Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
As I recently recounted in another thread, I grew up in the men's tailoring business. My father and his two brothers were all custom tailors. So I know what you are talking about. But I also know that just like with bikes, there are all levels of custom tailoring from crap to the sublime. And don't forget, tailored clothes that aren't exactly right can usually be altered to fit, and those changes back integrated into your measurements for future orders. With bikes, not so much. The whole point unlike clothing, there are aspects to bicycle satisfaction that are not obvious on the surface. The builder chooses tubing and the connecting fixtures and puts it all together, but how can that be as fine tuned as what goes on at a major manufacturer research center? No way.
I stand by my statement. The perfection of custom frames is a myth that is largely unsupported by reality. Sure they can be okay, and after spending all that money and getting that beautiful paint job, you will be convinced it is wonderful. Nevertheless the notion that you know what your want in a conscious way, you communicate it accurately, and it is translated perfectly in a bicycle frame is simply absurd.
And where exactly is the "perfection" of standard frames? How many times do we see people buying bikes because the one they have turns out to not meet their needs or fit properly?
Perfection is going to be hard to achieve but if you know what you want, if you understand bike geometry and fit, you can get close to it (much closer) than with a standard frame. I think I can speak with some authority on that after having many bikes over decades that have been nothing but compromises despite much money spent on components trying to tweak the fit.
"Myth" means that it doesn't exist in reality. That's simply not true. The most excellent bike I've ever ridden is the custom frame that am now on. It accommodates my injury issues, it meets my desire for compliance, comfort and riding position. And if it's so mythical, amazing how my average speed over many many miles and on the same routes has increased. If that's a myth then it works for me.
I do agree that it's important to be able to quantify what you want and communication is critical with the frame builder. I also agree that that is no small obstacle to overcome. But it is also quite possible if one is careful.
Nevertheless the notion that you know what your [sic] want in a conscious way, you communicate it accurately, and it is translated perfectly in a bicycle frame is simply absurd.
Really a sad position to take. I suppose if you are unable to do this, then I understand your frustration but that doesn't mean that it is impossible or even quite possible. There are others who are quite capable of "understanding their wants" and being able to "communicate it accurately." To think that is not possible is what is simply absurd.