Originally Posted by
bruce19
How are you defining "better?" There are people who have worked for decades at their craft and for companies like Indy Fab, Seven, Zen, Guru, Waterford, Gunnar, etc. who will make a custom frame to your dimensions. To me that would be "better" than some "small, medium, large" off the shelf size. Unless you happen to be one of those people that perfectly fit that generic sizing. But, I'm not sure how you were defining "better" so we may be looking at two different aspects.
My main point was that a custom bike does not mean better. It's just a different size. Or different options and spec thatyou wouldnt normally be able to find.
Thus isnt meant to denigrate custom frame builders...its both an art and a craft. I just dont believe that, assuming good fit, a custom artisan frame will outperform a good quality mass produced one in any way. There is value in other places...but not performance.
I would assume custom frame builders would agree with that. Their bikes are one a of a kind. Handbuilt. With an aesthetic the customer chose, and whatever odd niceties he wanted brazed on. And, if a customer had odd body proportions, custom frame tube lengths can overcome that problem. But only to the point to make the bike as good a fit as most people have on stock bikes.
Its like having a tailor make a suit for a 1 armed person. It's not objectively better, it just has 1 less sleeve.