But then it's not custom, there's lots of other people will have the identical frame. There's something nice knowing nobody else has got the exact frame that you have. Small touches or details that you've specified that an off the shelf bike or frame can never replicate. Depends how much value you place on a bike or frame. When it's that personal then there's an almost priceless value to it. If you're not bothered just buy a ready built up bike by someone else off the shelf. It's all about what's important for you. Just don't rush the decision!raggedtrousers wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:48 pmThis is what the guy at Rourke touched on briefly. For a good/summer road bike, no problem in his view, but not something he'd recommend for a workhorse or day in day out use.
The Ritchey Road Logic is increasingly coming into the equation, actually, especially when I look at the geometry, but they are thin on the ground atm.
Custom steel - some options
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Is your budget for the frame still £2500? What is your overall budget?
The Ritchey makes a lot of sense if your budget implies committing on the wheels. It pretty much has the classic steel ride (perhaps more compliant and less stiff versus more modern oversized tuning), excellent fork, looks nice yet you will find more on the road.
If you have a good amount of budget saved for for the wheels, £2500 certainly allows for something more special. But it seems like there is nothing you've seen you really like. Perhaps you need to wait and find that something special? Figure out the paint job?
I think I haven't purchased on budget before; but more on instinct (though many have fallen over because of budget).
The Ritchey makes a lot of sense if your budget implies committing on the wheels. It pretty much has the classic steel ride (perhaps more compliant and less stiff versus more modern oversized tuning), excellent fork, looks nice yet you will find more on the road.
If you have a good amount of budget saved for for the wheels, £2500 certainly allows for something more special. But it seems like there is nothing you've seen you really like. Perhaps you need to wait and find that something special? Figure out the paint job?
I think I haven't purchased on budget before; but more on instinct (though many have fallen over because of budget).
I only have an Engima carbon fork (one of the few options with internal dynamo routing) but the fella I dealt with by email was extremely helpful throughout. Not a super useful data point They do have lots of nice framesets in steel and ti in your price range and will do custom geo.raggedtrousers wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:22 am4. https://www.enigmabikes.com/pages/enigma-elite-hss (the bikes look good and they are well-reviewed but the owner has a reputation for being a bit difficult to work with)
I know this thread is a year old but very relevent since I am looking to order a new steel frame.
I have always liked Mercian since I had one in 1980, regretting selling it and now I just bought a used one a few months ago and just finished building it.
It is 531C tubing and touring geometry. It confirmed that I really like a good steel bike but now I want something with better geometry and tubing.
I have communicated with Mercian, Rourke and Moss in the U.K. Even though I am in the U.S. it seems custom frames from the U.K. are significantly less money.
Frames in the U.S. seem to start at $2500 and easily go up to over $5000. It does seem Mercian is a bit more than Moss and Rourke.
I am looking to spend no more than $2K. Pretty much all the builders have recommended 853 Pro Team because it is lighter and will "ride better".
There are a lot of intangibles when it comes to tubing so I am prepared to trust them and just pay for the 853 Pro Team.
I really like the classic lugged look of the Mercian Strada Speciale and that is my first choice right now. Mercian is currently 9 months to get a frame but I am ok with waiting.
A sloping top tube would probably fit me better since I have short legs but that probably means a fillet brazed frame which I don't really care for as much.
I have no interest in Stainless Steel since it is out of my budget.
Would like to hear about any other builders I should look into.
Thanks
I have always liked Mercian since I had one in 1980, regretting selling it and now I just bought a used one a few months ago and just finished building it.
It is 531C tubing and touring geometry. It confirmed that I really like a good steel bike but now I want something with better geometry and tubing.
I have communicated with Mercian, Rourke and Moss in the U.K. Even though I am in the U.S. it seems custom frames from the U.K. are significantly less money.
Frames in the U.S. seem to start at $2500 and easily go up to over $5000. It does seem Mercian is a bit more than Moss and Rourke.
I am looking to spend no more than $2K. Pretty much all the builders have recommended 853 Pro Team because it is lighter and will "ride better".
There are a lot of intangibles when it comes to tubing so I am prepared to trust them and just pay for the 853 Pro Team.
I really like the classic lugged look of the Mercian Strada Speciale and that is my first choice right now. Mercian is currently 9 months to get a frame but I am ok with waiting.
A sloping top tube would probably fit me better since I have short legs but that probably means a fillet brazed frame which I don't really care for as much.
I have no interest in Stainless Steel since it is out of my budget.
Would like to hear about any other builders I should look into.
Thanks
Show Me Your Lugs: Llewellyn (first and foremost for me) when it comes to a custom lugged steelie. You may have to stretch your budget, but I'm sure Dazza can do you a slopper. In fact you should do whatever for a keeper like a Llewellyn. I quite dig his model train pics on Flickr even though I have little interest.
I have a brazed English (from Oregon).
I have a brazed English (from Oregon).
Last edited by shimmeD on Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Less is more.
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How classic do you want to go? Panasonic apparently still makes lugged, slightly oversized triple butted steel frames in Japan in centimeter sizing with a wide range of custom paint options.
https://alexscycle.com/collections/road ... front-fork
https://alexscycle.com/collections/road ... front-fork
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Marinoni based out of Montreal Canada can build you a lugged steel bike with Columbus tubing within your budget.DeLuz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:35 pmI know this thread is a year old but very relevent since I am looking to order a new steel frame.
