Indian Arrow MTB from 1993

[Ganimed]

Hi @ all

Wanna show you my 1993 Indian Arrow MTB.

German MTB pioneer Juergen Brand created Indian bikes in 1991 but in 1993 he gets in conflict with the motorcycle company "Indian" because J. Brand not only illegally used the name of the motorcycle manufacturer without any licence, but also the exact same name lettering on the decals. After a court case, it was agreed that the name should be changed from "Indian" to "Independent", and from the end of 1993 Brand sold his bikes under the new brand-name "Independent". So my bike dates back to before the name change.


Lets look what's inside the box

There he is, the Indian Arrow and also a nice Syncros shim bar and (surprisingly) a Tune AC11 titanium bottom bracket were also included to the set that cost me only 65 Euros in total.

But the frame was in very poor shape. That couldn't be left like that.

So...

After 4 hours of hand polishing the frame looks nearly brand new now....


So lets start building it up.

to be continued...

Olli

 

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The Syncros shim bar was in good shape so I decided to use em for the built up project

Brake levers and shifters were also found quickly


The bike is slowly taking shape...


Topline PBC cranks. They look awesome with these black XT m735 chainrings





to be continued...

 

[Ganimed]

I made a new head badge sticker for the steerer tube

Salsa lip lock seat clamp... not realy retro but nice

almost ready... only chain and cables missing

Now it is ready for a ride...






Headset is an Onza Mongo UFO in 1 1/8, Bottom Bracket: Syncros Pro series Ti. Topline Mountain Crank Set, Mavic 231CD rims, Gorilla Brake Boosters, Cable Hangers by Ultimate Machine, Fast Feather Ti skewers, Selle Bassano ModularT saddle, Ritchey Z-Max Kevlar tires, Answer Logo Grips....

Hope you like it

regards
Olli

 

[Ganimed]

These were the new decals for late 1993 and "Indian" became "Independent".

 

[Double-E F]

Cool bike, Olli!

Built it up quickly too, and clean .. Curious to hear how it rides!

 

[Ganimed]

Cool bike, Olli!

Built it up quickly too, and clean .. Curious to hear how it rides!

Thanx mate

I had a certain concept in mind from the start. I wanted to build it mostly silver with a few black parts for contrast and a little bit of purple. Already had certain parts in mind, like Ritchey Logic brake levers in silver/black etc.

It drives great. Everything shifts cleanly and precisely. The bike rides almost like a racing bike due to the rather high gear ratio (48-12). You sit very stretched out on the bike, thanks to the long stem (150mm). I prefer a stretched sitting position and the flattest possible stem angles. The steering behavior is also very exact and precise. It's just fun to drive. It particularly likes forest paths and gravel paths.

Had another Indian Arrow in 17 inch 20 years ago. This bike was also great but a little small for me to ride it properly.

Regards
Olli

 

[MattiThundrrr]

You don't mess around, do you? That's a serious piece of equipment

 

[Ganimed]

You don't mess around, do you? That's a serious piece of equipment

Thank you very much

I'm glad you like it

I always try to give my best when it comes to vintage MTBs

regards,
Olli

 

[JRGSXR]

That’s lovely! Never seen one of those before.

 

[Ganimed]

That’s lovely! Never seen one of those before.

Thank you too

I had already thought that these Indian bikes would be pretty much unknown in the UK. I think these bikes and also the later Independent branded bikes were never sold further than maybe to Austria or the Netherlands.

But they were really nice bikes and equipped to a high standard.

There was also a cool kids bike in the catalogue

They also had a racing team back then. The Team used the Indian Arrow frame in races.


Regards

Olli