Hand made custom size framesets

DCI Gene Hunt

Id be very interested to read about riders here who have gone through this process and in particular which custom builders who have given their customer all the time he or she needed in making sure the build was exactly correct by providing an excellent measuring up and fitting service. My background is that I am 5 feet and 9 inches tall with a long torso, short 30 inch inseam for my height and fairly short reach in the arms. My current bike is size 54 and I use it with a 90mm stem and an inline seatpost to obtain correct sitting and reach positions. With my body geometry there will be always be compromises if I use non-custom sized bikes. Ideally id like to be seated so my kops position is slightly behind the pedal spindle and therefore id be pushing more through the cranks and less over them. Unfortunately on a standard sized bike this sits me too far away from the hoods to be comfortable. Going down to a standard size 52 frame with commensurably shorter top tube introduces a setback post to the equation and its easy to get that more rearward sitting position , unfortunately the typical headtube length on a size 52 is too short for me and would introduce insufferable neck strain.

In my opinion the amalgamation of a size 52 toptube circa 535mm-540mm married to a size 54 headtube circa 155-160mm and perhaps with sloping geometry would perhaps be in the right direction. Im confident such dimensions would require the use of a stem in 100mm-110mm range also and that would be fine. With the shortening of the top tube id also need to consider looking at the fork rake and wheelbase length so as to mimimise toe overlap too.

With my body dimensions the simple act of sitting comfortably on a road bike for 3-4 hrs is made more complicated than others with differing body proportions may find. Id be hopeful that a custom frameset builder could sit me on a fully adjustable sizing rig and come up with the right tube lengths and angles that a standard frameset doesn't take into consideration for me. Id love to read about riders who are all torso with short legs/reach and also from riders who are short torso and all legs which can be a real headache too for bike fitting. Id be very interested in reading your stories about which framebuilders you worked with and who really dialled you in to perfection with one of their custom sized frames.

Pross

One forum user did a regular update on his custom build with Rourke. Sounds like he got a very high level of service from them. That said, is a 30" inseam at 5' 9" tall really that unusual? It sounds about average to me.

dj58

I don't have a custom made bike, however the dimensions you quote are very similar to the Med. (50cm) Giant Defy
compact frame, TT 54.5cm, HT 16.5cm, Stem 10cm, WB 99.5cm, so looks like you need an endurance geometry. Any of the renowned frame builders should be able to sought you out. Are you thinking about a steel framed bike?

http://www.rourke.biz/custom_framesets.php Other frame builders are available.

marcusjb

You need a lot of patience and not want the frame for a specific event. Many builders have a slightly elastic version of time. It is a very fun process though.

crikey

You're not exactly the Elephant Man in terms of proportions; if you want a custom frame by all means buy one, but your position will be pretty much the same on an off the peg frame.

You're not that special, sorry.

cougie

I've had three custom steel frames made for me.

TBH - although its nice to get measured and choose everything - I'm not that fussy about bikes and I ride off the peg carbon ones now. Unless you have odd proportions - I'd not bother - and yes - the bike will take a lot longer than they say it will !