ok, I'll play. Another Ira bike...

http://i.minus.com/iUExAVxbnYGVU.png
http://i.minus.com/idj4dPQDDX8Vd.png

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=243012
Mine's more about function than fashion, but the handling and comfort of a bike that actually fits and distributes the weight properly along with the steel ride quality more than compensates for the extra pound of weight penalty over a similarly priced mass produced CF bike. Built here: http://www.elephantbikes.com/

must..........touch...........it..........

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/s...5/IMG_1959.jpg

this bike is so hot.

My wife and I ordered a custom steel, double diamond, Davidson tandem last night. I'll post construction pictures as they become available.

probably because theres this: http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...-Framebuilders

while the forum description does mention talking about frames, the target audience is for the people that build frames. So a thread talking about people's custom road bikes is better in the 41.

The more I read here, and based on my own experience, the more I realize there are really three categories of custom bikes. In no particular order:

1. Production bikes with custom geometry and paint: these tend to be optional bikes from ranges that also have standard production sizes, and allow for custom geometry. These, in my mind, are mostly those that are made to fit different body shapes, or allow for specific requests for features, like longer top tubes, etc. Here I'm thinking of some of the Colnago line, some semi-production Serrottas, Gunnars and others. Nice choice for those who want a bigger name and a production bike, but made to fit really well.

2. Custom hand-built, based on limited production with specific models. These are the smaller shops who have set up something like a series of models, all of which are custom built for a specific rider, including geometry, and in some cases specific details and paint. Examples for me include things like IF and Pegoretti -- it's a custom bike, yes, but it's a specific model (like a Duende or a Big Leg Emma). Gorgeous machines, unique, and part of a recognizable family tuned for a specific kind of ride.

3. Hand-built one-offs. Maybe the most labor-intensive and longest wait times, these bikes are one-offs. Not a specific model or line, with things like tube and joining choices selected specifically for the rider and the desired characteristics. They tend to be built by individuals or very small teams.

Took me a while, when deciding, to figure this out. All are great in their own way.

'99 Steelman 853 SR

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6067/6...8348670dc9.jpg

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=243076
My 93 Dreesens, built with Tange Prestige tubing..i updated the components 2 1/2 years ago to Campy Athena 11 spd. I have enjoyed many a mile on this bike and will continue too..even though it has been replaced as my main bike, 2 months ago, it is still a great bike and will never leave me

I love my Tsunamis (and am anxiously awaiting the return of my original one any day now) but my experience with their delivery times have been pretty different from what I expected.

Build time, delivered to my door, is usually 8 weeks. That's really fast for any custom builder, and for one dealing with cancer, that's really incredible. When I sold bikes we (I) dealt with custom Merlins (tagged Spectrums since Tom Kellogg did the specs and finish) and we were talking long, long lead times, like 3 months, 4 months? I forget exactly but it was long.

http://flic.kr/p/aSpWdZ

My Holland Exogrid ... what a pleasure to ride and a great experience working with Bill and crew to get what I need

[IMG]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6...9ddd7cf8_z.jpg
IMG_0099 by placervilleflickr, on Flickr[/IMG]

Ok .. this is my Holland

What's with the HOLLAND? Does it ride as good as it looks (and costs)? What are the riding characteristics compared to a normal carbon monocoque bike? vs a Ti bike?

+1 on Brent Steelman custom made bikes

My 2005 Steelman

Holy smokes! That is a fantastic ride! Elegant, understated, and pure quality. The Campagnolo was the perfect choice. The couplers are blended perfectly too.

in that case mine is custom

Don't like the housing color choice, but the frame lines are really well done.
The rear triangle is proportional, and the seatstays connect with the seat-tube at the right spot. The straight forks were the right choice too. Simple and clean. I like it.

Can't compare to carbon, but the bike was designed to be a smooth stable ride. It is all that, a very comfortable, but responsive ride with good acceleration when I need it. No complaints and worth every penny

Love the disk brakes too.

One nice thing about Tsunami - I asked for a frame mod, I wanted shorter chainstays to pull the rear wheel under me a bit more. If I hadn't bought an ENVE fork through him the repair would have been low in cost, like comparable to the shipping cost (albeit no paint). Come to think of it the shipping was about 1/3 of the cost of the mod and paint stripping. The frame arrived yesterday but I only saw it today.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...50802501_n.jpg

Nice frame, it should be a interesting project.

thanks! most importantly its been behaving well and getting flogged daily!