Ionic Road Bikes (Dean) ?
10-09-23 | 12:03 PM
#1
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Ionic Road Bikes (Dean) ?
I'm hoping people can post their Ionic road bike, and say something about the build/ride quality/tubes/company.
As I understand, they started in Idaho focusing more on mtb frames. Then they were a Dean house brand for road frames with custom options.
Wondering if anyone has an experience with their road frames. I've read something about Teesdale being involved in building them but can't confirm as there is little information about either Teesdale or Ionic online.
Apparently they made some light frames with S3, Foco, and 853 and would sometimes blend the tubesets for the buyer/rider to fit.
I would love if anyone could share information or post any pictures regarding this early 2000s era company.
As I understand, they started in Idaho focusing more on mtb frames. Then they were a Dean house brand for road frames with custom options.
Wondering if anyone has an experience with their road frames. I've read something about Teesdale being involved in building them but can't confirm as there is little information about either Teesdale or Ionic online.
Apparently they made some light frames with S3, Foco, and 853 and would sometimes blend the tubesets for the buyer/rider to fit.
I would love if anyone could share information or post any pictures regarding this early 2000s era company.
10-09-23 | 07:18 PM
#3
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
I think I remember Ionic roadies; inexepensive, online only frames, but nice spec/tubing. IIRC, I looked at them when I was replacing my old Diamondback Master TG, but wound up on a Cannondale. Believe it or not, I’ve still got the “blueberry” iBook I would have used back around ‘01, so if I could fire it up, maybe there’s a cached webpage or iIonic mage on there somewhere! Haha! Anyway, sorry I can’t help.
10-09-23 | 08:02 PM
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Yes, it seems they were around half the price of the competition at the time. Didn't know they might have been online only, but that makes sense as to why very few people have heard of them and you don't see them around. I recently bought one of their frames from a bike shop, and I'm waiting to have it shipped. I don't know anything about it which is why I am interested, but I'll post a couple of pics and specs when I get the frame as well as when I build it up. If it's in the 3 pound range, I'll weight weenie it, and if it's in the 4 pound range, I'll build it with SRAM rival. Either way, I'm hoping for a nice steel ride.
10-09-23 | 10:10 PM
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Yes, it seems they were around half the price of the competition at the time. Didn't know they might have been online only, but that makes sense as to why very few people have heard of them and you don't see them around. I recently bought one of their frames from a bike shop, and I'm waiting to have it shipped. I don't know anything about it which is why I am interested, but I'll post a couple of pics and specs when I get the frame as well as when I build it up. If it's in the 3 pound range, I'll weight weenie it, and if it's in the 4 pound range, I'll build it with SRAM rival. Either way, I'm hoping for a nice steel ride.
10-11-23 | 09:08 AM
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10-24-23 | 08:42 PM
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Well, I don't have any pics, other than the jacked up box it came in with the derailleur hanger poking out the side, and close ups of the cracks and dents in the frame.
Ugh. I sent it back and got a refund.
FWIW it was a size 54 and weighed 3.4 lbs. Shaped downtube and ovalized chainstays, though not the classic Foco ones. No tubing sticker on it, just the painted frane that said Ionic.
Ugh. I sent it back and got a refund.
FWIW it was a size 54 and weighed 3.4 lbs. Shaped downtube and ovalized chainstays, though not the classic Foco ones. No tubing sticker on it, just the painted frane that said Ionic.
