Choosing a custom frame builder.

moyesie

Being a few years short of my 40th I'm now on the lookout for a custom builder to build my perfect frame.

How on earth do you decide?

I follow plenty of builders on Instagram from Feather to Field to Firefly to Rourke, they all appeal in their different ways yet I can't quite tell why one would be better than the other.

So, assuming same geometry, what is there between a custom builder?

Is it paintwork? Details? Personality?

I suspect I'll go down the stainless route but curious to what difference the builder actually makes.

jimwalsh

i have just gone through the process of getting a reilly frame made.

what I would suggest is talk to the various ones on your short list and get a feeling for who you are going to get along with.

also ask how long their build queue is. be prepared to wait and wait.

imposter2.0

moyesie wrote:

Being a few years short of my 40th I'm now on the lookout for a custom builder to build my perfect frame.

How on earth do you decide?

I follow plenty of builders on Instagram from Feather to Field to Firefly to Rourke, they all appeal in their different ways yet I can't quite tell why one would be better than the other.

So, assuming same geometry, what is there between a custom builder?

Is it paintwork? Details? Personality?

I suspect I'll go down the stainless route but curious to what difference the builder actually makes.

None of them have a magic wand, as such. Assuming they can all weld and/or braze and are handy with angles and tube profiling, then the main differences will be aesthetic, so choose the one who you think makes the nicest looking frames. Paintwork is your choice, not theirs.

mr_evil

When I had a frame custom made, I ended up going with Firefly based on two main criteria:

1. They build more beautiful frames than most others, e.g. they have their own particular style of wishbone seatstays that I like.
2. Out of all the frame builders I contacted, they were the only ones who were actually able to build what I specified.

FatTed

For me I wanted the frame builder to actually make the bike, not ask his/her apprentice or other person in the firm to make the bike.

pilot_pete

FatTed wrote:

For me I wanted the frame builder to actually make the bike, not ask his/her apprentice or other person in the firm to make the bike.

Why?

PP

evodeda

I've gone with Justin Burls. He's designed my a Ti frame loosely based on my Cannondale Supersix Evo. I'm hoping to have it next week .
He's a pleasure to deal with, will build you pretty much anything you want and is reasonably priced.

I'll post a few build pics once it arrives.

First.Aspect

Mr Evil wrote:

When I had a frame custom made, I ended up going with Firefly based on two main criteria:

1. They build more beautiful frames than most others, e.g. they have their own particular style of wishbone seatstays that I like.
2. Out of all the frame builders I contacted, they were the only ones who were actually able to build what I specified.

That pretty well summarises my route to Eriksen. Perhaps some people would like to actually meet the builder, or have the same place do the fit and the build. But overall, your mid life crisis custom frame should pick itself. If you have a wish list of tiny details, you will soon narrow things down. If there is a tie, which logo do you prefer?

cougie

I used to have custom steel frames made back in the day. Always nice but it's nothing magical.

It will take longer than they say.

If you have unusual measurements or specific requirements then maybe it's worth it - but off the peg carbon is hard to beat in performance and price.

FatTed

Pilot Pete wrote:

FatTed wrote:

For me I wanted the frame builder to actually make the bike, not ask his/her apprentice or other person in the firm to make the bike.

Why?

PP

Because that is what I wanted, part of the process to meet, discuss, bike fit with the builder.

Grill

I went with Rob English.

PTestTeam

moyesie wrote:

Being a few years short of my 40th I'm now on the lookout for a custom builder to build my perfect frame.

How on earth do you decide?

I follow plenty of builders on Instagram from Feather to Field to Firefly to Rourke, they all appeal in their different ways yet I can't quite tell why one would be better than the other.

So, assuming same geometry, what is there between a custom builder?

Is it paintwork? Details? Personality?

I suspect I'll go down the stainless route but curious to what difference the builder actually makes.

There are builders out there who can also make custom carbon frames as well

lakesluddite

I went to Rourkes in Stoke - had a good couple of hours getting the geometry right and so on. The guy who did the fitting wasn't the builder, but I can't see that makes much of a difference. They made a great job of mine, I went with 853 steel, but I have heard their 953 builds are very good as well.
I did have to wait about 8 months, but it was worth it (still loving mine after well over a year) - just depends how many frames Graham has to make for Guy Martin at any particular moment!

feisty

I have an Enigma (titanium). It's absolutely superb. Light, responsive, and beautifully balanced

meesterbond

Given the ones you've selected it's probably just as well you have a couple of years to go... Feather and Field both had long waiting lists (Field's was closed completely) when I tentatively looked 4-5 months back.

How do you choose? Well, if it's something a bit niche then there are probably builders that specialise, most should work with Stainless Steel though... Then read a lot of reviews and make a long list and find some arbitrary criteria to help you select... then go for the prettiest / one who makes frames that you'd like to ride... I guess it's a bit like getting a bespoke suit - any tailor can make any style of suit but most will have a house style they will gravitate towards.

Personally, my first one was an Indy Fab because a) they're really pretty and b) I've always wanted one... very happy with the frame, the paintjob is awesome and it didn't take too long (although that may have changed).

