Custom Build Question

OK, so having recently been bereaved of my Surly (sniff), I am starting to think about the Next Big Thing, and have decided that, since I was always going to drop a grand or two on a top-notch custom-built frame at some point, it might as well be this point.

But how on earth does one decide which framebuilder to go for? At the moment I'm erring towards Mercian, but this is on the fairly flimsy basis of a couple of 5-minute test rides on other people's bikes, lots of positive testimonials, and (ahem) the fact that they're really really pretty.

But it seems ridiculous to make such a huge commitment without really knowing what I'm talking about. Shouldn't I at least try and ride a couple of hundred miles on several different frames before I make my decision? Or do I just need to learn all about the mechanics of frame-building, in order to make sure they'll be providing me with exactly the sort of ride I'm after?

Seriously, how do you know?

a grand is a lot of money, i dont know shit but id never spend more than 500 on a bike, its going to get chipped, its going to get treated like shit on bike racks, it might get nicked. just not worth a thousand to risk, well depends how many thousands you got.

im just bitter

how did you feel about the ride / handling of the surly?

I just bumped a thread on UK framebuilders - so get browsing!
ooooohhh - little bit jealous.
EDIT - realised I didnt answer your Q! The (re)search is meant to be a large part of the fun, I would want to see some finished frames and some partially-built ones too!
You will get a idea of a builder's speciality from speaking to them and seeing what they are making to now, whether it be racing, touring, audax, etc.

But how on earth does one decide which framebuilder to go for?

Seriously, how do you know?

If you're going to spend that amount of money, then first spend some time talking to framebuilders. Visit their shops, tell them what you want, see what they say.
Their answers to your questions will help you decide.
It worked for me.

dpeneds what kida frames u like . . .

now georama is takin custom orders . . .

(For clarity.)

Actually, I don't think I'll be spending as much as a grand on the frame alone - most of the ones I've looked at so far come in somewhere between £500 and £800. But I'll go higher if need be, and I don't intend to skimp on components. (After all, think how much people spend on their cars. Or their travel cards, for that matter.)

Im probably not the most experienced but maybe try and sum up the things in the frame that do it for you. Take your surly, think back on what characteristics you liked and didnt. For the ones you didnt run them by the frame builders. I could be taking a stab at it in the dark but what the hell.

Im probably not the most experienced but maybe try and sum up the things in the frame that do it for you. Take your surly, think back on what characteristics you liked and didnt. For the ones you didnt run them by the frame builders. I could be taking a stab at it in the dark but what the hell.

sage advice

try http://www.limitcycles.com/
the guy who runs it is real nice, makes to quality custom bmx frames so thats how i know of him but chatting to him he said he made up a fixed gear recently for a client that he was really proud of (said it was one of his best frame builds) and by his standards that means it was ace. He said he had some photos too of the build so email him for them. He uses all american 4130 cromoloy and if an excellent welder but his bmx frames are only about 250 so i wouldn't expect his track frames to be ridiclously expensive either

Isn't part of the custom 'service' that by spending time talking with them, they work out the ideal geometry etc to give you the ride you are after? You just need to have worked out what is is you want or liked about your other bikes. All custom-built frames should ride slightly differently according to the customers needs, otherwise you may as well go OTP.

Isn't part of the custom 'service' that by spending time talking with them, they work out the ideal geometry etc to give you the ride you are after? You just need to have worked out what is is you want or liked about your other bikes. All custom-built frames should ride slightly differently according to the customers needs, otherwise you may as well go OTP.

I know, I know - but I've ridden too few bikes to really really know what geometry suits me (the Surly's probably a pretty good benchmark though), and I'm that much of a control freak I want to be able to calculate the precise angles and measurements and everything, knowing exactly what difference it'll make. Which I won't be able to do of course.

I suppose I'm also assuming that each builder will have a sort of 'signature' feel, even though they will (of course) take my requirements, personal geometry, etc. into account. But maybe not. And maybe I should just talk it over with them and then trust them to do their job.

But thanks for all the tips (and keep 'em coming). This is giving me something to procrastinate think about as I finish writing off my thesis!

Hi Emilia
I was reading this tread maybe it can help you
mercian takes 20 weeks to make the bike

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread422.html

I think the same about spending money in bikes. the money you save from the tube will pay for it quickly
and the happiness of not using tfl has no price!

