should I ....have a custom made frame made for me?
02-02-13, 01:10 PM
#52
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the frame would be made in Italy buy a top builder.
My boss has customs made there in ALU,Carbon,Lugged Steel,and TI, he has 3 different builders who does the work.
But he has shown me a columbus SLX frame NOS that is very available to me but its chrome and purple.
he honestly said I can buy ebay new campy for less then his cost in finland.
mike
My boss has customs made there in ALU,Carbon,Lugged Steel,and TI, he has 3 different builders who does the work.
But he has shown me a columbus SLX frame NOS that is very available to me but its chrome and purple.
he honestly said I can buy ebay new campy for less then his cost in finland.
mike
02-02-13, 01:50 PM
#53
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Honestly - I think a frame built to your speficifcations, in your favorite paint theme...brand new...at $1000 Euro/$1500ish USD is a better deal than a used <fill in the blank> for $500, which is pretty normal for a decent quality frame.
02-02-13, 02:07 PM
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Say 1/2 the cost of a really nice bike is the frame and 1/2 is the components and wheels. For two very nice C&V bikes, you could have a bike built around a custom frame. Maybe it is three to one. But with the values of "n" around here, I think quite a number of you could have a custom.
02-02-13, 02:56 PM
#55
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the purple slx frame is a chesini frame, maybe I will get a pic of it next week, its NOS and very pretty-but purple.
02-02-13, 03:59 PM
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I have thought of this over the years and while "custom" made is a dream for most any serious cyclist/ collector I was never sure it was worth the effort. Since I would certainly copy the basic geomentry and measurement of my Bianchi Proto would it make sense to pay $1000+ for a custom? I don't have very long leggs and short trunk or versa or anything that requires a special geomentry.
Jim Bishop tempeted me a few years ago by telling me he had some corregated or crimped tubesets in stock but I held off. But I did get to thinking what about a custom Mixte? A Mixte with the crimped tubing would be interesting but a waste of one of the tubes. I thought of MAX tubes subbing extra seatstays for the TT that might be interesting. Bu tthen again would I get enough use out of Mixte to justify the expense?
Do these things keep you guys up at nught too?
Jim Bishop tempeted me a few years ago by telling me he had some corregated or crimped tubesets in stock but I held off. But I did get to thinking what about a custom Mixte? A Mixte with the crimped tubing would be interesting but a waste of one of the tubes. I thought of MAX tubes subbing extra seatstays for the TT that might be interesting. Bu tthen again would I get enough use out of Mixte to justify the expense?
Do these things keep you guys up at nught too?
02-02-13, 07:17 PM
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Occasionally... I'm perfectly content with the road bikes I have, but I'm always thinking about the 'perfect' city bike, the perfect commuter. Over the years I've made a laundry list of features I've yet to find all on a single stock frameset- not quite a touring bike, not quite a rando, not quite an MTB; sort of like an '85 Trek 850, sort of like an LHT, not quite like an Miyata 615 GT; hauler, bar-bike, fire-trail rider; and just a little bit of all of them.
A full-custom frame is a notable investment of time and money that (ideally) should be an expression of one's self-knowledge as a cyclist; never to be exclusively pursued as a point of vanity- unless, of course, you just happen to be an independently wealthy collector of finely crafted metals.
A full-custom frame is a notable investment of time and money that (ideally) should be an expression of one's self-knowledge as a cyclist; never to be exclusively pursued as a point of vanity- unless, of course, you just happen to be an independently wealthy collector of finely crafted metals.
Last edited by DIMcyclist; 02-03-13 at 06:07 PM. Reason: Grammar; punctuation.
02-02-13, 10:02 PM
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I think this part of what gomango said, along with the other comments about how much $1400 is to you personally and looking into other builders, pretty much sums it up. I don't own a custom myself, but I simply Love being on a bike, and I'd be willing to spend a decent sum of money on a custom if I had a better idea of what I wanted. I'm sure I will someday after I spend time on more bikes learning about what geometry is right for me and exactly what I want from the bike. If you're at that point, and you really love being on a bike and will for the rest of your life, then it's worth it if you can afford it. If you can't afford it now, but truly love being on a bike, start saving your pennies and get the custom when you can realistically afford it. If you're still young, whatever age that may be to you, buy it before old age or too much responsibility hits you. You only live once. 
But don't buy it just because the opportunity is there Now. There are lots of builders and a range of prices and they will be around for a while. Do it when you know what you want, the right person is building it, and the time is right for you. A custom frame would be awesome and you'll probably keep it forever. Therefore, don't do it on a whim without a lot of research. If the frame build is overseas, who is going to help you come up with the measurements on everything to get the perfect end result that you want out of a bike? I feel like that's a big factor.
But don't buy it just because the opportunity is there Now. There are lots of builders and a range of prices and they will be around for a while. Do it when you know what you want, the right person is building it, and the time is right for you. A custom frame would be awesome and you'll probably keep it forever. Therefore, don't do it on a whim without a lot of research. If the frame build is overseas, who is going to help you come up with the measurements on everything to get the perfect end result that you want out of a bike? I feel like that's a big factor.The frame I would have described to a custom builder a couple of years ago would be ENTIRELY different from the frame I would describe to a builder today. However, I do think the frame that I would order today would be very similar to a frame I think I would want in 5-10 years.
Ellis Cycles is just down the street from me. I want Dave Wages to build me a glorious frame.
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02-02-13, 10:23 PM
#59
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I think there are two categories of rider who could benefit from a custom frame.