The second won't be here until mid Nov so we'll have to see how that pans out.

Garry H

It's a bike, not a spaceship. Choose the nearest reputable one.

Giraffoto

PTestTeam wrote:

moyesie wrote:

Being a few years short of my 40th I'm now on the lookout for a custom builder to build my perfect frame.

How on earth do you decide?

I follow plenty of builders on Instagram from Feather to Field to Firefly to Rourke, they all appeal in their different ways yet I can't quite tell why one would be better than the other.

So, assuming same geometry, what is there between a custom builder?

Is it paintwork? Details? Personality?

I suspect I'll go down the stainless route but curious to what difference the builder actually makes.

There are builders out there who can also make custom carbon frames as well

Who makes custom carbon?

bondurant

Parlee, Crumpton, Filament (UK). A few others too whose names escape me. Oh. Sarto and Epoca also.

PTestTeam

Giraffoto wrote:

PTestTeam wrote:

moyesie wrote:

Being a few years short of my 40th I'm now on the lookout for a custom builder to build my perfect frame.

How on earth do you decide?

I follow plenty of builders on Instagram from Feather to Field to Firefly to Rourke, they all appeal in their different ways yet I can't quite tell why one would be better than the other.

So, assuming same geometry, what is there between a custom builder?

Is it paintwork? Details? Personality?

I suspect I'll go down the stainless route but curious to what difference the builder actually makes.

There are builders out there who can also make custom carbon frames as well

Who makes custom carbon?

Quite a few. As has been mentioned there are a few in the US, a couple of new guys in the UK and some artisans in Italy are all handmaking frames using carbon fibre

moyesie

Thanks for the input guys

I'm gravitating towards a stainless frame and both being local, Feather and Field are in the lead. Field in particular are knocking out fabulous looking machines at the moment.

I realise that the bike won't be 'better' but I do want a bike that is exactly what I want.

Carbon IMO, ages far quicker and is a good excuse to upgrade every 4-5 years as the tech/fashion changes

meesterbond

moyesie wrote:

Thanks for the input guys

I'm gravitating towards a stainless frame and both being local, Feather and Field are in the lead. Field in particular are knocking out fabulous looking machines at the moment.

I realise that the bike won't be 'better' but I do want a bike that is exactly what I want.

Carbon IMO, ages far quicker and is a good excuse to upgrade every 4-5 years as the tech/fashion changes

Having looked at both, I don't think you'll be disappointed with either... their work looks amazing, although as I mentioned, their waiting lists are also likely to be pretty low so get on it sooner rather than later!

Thigh_burn

I'd be interested to hear from anyone with experience of any of the custom carbon builders.

I'm also heading towards my 40th and have a steel bike. Been thinking about something more racy and carbon was the natural choice. I like the idea of something unique - but then again the likes of Canyon or Cannondale look like such good deals.

PTestTeam

Thigh_burn wrote:

I'd be interested to hear from anyone with experience of any of the custom carbon builders.

I'm also heading towards my 40th and have a steel bike. Been thinking about something more racy and carbon was the natural choice. I like the idea of something unique - but then again the likes of Canyon or Cannondale look like such good deals.

I own a custom Epoca R60 (I've also owned other Italian custom frames). Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

https://www.epocabikes.com/

bondurant

Feel free to PM me also

mbroady

Not sure if Rickys books are open yet, been closed for a while I believe, I'd definitely try and get on the Feather list, especially if you're going stainless. If you're somewhat local you can go for a bikefit and chat with Ricky too, always good to go over ideas and get your fit dialled in

Picked mine up earlier this year, absolutely spot on - http://i.imgur.com/3MtFTWR.jpg

term1te

Don't forget Enigma. I had a very good experience with them, and now have a particularly lovely bike.

feisty

I had a bad experience with a steel frame maker (very well established UK builder) who couldn't get the paint to stay on the frame. It flaked off in a matter of weeks. I got it sent back, stripped and resprayed and the same thing happened again. Anyhow, others had a very good experience with this frame builder so I am not dissing them as it was maybe an anomaly, but I then went with Enigma and got a titanium frame (no paint..) and have been happy

rpaton

Build it yourself
http://road.cc/content/news/125819-enig ... ng-academy
http://www.bicycles-by-design.co.uk/fra ... g-courses/
http://www.daveyatescycles.co.uk/custom ... rse-44.php
http://www.thebicycleacademy.org/course ... ng-course/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/r ... -mind.html
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/arti ... rse-36448/
http://www.reillycycleworks.com/pages/frame-school
https://bohemianbicyclesfaq.wordpress.com/

bontie

Have you looked at Saffron?

Www.saffronframeworks.com

rpaton

Being able to go to Bespoked gives you the chance meet the frame builders and see their work.
But the next best thing is some of the videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/UKhandmade ... =0&sort=dd

Field Cycles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca6XMQAZVZU

Mercian Cycles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-daZ8twO9KQ

Robin Mather
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmLRa8yBo-E

Rourke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxwPyLgIeoo

Paulus Quiros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOyGJfS69oI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOyGJfS69oI