Custom Steel Road frame, <$2K?

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Spud

Spud

Joined
Mar 8, 2007
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In a van, down by the river
Anyone know of any custom road bike frame makers that can make a good light sweet frame for less that $2k?

I need a 72 degree seat tube angle due to my femur length. Never have been able to make a stock bike fit quite right.
 
The answer it just about any of them. If it were me, I would start with these two builders:

1) Soulcraft,
2) Carl Strong


Given most road bikes have a 73 degree seat tube angle, have you tried a seatpost with extra setback? The 1 degree change in seat tube angle only represents 1cm of extra setback.
 
waltworks

He build my 29er and my road bike, great guy to work with. His prices are very reasonable and he will sell you components for a great price
 
Great you all...I will check these out.
 
Waltworks and DeSalvo are also excellent builders.

I didn't mention it before, but there are two builders I would avoid if you need custom geometry, Independent Fabrications and Seven. I have read several stories with both of them ignoring customer requests and essentially telling the customer tough when the frame didn't meet their standards.
 
cary said:
Waltworks and DeSalvo are also excellent builders.

I didn't mention it before, but there are two builders I would avoid if you need custom geometry, Independent Fabrications and Seven. I have read several stories with both of them ignoring customer requests and essentially telling the customer tough when the frame didn't meet their standards.
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That is funny that you mention it because I currently have a IF MTB and CX and absolutely love everything about them from fit to finish and ride quality. The guys at IF were great to work with and from the day I got my MTB, first ride on it should I say, was basically perfect. I really cant think of anything I would change about it.

From that experience, I had the confidence to have them deliver me a CX and again, it is perfect in every detail, most importantly fit.

Previous to these, I had never had a "custom" frame. But basically due to slighly longer femur, I had always struggled with fit and had a hard time ever getting a stock bike to feel right.

I would love a IF for road, but just cant seem to get over that they go for about 2k for the frame. That is hard to handle, well since I dont have that kind of money...er' now.
 
If you looking to keep the price down, then why don't you look at Curtlo, who will get you a custom frame for less than $1000. Tom Teesdale can do the same as can Waltworks. Gunnar offers the Rodie in custom geometry for $1075, and depending on you sizing, in the larger frames Soma Fab Road frames have a 72.5 degree seat tube and the frames run about $400.

Where is the seat on your current Independent fab bikes? Is it all the way back on the rails with a setback post? As I mentioned before, the difference between a 72 and 73 seat tube is only 1cm, which can usually be accomplished simply by using a setback post with a little more setback (most are 20mm you can get a 30 or 40mm).
 
cary said:
If you looking to keep the price down, then why don't you look at Curtlo, who will get you a custom frame for less than $1000. Tom Teesdale can do the same as can Waltworks. Gunnar offers the Rodie in custom geometry for $1075, and depending on you sizing, in the larger frames Soma Fab Road frames have a 72.5 degree seat tube and the frames run about $400.

Where is the seat on your current Independent fab bikes? Is it all the way back on the rails with a setback post? As I mentioned before, the difference between a 72 and 73 seat tube is only 1cm, which can usually be accomplished simply by using a setback post with a little more setback (most are 20mm you can get a 30 or 40mm).
Click to expand...

This is the geometry of my CX bike that fits perfect.

I am 5'9" with about a 32 inseam. My Femur to Tibia ratio is 1.15.

My IF CX is set up just as it is in the diagram, as they suggested and from first set up it felf great.
GetAttachment.jpeg
 
My current road bike is a Salsa Campeon. It has a sloping TT but the measurements are very close to the CX as far as Seat tube CtoC and TT CtoC. I have a 90mm stem and the post is laidback with the seat basically centered on the rails.

Essentially the 674mm reach measurement is identical and the drop, (handlebar proximity to ground), is a tad lower on the Salsa. Which it should be on a road bike vs. Cross.

Overall,, I have done an excellent job of making the Salsa fit as good as possible, but basically for optimal fit, I would need a custom frame. With the Salsa, I have to have the shorter stem due to where I need to put my butt to have my femur be positioned over the pedal. So that in the end makes my position awkward and I need to keep scooting back as I tend to slide forward on the seat, (naturally my body wants to be centered over the bike), so to combat that, I need to have my saddle a tad nose up. I think you can get the picture.

The Salsa I think is a 73.5 degree seat tube. To get into 72/72.5 degree seat tubes on stock bikes, usually you are in the 60 or 62cm size range.

I am going to check out these other suggestions and research them a bit further. Thanks for pointing them out Cary Flyrod and Patpend.
 
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It is not a problem to make a standard frame fit for you. What you forgot to do when buying your salsa was to go with a 1cm shorter top tube length to make up for the 1cm you are adding back when you go to the setback seatpost. So look for a frame with a 54.5-55cm effective toptube, headtube that is long enough, and 73 degree seattube angle, put a 20mmp setback post on it, and 100mm stem, and you will have the same front center as your IF bike.


You should post the diagram and your issue over on the roadbike review forum. There is a guy there that is an absolute geometry g-d who can provide really detailed responses and answers.
 
Curtlo's look impressive. I have an email in to him for current info. Unfortunately his site is listing 06' stuff so I imagine some details have changed.

I'm thinking S-3 tubing with a Ouzo pro fork. Take the Dura ace kit from my Salsa and sell the frame/fork.
 
cary said:
It is not a problem to make a standard frame fit for you. What you forgot to do when buying your salsa was to go with a 1cm shorter top tube length to make up for the 1cm you are adding back when you go to the setback seatpost. So look for a frame with a 54.5-55cm effective toptube, headtube that is long enough, and 73 degree seattube angle, put a 20mmp setback post on it, and 100mm stem, and you will have the same front center as your IF bike.


You should post the diagram and your issue over on the roadbike review forum. There is a guy there that is an absolute geometry g-d who can provide really detailed responses and answers.
Click to expand...

What is his name? Is it Pete?
If were thinking of the same person, is he in Meriden CT? If yes, that is like 10minutes from me.
 
Oh, Cary, did I mention I like the ride of steel a lot more. The Salsa is Scandium with carbon stays.

Well what it all boils down to is that I want a new bike...I want custom fit and I want nice light steel with a good ride. You know what is like to just want a new ride and want it all.
 
Spud said:
Well what it all boils down to is that I want a new bike...I want custom fit and I want nice light steel with a good ride. You know what is like to just want a new ride and want it all.
Click to expand...


I have absolutely no idea, that is why I look at the Soulcraft and IF webpages nearly every day. :D Now if I could just figure out how to sneak it past the wife.


I believe it is Pete on RBR that has the answers. It seems if you want a moderate cost steel frame with custom geometry, Gunnar or Curtlo are probably the way to go. Personally, I think if you really like your IF bikes, you will never be happy unless you have one. It would be better to save up more and buy what you want. The pain of buying it is temporary, living with a perceived compromise is forever.
 
cary said:
I have absolutely no idea, that is why I look at the Soulcraft and IF webpages nearly every day. :D Now if I could just figure out how to sneak it past the wife.


I believe it is Pete on RBR that has the answers. It seems if you want a moderate cost steel frame with custom geometry, Gunnar or Curtlo are probably the way to go. Personally, I think if you really like your IF bikes, you will never be happy unless you have one. It would be better to save up more and buy what you want. The pain of buying it is temporary, living with a perceived compromise is forever.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about a compromise...

I do like the IF's...Maybe I should wait and save up more....:doh:.

Curtlo responded with a price sheet right away, (site is a bit out of date). Still great prices for a custom S3 tubed frame $1055 :hmm:
 
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