custom framebuilders--experiences?
 

ok, i'm THINKIN' about MAYBE gettin' a custom frame built up for just me. i got some extra scratch and plan to cut back on wine drinkin' a little to have even more dough. so why not a custom?

anyway, those of you who have custom frames--could you give me some insight into why you went that route and your experience with the framemakers. was it worth it? is the ride really all dat?

thanks. :) :)

I got one because I know I will be riding it for the rest of my life. My body quit growing, so I figured It's not that huge of an expense if you span it out over your lifetime. Plus I am graduating in 6 days and figured I owed it to myself.

Experience with the framebuiler? Nothing but positive. Did the 5 month wait make me want to die at times? Definitely. Was it worth the wait? No doubt.

I just built it up last night, and can't imagine a smoother, more ferrari style feeling on a bike. Eh... talking about it's boring. I'm going for a ride!

I would suggest you write down what you want in a bike and get some feedback from a couple or more builders on what they think. A frame builder is a vast book of knowledge. Use their experience to your advantage, its what you pay for.

Paging Don Walker!!!!

I've been riding custom geared bikes (road, mtb, and cx) for the last five years, and love how they feel -- in part because I know how much better they ride than the mass-produced bikes I rode 15 years ago, but also because they're truly *mine* and that enhances my cycling experience.

My biggest take-away from working with framebuilders, or shops that communicate directly with framebuilders, is that there is difference between fabrication skills and bike-fit knowledge. Beautiful welds, brazing, lugs or paint don't mean squat if the bike doesn't fit you well, and for the $1,200-$3,000+ you'll spend on a custom frame and fork, it better fit *really* well. So my suggestion is that you learn as much as you can about bike fit -- especially *your* fitting needs -- before pulling the trigger. Make sure the builder you select really understands sizing of not only the frame, but stem length and saddle setback, too. If you invest the time in all of that, you'll end up with a spectacular ride.

Steven

I would recommend going to the Framebuilders Forum. It's got everything you need, plus you can talk to most of the builders themselves, or search their threads for answers to FAQ.

[$00.02]

I have had customs ( all track) .


I picked a frame (Atala) that I liked and got it built up exactly but with a little change.

You going over with the builder is important and you need to know exactly what you want.

This way you help the builder from going in circles and you getting confused.

Size, color, tubing angles, what it will be used for, lugs. it is like being fitted for a tailored suit.

Will you have it for life, maybe my first one was stolen.

S/F,
CEYA!

not a troll. i don't troll.

to be more specific, who are some custombuilders in the northeast i should maybe checkout. (i live in boston and am in nyc weekly). i can't think of the guys name who's real near boston. i'll say flatout though, i dig jonnycycles. :)

i looked at the framebuilders forum and it looked a little too technical for me. but i guess if you're gettin' into it, ya prolly oughta educate yourself. i'm no good at math though! :eek:

You are right here in NYC so go to Johnny Coast, Cuevas. Are you going to the King Kog event if you do I will explain in detail and give more names.


Gotta go pick up some bling(Suntour Superbe pro cogs)

S/F,
CEYA!

i may order a yamaguchi after january. i'll fill you in if i do.

If you're in Boston, check out independent Fabrication, I have 2 indies and I love them.
I got my first 1 custom because I am a not very tall woman and I was looking for a good solid tri bike. I wasn't impressed with things I was seeing off the rack (this was 5 years ago, things have changed a bit) I figured with what I would be spending for off the rack and getting it to fit me, I would go custom.
I love my bike.
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
I've done 3 ironmans on it and could not have been more comfortable on a bike.
It was a great experience buying the bike, it fits me like a glove.

Really, because it feels so freakin' good when you ride a bike that's made specifically to fit you.

I had my Bike Friday custom made, and whoa! Riding that bike vs. my Specialized Sirrus was like the difference between buttering your bread with butter vs. motor oil. I don't have to worry about the handlebars being too far apart, the drops to be too low, etc. It's a perfect fit.

Koffee

As much as i think fit is important, I think one of the key factors that people downplay is the uniqueness factor.

There's nothing much cooler than having a bike that nobody else has, one that was made specifically for you, that you had a hand in creating.

In some ways, a consumerist lifestyle is a destructive thing, so to create something that's unique, individualist, sustainable, and as an added bonus the worlds most efficient and beautiful machine are factors that shouldn't be discounted, I reckon.