I have had my mercian nearly a year and it still takes my breathe away I like it so much I am going to buy another one in mauve

to the-smiling-buddha:
i ordered one and read your thread after
i am waiting anxiously

is this for a fixed road/track bike to do lots of miles on the road? or a polo/street/HHSB?
if for the former personally wouldn't go to an unknown builder without experience of using the majority of tubesets available. builders like yates or roberts have years of building experience behind them and will often mix reynolds and columbus tubesets because they know exactly what to use to create the ride you want.
if it's for the latter then get anyone to build it as ride quality isn't going to be that important.

if i was in your situation i would probably go for mercian or for something racey a jf wilson, chas roberts does some nice fillet brazed frames but i prefer traditional. (roberts is local too)

emilia, don't know if you've done this or not, but I would think one of the first things to do before buying custom bike is to get fitted, so that you know your own dimensions, have spoken to someone knowledgeable about how you ride and what you have ridden in the past, and they can figure out/ provide you with the correct (for you) information that you can take to any number of framebuilders so they can build you the perfect frame. I know mosquito and cyclefit do sizings and if you haven't had it done would be worth the money.

+1 to what corny said

i am off to cyclefit tomorrow to get myself sized up.

may well use them to help me chose a frame or can then take the details to someone else to build one.

having read disastrous accounts of condor fittings and never a bad word from people who have been to cyclefit i would think its money well spent

Thanks for the advice Corny, and I'm interested to hear what you make of Cyclefit James - it's not money I'd planned on spending (and contrary to the impression given upthread, I don't have all that much!), but if you reckon it's really really worthwhile, I'll start thinking about it.

is this for a fixed road/track bike to do lots of miles on the road? or a polo/street/HHSB?
if for the former personally wouldn't go to an unknown builder without experience of using the majority of tubesets available. builders like yates or roberts have years of building experience behind them and will often mix reynolds and columbus tubesets because they know exactly what to use to create the ride you want.
if it's for the latter then get anyone to build it as ride quality isn't going to be that important.

if i was in your situation i would probably go for mercian or for something racey a jf wilson, chas roberts does some nice fillet brazed frames but i prefer traditional. (roberts is local too)

I think Roberts will probably be my first stop - they're just down the road from me! I'm planning this as a road (rather than a street) bike. I'll be doing big distances on it (some racey, some toury) and probably a few really silly things like crossing America or the Karakoram Highway. So it needs to be a very comfortable ride (and have rack mounts...). In fact, given my lofty ambitions, shelling out for Cyclefit is beginning to look more and more sensible.

Don't the framebuilders measure you themselves then? Or is it best to have a second opinion?

emilia, don't know if you've done this or not, but I would think one of the first things to do before buying custom bike is to get fitted, so that you know your own dimensions, have spoken to someone knowledgeable about how you ride and what you have ridden in the past, and they can figure out/ provide you with the correct (for you) information that you can take to any number of framebuilders so they can build you the perfect frame. I know mosquito and cyclefit do sizings and if you haven't had it done would be worth the money.

+1 - had a fitting done at Mosquito - Roger really knows his stuff. Downside is that you could end up spending considerably more than you had bargained on... He has some AMAZING frames in there.

Hi Emilia
I was reading this tread maybe it can help you
mercian takes 20 weeks to make the bike

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread422.html

I think the same about spending money in bikes. the money you save from the tube will pay for it quickly
and the happiness of not using tfl has no price!

Oh, that thread is fabulous! (And very useful.) But why doesn't it end with lots of beautiful pictures and an account of The Smiling Buddha riding smugly off into the sunset?

Tikastefano - I think you should keep us updated on yours!

I think Roberts will probably be my first stop - they're just down the road from me!

only a tiny "showroom", I went there the other day. some lovely looking bikes and frames in there..

Roberts fillet brazing and paint jobs look the tits. they've always made good bikes. i love mine.

i have just started and not loads of knowledge here!
I have been in this forum looking at techy stuff but sometimes is too much for my little head.
i wlill go to derby and get fitted...a bit nuts maybe?

+1 to what corny said

i am off to cyclefit tomorrow to get myself sized up.

may well use them to help me chose a frame or can then take the details to someone else to build one.

having read disastrous accounts of condor fittings and never a bad word from people who have been to cyclefit i would think its money well spent

i got fitted at condor, they built me a dedacciai 16.5 steel framed road bike with a carbon steerer and forks.

it is perfect. totally.

only a tiny "showroom", I went there the other day. some lovely looking bikes and frames in there..

Roberts fillet brazing and paint jobs look the tits. they've always made good bikes. i love mine.

roberts paintjobs - done by colourtech, they done my holdsworth...