Cheap[er] custom frames? + geometry question

[nitropowered]

I posted this on the road forum but I was also directed here.

I'm looking for someone that does relatively inexpensive frame work. I want to get a Calfee Dragonfly with my custom geometry but I want to get a "test" frame to make sure I like it before I drop the 5 grand i need for the Dragonfly. Riding a fitting bike and actually going out and riding the built frame is completely different.

Also the geometry question. I brushed up on my trig and think I got it right but hoping someone can double check my work.

My current bike has a 56cm c-c top tube with a 73.5 degree seat angle. I want to slacken the angle to 73 so I can get more setback w/o getting a special seatpost. Changing the angle will change the top tube length right? I don't care if the seat tube length changes but for reference, its a 56 c-t (cannondale). With my calculations, I came up with 56.5 (rounded up)

Thanks much

[4130gibson@sbcg]

Check out Bringhelli frames, Cleveland, OH... Joe's been building frames for 25 years, uses dedaccia tubing, steel frames are lugged and ONLY $500. !!!
I ordered a fork for my Soma, and Joe usually only builds 1"steerer forks, I need 1-1/8", so he calls around, finds a fork crown lug for me in England, has to have it shipped over and the total cost was an unbelievable $120. He hand brazes standard forks for $75... He's one of the last of the old school craftsmen, I can't believe he isn't buried with work orders!

[cs1]

Check out Bringhelli frames, Cleveland, OH... Joe's been building frames for 25 years, uses dedaccia tubing, steel frames are lugged and ONLY $500. !!!
I ordered a fork for my Soma, and Joe usually only builds 1"steerer forks, I need 1-1/8", so he calls around, finds a fork crown lug for me in England, has to have it shipped over and the total cost was an unbelievable $120. He hand brazes standard forks for $75... He's one of the last of the old school craftsmen, I can't believe he isn't buried with work orders!

Joe did the frame prep on my Waterford when I had it painted. I was watching him prep it when a goat walked in. I asked him "pet" he said "dinner." :D

I don't think he builds as many frames as he used to since the popularity of aluminum and CF. That's a shame because he does good work. He doesn't paint anymore, so the price is for a non painted frame. Jack Franklin in the Columbus area is good painter and buys all his tubes from Joe. Joe is actually the Dedaci importer in the area.

Tim

[vwguy]

I pulled up his webiste and it is very basic, anyone have pics of the frames? I suppose worse comes to worse I can actually pick up the phone and call :)

Brian

[Nessism]

I pulled up his webiste and it is very basic, anyone have pics of the frames? I suppose worse comes to worse I can actually pick up the phone and call :)

Brian

Joe taught me lots of framebuilding tricks when I lived in Cleveland a few years ago. He builds no nonsense frames that should last for years. He IS the Dedacciai distributer in the US, and sells his framebuilding parts cheaper than anyone else I have found. ZeroUno is a great middle of the road tubeset that has a good balance of stiffness to ride quality. One thing to be aware of regarding Joe's work is that he is more workman like than artist. He brazes with brass, hits the joint with a wire wheel and calls it done. None of this fancy lug filing or worring about a little brass on the lug edge for him. Blue collar all the way. Ride the frame for 100k miles and will to your kids.

[vwguy]

Thanks for the info, I'll just have to give him a call tomorrow then.

Brian

[zonatandem]

A steel frame built to your specs will NOT ride the same as custom Dragonfly with the same specs. C/f is total different ride!

[Peterpan1]

True but at least he will know what the fit is sorta mostly likish.

I have a 56 frame in CAD, and I sloped the ST back from 73 by 1/2 degree, it lengthened the top tube .52".