UK Frame Builders

MTBDanno
MTBDanno Posts: 60
edited April 2017 in MTB general
Morning everyone,

As the title suggests, can anyone recommend / has had experience with, any UK frame builders? I recently read a review on the Starling Swoop 27.5 and fell in love with the idea of a custom build.

Pictures, comments, links welcome :)

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Bike looks nice - I like a well designed single pivot, but I think your options are going to be quite limited, especially a custon FS.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • MTBDanno
    MTBDanno Posts: 60
    I think you're right. I've scoured google all morning (don't tell the boss) and I've come across very few frame builders that actually specialise in MTB rather than road bikes. A lot of them seem a bit old school as well.. don't think you'd be able to get them to build a bike with aggressive AM geometry
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    BTR Fabrications have a full suspension, UK made frame and I'm fairly sure they do custom geometry.
    Might also be worth trying Curtis, they were working on a FS frame but not sure whether they ever finished it.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • MTBDanno
    MTBDanno Posts: 60
    BTR have the pinner frame.. but it is seriously pricey at £2.5k...

    I checked Curtis, they don't have a full suss on their website, but their hardtail frames are BEAUTIFUL
  • mudsucker
    mudsucker Posts: 730
    Have never been on one but how about Cotic bikes based in Sheffield.

    http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/
    Bikes are OK, I guess... :-)

    2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp.
    2013 Trek 1.2
    1982 Holdsworth Elan.
  • MTBDanno
    MTBDanno Posts: 60
    I'm a bit fan of Cotic, again never ridden one myself but they look lovely.

    All I know is my next bike will be unique and it will be made of steel!
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Not custom built frames though.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • MTBDanno
    MTBDanno Posts: 60
    No I know they aren't custom, but still beautiful
  • turpinr
    turpinr Posts: 255
    mudsucker wrote:
    Have never been on one but how about Cotic bikes based in Sheffield.

    http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/
    are they made in Britain?
  • Jonesinamilion
    Jonesinamilion Posts: 230
    brian rouke in stoke on trent; maybe more road orientated but if theyre good enough for guy martin theyre good enough for us mortals!
  • Giraffoto
    Giraffoto Posts: 2,078
    How about getting the made-in-Britain frame you like and having it custom painted?
    Specialized Roubaix Elite 2015
    XM-057 rigid 29er
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Perhaps you could make it clear why you want a custom frame (other than 'just because'), geometry? no frame being on the market that suites?

    An effective way to do it is to find a full suss frame with the rear suspension you like (that way ensuring you get an effective rear suspension system) and get a custom front triangle made to mount it to, then get it all resprayed to a single theme. Then you just need to get a machine shop to turn up the mounting points and get your chosen frame builder to attach them in the right place.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • LimitedGarry
    LimitedGarry Posts: 400
    If you have the money, custom steel frames can be cool. But, they are almost exclusively beautiful hardtails or road bike frames. And on top of that, theit price usually reaches to the starting pricerange of full-sus frames with shock and everything, once you get everything you need done on the bike (dropouts, axle, headset, a couple of spare mech hangers, internal routing if you want it and a custom paintjob). A custom steel FS bike may as well cost you an arm and a leg.
    If you don't see a full-sus frame on someone's website, it doesn't mean they wouldn't make one. Try asking them.
    Also, should you actually go through with it and have a completely custom frame done, have it made to measure. There's hardly a worse way to spend your money than on a custom frame that isn't 100% fitting to you.

    If you're concerned about money, try finding a manufacturer who builds whole bikes, does custom paintjobs and allows for custom build specs. They probably won't allow you to have custom geometry and sizing, but you will get the paintjob you want and above all, you'll be able to get some components considerably cheaper than you would get them off the shelf.
  • reformedfatty
    reformedfatty Posts: 543
    Curtis had a full suss at bespoked that was wonderful looking. The only other custom full suss I can remember were from BTR and a yorkshire company, carbon wrap

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