Originally Posted by
Wogsterca
There is another point though in all this, if you are spending $3,000 on a bicycle, you should really check with some of the local custom builders, some of them can build a very nice bike for $3,000. Because they are making the frame, they can build it to fit the rider, rather then trying to fit a mass produced bicycle from overseas. Mind you, for me I would have to win the lotto first, and even then I would keep my current bike for shopping and beating on, and just use the nice bike for touring longer distance day rides. Problem is it would really cost me $6,000 because I would need to get one for the better half as well......
The idea of a custom bike is a valid idea, but I have followed a number of custom bike stories from idea through construction and in a significant number of cases the resulting bike isn't exactly what the buyer had in mind. Sometimes the difference caused problems and sometimes it was not a problem, but a difference of expectations between the builder and the customer. In any case one nice thing about production bikes is you can validate how you feel about a specific model based on reviews, owners reports, test rides, etc.. and when you get the bike you can expect the product to be the same as the bikes you researched.
I bought an expensive touring frame recently - the cost was at the lower end of the custom frame spectrum. I considered a custom bike, but realized that since my body is normally proportioned that I preferred to have a nice production frame I could count on than a custom frame that might suit me a bit better, but also might disappoint me. In the end I've been happy with my choice.