Who makes the best custom bikes?
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Who makes the best custom bikes?
Due to my relatively unusual measurements, I'm considering a custom built bike in order to get the fit I can't really get off my off-the-rack bike. There seem to be a bazillion custom manufacturers out there, so I'm wondering who people think make the best custom bikes - best quality, truest to the measurements, reliability, etc. I'm not sure what "best" means - whatever you want it to mean - i want to be sure I go with a manufacturer that will be able to build a bike I'll be happy to ride. I keep hearing about Seven and Serotta, but are they the best?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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You said it yourself. Your not sure what "best" means and neither do we.
So my advise is to relax. All custom builders make good bikes and getting the best results involves making the best communication. This means talking directly to the builder and being fitted by the builder so a builder who is conveniently close is usualy the best.
Regards, Anthony
So my advise is to relax. All custom builders make good bikes and getting the best results involves making the best communication. This means talking directly to the builder and being fitted by the builder so a builder who is conveniently close is usualy the best.
Regards, Anthony
#3
Retro-nerd
If you give an desciption of the type of bike you want (road, touring, cyclocross, etc...) and frame material the various framebuilders can be narrowed down.
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How unusual are your measurements? There's a lot of leeway in setback/nonsetback and stem length to fit almost everyone.
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Pick one: https://www.sandsmachine.com/fbplist.htm
I own customs from Strong, Kirk, Crumpton, Davidson, Moots and Vanilla. All good.
I own customs from Strong, Kirk, Crumpton, Davidson, Moots and Vanilla. All good.
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Pick one: https://www.sandsmachine.com/fbplist.htm
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Here's another one, prefaced by a good article.
https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/7605.0.html
https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/7605.0.html
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Here's another one, prefaced by a good article.
https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/7605.0.html
https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/7605.0.html
#10
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It REALLY depends on how much money you have to spend, doesn't it?
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Every now and then I read a story about Bilenky making a bike for someone with "out-of-spec" dimensions. www.bilenky.com East coast guy
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https://ifbikes.com/
They have wide range of materials and models and the welds aren't to be believed.
They have wide range of materials and models and the welds aren't to be believed.
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You said it yourself. Your not sure what "best" means and neither do we.
So my advise is to relax. All custom builders make good bikes and getting the best results involves making the best communication. This means talking directly to the builder and being fitted by the builder so a builder who is conveniently close is usualy the best.
Regards, Anthony
So my advise is to relax. All custom builders make good bikes and getting the best results involves making the best communication. This means talking directly to the builder and being fitted by the builder so a builder who is conveniently close is usualy the best.
Regards, Anthony
For all practical purposes, the thread is over with post quoted above.
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https://ifbikes.com/
They have wide range of materials and models and the welds aren't to be believed.
They have wide range of materials and models and the welds aren't to be believed.
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clean welds
Some amazing beads!
Ted Wojcik:
I use a technique called pulse TIG which puts little heat in the tubing. And there's no substitute for spending hours and hours at the welding table. So the technique lends two advantages to the frame. One is the appearance after the frame's painted. The weld is almost invisible. And the amount of heat that is put in the frame is very small. And the welds are untouched. The only time I might put a file on it is where the bead starts or stops, I might get a little bead there. But there's no finish to the welding other than the paint. And that saves a lot of time too. And the frame retains even more strength.
https://www.tedwojcikcustombicycles.com/index.html
Ted Wojcik:
I use a technique called pulse TIG which puts little heat in the tubing. And there's no substitute for spending hours and hours at the welding table. So the technique lends two advantages to the frame. One is the appearance after the frame's painted. The weld is almost invisible. And the amount of heat that is put in the frame is very small. And the welds are untouched. The only time I might put a file on it is where the bead starts or stops, I might get a little bead there. But there's no finish to the welding other than the paint. And that saves a lot of time too. And the frame retains even more strength.
https://www.tedwojcikcustombicycles.com/index.html
#16
Retro-nerd
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Would you like a dream with that?
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#17
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Seriously, price wise he gets $1500 for the frame and $250 for the fork. That's what Waterford charges. I would go with a Waterford. I own 2 and they've been in the business for years. Plus the factory warranty if it fails. Good luck
Tim
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custom bikes, i personally cannot think there a case were you cannot use a stock frame and seatposts and stems to complish a perfect fit. i think that several customar builders have exploited the custom fit to their advantage! imho only!
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Why is that you hardly ever hear of anybody complaining about their custom bike? I don't see any of these custom builders becoming rich from making these frames.
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But find me a 3.25 lb. Reynolds 731 frame with a 2% sloping 56.8 top tube in mint green and I will buy it.
Custom is almost always knocked as "very few need it" when it has nothing to do with that. Custom is about getting what you want, and almost always what I want is not sold at a corner bike store.
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Anyway, do you know how you want to build your bike geometry wise? I think for a lot of the "bigger" custom builders, they have tacked on a "Geometry fee" for figuring out your bike through measurments. If you know how you want your bike built and don't need that consultation (minus anything that can't be done), I'd choose a smaller builder. But if you aren't sure, or don't have a clue, go with IF, Seven, Serrotta.
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Try here: https://www.henryjames.com/blocator.html
or here: https://www.frameforum.net/forum2/index.php?act=home
or if you are not in a hurry, here: https://handmadebicycleshow.com/
or here: https://www.frameforum.net/forum2/index.php?act=home
or if you are not in a hurry, here: https://handmadebicycleshow.com/