Originally Posted by
corvuscorvax
I'm guessing that's because you've never ridden a custom. The difference between a custom bike and an off-the-peg bike is like the difference between a bespoke suit and an "off-the-peg" suit. Something that is built exactly to your proportions has a special feel. You might not think it's worth the extra cost, and you would have an argument for that, but there is a difference.
To be fair, I have custom suits, and I have suits from many different companies. I found a suit company that really fits me (Tiger of Sweden) and I don't get custom suits anymore. I think this whole "custom" bike thing is because people haven't tried enough bikes.
All of that aside, if one has 4k to spend ... I'd rather have a company that's made bikes that have traveled the world for 30+ years (Thorn and KM, especially, the TT not as much, but imagine an entire bike made with the precision of a Rohloff 14-gang hub) rather than one that "fits better."
For example, I had a very hard time believing that a custom bike builder could "better" a Tout Terrain frame. And, to be fair, the Tout Terrain is made in Europe where people have a working wage and 8 weeks vacation/year ... meaning it's not on a boat from SE Asia. You could argue that a custom may fit you slightly better, but with the options TT has available, I find that hard to believe.
The "custom" (single) touring bike is kinda like the SS phenomenon but for people with more money.