Road Cycling - Custom Bike Recommendations Needed

I bought a Trek WSD 5200 last year, and it is a great bike, but I've been struggling with it for over a year now to try to get it to fit my unique geometry. I got no help from my lbs where I bought it, I took it to a shop 2 hours away for help, and they suggested a custom bike (Orbea), so yesterday I took it to a shop 6 hours away for a second opinion. That person is an advanced Serotta fitter, and she helped my setup a lot, and made recommendations for new handlebars. She noted that small crankarms and smaller gear shifters would be a big help, but to do so would mean replacing the drive train. (Smaller shifters will be available next year on Shimano's new gear ratio system).

We did a custom fit on a Serotta fit cycle, and it was sweet. I wanted to take it on the road. My long rides are at 40 miles now, but my goals call for much longer distances. I'm prone to injury, so getting a good setup is a big deal. This person suggested Serotta, of course. I was thinking if I went that route, I'd go titanium and add some couplers to make it more travel friendly.

I'd love to get some feedback on these or any other custom bikes. Has anyone tried the couplers? It's a tough decision to make, one year after dumping some serious bucks on a carbon bike.

How tall are you? What's your inseam? Try Peter White Cycles for T.A. cranks in the size you need? Also, be aware that many bike parts come from Asia, and people are a little bit shorter there. A look in the Quality Bike Parts catalog may well find that the crank length you need is easily had.

Do you know of Georgena Terry? She makes/sells bikes with special dimensions for women. Last time I checked I decided she was overpriced, but it has been a while.

I think I know of three people with custom Serottas, one steel (5'2"), and two Ti (5'2" and 5'10"). They like them.

If you took your measurements away from that custom fit session, can you find a production bike that can be modified to them? I.e., replace the handlebars (QBP or Georgena Terry or Santana), cranks (Peter White or QBP or Sheldon Brown) and stem (whererever)?

If you have found that you need an especially steep seat tube because of your short femur, can you take a production triathlete bike with a steep seat tube and change just a few parts to get your fit? Zero setback seatpost helpful?

Just a few ideas. If your dream is a custom bike I'm all in favor of that, but if you are only seeking a bike that fits without emptying out your wallet, I'd like to see you do that too.

Good ideas! Lots of things I hadn't considered! The fitter is typing up all the measurements, and will get them to me next week, so I don't have numbers off the top of my head, but I have short arms and legs, with a long torso, a bad shoulder, and limited flexibility in my hams and hip flexors. I have good back flexibility, and can get in good posture on nearly anything, but it wears on me. I'm about 5'3". When I get the numbers, I post them.

I do need a steep seat tube, and I hadn't considered a tri bike (even though I'm doing tris - I was looking for a training bike!).

My crank arm is attached to my chainring, so I'm not sure how to change one out without changing the other. I have never mucked around with changing components before. The fitter is going to prioritize and price some of the changes she recommends, as well as some custom bikes.

Thank you for the input!!

If your going to look at custom Ti (or any metal for that matter), I'd like to toss Strong Frames into the mix. Custom builder in Bozeman, Montana with a World Class reputation. You won't be dissapointed! http://www.strongframes.com

Hi,
look at Lovemyswift's posts, like this one...

09-03-02, 12:42 AM #4
lovemyswift
Senior Member

Registered: May 2002
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

I have the Aegis Swift (for small people) and absolutely love it. I've had it for 2 years and am as impressed with it now as I was when I bought it. My bike shop also ordered it for me. I loved working with the company, they answered all my questions and helped me with the most agonizing question of all, what color to pick!.
I too have to be very careful with it because it chips very easily.
My shop put Mavic Open Pro wheels on it.
When riders on al. frames complain about rough roads all I feel is a slight tingle in my toes or fingers.
My little Swift is an awesome bike and I'm sure the Svelte is too!:

I got my new custom bike 6 weeks ago. I ordered a custom bike because I wanted a personalized bike with the best fit money can buy.
I did a lot of research and I would recommend that if you decide to go with a custom bike, try and find a local builder, someone you can talk to directly, and interact with a lot during the process.
I got my bike (http://www.litman.com/bikes/eisentraut.htm) made by a master builder from Oakland (35 min drive), he took him half a day to measure me, interview me, ride with me to see my riding style, and actually ride my old bike.. I got to see my bike made, I got to have input during the build, and the result is an amazing bike, one of a kind, that is MY bike..
Not only it is a great bike to ride, it was also a very interesting and exciting process.

When you get a bike that fits you well, the bike just disappears under you, it becomes a part of you, and you will stop being aware of it. You just ride.

I was wondering, did you discover your 'unique geometry' and fit issues before or after you bought your last bike?

Kudos for going out and getting fitted though. Definitely a step in the right direction.

A titanium frame with S&S couplers is definitely do-able, although it may make your current bike seem cheap - Ti S&S Couplers need to be custom machined to the precise diameters of the top and downtubes, which makes them very expensive. At your height, steel is a definite possibility, so don't forget to consider it. It's still probably the most versatile material, relatively simple to add Couplers to, and would be very light and lovely to ride in your size.

I was wondering, did you discover your 'unique geometry' and fit issues before or after you bought your last bike?

Kudos for going out and getting fitted though. Definitely a step in the right direction.

