H1449-6

Update: pix, etc here: https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=228405

Decision made: It's going to be a Spectrum Ti. The more I looked around the more I realized that I want Ti. Spectrum practically invented the category (I know this isn't literally true), and I can go straight to Tom Kellogg for the fitting. The bike will be done in 12 weeks or so, not 12 months or more, which is a lesser but important selling point.

Sacha: I appreciate your correspondence and the next last bike I get will be a lugged steel bike.

Now what parts?.....

____________________


I know there are many threads on "what bike should I buy" and I've read many of them.

The purpose of this thread is to make sure I don't overlook any builder as I conduct my search over the next 4-6 weeks.

I am planning to reward myself with a new custom bike as a result of reaching a milestone this upcoming September. I am starting my search now because I know that the lead time on a custom build can be 3 months to 3 years.

I am looking for my last bike. Well, probably not but I am looking for a timeless ride that I will be happy with for the rest of my cycling life (probably another 30-35 years). Cost is not really an issue.

More specifically, I am looking for lugged or fillet brazed steel. I will consider Ti but only if it's in a classic road geometry, and the maker has the characteristics I'm looking for (see next paragraph). I have zero interest in Al or carbon fiber.

Craftsmanship is as important as anything else in my decisionmaking process. Ideally I'd like to buy from an up-and-coming builder who will be an important name in framebuilding 30 years from now. I don't want to buy from someone who's too mainstream. "Mainstream" to me means, for example, Serotta or Merlin.

Names currently on the radar include

Rivendell (potentially too staid and narrow in what they do)
Vanilla (current frontrunner)
Waterford (love 'em)
Seven (maybe a little too racerboy)
Heron (I think these are production frames)
Franklin (because I got a mountain frame there and like it)
Sycip (don't know a lot but a friend says don't overlook them)

I know there are dozens of others. I am deliberately overlooking builders like Richard Sachs (too long a wait) and Ben Serotta (too mainstream; John Kerry has one. See above).

Any additional suggestions for the list based on my criteria above?

Thank you.

4SEVEN3

LandShark
Beautiful frames......and the paint is artwork on its own, either your idea or let him go!
Variety of frame styles and materials!
Ive seen quite a few of them (lbs is a dealer) and no two are exactly alike!

https://www.landsharkbicycles.com/index.html

metal_cowboy

I have got to give my vote to Vanilla. They have a style that is far and above what others are doing. I ride a Rivendell, and they are great bikes; but there is just something about those Vanilla bikes that makes them special.

urbanknight

Is Eddy Merckx too old or mainstream for you? My father got an awesome deal on one and it has been his only frame to ride on for the last 14 years. Better yet, he got it because his neighbor had one and swore it was the most comfortable yet responsive bikes he had ever ridden. Matter of fact, everybody I have ever talked to who rides a Merckx says it's the most comfortable frame they have ever had. I rode my father's but it never felt right because it is 2 cm too large for me. Truly timeless, the design and style look the same from many year back.

I just missed a great deal on an older Schwinn Paramount (Waterford) on ebay. Not that you should care, your thread just reminded me.

Edit: just saw the comment on Landshark. Good bikes, but the two that I have ridden didn't really impress me. They do have many variations, though, and it's custom, so maybe I just didn't like the choices two of his customers had made. They are works of art, although I prefer more simply paint jobs myself.

tekhna

This is the lamest, most pretentious thread I have ever seen in my life.

H1449-6

Already have one. It's my daily ride. Slightly squirrely for me. Head tube probably a little too steep.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.

H1449-6

And that's one of the stupidest replies I've had the misfortune to read.

tekhna

You can't be serious...
You want a bike that will last 30 years? A bike you won't crash, that will only get used 3 days a summer, because it just might rain on the other 97 days. Get a bike to ride, not to pout and fret about brand name, and which pose it gives you. Too racerboy, too John Kerry. Give me a break.

H1449-6

Some people get it. You don't.

Go away.

mrchristian

Hmmm...don't know much about custom steel bikes, but looking through some pictures i'd definately say Vanilla. Just look at their commuter bike! For something that's just supposed to be locked up at a train station...holy crap.

" WE BUILD DAMN SEXY BICYCLES "

that's enough to convince me

Patriot

Just find an old steel lugged frame like the one I have, and custom paint it yourself with your own handpicked componentry.

