any examples of catastrophic failure of any part of the group-buy frames?

i sometimes wonder if my fork is gonna explode when i'm bombing a hill.

yes, all the frames are total crap. Tony took us to the cleaners and sold us bikes made by the elves in the santa claus movie.

Elves do a great job at building things. That is very unfair of you to categorize them as having shoddy workmanship.

Any reason to think your fork will explode?
Mine rides solid and smooth. no probs whatsoever.

hey pal, calm down. i love the frames, i never said i didn't.

but things happen, and i'm just wondering if any things happened yet.

Why would you wonder that? Did it concern you on any other bike you've ever had?

just cause i like to get high, think morbid thoughts and go on bike rides.

+1

i've already crashed my group buy frame twice, one time a car pulled out in front of me and i hit the bumper, the other time i clipped a mirror with my handlebar. both times i was thrown over the bars, both times the bike went flying through the air, both times it's survived with minor scuffs, despite my cuts, bruises, and minor dislocation.

getting a new frame gave me a little too much gusto. now i've calmed down a little on the street, but point is the frame has held up wonderfully.

i'd say so far my frame has experience only (semi)catastrophic successes.

I think I could drive a nail with the fork from mine. It is one of the last parts I am worried about failing.

the paintjob is a catastrophic failure. but so far that's it.

not true... there's a ton of flex, i've considered it being a potential problem, but have shrugged it off. that said, i could see there being problems down the road.

even if there's not, i think it's a valid question, he's using new tubing, and we are essentially riding prototypes. not that i don't trust tony's expertise.

haha my BFSSFG IRO has survived two crashes and countless trackstand failures while getting used to toshis.

"Maannn .. I fell right in front of Alex...."

hahahaha

yeah, my only problem with it is the paint. i've got so many little scratches, scuffs and knicks in the matte coat just from light riding.

If my fork explodes, it'll be because I replaced the IRO fork with a cheap carbon fork from Nashbar. So far, after many hard weeks of hanging on my workstand, nothing has failed.

I haven't even rode mine and I found a knick. Not sure from where it came.

Bomb a hill? Why would you want to.....Oh wait, it is just another nonsensical term from the elaborate BFSSFG dictionary.

Sorry, I'm tired. I'm using an Easton fork now. The IRO one is being used as a support for the house. Its holding up fine. The frame....well the paint is **** quality. Chip if you breathe at it, and my blue is greenish. But it rides great.

shoulda got black. it's real sexy, and paint chips just make me look more hardcore.

i say for people still *****ing about the paint, take the $250 or so that you saved from what this frame would have probably cost on the market and get it repainted. i'd much rather he have skimped on the paint than the frame itself

Are these issues mainly from IRO group buys vs from business-as-usual web site purchases?

You're telling me that you actually think the term "bomb a hill" derives from this messageboard?

the issue is only that the paint is fairly cheap on these $150 frames. Like others have said, if it bothers you get it powdercoated for $75-$125 or rattlecan it yourself. People are given a great deal and yet they still find something to ***** about. to better answer your question, I dont think there are any paint issues with the normal iro's

Seriously, this thread and the build thread shows just what a bunch of ingrates some of us are.

i'm not complaining about everything. pull your head out from under your rock and recognize constructive criticism.

no where have i seen anybody actually *****ing and complaining about the paint, just mentioning that it sucks.