Custom or Italian?
03-17-19, 02:48 PM
#1
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Custom or Italian?
Which bike would you prefer? A custom frame made by your favorite frame builder or a stock Italian frame and why the preference. No cheating by saying you want a custom frame by an Italian frame maker.
03-17-19, 02:55 PM
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Custom. It'll fit you better and have all the features you want. The custom builders generally do more detailed work than even the nicer Italian brands.
03-17-19, 03:05 PM
#3
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Surprisingly, you CAN get both for a reasonable price, as several frame makers don't really stock standard frames much any more.
My Pelizzoli cost 1400 euros shipped, and it was a total custom in 2015. Alex Battaglin was selling custom fit Power Plus frames for about the same amount recently, and someone told me that Faggin was also in that price range. Della Santa is around $2000 and he makes everything to order as well.
So, there's that...
My Pelizzoli cost 1400 euros shipped, and it was a total custom in 2015. Alex Battaglin was selling custom fit Power Plus frames for about the same amount recently, and someone told me that Faggin was also in that price range. Della Santa is around $2000 and he makes everything to order as well.
So, there's that...
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03-17-19, 03:43 PM
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I would go full custome. A Hetchins Mixte with 'Vibrant' chainstays, Bates style fork and Hellenic seat stays. Built with sport tour geometry with room for fenders, a set of bottle bosses on top and under the DT. a set of bottle bosses on the left seat stay, Zefal HPX pum attachments under the twin tubes, rack braces. Oh uber fancy lugs and HT extended about 2" so I can sit up right.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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03-17-19, 03:49 PM
#5
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I'd say vintage Italian unless you require very unique geometry. These two bikes fit me perfectly, and it's hard to do better;
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-17-19 at 03:56 PM.
03-17-19, 03:56 PM
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That was my first reaction but then I got to thinking... custome doesn't have to be strictly about custome geometry it can be about what you desire a bike to be. Full utilitarian like full bore racer or loaded tourer or something whimsical with lots of cool styles and features.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
03-17-19, 03:59 PM
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That was my first reaction but then I got to thinking... custome doesn't have to be strictly about custome geometry it can be about what you desire a bike to be. Full utilitarian like full bore racer or loaded tourer or something whimsical with lots of cool styles and features.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-17-19 at 07:17 PM.
03-17-19, 04:45 PM
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I would go full custome. A Hetchins Mixte with 'Vibrant' chainstays, Bates style fork and Hellenic seat stays. Built with sport tour geometry with room for fenders, a set of bottle bosses on top and under the DT. a set of bottle bosses on the left seat stay, Zefal HPX pum attachments under the twin tubes, rack braces. Oh uber fancy lugs and HT extended about 2" so I can sit up right.
03-17-19, 04:48 PM
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I wasn't implying that there was anything wrong with your De Rosa, in fact I agree with you that most people can find that sweet bike right off the shelf and very few need a custome built bike with a TT 1/1000th of a inch shorter than a production bike. But all the cool goodies you could put on a custome frame is another thing.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Last edited by Bianchigirll; 03-17-19 at 06:08 PM.
03-17-19, 04:54 PM
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As you can see by my signature line, I have gone Italian.
So I voted with my pocketbook.
When I get the C64 I may request custom sized tubes and special paint. Otherwise I am pretyy happy with my Italian bikes.
03-17-19, 05:12 PM
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I wasn't implying that there was anything wrong with your De Rosa, in fact I agree with you that most people can find that sweet bike right off the shelf and very few need a custome built bike with a TT 1/1000th of a inch shorter than a production bike. But all the cool goodies you could put on a custome frame is another thing.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-17-19 at 07:51 PM.
03-17-19, 05:24 PM
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Depends on the purpose of the bike. Since we're talking about Italian, I assume road. And I'd agree with the others that there are probably more than enough models out there to suit your body dimensions unless you're unique.
But if I wanted a THE bike, the bike to end all bikes and do it all (all that I want, at least) of course custom is the way to go.
But if I wanted a THE bike, the bike to end all bikes and do it all (all that I want, at least) of course custom is the way to go.
03-17-19, 05:35 PM
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That was my first reaction but then I got to thinking... custome doesn't have to be strictly about custome geometry it can be about what you desire a bike to be. Full utilitarian like full bore racer or loaded tourer or something whimsical with lots of cool styles and features.
: Mike
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03-17-19, 05:35 PM
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Wait, why would I want to wear an Italian costume?
03-17-19, 06:07 PM
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Metallic Green with gold lug outlining 
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
03-17-19, 06:20 PM
#20
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I have done both. Worked for a frame builder in the early 80's, and "we" built a custom. I got to mix frame tubes, add the braze ons i wanted, file the long point lugs to a razor edge, get the fork rake perfect, pick the drop outs (first vertical DOs i ever saw were on that bike), and BB shell, and paint it the way i wanted. it was stolen from my parents garage one summer when i was back from college. Loved that bike.
now i have (along with my wife) 3 eras of Italians; mine is a late 80'S Ciocc, probably not the top of the line, hers is a 2003 Fondriest, which may be the prettiest bike i have ever seen, and my CF bike is a 2012 Pinarello , again not top of the line. i love my italians, but my custom will always be my long lost true love. so i guess my answer is custom, but only if i was well acquainted with the builder, and had a huge amount of input into making it look and ride like perfection.
now i have (along with my wife) 3 eras of Italians; mine is a late 80'S Ciocc, probably not the top of the line, hers is a 2003 Fondriest, which may be the prettiest bike i have ever seen, and my CF bike is a 2012 Pinarello , again not top of the line. i love my italians, but my custom will always be my long lost true love. so i guess my answer is custom, but only if i was well acquainted with the builder, and had a huge amount of input into making it look and ride like perfection.
03-17-19, 06:52 PM
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Well, I own five custom bikes and one Italian classic, a 1975 Carlsbad Masi. I bought the Masi because I had always wanted one, and it is certainly a lovely bike. But I bought the custom bikes because they were perfect for the riding I do, both touring and road.
It’s definitely a very personal choice.
It’s definitely a very personal choice.
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03-17-19, 07:00 PM
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Well, with ten vintage Italians in the stable I guess that answers it for me. I'd love to get a Dave Kirk built but I'm too busy finding old bikes and enjoying them for a fraction of the cost. Maybe someday if I sell off the collection to downsize.
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03-17-19, 07:11 PM
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My answer has nothing to do with bikes.
So, I guess Italian. Why?
You people. (basically, C&V)
Like @jamesdak above, for example.
It's my privilege to be counted amongst you.
If it's only the bikes, sure: Custom.
If I don't like it, it's my fault.
But the forum for it would only have 6 or 7 people.
So, I guess Italian. Why?
You people. (basically, C&V)
Like @jamesdak above, for example.
It's my privilege to be counted amongst you.
If it's only the bikes, sure: Custom.
If I don't like it, it's my fault.
But the forum for it would only have 6 or 7 people.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 03-18-19 at 10:27 PM.
03-17-19, 07:58 PM
#25
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How about custom italian -canadian ?
one Word:
marinoni
custom built, color , drivetrain, geometry
your choice
Pepe still builds traditional frames for a pitance compated to high end italian brands
hey! It is a Marinoni! What else is there?
marinoni
custom built, color , drivetrain, geometry
your choice
Pepe still builds traditional frames for a pitance compated to high end italian brands
hey! It is a Marinoni! What else is there?