New Bike
 

I am a 55 year old male, looking to get a bike made for me. I have never owned a custom fit, I currently ride a merlin lunaris but want a frame that is classic, lugged steel, excellent finish and really fit for my style of riding. Any suggegtions of the framebuilders I should look at?

http://terrafermacycles.com/

-Kurt

Tom Teesdale is an excellent builder and offers a relative bargain
http://www.tetcycles.com/index.html

Ira Ryan is also great. He used to build for Vanilla in Portland and is now on his own. I know him personally and can couch for his skill and honesty.
http://www.iraryancycles.com/

CORRECTION: Ira did not build for Vanilla. Sacha White is the sole builder of Vanilla bikes. Ira built his first bike under the tutelage of Mr. White. My bad...:o

Where are you located? That's a big consideration as you will need to be present for measuring and consultation, maybe to approve a color swatch, too. There are outstanding builders in nearly every region of the US and Canada.

You won't do much better than either Waterford (the same people that built the Paramount) or Rivendale. Roger

I have friends who have custom made bikes from these builders and each one is a work of art. They work in both steel and Ti.

Spectrum Cycles (Tom Kellogg)
Davinci Cycles (Denver, CO)
Serrotta, of course
Richard Gangl (Golden, CO)

I have seen some or Rich Adams' frames, and they are sweet... I hope to ride one of my own some day.

http://www.bicycleframes.com

I have a Dirt Research frame that I believe is one of his... it is very nicely welded...

New Bike
 

I live in northern indiana. I am looking for the classic lugged frame, light but strong. I do not like the fillet brazed.

Terraferma does both, in both the traditional and modern style. I've seen his work, and it is nothing short of fantastic. Located in Miami, however.

-Kurt

Don Walker is in Indiana. He's not cheap, but he makes some beautiful bikes. http://www.donwalkercycles.com/gallery/gallery.html