Looking to build a commuting machine with the parts left over from my trek 5200 (which was crunched by a loading truck in NYC).
Thinking alum. frame w/carbon fork, but I want to build it on the cheap.
Any thoughts about this ibex frame? Price is hard to beat, but I'm nervous about frame & fork quality.


http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/2004/X-Ray-FRM-Details.html

I haven't rode one yet but have been in contact with people at the company. they seem friendly and eager to get involved in cx. I don't think quality will be an issue, I think they are inexpensive as they are basically marketing direct so buyers aren't having to pay mark ups.

...assuming that the frame is any good; the spec is great for the price. Gotta be about as low as it gets for 105. I'm still a bit confused about the geometry, though, despite the "clarification" on TT length in that other thread. Why is it there's always gotta be some company that can't play nice with others and follow a standard sizing protocol?

they are actually fixing it as we speak. they read our posts and are fixing certain elements to make things easier for the consumer.

Now, if only politics worked that well...

well if ya don't speak up, they don't make a change. yes it's too bad our voices go unheard. then again sometimes we speak up without really knowing what we're talking about. Jefferson said it best "Democracy depends on the intelligent interest of all it's participants" (note:from memory so probably a tad of a paraphrase) biggest problem, many aren't interested and some just don't take the time to get informed.

Ibex is about to implement some geo adjustments, have both TT and DT cable routing, a HT extension and a few other niceties into their frames....and discs for all you disc fans.

Ibex should move the brake hanger to above the top tube. You can't shoulder your bike as it is now. Also, if they can, they should also flatten the TT for portaging. Just my 2 cents. Those bikes are pretty, with a few changes they could be really nice, and for the price, unbeatable.

Ibex is about to implement some geo adjustments, have both TT and DT cable routing, a HT extension and a few other niceties into their frames....and discs for all you disc fans.

em.. what's up with the recommended fork being 80-90mm travel (at the bottom of the page)?

with the disc-ready frame, i guess the fork should be disc-ready too, but apparently it's not.

I'm curious why they have 135 spacing. Most people want to retire old road wheels for their 'cross bike. 130mm seems to be the better and standard choice.

Ibex should move the brake hanger to above the top tube. You can't shoulder your bike as it is now. Also, if they can, they should also flatten the TT for portaging. Just my 2 cents. Those bikes are pretty, with a few changes they could be really nice, and for the price, unbeatable.

I'm curious why they have 135 spacing. Most people want to retire old road wheels for their 'cross bike. 130mm seems to be the better and standard choice.

135 = lots of choices for disc hubs and pre-built wheels

130 = Velomax Sagitta wheelset

There's also some support for 135 mm hubs building up a stronger wheel. Ibex went with 135 to make disc users happy, but having a strong wheel is nice too.

Now, a steel frame with 132.5 spacing, that's some good spacing.

I'm curious why they have 135 spacing. Most people want to retire old road wheels for their 'cross bike. 130mm seems to be the better and standard choice.

also because it's a lot easier to convert a 130mm spacing hub to a 135mm than the other way around.

have both been addressed. TT will be ovalized and flat for portage. cable route is now on top, not the 7o'clock position.