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Hello,
I'm saving for a bike for long distance touring or Trans continental type event.
I'd like a fitted frame, and practical features, probably titanium, but perhaps also a high-performance steel alloy like 953.
What custom frame builders would you recommend?
Ideally not USA 🙂
Thanks
Andy
"long distance touring" and "trans continental" - very different activities, requiring very different bikes.
Any particular reason for going custom? Having plenty of money to burn is a perfectly good answer, but are there other reasons too?
No personal experience but I believe Spa Cycles have a good reputation.
People seem pretty happy with their Reillys.
Absolutely love my steel Vaya but I’m saving my pennies for a Reilly Gradient
Enigma seem pretty good
Any particular reason for going custom? Having plenty of money to burn is a perfectly good answer, but are there other reasons too?
That's what I was thinking (currently owner of two production Ti frames and one custom 🙂 )
I still fancy one of these though.
In true STW fashion, recommend what you have...
Crisp
http://english.crisptitanium.com/
Not sure what lead times are now (it was 18 months when I ordered mine!) I've had mine since 2015 and still love it as much as the day I first rode it.
In actual fact the only thing I've changed is the wheels and consumables since I put it together.
During an Italian cycling tour this year I even took a detour and spent a few hours at his 'shop' talking bikes and history etc. Great fella and could have spent ages there.
Will build to your specifications too.
Shand offer a custom service on their premium steel frames and have the experience that can help you build a very focussed piece of kit.
+1 for the TORRAGAR here....must be a Scottish thing 😀
Does it have to be a custom frame? Unless you have very specialised requirements, most people can get a standard frame to fit correctly, with appropriate stem and seat post.
I'd look at one of the many "cross-type" disc brake frames that are now available. There are lots of good frames with all the braze ons for racks and guards which would be suitable for the TC or a long tour.
Kinesis GTD sounds like the kind of thing you’re after?
Got to be Ted James Designs! For either custom Ti or high end fancy steel
I’d recommend Mason, but not an ISO, if you’re talking about mostly road (as in trans continental)
Vaaru.
Thanks folks - loads to read up on there 🙂
Custom is the last way I'd go for a tourer (tho TBF I'm not sure I'd buy custom for any bike).
No point in light weight, in fact stiff is good which means big tubes which means not light. Why pay more for what can be done well with a production frame?
Unless you have some unusual requirements.
Shands seem ok for long distances 😉
In the P&J no less!