A titanium frame with S&S couplers is definitely do-able, although it may make your current bike seem cheap - Ti S&S Couplers need to be custom machined to the precise diameters of the top and downtubes, which makes them very expensive. At your height, steel is a definite possibility, so don't forget to consider it. It's still probably the most versatile material, relatively simple to add Couplers to, and would be very light and lovely to ride in your size.

There are obviously lots and lots of choices out there...didn't notice where you live, but like sorebutt, have a 'Traut and have loved it for many years. Have recently been looking at Waterfords, as I have a couple of friends who bought in recent years and they are gorgeous bikes. If you want to do steel, you ought to throw this into the mix. Check their price lists - they even have the S&S option listed...

Good luck!

Many options for you. I think Serotta, Waterford (they also have a less expensive line called Gunnar) Seven, and Independent Fabrications would all be a great choice. I liked the the method and the fit the LBS that fit me for the Serotta best, so I went with them. So glad I did.

I was treated like gold from Serotta and my LBS so I am very biased toward them. I need a very long top tube and was measured for a nice steel frame bike called an Atlanta. I was quoted a price and was very happy. A week later, the owner of the LBS called and said he just had a conversation with Ben Serotta. He said that the bike that I ordered could not be made that large because that particlar type of frame would have a top tube too long and would not be strong enough to suit my affection for sprinting (not to mention my 6'5 245 frame). Ben had suggested I go up to the more expensive model that could better handle such a long stretch and be as strong as I wanted it. The LBS explained to Ben that I was already topping out my funds. Ben told them they were experimenting for some new frames they were designing and that they would build my frame as a prototype. The end result is a bike that is perfect fit, supple, yet still is the most rigid steel frame during a sprint that I have the pleasure to ride. It has a top tube that Bonds can hit with and is quite unique. By the way, he did all this for the orignal price!

Cyclinrunt,
The fact that you're uncomfortable on your bike is not all that bad. The same thing happened to me when I started riding more and learned more about what I needed in a bike.

I demoed the Serotta Fierte in a 46p. I really liked the fit and handling, the geometry is right on with the steeper seat tube and head tube angles, and it comes in steel, maybe ti. It's not custom, however, it might fit your needs.

I use the Specialities TA crankset 165mm and the advantage is that you can get the chainrings in different sizes. I'm currently running 46x38 with a 13x29 in the rear. Campy Record components, very comfortable for small hands.

I still love my Aegis Swift, especially now with the American Classic wheelset I just got but I'm lusting after a Titus tititium road bike. They do custom and I would love to have a bike made specifically for me.

I have a Titus Racer X mtn bike and love the fit and feel of it, especially since its a stock bike.

There is also a company in Boulder that is owned by a woman, it is called Luna Bicycles. She builds frames specifically for woman. I understand she works very closely with you to build the frame. I met a woman on tour from Bozeman and really likes her Strong frame.

If you buy a stock bike, since you have short arms make sure the handlebars are the appropriate height for you. As happy as I am with my Aegis I was having shoulder pain, partially due to inflammation, especially when I would ride everyday. I had the LBS who built it check it out and they said everything was ok. I finally went to a Serotta fitter and the fit of the bike was perfect, except my handlebars were 4 cm too low for me. It cost me a new fork and stem to fix the problem. However, on this bike the money was worth it. My handlebars are higher than my saddle, a no, no to the the perfectionist men, but I'm much more comfortable.

The fitter said that a custom frame with the front end built up higher and a slopping top tube would be the best for me. The Serotta Fierte has that geometry.

Don't get discouraged, you have lots of options, you have a pretty good frame and if changing the handlebars, I use Deda Elementi 4 girls, and drivetrain is all you need for better fit go for it. If the bike is really out of whack, consider a new bike.

BTW, what are couplers and what do they do?

Kathi

S&S couplers allow you to disassemble and pack your bike in relatively small cases. Try searching on S&S bicycle frame couplers and/or Steve Smilaneck (not sure, might be Silmaneck, or maybe I don't have a clue). Ritchey is starting to use some other gadget to do the same thing. The S&S couplers are predictably more common and popular on tandems, particularly for teams who desire to tour in Europe, etc. Because of the tapered mating surfaces and powerful compressive forces from the lockrings, these actually work very well. NO personal experience on my part (!).

Thanks for all the fantastic feedback! My computer is intermittantly allowing me on the web, so I haven't been able to connect in a couple of days, so I was thrilled to find so many ideas!

When I bought the last bike from the only lbs, my inseam was measured only for frame size. Beyond that, I got no help with fit. That's why I've been traveling for help. I live in Cookeville, TN, but the help I got in Cincinnati, Ohio is the best I've gotten so far.

I'm not sure what, if any, other options are in my area (in a broad sense of the word!) But I have been given a lot to think about. Any additional ideas are more than welcome!

Cyclinrunt,

Did you go to Oakley Cycles here in Cincy? If so, that's who I used. I'm very happy with the advice that Kathy gave me on my bike.

Actually, she was very happy with my fit, the LBS just missed the boat on the height of the handlebars. On the other hand, I've had my Swift for 4 years and according to Kathy there have been lots of changes in the philosophy in fitting bikes so I can't fault anyone.

Keep us posted on your decision.

Kathi