its 72° seat-tube angle describes the reference frame’s seat-line orientation. Actual seated position still depends on frame size, saddle height and fore-aft adjustment.
Handling tendencies
The 71° head angle points to relatively quick-steering by current mountain-bike conventions steering geometry. Wheelbase is listed at 1041.4 mm, but because the historical source does not identify frame size, it is retained as a model reference rather than used for a size-normalized handling conclusion. Fork offset is listed at 40.6 mm. Offset works with head angle and wheel size to determine trail, so it is useful steering evidence even though the archive does not provide enough information here to calculate trail reliably.
Period context
At 71°, the head angle sits close to the middle of the group among mountain geometries represented in Velopedia for this period. Its 72° seat angle is toward the more relaxed end among the same-period mountain references.
This is historical model-level reference geometry, not a known frame-size geometry table or a ride test. Frame size, rider proportions, cockpit setup, tires, suspension and components can materially change fit and handling.
Specifications are presented as a reference. Components may vary by market, size, production run, or later manufacturer revisions.