Ibis Trials Frameset: 20" x 20" - Tange Switchblades - Rollercam Rear - US Made Custom - Black - Vintage 1980's

A rare custom US-built Ibis Trials frame from the 1980's, complete with a modified Tange Switchblades fork! This one uses 20 inch wheels front and rear, with rollercam brake rear and canti front.  The fork appears to have been a 24 inch wheel model, and the brake bosses were removed and reinstalled lower to a allow 20" wheel. This resulted in a higher downtube and thus lower chance of striking it on an obstacle. This was a common practice in the day. It has a custom downtube guard connected the normal way at the BB and by a Moots Mount at the downtube. This bike probably has some striking history to it, but alas I don't know it's story. It's patina speaks to being raced. Hang it in your bike shop or on your wall display, or build it and take to bike shows. There are some dents, detailed below.

The dual 20" wheel size was what the pros rode. Amateurs used a 24" front with a 20" rear to help them get the front over obstacles. In later years, The Ibis Trials Comp was released with that 20x24 format (usually), made in Japan. There was also the Japanese made Ibis Mt. Trials with a 26" front and 24" rear to allow use on trails. In the early 90's there was a rare Trials Pro complete with Handjob cable stop, intended for competitions and made in Sebastpol.

Condition

Unrestored and overall great shape with a classy patina on it's matte black paint, but there's some denting to note. The non-driveside chainstay has several dents on it's underside. On a normal bike this would be a big concern, but with how thick the tubing is on these I'm not sure if it is or not.  There's also a very minor dent on top of the top tube. Otherwise there's some minor chips and scratches here and there, the battle scars of a life well raced. You'll see primer in the paint chips, but I don't see any real rust.

Details

• Top tube: 22.5"
• Seat tube: 12.5"
• Columbus dropouts
• Tange Bear Trap headset