Custom - is it worth it?

[yo-eddy]

I would say yes if you'd really know what you want and what you can expect from your builder.
Also you would have to feel ok with paying the kind of money these frames/bikes tend to cost.
In my case it was a nice and rewarding proces but I've heard many bad stories also.
Personally I'd feel better paying money to someone who has a certain craftmanship and does an "honoust" job than to a big company, far eastern made frame, with a fancy logo.

Go for it Ed

 

[Hilts]

May be a bit off topic, but Hilts, please tell what your frame is?
Italian road ?
Just being nosey but sounds exciting

italian road indeed. As someone mentioned earlier you're sat in the same position on a road bike for hours on end and if I learned anything from last years Etape it's that comfort is everything when you're in the saddle for 8 hours..

With that in mind I got myself measured up for a Pegoretti, hand made steel with a certain italian style I could not resist. It won't be the lightest bike in the world but I'm hoping it's going to last me forever....

 

[CTK]

When I know what I want I will go custom to get it...

 

[neil__j]

I went custom with my recent ti frame for two main reaons:
- it was cheaper than virtually all off the peg ti
- I've ridden the same bike for 15 years, so wanted the new one to feel basically the same (the new frame is a copy of it but adjusted for short travel front suspension)
It did take a while to convince myself that it was the right option, but once I finally had it built it ended up being exactly what I wanted.

 

[CAS]

However the finish touches on the likes of Robin Mather's bikes are a wonder to behold.

I would agree with this comment - I paid a deposit on a Robin Mather and REALLY wanted him to build me a frame. He did the drawings after a very long wait,agreed all the details and a delivery date.

The next thing I recieved was an email saying that he wasn't building frames any longer and was returning my deposit.

To say I was gutted is an understatement!

I've since used the drawings to have the frame made up in Ti by Xacd.

 

[JustKev]

I mentioned elsewhwere recently that given the money I'd like a Kent Erikssen titanium FS frame

 

[Agency_Scum]

Don't you love it when a really good thread comes along?

My cheapo compromise to the custom option was to buy secondhand custom road frames off giraffes. It worked!

 

[messiah]

I've never tried a quality Ti frame that fits me. If I had the cash I would be very torn between going stock Ti or custom steel .

One day I will have that choice to make...

 

[tintin40]

I've still not read one good reason why I'd sell my collection of Trimbles for a 'custom' frame. They may not be custom. But they are great to ride. Great finish. And nothing else looks like them

 

[yo-eddy]

I've still not read one good reason why I'd sell my collection of Trimbles for a 'custom' frame. They may not be custom. But they are great to ride. Great finish. And nothing else looks like them

You shouldn't
Why should you go custom if you have what you like :roll:
imho you should go custom if you have "special needs" that are not available on stock bikes/frames.