Lurker here who recently finished grad school, now looking to treat myself to a high-end, proper track frame (student loans be damned). I've been researching custom frame builders for about a month now and before throwing down on a deposit I want to make sure I'm not overlooking somebody.

First some background...I've never owned a proper track frame. Currently own a run-of-the-mill 4130 cromo San Jose and an 80's Columbus tubed Torpado 12-speed.

Some criteria...I'd like to keep it around $1700 and made here in the states. Also a strong lean towards steel, though I've never ridden aluminum so anything is possible. My current top 3 in consideration are Geekhouse, Horse, and Samurai cycles.

A wildcard with Low cycles (not really custom and they're aluminum...someone talk me out of it!) recently peaked my attention but the dimensions really threw me off with the long top tube/short seat tube. A concern for someone with a 36'' inseam?

Enough with the B.S., who else should I be looking at?

Lot of great builders on this page. Not sure about pricing, but you should browse around.

https://www.richardsachs.com/site/the-next-wave/

Why not support local frame builders?

https://stanridgespeed.com/

Stanridge Speed Track - $1800 - steel - made in the U.S.

You should check out Sanner i've heard good things about him. I recently got a custom frame made by Gene Spicer, it's just plain old 4130 steel but it feels like a much higher end bike and the price was great. I never asked him about building with another material but you could.

Im having a Geekhouse built, Marty has been the best builder iv worked with.

other options to throw out there..

Don Walker
Soulcraft
Landshark
Groovy Cycleworks

But as mentioned try a local builder depending where you are at.
My brother had a custom touring bike built for him from his neighbor out of his garage, Moustache Cycles.

+1

Harry Havnoonian is making bikes again shortly

I'm actually probably going to take Sanner's workshop this year with some friends!

stanridge is right in your price range. I'm not sure how many HSP's he's planning on making, but he's capping it at 50 I think.

if you can pay a little more, Bishop.

also there's a local guy here that people love. his company is Samurai Cycle Works. I would've gone that route if I wasn't so in love with Adam's work at Stanridge. He's also one of the nicest bike people you'll talk to.

Naked bicycles make fantastic stuff.

If you suggest some to OP, I'm sure he would be willing to check them out. I doubt that he is overlooking local options (if they even exist) because he doesn't like them, but rather that he is just unaware of them.

Thanks for the suggestion guys. Looks like I've got some more research/decision making to do.

As far as locals, Samurai cycles is here in Houston, and I'm definitely considering him. If I go with a lugged frame, he will likely be my builder of choice.

What exactly is a stanridge "HSP"?

Stanridge Speed Highstreet Pursuit. This frame raced and won the Red Hook Crit. It's made from fillet brazed Columbus aero STEEL tubing and comes with a carbon fork.

i was wondering what frame he was using. it's even on their website. not to go off topic, but that event was pretty awesome to be at. there needs to be more fixed gear crit events.

Ian Sutton at Icarus Frames just finished mine and he is top notch...absolutely great to work with.

It's more than the $1700 mentioned, but worth checking out: https://icarusframes.com/index

I'm just dropping this in here for some extra reading...

long thread on custom frames from the Road forum

Here is what concerns me:

1st: Do you *need* a custom frame?

There are LOTS of very nice off-the-rack frames out there.

and

2nd: I suspect that you don't know what you want out of this new frame.

Imagine a guy wanting to build a house from the ground up. The first question that the builder will ask is, "What are you looking for?" If the guy only lived in basic apartments all of his life, he may not have any perspective. Custom is usually the route that people go when they can't find what they want pre-built.

A good builder will ask you about the type of handling that you are looking for (super relaxed, relaxed, street race, track race, etc...). If you don't have any perspective, you won't know what to say.

I've had 2 custom race frames made (Tiemeyers) and I currently race an off-the-rack frame.

Custom is cool, but I think you'd be better off buying an off-the-shelf frame and start experimenting there. It will be cheaper and you'll be riding faster. Custom frames take often several months to build.

I'll be there as well. Probably in about 9 months. My 40th B-day present to myself.

Custom frames are rad, but from my experience: once you drop $1,000+ for the frame and another $1,000+ for parts - you will not be able to just leave it locked up anywhere. I keep extra bikes around for locking up.

Can't say enough good about Thomas at Horse Cycles

Awesome! I actually met Tim on Caltrain not too long ago. I think I may have him build me a SSCX frame. Weeeeewww

As to not derail too much PM sent Jaytron.

I took this as a given. It would be beyond idiotic to use a custom frame as a commuter. I assumed that OP would be using the frame for velodrome riding/racing.

If that is not the case, then I would definitely recommend against a custom frame, in addition to the points that carleton made. I would especially emphasize the consideration of carleton's second point, because if you are answering the framebuilder's questions with guesses rather than experience, then custom is definitely way more than is necessary.

My custom frame is going to be a SSCX beast commuter :C

But then again I can bring my bike into my office.