LBS that sell hand made steel frames?

Hi

I'm wondering if there are any local bike shops that carry off the peg steel frames which have been handmade. Brands such as Mercian, etc.

I went to Push cycles in Stoke Newington as they carry Mercian but not off the peg only custom and a new bike will take around 6 months!

I'm looking for a new bike for summer touring so it's got to have eyelets for rack and mud guards.

I went to Mosquito yesterday but these were all mass produced frames. I'm keen on getting a hand made English frame but built up by a LBS. I don't have the knowledge time or tools to build up a bike and just want to build one up via a LBS so I can go cycling :)

Thanks!

If you know what kind of frame you want you're best off going straight to the frame builder, talking to them and finding out how long the waiting list is. If you want something like Mercian or Feather be prepaired to wait about 12 - 18 months. If you don't want to wait that long there is people like Steve Goff who make very nice frames for less money and with a quicker turn around.

Tokyo Fixed used to take orders for Feather but they are the only shop I can think of that you could order a fully custom frame through.

Once you have the frame there is nothing stopping you taking it to a bike shop to build up with the parts. If you aren't sure what's compatible with what, like bottom brackets and headsets, just ask here and we can help. It will be cheaper going to the shop with all the parts and just paying for labour than getting them to order the parts in too.