Of course, I'm not sure if buying a bike (even a Vanilla, etc) would be the best thing to have for an investment/heirloom. Unless it is something unbelievably special, all of those bikes will depreciate in value over time, and are only an heirloom to the person who owns it (and rides it), and no one else.

fogrider

I like the look of vanilla, but I think if you want a real bike in steel for riding, get an old merckx, colnago or paramount. another nice builder that doesn't get much press is marinoni, he's up in canada and has a strong follow up north. I've seen two of his bikes and I think they have a real racing bike look to them (both that I've seen were steel). his website looks pretty bad...photos of alum frames, but the real thing looks better than what is on his website. I like steel and ride a ritchey, but when it comes to the big rides, I go with something a little lighter...carbon or scandium.

ollo_ollo

Don't know what part of the country you are in but Bill Stevenson here in Olympia is one of the top frame builders, & if you don't want a long wait, there is a young fellow name of Corey Thompson who will be one of the greats. Both can be contacted at the "Bikestand" shop here in Olympia, WA
https://www.henryjames.com/bfolder/stevusa.html

clausen

I agree with patriot. Find a good steel frame and build it the way you want it. Being here in Canada I am looking at Marinoni.

EricDJ

Pretentious to reward yourself, doesn't sound that way to me. Its his reward for a goal.

I say Vanilla, with their polished v dropouts, hand carved lugs, polished lugs and bb. Slap on some new Sram goodness.

SAB

Too many builders to name...

Spectrum (Tom Kellog - long wait) and Bilenkly Cycle Works (Stephen Bilenky - not mainstream at all, so the wait will be less) build bikes that match what you are looking for.

AnthonyG

Well custom is custom so I don't think that you can realy critisize a builder for steering thats too "squirily" or a builder thats too "staid".

Here's my view of the best aproach to take. You want a builder that has top rate building skills and one that can do those sexy stainless steel lugs would be great but most of all you want a builder that you can talk to. A great frame is realy going to come out of great communication so talk to some of them and see how you get on. Firstly I suppose you WANT to talk to them and not just deal through a middle man.

Knowing what you realy want helps too. Realize that there could be compromises along the way and be prepared for them.

Here's my custom baby,

This bike was my concept and I appreciate the help and work of Paul Hillbrick to make it happen. Its a proportionaly built 650c bike thats designed around the 140mm cranks that suit me. Low bottom bracket to take advantage of the short cranks and a very short "reach". Its constructed from luged Zona steel. I didn't give Paul the easiest job he's had and I apreciate the work he did for me.

Regards, Anthony

14max

From your list: Rivendell, Vanilla, or Waterford
True heirloom: Richard Sachs. He has a 4+ year wait but 30 years from now when you're still riding it and people are still looking at it in awe like it's the Grail you won't care that you had to wait that long...

fmw

I guess I have no feel for it. I still consider the frame to be among the least important parts of a bicycle - assuming good fit, of course. I realize frames handle differently and have different ride qualities and I sense these things in my own bikes, but I fail to believe that cost and brand are the determining factors here. I've ridden a Seven and a Serrotta and a custom Waterford. They felt to me like any other bike would equipped with the same components. In fact my under $300 Basso frame feels nicer to me than any of those did. I don't think twice about buying a $400 crankset but I can't bring myself to pay $1000 for a frame, let alone $3000. I guess I just have a backward view of the whole thing.

I would recommend the Vanilla as well because I think they have nice paint jobs.

serotta

I apologize for hijacking your thread, but Franklin frames have always interested me. A buddy of mine has had one for years. I have tried to find a URL for the company, but can't. Do you have a web address for them?

56/12 and 22/28

Baylis.

ViperZ

Like it was said earlier, Heirloom is defined by may things, it's hard to say what will be collectible if even, or what will be of worth to somebody else

For me an Heirloom would be 80's Italian racing bikes with C-Record, while for others it would be a beach Cruiser. My children may think a Carbon bike is an Heirloom when it comes time for them to receive it.

I recognize what you are after and I would say you would not go wrong with a Richard Sachs



Here is a Link of Custom Builders in the USA

See what strikes your fancy

H1449-6

https://home.alltel.net/franklinframe/

I used to work for Cross Country Cycle and Fitness in Columbus, who probably back in the day (and before my time) sold as many Franklins as anybody else.

I've got a Franklinstein mountain frame and a friend has a road frame. Nice bikes.

lrzipris

I can't imagine anything better than a custom Spectrum (Tom Kellogg). Mine (ti, but Tom prefers to work in steel) fits me like the proverbial glove. A couple of years ago, my wait was about five months, if my memory is accurate. I went through what sounds like a similar process when I turned a milestone age and wanted the bike of my dreams. Trouble is, there's always another dream to fulfill!

mingsta

I'm gonna put a shout in for Ti - if you want an heirloom, then here's a material that will never rust, has very long fatigue life and will probably look as good in 20 years time as it did on its first day out of wraps. I ride mine through all sorts of winter cr*p and the only concession that I make is to fit some cheaper wheels, the frame can take care of itself.

I have a Seven, so I'm biased. But Moots will also do you a custom frame for a surcharge, I'd also grudgingly admit that Moots do the prettiest Ti welds in the business by some considerable margin.