How much money am I looking at for a custom frame build?

Bhima
Bhima Posts: 2,145
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
What's most expensive - Alu, Carbon, Steel, Ti?

I want to make a frame with a slightly odd geometry which I just can't buy anywhere. It's not that odd though - it'll probably still fit in with race regulations and all that. I've taken a few measurements and have a good idea of tube lengths/geometry. It should fit me perfectly.

Where's the best place to go to get something made (near Manchester)?

How much money would I be expected to cough up?

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    clownBike.jpg
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    clown+bike.jpg
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    http://homestore3.com/motclowmin.html
  • Bhima
    Bhima Posts: 2,145
    edited August 2009
    Wow, that first bike must be so light!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    On a serious note, Paul Hewitt cycles...
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Could get a custom steel frame for less than £1000, probably a builder in the NW (Paul Hewitt?)

    XACD for Ti, probably the cheapest, but comes from china, and you'll have to give exact geometries because they'll build exactly what you tell them. £400 - £500

    CFRP - Looking at Continental Europe or the US for that, and it'll be pricey.
    I like bikes...

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  • Bhima
    Bhima Posts: 2,145
    Paul Hewitt - same guy who did willhub's old man fit? :lol:

    Cool - i'll check him out. Just what I was looking for - some names. Searching google for framebuilders in the northwest is suprisingly bollocks. :|
  • Once_In_A_Blue_Moon
    Once_In_A_Blue_Moon Posts: 269
    Brian Rourke in Burslem (near Stoke-on-Trent). He builds some excellent steel frames, top bloke too.
  • AidanR
    AidanR Posts: 1,142
    I'm intrigued... what's the odd geometry?
    Bike lover and part-time cyclist.
  • Bhima
    Bhima Posts: 2,145
    I'll try and scan in my drawings later, if my 8 year old scanner is still working. :shock:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Bhima wrote:
    I'll try and scan in my drawings later, if my 8 year old scanner is still working. :shock:

    Cool! I didn't realise they did scanners for 8 year olds! :wink:
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    NapoleonD wrote:
    clown+bike.jpg

    Easily rideable by most adults including those that are 5'10" like me. Don't think the one I rode had the extended handlebars.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    I recommend Mercian http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/

    not cheap but truly a work of art and will last you a life time
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Burls will build you a custom titanium frame for less thana grand with any number of uses,tube shapes and lengths.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    Perhaps contact Dolan? http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk/
    Cycling weakly
  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    itboffin wrote:
    I recommend Mercian http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/

    not cheap but truly a work of art and will last you a life time

    Absolutely. We have several but then, I live near Derby and when I worked it was my local shop.

    I think mine was about £135 - back in 1978 ish :) My 1949 frame cost me £70 when I bought it secondhand as a single fixed not quite so long ago.

    Geoff
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Slightly odd geometry sounds interesting....

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