custom steel frames

ButlerG
ButlerG Posts: 36
edited January 2009 in Workshop
Now that Robin Mather is not taking new orders, does anyone have any nominations for a custom steel road bike frame builder? Mercian are a possibility, obviously, as well as Roberts, Rourke and Dave Yates. Any comment (from experience) on road frames by these builders? Any others out there in the UK?
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Comments

  • kilo
    kilo Posts: 174
    Mrs Kilo and I have 2 Roberts each and love them, very well made but the last bike took a while to turn up - obviously very popular. I have to say;

    http://witcombcycles.co.uk/

    look nice as well
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    This would probably get my vote if I were after custom steel:

    http://www.enigmabikes.com/index.php?_a ... oductId=14

    I bought an Etape in October 08, and the finish is flawless. Also the personal service from Jim and Mark was second to none.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    I know Tommasini in Grosseto, Italy, does custom, problem is you need to go there or to provide them with the measures.
    Needless to say a Tommasini Tecno steel frame is the quintessence of class. 900 pounds or so with fork.

    Steve Goff in Lancashire makes classy frames too

    A Tommasini will retain its value better though
    left the forum March 2023
  • ButlerG
    ButlerG Posts: 36
    Witcomb completely new to me (and very interesting) and I didn't know enigma did steel. Many thanks, please keep them coming.
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    Owned a Bob Jackson 653 frame a few years back. Quality build, beautiful paint and reasonable price. Wish I still had it. http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/default.php
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    +1 for Bob Jacksons
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • Dustine
    Dustine Posts: 184
    I have an older Brian Rourke and it is a beaut'; light, well finished, and a joy to ride. I have been building a 'new' retro wheel for it tonight...
  • croggy
    croggy Posts: 116
    Woodrup
    http://www.woodrupcycles.com/
    Mine is due in a few weeks.
  • System_1
    System_1 Posts: 513
    I'd love a Steve Goff. A member on another forum had a fixed gear built and it's gorgeous.
  • JesseD
    JesseD Posts: 1,961
    If you're in the south west, try Argos in Bristol.

    http://www.argoscycles.com/
    Obsessed is a word used by the lazy to describe the dedicated!
  • cyclingfury
    cyclingfury Posts: 676
    Try Vernon Barker (North Derbyshire/South Yorkshire border) if you like some good English craftsmanship. I bought one 8 years ago and it still rides like a dream. I love it!

    http://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk/
    ___________________________________________
    Titanium Bertoletti
  • Lysander
    Lysander Posts: 349
    Condor Classico
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    Serotta CDA for something different:
    http://www.cyclefit.co.uk/serotta_custom_bikes.html
  • Chris James
    Chris James Posts: 1,040
    ButlerG wrote:
    Now that Robin Mather is not taking new orders, does anyone have any nominations for a custom steel road bike frame builder? Mercian are a possibility, obviously, as well as Roberts, Rourke and Dave Yates. Any comment (from experience) on road frames by these builders? Any others out there in the UK?

    You don't say where you are based, although the Robin Mather bit might imply you are in the West Country?

    I would try someone local (Argos?)

    Around here I have only heard extremely good reports of Chris Marshall in Keighley.
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Hello, this is not a totally exhaustive list, but I'm sure it covers most builders in the UK. Luckily, Britain is custom steel heaven, so you have lots of choice. Unless you get your heart set on a particular builder, I would recommend asking around in the local clubs to see where people buy their frames.... even if it means asking in the ctc club rather than the roadie clubs ;)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    Dombo6 wrote:
    Serotta CDA for something different:
    http://www.cyclefit.co.uk/serotta_custom_bikes.html

    Serotta frames are certainly the pinnacle of quality and design, but 3,500 pounds for a frame is not everyone's budget.

    I reckon you can buy a fantastic custom built frame in top of the range steel with carbon fork for less than a thousand.

    Problem with most UK artisans is that these frames don't look cool. Condor frames are plain, park one close to a Colnago Master light and it will look cheap. It will probably ride the same or even better, but it just looks like something you got from Halfords.

    If I had 1000 pounds to spend on a custom frame I wouldn't think twice: Tommasini
    left the forum March 2023
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    Some more for the list:

    http://burls.co.uk/ (steel and titanium - I have a custom Ti frame from Justin and it's lovely)

    http://villiers-velo.co.uk/Villiers-Velo/main.htm
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    I reckon the V-V look like excellent VFM. And sufficiently uncommon....
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    "I reckon the V-V look like excellent VFM. And sufficiently uncommon...."

