Road Frame - bespoke vs off-the-peg

crimsondynamo

Is there a general consensus on the desirability or otherwise of getting a frame custom built?

I don't think I'm of terribly disproportionate anatomy, so would a properly fitted off-the-peg number be markedly less comfortable/efficient that a bespoke frame?

balthazar

crimsondynamo wrote:

Is there a general consensus on the desirability or otherwise of getting a frame custom built?

I don't think I'm of terribly disproportionate anatomy, so would a properly fitted off-the-peg number be markedly less comfortable/efficient that a bespoke frame?

No. But bespoke is nice, and you get to choose the colour, and have some influence over the finishing details. Also the warm feeling that you're supporting small-scale craftsmanship. I'm a normal shape too – but I don't think I'd consider not having a frame built for me, (the next time I convince myself I must have a new bike).

cougie

I used to go for the custom route a few years back when steel was the best option - not so fussy now and I can pick up a decent cf frame cheaper than custom.

maddog 2

I think if you're an odd shape then it's a good idea, just so you end up with something that looks okay (i.e. not loads of headset spacers, or extreme stem angles and so on). But if you know your size and it's close to the off-the-shelf frames then I can't see the point really. Unless you just want something different to the crowd and are willing to pay for it of course.

juggler

The obvious answer is - Do you know the exact size of frame and geometry that you want?

If you do then , is that available "off the shelf" or do you need custom?

Sorry, don't want to be harsh but - not knowing how long ypur arms and legs are, fitness, flexibility, expectations of riding (competitive or leisure), your question makes no sense.

balthazar

juggler wrote:

The obvious answer is - Do you know the exact size of frame and geometry that you want?

If you do then , is that available "off the shelf" or do you need custom?

Sorry, don't want to be harsh but - not knowing how long ypur arms and legs are, fitness, flexibility, expectations of riding (competitive or leisure), your question makes no sense.

I think the question made perfectly good sense, and that it was qualified ("I don't think I'm of terribly disproportionate anatomy") specifically to deflect a response like yours.

Note that the OP was insightful enough to ask about bespoke, instead of just custom. I took that to mean that he's considering asking a framebuilder to design and make a frame to fit him; rather than assuming the designer's role himself, by taking a technical drawing to a technician, expecting the drawing to be slavishly followed. Framebuilders I'm aware of will take offence, either silently (that whispering under breath) or forwardly (get out of my shop!), at such disrespectful reductionism to their craft.

STEFANOS4784

I reckon i wouldn't bother unless i knew i definately was not going to sell it on. I've seen bikes advertised as 'custom built'. It would put me off. FWIW

andrew_s

If you are of normal size & proportions, there is no real advantage of going custom.

You are normal if your existing bike set up is normal - saddle neither right forwards nor right back on the rails, a 100-120 stem, no great stack of headset spacers etc. An abnormal bike set up could just mean you have the wrong size frame.

Custom is worth the extra cost if your body proportions are unusual, you are unusually short (<5'5" or so) or tall (> 6'4" or so), or if you want something from the bike that you can't readily find elsewhere, such as disk brakes and Rohloff hub fittings.
If you just want minor changes in bike spec, such as a custom colour or extra braze-ons, it's probably cheaper to get an off the peg frame and pay for the work & respray than to go custom.

nickwill

I've got two bespoke frames. I have a long torso and short legs (the short bit being from the knee down). No other bike feels quite right after riding these. I can only describe the feeling as being like coming home, when I get on my own bikes. Everything is in just the right place.
A lot of people get very hung up on the relative weights of steel and carbon frames. How many of us couldn't counteract that by losing a pound or so.
At the very least, I would recommend being measured up, and if an off the peg frame can be set up to give you the ideal fit, then go for it. If going the off the peg route means significant compromise, then go bespoke, you won't regret it.
I firmly believe that fit is more important than the material, weight or image of any bike.

edeverett

I'm not sure it's just about getting the right fit.

When I got my custom titanium frame, the builder help a lot with my fit, sorting out a few problems but that wasn't the reason I went custom. I went custom because I couldn't find anything on the market that did what I wanted.

I end up wanting things like a road frame with disc brakes and able to fit 35mm studded tyres and mudguards (I might be moving to Finland) suitable for light touring, robust enough for everyday use but not overbuilt and with a geometry that wouldn't hold me back on club rides. (Otherwise known as having my cake and eating it)

As far as I can work out there's nothing like that on the market. If I finally do want to get this built I'd want to find a builder who understands what I want and help me make sense of it.

Custom bikes are desirable because their built for noone but you. You'll get to know why the down tube with that diameter and butting was chosen to make the bike perfom better for you. That's nice.

nickwill

edeverett wrote:

I'm not sure it's just about getting the right fit.

When I got my custom titanium frame, the builder help a lot with my fit, sorting out a few problems but that wasn't the reason I went custom. I went custom because I couldn't find anything on the market that did what I wanted.

I end up wanting things like a road frame with disc brakes and able to fit 35mm studded tyres and mudguards (I might be moving to Finland) suitable for light touring, robust enough for everyday use but not overbuilt and with a geometry that wouldn't hold me back on club rides. (Otherwise known as having my cake and eating it)

As far as I can work out there's nothing like that on the market. If I finally do want to get this built I'd want to find a builder who understands what I want and help me make sense of it.

Custom bikes are desirable because their built for noone but you. You'll get to know why the down tube with that diameter and butting was chosen to make the bike perfom better for you. That's nice.

I would agree with you about that as well. A bespoke frame feels totally 'yours'.