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If you really want custom geometry, custom paint and the like you are best dealing with someone you can deal with in person. Someone who can look at you on your bike to see how you ride so they know what to build for you.
Titanium is great. I had a Rocky Mountain Ti Bolt until I got hit by a car. Best mountain bike ever.
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Not sure who Albannach use for the physical manufacturing of the frame - but for me the extra £ is payment for the design - considering clearances, tube widths/lengths, wheelbase, cable routing and all the rest of the things that you've gotta think about when designing a frame, and its worth it! Especially given that certain brands of ti frame builders and not others appear prone to cracking...
If you're confident doing all that stuff yourself (to a similar level to other frame designers) then maybe it is best to go direct to the supplier - I think there are several out there from Asia and Russia who will put something together for you.
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I'll take this opportunity to recommend Justin Burls.
http://www.burls.co.uk
His web site is having a 'refurb' at the moment but his Facebook page has a ton of pics of existing builds.
Back in May I took the decision to get a custom Ti frame and after weighing up all the options I went with burls and the experience was simply brilliant.
I almost went for a No22 Little Wing but the geo was a little out, I wanted a couple of features that are rarely offered on 'track' frames and I really wanted to try and buy within the UK.
Next I spoke to Enigma who weren't entirely unhelpful but a little arrogant. The two reasons I didn't go with them were A: After several conversations it became clear that they have close to zero experience of track or fixed gear bikes and B: They were more interested in selling me what they wanted to sell me than what I actually wanted.
Then came Burls. Quite honestly the best customer service I've ever experienced. Justin's a great chap and will listen and advise when asked and basically do absolutely everything to achieve your goal. His titanium frames are made in Russia by a very small team of builders with whom he has a close relationship. As such, any small details are attended to quickly and easily without the risk of things getting lost in the ether.
The quality of the frame I now have is absolutely stunning and I couldn't be happier. The best thing is that it's designed by me, it fits me perfectly (unlike anything off the peg) and the price was pretty damn good too! -
Levacon certainly seem to fit the 'uncommon', 'high end', 'bespoke', 'custom' criteria wanted by the op. I believe the fact they are French will go down well also!
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I am french (kind of) so that would certainly go down well! Will look into them, first time have heard of them
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Titanium Frame builder
Posted by
@Aldersbrook
Waltly are great if you're prepared to do the leg work on frame design, checking for errors and are ok with having to post back to China if something goes wrong. They're less than half the price of an Alabannach (which looks very much like Waltly build it for them)
I've had mine a year now and done about 6000 miles on it, all good so far...
Worth having a look at this site too: http://spanner.bike