Where to find 100% custom frames?

[jankon73]

Hello all!
I've been running around for about a year now, wanting a track/road bike frame of my own design. I made up some crude workups in a basid CAAD-like program and have everything measured out to fit right, generally.
Problem is, the frame design is unusual and not too "standard". Super-short chainstays, tall seatstays, cut-out seat tube, with a number of other specific small details. All steel, no carbon, aluminum, etc.
All of the custom frame builders I've tracked down make custom, personal fits from stock pieces. Where can I find someone who can take the daunting task of creating this monster from scratch? Do they exist?
I understand the price for such a piece would be exorbitant, nonetheless, I'll take the hit for it.

Thanks!
-J

[DonTx]

Sevencycles.com as close to full custom as you get without welding it yourself.

Also try

Strong cycles or Leonard Zinn (Zinn cycles)

[aadhils]

Ah but the question is will it work? There's a thing with a customer choosing his own geometry. It's all very well to tell the builder how exactly you want the geometry of the frame built, but if it does'nt work, then the builder is the one that is going to suffer.

He builds a frame with your idea of frame geometry, then you sell it to someone else because it did'nt turn out right, but then the frame has the name of the builder. So who's rep. will suffer?

My advice is go with proven methods, and go to a builder who specializes in your type of bike riding. Anyways good luck with your endeavors...

[DonTx]

I am going through the process with seven at the moment.

In actuality they pick (suggest) the geometry based on your individual measurements and riding styles and level of fitness, etc.. They do measurements of your body, test your flexibility, ask about medical issues, back pain, neck pain, measure your old bike, then question you on your likes and dislikes with the old bike and what you want to get out of the new bike. After that they suggest a frame sizing and geometry, you then go over that with the shop and test ride something similar if that is practicle. Only after all that is done, will they start to build your frame. It really is a very comprehensive process.

I think other builders like Serotta and Zinn do the same thing.

At the end of the day the price is not that much more than the top of the range production bikes.

[Nessism]

Hello all!
I've been running around for about a year now, wanting a track/road bike frame of my own design. I made up some crude workups in a basid CAAD-like program and have everything measured out to fit right, generally.
Problem is, the frame design is unusual and not too "standard". Super-short chainstays, tall seatstays, cut-out seat tube, with a number of other specific small details. All steel, no carbon, aluminum, etc.
All of the custom frame builders I've tracked down make custom, personal fits from stock pieces. Where can I find someone who can take the daunting task of creating this monster from scratch? Do they exist?
I understand the price for such a piece would be exorbitant, nonetheless, I'll take the hit for it.

Thanks!
-J


Post a drawing here so we can take a look. :D

Builders willing to deal with full custom are very hard to find since their reputation is at stake if their name is on the down tube and they don't like to build frames that could negatively reflect on them. As long as your design is not too far out there though, you should be able to find someone to build it.

[AfterThisNap]

Look up Don Walker and his hand made bicycle show. Every one is a custom frame builder.

[ikaraus]

I know a custom framebuilder just north of Boston. He was an orignal welder at Fat City, and has been doing it for years. All of his work is custom, no production frames. Very small shop, with very high attention to detail and craftsmanship. This guys probably one of the best frame welders in the country. A few of my friends have his bikes, and love them. This seems like it'd be right up his alley.

Anyways his name is Chris Igleheart. E-mail me at ( ward.william <at> gmail <dot> com ), and I'll get you in touch with him.

[Thylacine]

Yeah, I'd be curious to see the design. I can't say we specialise in 'weird' here but hey, I'm always up for a challenge, especially if it's cool.

If you don't want to share publically jancon73, email me at info@thylacinecycles.com

[ken cummings]

If you live in the SF Bay area you might try Bruce Gordon at www.bgcycles.com. He does a lot more than touring frames. Tho if you want a lugged frame and have some wierd angles you might have to come up with some of the lugs.