The first group is comprised of folks who have very unusual fit needs that can't be met by stock frames. If you're 6'6" or 4'5" you'll probably need a custom. In those cases you're wise to find a well-known custom builder with experience in your niche (don't hire Georgina Terry if you're 6'6", or Lennard Zinn if you're 4'5") and then put your trust in him.
The second group is comprised of people with tremendous experience who want something truly special and unique. If you know what you want, know that it will work for you, and know that it can't be had as stock, then go for it - and be prepared to pay for it, because trying to cheap out on this kind of project just guarantees that it won't be very special or unique.
I've never met anyone from the first group who was dissatisfied. One and all, they complain only that they waited too long to have it done. I know lots of disappointed people from the second group. Either they went with a low bidder and ended up with low-bidder quality, or they discovered that their particular "unique and special" doesn't actually work very well, or their needs simply evolved to the point that their "perfect bike" isn't anymore. I've built a dozen or so frames for myself, many of which were my "ultimate" last-frame-I'll-ever-need frame. Which should tell you something...
The first group is comprised of folks who have very unusual fit needs that can't be met by stock frames. If you're 6'6" or 4'5" you'll probably need a custom. In those cases you're wise to find a well-known custom builder with experience in your niche (don't hire Georgina Terry if you're 6'6", or Lennard Zinn if you're 4'5") and then put your trust in him.
The second group is comprised of people with tremendous experience who want something truly special and unique. If you know what you want, know that it will work for you, and know that it can't be had as stock, then go for it - and be prepared to pay for it, because trying to cheap out on this kind of project just guarantees that it won't be very special or unique.
I've never met anyone from the first group who was dissatisfied. One and all, they complain only that they waited too long to have it done. I know lots of disappointed people from the second group. Either they went with a low bidder and ended up with low-bidder quality, or they discovered that their particular "unique and special" doesn't actually work very well, or their needs simply evolved to the point that their "perfect bike" isn't anymore. I've built a dozen or so frames for myself, many of which were my "ultimate" last-frame-I'll-ever-need frame. Which should tell you something...
02-03-13, 12:04 AM
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That's a great price for a custom bike. I've been kicking round the idea of getting a Mooney because I love his frames and have watched him work.
I currently have a custom TI that I acquired second hand that I love, but would not have been able to pay the $3k for the frame set new. If you can get one made for you for that much, do it. One thing, though, is not to put it on a pedestal before you get it. Something that happens at times for custom bike buyers with the wait time and anticipation is that they build it up so much in their heads that they are disappointed when the bike is not mind blowing once they finally get on it.
I currently have a custom TI that I acquired second hand that I love, but would not have been able to pay the $3k for the frame set new. If you can get one made for you for that much, do it. One thing, though, is not to put it on a pedestal before you get it. Something that happens at times for custom bike buyers with the wait time and anticipation is that they build it up so much in their heads that they are disappointed when the bike is not mind blowing once they finally get on it.
02-03-13, 06:31 AM
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That's a great price for a custom bike. I've been kicking round the idea of getting a Mooney because I love his frames and have watched him work.
I currently have a custom TI that I acquired second hand that I love, but would not have been able to pay the $3k for the frame set new. If you can get one made for you for that much, do it. One thing, though, is not to put it on a pedestal before you get it. Something that happens at times for custom bike buyers with the wait time and anticipation is that they build it up so much in their heads that they are disappointed when the bike is not mind blowing once they finally get on it.
I currently have a custom TI that I acquired second hand that I love, but would not have been able to pay the $3k for the frame set new. If you can get one made for you for that much, do it. One thing, though, is not to put it on a pedestal before you get it. Something that happens at times for custom bike buyers with the wait time and anticipation is that they build it up so much in their heads that they are disappointed when the bike is not mind blowing once they finally get on it.
So does a year of wait time.
A year is ample time to figure out exactly what you want and to make sure your needs are accurately expressed to the builder.
Beautiful, highly functional bicycles are available though and the sky (money) is the limit for what a buyer can attain.
Love this one I saw the other day for example.
02-03-13, 07:43 AM
#62
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Planning carefully and thoughtfully helps you get through some of the pitfalls.
So does a year of wait time.
A year is ample time to figure out exactly what you want and to make sure your needs are accurately expressed to the builder.
Beautiful, highly functional bicycles are available though and the sky (money) is the limit for what a buyer can attain.
Love this one I saw the other day for example.
So does a year of wait time.
A year is ample time to figure out exactly what you want and to make sure your needs are accurately expressed to the builder.
Beautiful, highly functional bicycles are available though and the sky (money) is the limit for what a buyer can attain.
Love this one I saw the other day for example.
02-03-13, 07:46 AM
#63
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I don't really mind SRAM. Yeah it's ugly, but at least it looks like somebody tried to apply some industrial design to it. The new Dura Ace on the other hand was surely designed by a warthy anime freak with a box of crayons.
02-03-13, 11:57 AM
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Zero hesitation about beating the daylights out of their X7 gruppo.
FWIW The local cyclocross scene is a good mix of SRAM and Shimano.
Can't think of one bicycle this last season with Campy.
Do I like Campy on road bikes?
Sure.
In the interest of full disclosure, I just ordered a cheap Campy Centaur gruppo last week for the Swiss Cross, so we'll see how that goes off road.
02-03-13, 12:17 PM
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I actually like the look of SRAM better than Shimano. The exposed cable generation of Shimano STI have to be the ugliest to date (not counting the Campy EPS fd). I have considered trying Sram on my DeSalvo since it would allow me to share wheels between it, my Soma and my 29er. Anybody want to trade some new Red or Force (with fixed front shifting) for Chorus 11? 
