Hand-built bike - circa 3000 yo-yos

weaselman

I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. I'm due to get married next March and as a repayment of forking out a lump of money on an engagement ring my girlfriend has offered to cover the cost of a new bike, up to 3k (lucky me...I have a feeling it'll be the last one I'll be allowed buy though)

The bike I currently have is about 15 years old Chro-moly Giant Kronos and I'm ruling out getting a carbon machine. I don't race and I don't plan to so I can't see any point in getting a fully kitted out carbon machine. I'm limiting my search for a bike to a custom hand-built machine... it'd be nice to get something bespoke to mark the occasion. I've done a search for a few builders and most are on the West coast of America and there's a handful in England but I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations as i'm looking to put together a top 10 wish list and take things from there.

I've been looking at this from down in Oz but got the price list today and it's outside my limit but it looks awesome...i'd advise having some kleenex close to hand before opening the link

http://www.baumcycles.com/bikes/ristretto

or something like this:
http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Steel_Crown_Jewel/

Cheers

smush76

heres a few links to check out. The NAHBS website is mostly US based builders but you might get some ideas as to what you are after, the EHBE site has more european builders. In the UK there are still quite a few, Chas Roberts, Brian Rourke, Enigma to name only a few. Dario Pegoretti in Italy builds beautiful frames, Cycle fit is the UK dealer and also does Serottas and Passoni, both extremely desirable brands
http://www.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/exhibitors/exhibitor-list/
http://www.e-h-b-e.eu/
http://www.robertscycles.com/
http://www.pegoretticicli.com/frames
http://www.cyclefit.co.uk/our-frames
http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm

funkyjebus

What about Mercian. There are a few around, but my they're nice.

weaselman

smush76 wrote: »

heres a few links to check out. The NAHBS website is mostly US based builders but you might get some ideas as to what you are after, the EHBE site has more european builders. In the UK there are still quite a few, Chas Roberts, Brian Rourke, Enigma to name only a few. Dario Pegoretti in Italy builds beautiful frames, Cycle fit is the UK dealer and also does Serottas and Passoni, both extremely desirable brands
http://www.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/exhibitors/exhibitor-list/
http://www.e-h-b-e.eu/
http://www.robertscycles.com/
http://www.pegoretticicli.com/frames
http://www.cyclefit.co.uk/our-frames
http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm

That's a comprehensive list. It's gonna take a while to get through the NAHBS stuff, some seriously beautiful craftmanship on some of those bikes. Thanks for putting that list together.

weaselman

funkyjebus wrote: »

What about Mercian. There are a few around, but my they're nice.

For some reason I'd always though of Mercian as just a touring frame, can't for the life of me think why. It's a seriously nice machine. Something like this would be the business

http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/gallery/34/gallery-image/188/

Lemag

weaselman wrote: »

Ii'd advise having some kleenex close to hand before opening the link

Because of their sexiness or because of their prices?

weaselman wrote: »

For some reason I'd always though of Mercian as just a touring frame

..and I thought of them as hockey sticks - I had one.

3k is a nice budget for a bike but if you're looking for a custom frame build you'll have to end up compromising on the quality of the components. Unless you go with steel.. but for 3k why would you.

Since you're looking to avoid carbon try taking a look at Van Nicholas. I've had a thing for them for a while now. Their full bike builds seem to be hugely marked up from their framesets. If interested, I'd advise either buying a frameset and building it/getting it built up or checking to see if there's something suitable in their clearance section.

Btw, awesome gesture from the girlfriend.

gman2k

Here's another list of UK framebuilders
http://www.ceeway.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm

gman2k

BTW, 3k is plenty enough to get a custom 953 stainless frame, Ultegra groupo and decent wheels and finishing kit!
If I was dropping big money on a bike again, I'd defo go for a custom steel. Sure it's heavier than a carbon, but the fit would more than compensate.
I presume you've read this?
If not, you can have a lend of my copy.

secondspring

Another one:


http://www.robinmathercycles.co.uk/


Some really nice work in his photo gallery

kincsem

titanium

http://www.enigmabikes.com/bike-list.html

TinyExplosions

If It was my money, it'd be Mercian all the way (I have one that wasn't built for me and love it, so would kill to get a custom one), with Serotta in second -they are seriously awesome bikes, not far off cheaper carbon frames in weight terms, and really nice finish on them -though you might struggle a little at 3 grand for that.

You say you don't race, so what style bike are you looking for? Something more relaxed and 'audaxy' (to use the bike industry's term)?

Ryder

As others have said, 3000e is at the lower end for a bespoke bike. If youre getting this 'for life' I would recommend a titanium frame. VanNicholas/Enigma/Sunday and carbon fork......and leave it at that for now. You can build it up with dirt cheap components/wheels or save etc for the ultegra. Personally, i wouldnt waste up to half the budget on components that you will end up upgrading in 5yrs or at best wont last the frame life.

