Custom build for £400

penfolduk

Is it possible or indeed worthwhile to get a custom built bike for my 16 miles a day round trip to and from work??

I was thinking of going single speed also, would this help my mountain bike speed and hill climbing at all?

Suggestions and advice more than welcome!


Phil

el_presidente

riding fixed for a few months has definitely improved my fitness

re custom build, not worht it unless you have a strange body shape or chronic injury imho. & you will struggle for £400. Why do you want a custom build?

ride_whenever

I assume you mean built to custom spec as opposed to a bespoke frame for £400!

A good thing would be a pompino, it'll be faster than a mtb and will cetainly help with your MTBing, fixed gear will help tonnes as it'll make you much smoother and give you a better idea of rear wheel control so will improve traction control off-road. However it'll come to about £550 in total. You could get a cheaper off the peg ss/fg bike like the giant bowery which is U.L.G.Y. without alibi! but cheap, like a bugdie

penfolduk

dont know why I wanted a custom build bike to be honest. Guess I just thought it would be cool.

Been looking at the charge s/s and also the specialized langester. Any opinions or comments on these?


Phil

ride_whenever

both pretty common and loved, langster is pretty light, charge is made of steel so is real...

secretsam

Go for the langster, the charge "butt" plug is ridden by, like, design types, who really dig the whole graphics thing, yah?

And they've no guard fixings or bottle mounts

BUICK

HAhahahaha... sweeping generalizations much?! I'm sure there are perfectly sane and normal people who ride Charge Plug bikes. And Charge are made in the UK aren't they? Which is a good thing to support. I think the new Charge Plug Racer looks like a proper ace bike.

Littigator

I was going to test ride a charge plug but the bike shop said they were sold out and would be for another few weeks they were so popular. They do look nice but are a little bit tarty.

I got a Bowery in the end which is cheap and nasty I know but suits me fine with a few custom touches to it.

As for custom build, the Pearson Touche for £550 is your best bet and they are lurverly!

lost_in_thought

Or you could buy a gollum bike for £260 like I did...

Then you can spend the rest of the cash on disguises so no-one recognises you!

:P

2wheelzgood

if you're into getting a fixed or ss off the peg, have a look at www.lfgss.com
specifically this topic.
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread2287.html
I found it very useful, was going to build up a road frame but had a look about and waited for a nice deal on a pista and reasoned I wouldn't be able to build a bike for any less. If you mention custom to them, they'll say everything else is rubbish but some tend to be langster haterz ( no idea why) and liek old school stylee. pinch of salt and all.
A custom for a short commute.. I'd save my cash.