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Phab82 · 02-13-12, 08:29 AM

Have you ever tried to play with those funny online tools that allow you to build your custom bike and see how it would look like?

I know some brands that are putting stuff like this into their website,have you ever heard of it? What do you think?

Artkansas · 02-13-12, 02:09 PM

Well, until that tool lets you take a test ride to feel how it rides, I'd have to say it's just a sales tool trying to increase your buy-in to owning one.

A10K · 02-13-12, 06:00 PM

This narrow definition of "custom".... I see it thrown around a lot. I've never been too interested in how a bike looks. When you give me a choice of crankset, and cassette, and tires, maybe then we can talk about how a bike suits my needs.

tsl · 02-13-12, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A10K

This narrow definition of "custom"....

Agreed. All I've seen are tools for decoration. Your choice of decoration does not make it a custom bike.

For instance, the Trek Project One lets you decorate a Madone. But in the end, it's not a custom bike, it's still a Madone--with custom paint--but still just a Madone.

A custom bike is one that's made to measure for your body, with geometry suited to your riding preferences, requirements, and conditions. That's a custom bike.

It's like saying a custom house is one where you chose the paint from swatches to be put a tract house.

A10K · 02-13-12, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsl

It's like saying a custom house is one where you chose the paint from swatches to be put a tract house.

You missed the last 20 years of real estate, didn't you?

Machka · 02-14-12, 03:46 AM

I wonder if people are confusing the terms: "custom" and "customise".

Custom = a bicycle that is made to measure for your body, with geometry suited to your riding preferences, requirements, and conditions.

Customise = changing out the handlebar tape, picking a paint colour, adding a mirror, rack, mudguards, etc. etc.

Phab82 · 02-15-12, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machka

I wonder if people are confusing the terms: "custom" and "customise".

Custom = a bicycle that is made to measure for your body, with geometry suited to your riding preferences, requirements, and conditions.

Customise = changing out the handlebar tape, picking a paint colour, adding a mirror, rack, mudguards, etc. etc.

Well, i guess that this is what really happened, my bad.

I just thought it was a funny thing

Artkansas · 02-15-12, 05:42 AM

It's a great marketing tool. If you spend time with one, and say, I want that color, that water bottle rack... you are selling yourself on buying that bicycle. Each decision you make about what you want on the bike is a close. As salespeople say, always be closing. And if the process works, they'll get the big close where you hand over your money.

Bianchigirll · 02-16-12, 08:54 AM

NO I do that in my head. you can't go from this

to this with a computer

and how can you build it online without picturing it in your head as you go?

fietsbob · 02-16-12, 11:49 AM

Koga Miyata's Signature program, has frame and component Menus.
but the frames are not themselves Custom.

then the NL based company sends the bike to one of their dealers
[they skip the US market ], [then you would fly over, and start your bike tour perhaps
on a New Bike ]

Volvo used to do that with cars, drive around Scandinavia, and Europe,
then they ship it back home to you.