As tiny said, what style do you want. If you dont know, and you may, try borrowing a race and sportive bike now to see the geometry differences. Could also borrow a steel and titanium bike aswell to see the differences.

blorg

I think you need to think about what you want this bike for and what your priorities are.

A large part of me thinks a custom frame is a colossal waste of money unless you are a very peculiar shape and can't fit on a stock frame (and most steel builders offer stock frames in 1cm increments so that is unlikely.)

I think you need to think also about what the bike means to you. A titanium bike made in China (like the Van Nicholas) will probably be lighter and a more nimble ride than custom steel made in the north of England, but (as you have ruled out carbon) it's obviously not all about how good the bike is to ride... I can certainly see the aesthetic appeal of lugged steel and there are many situations where an extra few kg won't matter anyway.

If you refuse carbon, titanium is probably next best all rounder and will keep very well, they always look like they were bought yesterday... steel I think though has a more classic aesthetic and will still look good in 20 years if you look after it.

gman2k

blorg wrote: »

A large part of me thinks a custom frame is a colossal waste of money unless you are a very peculiar shape and can't fit on a stock frame (and most steel builders offer stock frames in 1cm increments so that is unlikely.)

I disagree! Humans don't come in 3 or 4 different sizes. Leg length, torso length, arm length, flexibility etc. Then there is preference for wheelbase, angle of tubing, rake etc etc....

If you've ever had tailored clothing made for you, you will appreciate the difference customized sizing makes!

Lemag

gman2k wrote: »

I disagree! Humans don't come in 3 or 4 different sizes. Leg length, torso length, arm length, flexibility etc. Then there is preference for wheelbase, angle of tubing, rake etc etc....

If you've ever had tailored clothing made for you, you will appreciate the difference customized sizing makes!

But one doesn't generally dramatically change their walking posture as they get fitter.

If the OP is in a starting out position then the actual suitablilty of the frame dimensions will vary with their fitness and age.

blorg

gman2k wrote: »

I disagree! Humans don't come in 3 or 4 different sizes. Leg length, torso length, arm length, flexibility etc.

That is why you can vary stem length/angle, seatpost height, setback, saddle fore/aft etc. to get a good fit. I have a number of completely different (stock frame) bikes set up identically as to the contact points. As lemag says fit will vary with flexibility and fitness too so going straight for a custom frame when you haven't really a lot of experience trying different things seems particularly questionable to me.

As to the OP, I'd start with his current bike and ask what is wrong with it, fit wise, that custom is going to solve.

Even with custom individual frame builders will have their own prejudices and philosophies.

I think what should be admitted is that a lot of the reason for a custom build is that you want something uniquely crafted by a guy you meet in person, rather than really "needing" it (and nothing wrong with that.)

Lumen

I have a custom bike (Enigma Ti). The fit is fine. It would be even better if I'd taken the recommendations of the builder, but I had a last minute wobble and decided to go for an extra-long top tube.

The problem is that you're laying down so much cash (mine cost about £2k for the frame as it has S&S couplers, and that was without forks) that you have a lot resting on your decision, and if you get the fit wrong it feels like a pointless exercise. How much drop and reach do you really want? Will this change next year when you take up that yoga class you've been putting off?

I had to go custom for my particularly bizarre set of chosen requirements, but apart from the couplers there really isn't anything magic about the bike that I couldn't have gotten off the shelf.

weaselman

hey guys, thanks to everyone for their input. Some serious food for thought and it's going to take me a while to get through them all.

I'll be using the bike for sportives and just getting out and enjoying a ride. I'm not really into competitive cycling, apart from commuter racing obviously :-) . The bike I currently have suited me 15 years ago but I've changed a bit since then so I'm looking for something that's more suitable to me now and also something to mark getting married. The reason I've ruled out carbon is that outside of the bikes looking aesthetically pleasing I just find that they're too plasticy and cold. A steel or titantium frame just seem to have more too them. I know that may sound stupid but I just find them far more appealing to carbon and I can appreciate the craftsmanship of somebody cutting tubes by hand and welding the thing together.

The Van Nicholas and Enimga bikes are leading the charge for titanium at the moment. Unfortunately I'm away all this weekend but I'll be spending all next week checking out frame builders and drooling over some serious bike porn. I really appreciate everyone's help. I think once I've checked out everyone's links I'll put together a top 10 list. Please keep the stuff coming.

Lemag

weaselman wrote: »

..it'd be nice to get something bespoke to mark the occasion.

You could get customised decals or an engraving on it to make it unique and specific to the occasion. Both would be cheaper options to getting a bespoke frame built.