vegenaise

dropped off the deposit yesterday. since there is a 12-14 month wait list, that gives me plenty of time to figure out exactly how i want my frame built. thus far, i've only been able to come up with ideas that are mostly aesthetic. stuff i know i want so far: hand carved polished lugs throughout, stainless steel fork ends and dropouts, full internal cable routing. if i get an integrated seat post, i could get the rear brake cable routed internally as well. yea

so what would you get on your custom road frame? any and all ideas, thanks.

canam73

I guess for me on a frame with polished lugs I expect to see cables on the outside and a standard seat post. But then again, I guess that's why some people might get a custom frame.

I have a long torso and short legs and went with a custom Waterford. My frame has long top tube with an almost imperceptible slope that gives me a little bit of extra stand over clearance while retaining the look of classic frame geometry. I also have the paneled paint job which I like quite a bit.

Who's building your frame?

kindablue

Except it would be an American pin up, w/o Cav's name (I'm not Brittish, obviously).

DXchulo

Think Truck Nutz, but fully integrated into your frame.

botto 

tough to say, seeing as i've never seen any point in getting a custom frame.

grovestreet

my name

vegenaise

the point is to get a frame that is custom fit to me, and the way i want to ride. my sizing, my geometry, etc. you don't see the benefits in that? no professional fitting on a mass produced bike will come as close as a custom bike will.

recon455

Considering there are many high end frames, I am sure one will fit him just fine. In addition, how do custom frame makers take on the big boys in terms of R&D into stiffness and aerodynamics, etc?

botto 

if you've got a strange proportions, maybe. otherwise: incorrect.

longbeachgary

I guess I've never seen a steel bike with an integrated seat post (I'm just assuming it's steel based on the steel fork and lugs).

It's going to be a long 12-14 months.

ls01

Damn, I was going to say a hot blond, but this is close enough.

adacas

+1 this was the first thing to come to mind when I read header

Nachoman

got to bike names . com
I got a custom decal for just a few bucks.

pigmode

Personally, overwrought details are a major turn off. Standard lugged (or fillet brazed) steel like a Kirk or Spectrum are fine examples of the craftsman's skill in excellent working frames. If money was no object and I wanted a steel frame, it would be a standard geo Pegoretti.

CharneK

Magneto propulsion.

TMB

I have done this a few times and there are some things that don't add any weight but are sure nice to have;

fender eyelets - front and rear - to allow for REA: full length fenders.
Chainstay bridge - to anchoe the fender
Room for 28 mm tires - just in case. But you can also run a 25 under a fender if you do this.
pump peg behind the head tube - you can carry a frame pump.

Chain hanger on seat stay - handy when working on the bike.

Last time I had rear rack mount points installed on the seat stays - you don't see them unless you go looking for them, and they don't add any weight.

Depending on the purpose of the bike and where you live - a third set of bottle bosses - under the down tube.

And again - depending on you uses and wher you live - put a recessed mount point for a head light on the front left fork blade.


Have fun.

TMB

Take a look at the Speedvagen's.

TMB

Once again, you make it clear why you keep finding your way to the ignore list.

Twit.

ciocc_cat

If I had to replace my beloved Ciocc San Cristobal, I'd probably either buy a Rodeo from Rivendell Bicycle Works or an S-22 from Waterford Presion Cycles. I would go with standard braze-ons and a solid all-white paint job that would be easy to re-touch and allow for accent color-scheme changes (different color cable housing/handlebar tape). If I had money to burn on a true custom made-to-measure frame, then I'd probably hit up a KOF builder like Brian Baylis.

geist

I think it's pretty sweet to get a custom frame if you are dissatisfied with the stock options you've tried. It would suck not to be able to get it dialed in with all the choices of stems and seatposts out there.

botto 

oh no, somebody i've never even noticed called me a name and put me on ignore. i'm crushed.

nycbianchi

I'd have the lawyer lips filed off the dropouts (if the shop will do it).

I'd also get an integrated stem/handlebar (cinelli or perhaps shaman PRO) because I think they're sexy but would worry about the fit if it weren't tailored well.

PeddlingPilgrim

ha ha, on a carbon road frame w/ scratched up components just for fun.

colombo357

If he ignored you before, how do you "keep finding your way to the ignore list"?

I think he likes you.

robertkat

Wait, really? That doesn't make sense. I would think you would know exactly how you want the frame built before you put your deposit down. I mean, I would never do that, put up the money and then risk having to find out the builder cannot produce exactly what I want. Unless you're talking about someone like Vanilla and you just want to get a spot in line. Personally, I've been shopping around for a year or so as I save up funds talking to builders and looking to see what they can do. I can't think of any competent frame builder that would just take your money and get specs later. Ok, I can think of one, but he'll ask your specs after he's started the build, and it's your fault if you don't like what he builds you.