I have always liked Mercian since I had one in 1980, regretting selling it and now I just bought a used one a few months ago and just finished building it.
It is 531C tubing and touring geometry. It confirmed that I really like a good steel bike but now I want something with better geometry and tubing.
I have communicated with Mercian, Rourke and Moss in the U.K. Even though I am in the U.S. it seems custom frames from the U.K. are significantly less money.
Frames in the U.S. seem to start at $2500 and easily go up to over $5000. It does seem Mercian is a bit more than Moss and Rourke.
I am looking to spend no more than $2K. Pretty much all the builders have recommended 853 Pro Team because it is lighter and will "ride better".
There are a lot of intangibles when it comes to tubing so I am prepared to trust them and just pay for the 853 Pro Team.
I really like the classic lugged look of the Mercian Strada Speciale and that is my first choice right now. Mercian is currently 9 months to get a frame but I am ok with waiting.
A sloping top tube would probably fit me better since I have short legs but that probably means a fillet brazed frame which I don't really care for as much.
I have no interest in Stainless Steel since it is out of my budget.
Would like to hear about any other builders I should look into.
Thanks
Agree 100% re Dazza's work and quality (and his train stuff).shimmeD wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:16 pmShow Me Your Lugs: Llewellyn (first and foremost for me) when it comes to a custom lugged steelie. You may have to stretch your budget, but I'm sure Dazza can do you a slopper. In fact you should do whatever for a keeper like a Llewellyn. I quite dig his model train pics on Flickr even though I have little interest.
I have a brazed English (from Oregon).
My Discus Colossus is in the final stages of paint, so looking fwd to getting it, hopefully by the end of the month. It's not lugged, but it is steel and a LLewellyn !!
Plan was to fly up and pick it up in person, but Covid fubar'd that up.
Re the cost - sometimes, quality and workmanship is more than worth it !!!
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- Joined: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:05 am
You should put some of your photos on here too MichaelMichaelB wrote:Agree 100% re Dazza's work and quality (and his train stuff).shimmeD wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:16 pmShow Me Your Lugs: Llewellyn (first and foremost for me) when it comes to a custom lugged steelie. You may have to stretch your budget, but I'm sure Dazza can do you a slopper. In fact you should do whatever for a keeper like a Llewellyn. I quite dig his model train pics on Flickr even though I have little interest.
I have a brazed English (from Oregon).
My Discus Colossus is in the final stages of paint, so looking fwd to getting it, hopefully by the end of the month. It's not lugged, but it is steel and a LLewellyn !!
Plan was to fly up and pick it up in person, but Covid fubar'd that up.
Re the cost - sometimes, quality and workmanship is more than worth it !!!
http://meechcustombikes.blogspot.com/
Just a wild throw, because your budget (no disrespect whatsoever please) precludes the more experienced small (solo!) operators. He has not even been building bikes for a wee while. What impressed upon me was that he seemingly took care and pride in his craft. More brazing than lugs though, and of course he might just say No.
Just a wild throw, because your budget (no disrespect whatsoever please) precludes the more experienced small (solo!) operators. He has not even been building bikes for a wee while. What impressed upon me was that he seemingly took care and pride in his craft. More brazing than lugs though, and of course he might just say No.
Less is more.
Not sure what would happen with taxes and import, but this is an excellent option.bremerradkurier wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:22 pmHow classic do you want to go? Panasonic apparently still makes lugged, slightly oversized triple butted steel frames in Japan in centimeter sizing with a wide range of custom paint options.
https://alexscycle.com/collections/road ... front-fork
This guy seems to have plenty of experience and fits your budget. Not sure he'll do lugs.DeLuz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:35 pmI know this thread is a year old but very relevent since I am looking to order a new steel frame.
I have always liked Mercian since I had one in 1980, regretting selling it and now I just bought a used one a few months ago and just finished building it.
It is 531C tubing and touring geometry. It confirmed that I really like a good steel bike but now I want something with better geometry and tubing.
I have communicated with Mercian, Rourke and Moss in the U.K. Even though I am in the U.S. it seems custom frames from the U.K. are significantly less money.
Frames in the U.S. seem to start at $2500 and easily go up to over $5000. It does seem Mercian is a bit more than Moss and Rourke.
I am looking to spend no more than $2K. Pretty much all the builders have recommended 853 Pro Team because it is lighter and will "ride better".
There are a lot of intangibles when it comes to tubing so I am prepared to trust them and just pay for the 853 Pro Team.
I really like the classic lugged look of the Mercian Strada Speciale and that is my first choice right now. Mercian is currently 9 months to get a frame but I am ok with waiting.
A sloping top tube would probably fit me better since I have short legs but that probably means a fillet brazed frame which I don't really care for as much.
I have no interest in Stainless Steel since it is out of my budget.
Would like to hear about any other builders I should look into.
Thanks
https://soulrider.bike/
Again, not lugged, but Gunnar will do custom sizing and within your budget.
I am currently having a frame built in Kaisei tubes; very thin tubes - similar to 853, but the thinner section seems to go out much closer to the ends. Not expensive at all and allows for a frame as light as XCR; more info on this link.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/eq ... uperlight/
BBloque built one for me first in XCR and now another in Kaisei; Kaisei or 853 might fit your budget (you can see more of this work under The Draft than on his own Instagram).
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