Road Cycling - How much more is a custom frame???

i know some companies like Cannondale will construct custom road frames for buyers different from their standard geometry. how much more does this cost?

are their different levels of price per customization?

like say their standard 58cm frame has a 57 top tube, and you want a 57.5 top tube, is that just one of the many specs that can be customized?

just curious :D

Yes. If you want specific answers about their custom program, call them.
Yes, a custom frame is worth any amount of money if you're in need of non-standard tubing/geometry. Even if you don't, it can really fine tune you and make a small but significant difference.

It is unusual for a big company like Canondale to offer customised frames, but this is standard practice for smaller workshop produced frames and one-man operations. These builders usually produce frames of higher quality and better value than the top end products of big manufacturers.

You do need to be careful with some custom frames. The builders may not be experts at ergonomics, and sometimes they even make mistakes like toe-clip overlap, but this is rare.

You can customise the geometry , the material and the braze-on attatchments. If you are a very big or small rider, custom is really the only option for a well designed frame.
For mid-size riders, you can probably find the right geometry by changing manufacturers, or buying the next size. To get a 57cm TT on a stock frame , you may have to buy the next size down, and use a higher stem. Have a look at the geometry chart at Dales website.

The Canadian company Guru offers custom paint at no extra charge over the regular price of the bike. And a full custom frame is only a $100.00 more. You can also pick and choose components, the cost would reflect + or - depending on which components you choose. The people that work there are great, and have a very high attention to detail.

http://www.gurubikes.com/

If anyone gets in touch with Guru be sure to tell them that KevinG from PedalPlay in Baton Rouge LA sent you.

KevinG

A good index of custom builders is at
http://henryjames.com/blocator.html

You can compare prices there.

A custom Rivendell costs about $2200 to $2500 for the frame, fork and headset.

Cannondale has a CUSTOM FRAME PROGRAM and has had one for awhile. You can order certain frames in any measurement and paint you want so it is not unusual for Cannondale. It is standard practice. I don't think a smaller custom builder would be a better value or higher quality than a CAAD 7 frame


Originally posted by MichaelW
It is unusual for a big company like Canondale to offer customised frames, but this is standard practice for smaller workshop produced frames and one-man operations. These builders usually produce frames of higher quality and better value than the top end products of big manufacturers.

Originally posted by RacerX
I don't think a smaller custom builder would be a better value or higher quality than a CAAD 7 frame

Unless, of course, you wanted carbon-fiber, titanium, or steel. Or maybe you're a bike snob and want a Richard Sachs. :)

I dont know of any other large manufacturers doing custom sizing so kudos to Canondale.
How much extra is a custom 'dale compared to the stock model?

The customisation seems to be limited to size and finish. Options not on the 'dale list include:
alternate wheel sizes (eg 26" MTB or 650c)
extra bottle cages
long drop caliper brakes
cantelever brakes
rack or fender mounts
dynamo mounting tabs
alternate cable routing
bottom bracket heights for extra large or extra small cranks.

For a high quality builder in the US ,full custom frames start from about $1500.
Ive ridden Canondales, and I rate them highly, but they dont offer a custom service for everone.
If you are a small woman looking for an agile all-weather road bike with 26"MTB wheels for long endurance rides, Canondale can't build it. This would be a pretty standard request for any steel builder.

Originally posted by KevinG
The Canadian company Guru offers custom paint at no extra charge over the regular price of the bike. And a full custom frame is only a $100.00 more. You can also pick and choose components, the cost would reflect + or - depending on which components you choose. The people that work there are great, and have a very high attention to detail.

http://www.gurubikes.com/

If anyone gets in touch with Guru be sure to tell them that KevinG from PedalPlay in Baton Rouge LA sent you.

KevinG

spam! j/k

did my mom by anychance coem into the shop and buy a road bike?

you can't put a price on ultimate comfort.
especially if you've ever been on a bike that just doesn't fit right

really though. when i was looking to buy a bike i didn't feel right looking at the more expensive rides. i thought i wasn't good enough or hard core enough.. then my friend said that i was crazy....that comfort is for everyone.

Originally posted by the BIG cheese


spam! j/k

did my mom by anychance coem into the shop and buy a road bike?

Nope, sorry.