After years of musing and notching up a fair few bikes owned I’m a lot clearer on what I would like from a custom frame.

I originally went down the path of wanting a modern do it all 29er but the most recent batch of frames from the likes of Stanton, Cotic etc really have that catered for.

More recently I’ve been looking to go for something simple. Steel, rigid, non suspension corrected, SSable and light.

The closest I’ve come to seeing what I’m after built is this:

The frame is Isla Rowntrees current custom frame built in house by Isla Bikes (sadly not something I can access as I don’t work for them 😆 )

I love the simplicity of the frame and especially like the forks.

I think the simplicity of the requirement and the relative retroness, 1 1/8″ steerer, 135mm spacing etc, isn’t where a lot of builders are at the moment.

I think we are spoilt for choice in the UK frame builder wise but who would you go to for something like the above?

Isla won’t build you one but she will love the chance to talk about her frame!

I would talk to Matt at 18 bikes or Steven Shand.

That looks like a 70s roadbike fork with a disc mount welded on :/

I dont really understand the point of wanted a modern 29er but not because other people already make them, do you want a custom bike to have exactly what you want or just to have one for the sake of having something unique?

I would want EXACTLY what i wanted not taking into account what other brands make isnt that kind of the point of custom made?

Don’t believe the hype! Plenty of frame builders will build what you want as long as your making sense and are on the right track to them producing a decent frame. Get yourself along to http://www.bespoked.cc and you’ll find someone for sure. Ted James built mine.

Cheers Chaps.

@ wiggles ….. I’m after custom as I cannot buy off the peg what I would like.

@ Ian …. The guys at Islabikes were helpful but I was stonewalled regarding details 🙁 It doesn’t change things as I have my own idea of what I would like but it’s always nice to run ideas passed someone more in the know! Isla ….. If you’re reading this 😉

THAT ^ is a gorgeous looking bike. Simple, elegant and unpretentious.

That was my thoughts Clink – presuming your talking about the green bike 😆

Going to drop Ted an email along with Singlebe to get the ball rolling 🙂

I just cut out the middle man and made my own 🙂

You need to think a bit about what extra you can get out of it (compared to a production bike).

Singlespeed lets you do super short stays (needs a curved or offset seat tube), maybe coupled with a long front end / short stem or slightly slacker head angle.

Tube sizes – short fork and a light rider(?) can let you go skinnier than production EN tested frames. Same for skinny seat stays.

Some people that always inspire what I build:-
Black Cat
English
Julie Racing Design
3D Racing B29er
Wolfhound
Steve Garro
Ritchey

Also trawl through velocipede salon.

http://www.englishcycles.com/cat/custombikes/mountainbikes/
http://julieracingdesig.canalblog.com/albums/singlespeed_29__d_olivier/index.html
http://julieracingdesig.canalblog.com/albums/singlespeed_29__disc/index.html