    Yes, I'm trying hard to resist putting an order in for one... A sky blue light tourer with disk brakes.... must resist. (But I need it for the planned summer holiday in Norway, possibly.)
  • cpeachey
    cpeachey Posts: 1,057
    You can expect high quality workmanship from many of the above British builders. I think it is best to chose someone who is in tune with your requirements. I got a Robert tandem frame last year which is superb. A personal visit is definately reccomemded whoever you choose, also allow lots of time as delivery estimates can be rather optomistic.
    Chris
  • ButlerG
    ButlerG Posts: 36
    All great advice-I'll follow them all up. I'm near Chester, and would want to meet up with the builder, which rules Tommasini out (though they do look great) for me. Also, I want the frame for June, which may be optimistic. I'm looking for a sportive/audax bike, and to retire my carbon to winter. Filiet brazed for looks, lightness? Any advice on tubes?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    I know Tommasini in Grosseto, Italy, does custom, problem is you need to go there or to provide them with the measures.
    Needless to say a Tommasini Tecno steel frame is the quintessence of class. 900 pounds or so with fork.

    Steve Goff in Lancashire makes classy frames too

    A Tommasini will retain its value better though

    Apart from both frames looking gorgeous, what is the difference between the Techno and the Sintesi frames? As far as I can see, frame material and weight?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    giant mancp wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    I know Tommasini in Grosseto, Italy, does custom, problem is you need to go there or to provide them with the measures.
    Needless to say a Tommasini Tecno steel frame is the quintessence of class. 900 pounds or so with fork.

    Steve Goff in Lancashire makes classy frames too

    A Tommasini will retain its value better though

    Apart from both frames looking gorgeous, what is the difference between the Techno and the Sintesi frames? As far as I can see, frame material and weight?

    I think the tecno is the top of the steel range, while Sintesi is a more traditional frame. Let's say that if you're 11 stones you can get the former, if you're 18 maybe you should choose the latter. That said, you should ask them, there might be more. I phoned them once in Grosseto, they're surprisingly friendly and available for a manufacturer that handmake 2000 frames per year. Not sure if they speak english at the phone though
    left the forum March 2023
  • JC.152
    JC.152 Posts: 645
    roukes seem very good, i did me work experience there bout a year ago and then they let me borrow a rourke bike for their charityride when my cables exploded but it seemed very nice smooth but still good on the climbs and well set up even though i didn't change anything
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Dombo6 wrote:
    Serotta CDA for something different:
    http://www.cyclefit.co.uk/serotta_custom_bikes.html

    Serotta frames are certainly the pinnacle of quality and design, but 3,500 pounds for a frame is not everyone's budget.

    The steel ones are closer to £2,000. A lot of the cost seems to be US/UK shipping thing as US dealers quote a similar number of dollars for the same frames.
    Wish I'd taken that shopping holiday in early 2008 at $2 per quid. Oh well...shoulda woulda coulda.
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    There is a new stock Serotta that is cheaper called the Heritage. That's more like $1700 and ships with an Alpha Q fork. Afaik, the difference between the Sintesi and Tecno is a tubing difference. One of them is made with Columbus Neuron and the other isn't. That's the tubing Cinelli uses in the now very expensive Super Corsa. The top of their steel range is the carbo-fire. They look awesome. If thinking Italian, I might consider Simoncini or Somec too.

    As for tubing, talk to your builder about what you need. You can save a lot of money by going for Reynolds 631 over 853.
  • ButlerG
    ButlerG Posts: 36
    There's GIOS too, on the Italian front, although UK stockists seem elusive. I have looked at the IF Crown Jewel, but the price is also hit by the exchange rate. I'm going to keep looking local. I do like the Mercian Pro-lugless, but I think I've missed the 5 month lead in time I'd need.
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Should it happen to be in your size there's a nice "Mercian Pro-lugless" on th'bay at the moment.

    Usual disclaimers (tho' if it were a little smaller I wouldn't be drawing attention to it!).
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    ButlerG wrote:
    There's GIOS too, on the Italian front, although UK stockists seem elusive. I have looked at the IF Crown Jewel, but the price is also hit by the exchange rate. I'm going to keep looking local. I do like the Mercian Pro-lugless, but I think I've missed the 5 month lead in time I'd need.

    I am from Turin and should really support Gios, but I think he's lost the edge. His frames in the 80s were very sought after, he was the one to introduce a new design for the rear mech hanger, but now you barely see any of his bikes around. I'm sure they're as good as they used, but they lack the WOW factor a bit...
    left the forum March 2023
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    I've just ordered my second custom steel frame from Paul Hewitt.
    http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/
    My first frame was measured for by Paul but built elsewhere. It fitted perfectly and has been a pleasure to ride from the day it arrived.
    Frame building is now done in house, and to a very high standard.

    A frame in Columbus Life Niobium tubing with carbon forks is around £900. I am going for Easton SLX forks so am paying an extra £160 for those.
    The frames I have seen there were absolutely beautiful, and the standard of workmanship looks to be top notch. Add to that Paul's bike fitting and you have a real winner!
    I've gone for a Ferrari red finish with white panels.
    Roll on mid March.
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/

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