Custom steel

Think my previous post was a bit long winded so I'll try again.

Considering a custom frame, and like the idea of 853 steel. Would be for a hard hitting trail riding or whatever the current name is for just going out and riding stuff.

Recommendations for how to look at?

What experiences have people had of going custom? Pics also welcome.

Ta

why custom ?

unless you're a funny shape (and have a very clear idea what sizes & angles you want) or want extras like rack mounts & stuff or weird dropouts, I'm not sure it's worth the bother

What do you want out of it?

Its not really custom if your just asking for whatever the last guy had.

I'd quite like to learn to braze though as I'd like to experiment with the 456's geometry to see how it handles with shorter chainstays and a lower BB (a kind of 456 4X)

unless you have very specific geometry requirements you may as well just buy a soul or something similar. A custom frame will cost you twice as much if not more

I've never had a custom bike but I see the appeal. Thats partly as most of the Uk brands like Cotic don't do frames for me (I'm 6 foot 4 inches).

But you've got to know what you want and its going to be expensive

All good points, and some of the thoughts going through my mind too.

What about something like Curtis where it's more 'tweaking' to your own preferences?

hard hitting trail riding

Best yet!

18 Bikes in Hope are on the verge of starting their custom steel frames and I believe that a long travel 853 trail hardtail is what they are aiming at initially (from chats with Si, they will be a lot more custom than Curtis etc – lots of options over every aspect…)

another 1+ for 18bikes…
the prototypes are very good !!!

Dave Yates custom build so you get exactly what you want .A bit like a hand made suit it cost more but the fit vwill be brilliant and noone else will have anything like it

It's the 'uniqueness'of it, there's only you in the whole world who's got one. If you go to your chosen framebuilder he should have an adjustable frame you sit on & get comfy then he takes note of all the angles/heights etc then builds the frame to fit you & you alone. Fair enough other people will say 'yeah but it'll fit most people'. But thats not the point. It's YOURS.
Bit like a Purdey shotgun only cheaper.

You can have two frames then ! Don't you purchase a brace of Purdeys?

yeah, we're go – just too busy too get bits sorted on the website. email if you'd like to chat details, but I'll get bits on the site ASAP.

We have my current ride, along with some other samples and the (still intact) CEN tested frames in the shop if you'd like to see things first.

Si

You can have two frames then ! Don't you purchase a brace of Purdeys?

Wish I had the money to find out!