njkayaker

Seven is semi-custom and also does custom work.

They are not "off the shelf" (standard bikes built before anybody orders it). Seven, whether or not you do a custom design, builds a bike for you after you place an order.

Since you are not constrained by price, there should be somebody in the UK.

The nice thing about something like Seven is that it's built to order and can be a little less expensive than full-on custom.

The idea of Seven (maybe) is to find a company that does semi-custom bikes.

You probably should have mentioned that earlier. Most of the readers here are in the US.

pdedes

good hunting. don't get hung up on perfection. then you'll never get the bike you want at the time you need it.

Dheorl

Thanks. I'm trying to keep an open mind because I know perfection is hard to attain, but I've left myself nearly a year before I want this bike in my hands, and even then if I have to I can still use my current bike. Hopefully in that time I'll be able to get what I'm after

Dheorl

Currently I'm hoping I'll be able to get an Enigma frame with some custom adjustments. With what I've learnt from this thread I've emailed them with my thoughts and am awaiting a reply, but am not expecting to hear back till after christmas at this point. I'll be sure to post here with a follow up when I do.

Looking at the prices of their complete bikes compared to the Sevens by the time they've made it to the UK I expect it to be in a similar ballpark price wise.

njkayaker

If you are going with Ti, it might make more sense leaving it unpainted. Paint is more likely to get messed up when traveling.

I talked to Sabbath bikes about whether S&S couplers were a possibility (the didn't say "no" but ther the answer wasn't any more useful).

Dheorl

Thanks. I have been debating the paint a bit but really prefer the look of painted bikes. I don't mind if my bike looks "used".

One assumption that I've made is it will matter less on a titanium bike than on a steel bike if the paint gets scratched/chipped. Is this correct?

njkayaker

You don't need to paint Ti at all. (You need to paint steel except for stainless, which isn't used very often on bike frames).

(Ti is great looking unpainted.)

Dheorl

So if I do paint it and it does get chipped it doesn't really matter at all apart from aesthetically?

emveezee

Get a super nice titanium disc hydro whatever for home use, and a cheap as you can travel bike with cheapish components for travel. Traveling with, taking apart, stuffing in a case, putting back together, etc, inevitably takes it's toll. Just do it with reasonable build (and not discs) and accept that it will get a bit beat up a bit. Traveling will be less stressful that way. I say this as an s&s owner, and of course, this is all just my opinion, man.

Dheorl

It's not travelling as such, more that my life just moves around a fair amount.

Thanks for the advice though, it's something I may consider. Like I say though, I get emotionally attached to bikes. I'd love to know that the bike I'm cycling to work on has seen me to the top of an alpine pass

njkayaker

Don't get too silly. You are free to do what you want.

Most people want their stuff to look as good for as long as possible. Travelling can be hard on bikes (and paint).

A big advantage of Ti is that you don't need to paint it. And it looks great unpainted (and, of course, not eveybody will agree). If you have some sort of budget, spending extra to paint Ti doesn't make much sense.

Steel is still a very good material to make bicycles out of. And it's (usually) much cheaper than Ti. But it needs to be painted.

Dheorl

Thanks, good to know. I'm not very bothered if my bike ends up with the occasional chip or scratch, this isn't something I ever intend on selling. If it gets too bad I'll get the whole thing repainted and start again

I might consider leaving it unpainted to start with if painting would stop me being able to afford the components I want, but I do prefer the look of a painted bike.

StanSeven

I got a Ti Seven painted. The paint is just as durable as any other bike. I did get a few scratches and nicks over time but used touch up paint and I think I am the only person that can find them. Wherever you get your bike, ask for the paint code number. It's easy and cheap to order touch up paint that way.

rpenmanparker 

OP, it is your money and your choices. I will say, however, that you are making something simple much more challenging than it needs to be. The bit about riding the same bike in the Alps and on local roads is a little bit precious IMO.

rpenmanparker 

I also concur that travelling is not kind to bikes. I wouldn't want to take my best bike on a plane, break apart type or not.

Dheorl

Yep, you're right, it is. But it's one of the reasons I love bikes so much. I realise it's stupid forming an attachment to a piece of metal but my current bike has been on some great adventures with me and I love the fact that I ride it everywhere.

I know it's a challenge having one bike to do everything and go everywhere, but that's why I'm giving myself a long time to get it sorted. And yes, it's a lot of money, but unless I get back into mountain biking I don't see myself buying another bike.

Dheorl

Even if you were going to be spending 5 months in the middle of the Swiss Alps?

rpenmanparker 

Well, I get your point, but you are talking to the wrong guy. I am not an avid climber and tend to avoid mountain cycling. Heresy, I know, but there you have it.

But to your point, what I said still holds, mountains or not. I would not want to take a "best" bike on an airplane. Yes, it can be done, but the risks are greater than the rewards. I have lesser bikes that I enjoy riding just as much, so there is no need to travel with the most expensive one. My break-apart bikes were always great rides but quite modest in cost compared to my best. If you live in the UK and are going to Switzerland for such a long stay, why not just drive? Isn't that what the Chunnel was built for? Won't you need a car there anyway? Problem solved.

Dheorl

Public transport in Switzerland is good enough a car is rarely needed and I couldn't do it in one go, with accommodation along the way adding to the cost. Trains are possible to get there but more expensive than a plane and I'm not sure all allow full sized bikes on.

I can see where people are coming from with more than one bike, but with uni and summer jobs and so-on my life really isn't very fixed and multiple bikes just aren't much of an option unfortunately. I have considered getting another cheaper bike and just getting a new one again in a few years time when I'm maybe more settled, but like I say, due to irrational attachments, a "bike for life" does appeal.

merlinextraligh

The two cable discs I've used are Bengal and Avid