Velopedia Bicycle Archive

1997 Independent Fabrication Special (11)

Mountain bike, front suspension bicycle from the Velopedia specification archive.

Share owner experience

Original MSRP
$2,775.00
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
65879

Learn more about Independent Fabrication →

Image not available

Current market

Snapshot not yet available
Protected live updateReady after page interactionAutomated crawlers do not trigger marketplace requests.

Move, scroll, tap or type to start the protected update.

Velopedia analysis

What the specifications mean

Derived from the archived manufacturer recordHow Velopedia reads these specifications →

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
0 of 20 checked Progress stays in this browser for this bike.

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 (11) · 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 XC · Magnesium, triple-clamp crown

Suspension

Evaluate the suspension →

Archived: Fork: Rock Shox Judy XC

Drivetrain

Check drivetrain wear →

Archived: Group: Shimano Deore XT · Shifters: Shimano Deore XT RapidFire SL · Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT, clamp-on 31.8 mm · Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT SGS · Crankset: Shimano Deore XT · Bottom bracket: Shimano BB-UN72 · Rear cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 30 teeth · Chain: Shimano CN-IG71, 1/2 x 3/32"

Brakes

Inspect the brakes →

Archived: Brakes: Shimano Deore XT V-Brake brakes, Shimano Deore XT levers

Wheels and tires

Check wheels and tires →

Archived: Wheel size: 26" wheels · Rims: Mavic 238, 32-hole · Hubs: Front: Shimano Deore XT suspension, Rear: Shimano Deore XT · 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: Syncros · Seatpost: Syncros, 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.

My Garage

Velopedia

Enter your email and Velopedia will send a private sign-in link. No password required.

Have you owned this bike?Help preserve its real-world history by sharing your owner experience.

Share the details that would help another rider understand how this model fits, rides and holds up over time. Velopedia reviews every contribution before publication.

After submitting, use the verification link sent to your email. Nothing appears publicly until Velopedia approves it.

Already contributed? Send me a fresh private edit link

For privacy, Velopedia shows the same confirmation whether or not an experience exists.

Catalog options

5 sizes · 5 colors

Manufacturer-published sizes and colors; availability and exact size/color pairings may vary by market or production run.

Sizes

10"12"14.5"15.5"17"

Colors

Blue/blue fadeBrown/Brown FadeGolden YellowMetallic BlackMetallic P
+ 0 more colors + 1 more color
Metallic P

Frameset

Frame ConstructionTIG-welded
Frame MaterialReynolds 853
ForkRock Shox Judy XC
Fork MaterialMagnesium, triple-clamp crown
Rear ShockN/A

Drivetrain

Component GroupShimano Deore XT
ShiftersShimano Deore XT RapidFire SL
Front DerailleurShimano Deore XT, clamp-on 31.8 mm
Rear DerailleurShimano Deore XT SGS
CranksetShimano Deore XT
Bottom BracketShimano BB-UN72
BB Shell Width68mm English
Rear Cogs8-speed, 11 - 30 teeth
ChainShimano CN-IG71, 1/2 x 3/32"
PedalsNot included

Brakes

BrakesShimano Deore XT V-Brake brakes, Shimano Deore XT levers

Cockpit & Contact Points

Headset1 1/8" threadless Dia-Compe Aheadset
HandlebarSyncros Hardcore
Handlebar ExtensionsNot included
StemSyncros
SaddleSelle San Marco
SeatpostSyncros, 29.4 mm diameter

Wheels & Tires

HubsFront: Shimano Deore XT suspension, Rear: Shimano Deore XT
RimsMavic 238, 32-hole
SpokesWheelsmith stainless steel, 2.0mm double butted
Spoke NipplesAlloy nipples
Front Tire26 x 2.10" WTB VelociRaptor
Wheel Size26" wheels

Historical reference geometry

Geometry

Legacy reference · 6 measurements

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.

MeasurementLegacy reference
Top tube574 mm
Head-tube angle71°
Seat-tube angle72°
Chainstay / rear center425.4 mm
Wheelbase1041.4 mm
Fork offset / rake40.6 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.

Compared with 1565 distinct legacy mountain geometries from model years 1995–1999. Only angular measurements are used because the historical reference frame size is unidentified.

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.

More 1997 Independent Fabrication Bicycles

View all

Specifications are presented as a reference. Components may vary by market, size, production run, or later manufacturer revisions.

Scroll to Top