sembat

Hello all,

I am relatively new to biking. I have done STP and RSVP. I typically do one big ride like STP or RSVP and practice for those rides during the summer. I was looking to upgrade my 10+ year old road bike and trying to decide if I should go with a standard one or a custom bike. I have read great reviews about R+E custom bikes. However, I wanted to get some opinions from fellow riders.

What are some of the considerations that people take when going for a custom bike?

What would make it worth spending extra dollars for a custom bike from R+E? I think the derailleurs, brakes, spokes etc. that they would use will typically come from some standard companies just like a non-custom bike would use (eg. SRAM or Shimano derailleurs). In other words, what is it that R+E custom bike would offer that a standard bike fitted for one's body size doesnt offer? One thing I have read is customer service.

If you go for a custom bike, would it mean that changing components, replacing tires, tubes etc. would become more expensive compared to a non-custom bike like a Trek, Specialized, Cannondale etc.?

Thanks for your help and ideas.

Aubergine 

GailT

IMO, the "custom" refers primarily to the bike frame design - you should have a bike fit session, and then you can customize the frame dimensions to optimize the bike for your fit and preferences. You might also be able to specify frame material, lug design, custom paint colours, etc. You can also specify all of the components used to build the bike, but I think the primary benefit is optimizing the bike fit. I bought a custom bike from Waterford a year ago and have been very happy with it.

Aubergine 

GailT

Also, there are lots of small custom builders making very innovative bikes. Check out Rob English, he does some amazing custom work optimizing bikes for long tours.

base2 

Iirc, any custom geometry is $200 additional. That would be things like head tube angle, seat tube angle, chain stays, etc...One reason to go to Rodriguez is to have all the little things you wish you had all rolled in to 1 single bike purchase.

Smily is the bike fitter there. He really knows his stuff. They have 20 different "standard" sizes for each model. Each being customizable from there. Each model available with 26 inch or 700c as a standard option.

Each bike built to customer specification. Do some thinkin', spec some things out. Tell them what you want & like magic, it happens. Pretty reasonable way to buy a frame if you ask me.

Right now, the project is "Planetary Express" in Seafoam green & red accents. Ready in 12 about weeks due to some unusual specs from my end. Throughout the process has been eagerness, intrigue, and the words "We can do that" that would have other shops running away. I brought them the project as a long time customer to the repair shop. I feel I made the right choice in choosing to patronize the fabrication shop. Their work really speaks for itself.

Go in. Ask them to show you whatever "special" project is being built. It'll be beautiful. Most recently I saw a 26 inch wheeled, 48 spokes each bike for a 7 foot tall "massive" customer. With 220mm crankarms & a headtube as long as my arm. Their humble response was: "That's just what we do."

sembat

Thank you so much for the insights @Aubergine @GailT @base2 . The info you have posted is very helpful. I will reach out to R + E

jazzyrider

I would first determine if your body and fit will not work with the non-custom bikes (frames primarily since other items like handlebars, stem, crank arm length can be adjusted and go up/down according to size). Also take into account that custom bikes are more $$ and there is a wait period if it needs to be built according to your desire. If you wanted to walk into a store and be riding sooner rather than later then its best to choose non-custom. Spring/summer is coming up fast and I'd imagine you would want to go riding soon for upcoming events. While local bike building companies are great and handle excellent customer service, is this a bike you'll ride for another 10+ years, or is this something that you wanted to get better components? Bike manufacturers reliability and technology plus components have improved and honestly you can't go wrong with either custom or not.

Anyway, still some questions and things to ponder...

fietsbob

jumping into a hand made frame bike, I'd physically walk into R&E's shop in Seattle and talk to them ..

79pmooney

+1 Best advice here.

Ben