Brian Rourke Frames - feedback sought

Rich-Ti
Rich-Ti Posts: 1,831
edited June 2009 in Road buying advice
Been looking into new frames and today came across the Brian Rourke website - I'm sure I've read good things about them before, but I'm particularly taken by their 953 frame with Easton EC90SLX forks for £1600.

Anyway, was just wondering whether or not anyone had anything to say about them, any experiences to share, has owned or ridden a Rourke (particularly the 953) and can give some real world feedback on it?

Ta 8)
Brain Farts of a Bike Tart
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Comments

  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    My friend has two and they look great. He says they ride great as well!
    Highly rated by the CW journos. Tig welded and well detailed and finished.
    Fitting session is with Brian and the frames are made by his son - sounds like an old school Italian family affair - except the're British! Go for it, i'd say.
  • Steelride
    Steelride Posts: 89
    The bike fitting session with Brian is an experience in itself. He didn't use a fitting jig, just sat me on 2-3 different bikes and altered seat height and stem lengths. Take your R3 and he'll set you up properly on that too.

    The 953 is IMO a very special frame. Its lighter than some Ti frames and the ride quality is superb. I've got a Ti and carbon frame to compare against and, for me, the 953 is best.

    Give Brian a call he might let you take the 953 he made for a charity ride/Sean Kelly for a ride.

    Mine:

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/282 ... acf8_b.jpg
  • ellieb
    ellieb Posts: 436
    Lovely bike! I've been eyeing these up for some time, but I'm at the very early stage of the softening up process with the wife. Maybe next year :(
  • Rich-Ti
    Rich-Ti Posts: 1,831
    Steelride wrote:
    He didn't use a fitting jig, just sat me on 2-3 different bikes and altered seat height and stem lengths. Take your R3 and he'll set you up properly on that too
    Have to say this seems odd to me - I'm not sure adjusting stem lengths and heights really constitutes a 'custom' fitting?!

    The whole reason I'm thinking about it is because my R3 doesn't fit, and I've had a fitting session with Barry @ Bespoke to identify this - I've come to a 'best fit' compromise for the moment, but I'm not sure if I can put up with it long enough to wait for a Rourke frame... and this comment makes me doubt the 'custom' credential to be honest!
    Brain Farts of a Bike Tart
    Twitter
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  • ellieb
    ellieb Posts: 436
    Incidentally. Is there that much perceptible difference beween 953/851? I notice there is a big price gap.
  • Steelride
    Steelride Posts: 89
    Rich-Ti,

    I've propably oversimplified Brian's fitting process. Yes, he does try different seat heights and stem lengths to find the optimum position. He used two of his bikes and set my donor bike up properly, which again, was a slight compromise. He does however use rulers and protractors throughout the process which took nearly 2 hours.

    He prefers to use real bikes as opposed to the jig so he can see how you look sitting on something that has real world components like wheels and brake hoods. He'll take digital photos of you sitting on the bike(s) to show you the wrong position and how he's 'dialled things in' to bring you to the optimum position.

    The end result is an absolute no compromise custom fitted frame and he won't let you out of the shop until he's happy. He know's his stuff.

    953 is a lighter and harder material than 851 and it's stainless.
  • mike ives
    mike ives Posts: 319
    I was in Brian;s shop last year for the first time and managed to have a chat with him. His various bikes are there around the room upstairs where he does the fitting. He has a bike jig (next to his desk) but presumably as has been said, he prefers to base his custom fitting service on 'real world' bikes. He is a very genuine person and definitely someone who knows what they are talking about - not think they know what they are talking about.

    He's one of the good guys. If I could afford it I would have him build me a bike anyday.
  • ian.r.mcdonald
    ian.r.mcdonald Posts: 177
    The whole buying experience and the bike itself is fantastic. Brian is very relaxed and easy going- but clearly all those years of experience are being applied. The fit is great but attention is also applied to the "look" with adjustments being mad eto make it look "right" without compromising performance

    I have had my Dedaccia tubed frame for 5 years now and am desperately trying to find something worn or wrong so I can justify buying another.

    GET UP THERE AND BUY ONE!

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