Custom vs Stock for first bike?

[kauai_gal]

So, my search for my first bike has transformed into me wondering if I should just save up for a custom built bike ala Luna Cycles..

Key facts: zero experience riding, 5'0, 43cm inseam, haven't done any test rides (too short=nothing in stock), needing a light touring/commuter/city road bike, undecided on the 650 vs 700 wheels

Does it make more sense to:

a. Get something economical (i.e. an older model Jamis, maybe?) and see what works/doesn't work?

b. Pay (a lot ) more initially and get a bike that fits perfectly the first time

How many of you shorter riders have eventually ended up on a custom built bike? Do you wish you had started on a custom in the first place?

[KnottedYet]

One caveat: the geometry of a bike isn't just about fitting the rider's body, it's also about fitting the rider's positioning preferences.

I could position one person's body 80 gazillion different "correct" ways, and some of those ways will work best with very different frame geometries than others.

If you have "zero experience riding", you may want to buy a bomb-proof $400 bike (like a Kona Dew, which can later become your utility bike) and ride-ride-ride.

As you gain experience riding, you will learn your preferences. Once you really have solid preferences, then you can get a custom bike that fits both your body and the way you like to ride.

(Here's the Kona Dew http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dew The smallest size is 45, which is also the smallest size in Kona's dedicated women's line "Lisa" variants.)
(And, if you are looking for a commuter like you say, you really don't want to risk having a lovely custom bike stolen or vandalized while you are at work. Do like the "pros" and use a cheaper bike for commuting.)

[Biciclista]

boy, can't argue with that sage advice.

[MartianDestiny]

Where are you located?

If I were you I'd search high and low for something "stock" that will fit you for now.

I'm 4'11", not sure of my cycling inseam, but let's just say I can BARELY stand over the inseam measurer at the bike shop. I just ordered my SEVENTH bike frame and it's the FIRST custom (some have come and gone, some are still with me). I've also ridden countless other bikes.

As Knotted alluded to one of the huge benefits of custom is you get exactly what YOU want, but as a new rider you don't necessarily know what that is yet (and any one rider can have preferences between a number of different fits that would work on top of handling characteristics).

One way to reach a middle ground in this, especially if you really can't find any frames to test ride, would be to go ahead and pay for an experienced fitter to work with you (will cost somewhere between $150-300 depending). What you should walk out with is a) an idealized geometry chart/set of measurements to work from b) a list of bikes in your price range that should work with part (a) c) more confidence knowing that "sight unseen" is indeed going to fit and maybe d) help fine tuning the fit of the bike you choose after it arrives (this should especially happen if you buy a bike from the shop your fitter works out of, but may or may not happen if you buy elsewhere).

Luna happens to have a tiny little frame in her "garage sale" section right now though that might be right up your ally. (http://lunabicycles.blogspot.com/2010/02/garage-sale.html)

It would be worth contacting her to see if it would work for you, and perhaps if she could get you set up with a build kit, etc if you don't want to deal with building a frame.

Edit:
I should add (because I totally missed your actual question earlier) that my custom frame is a Cyclocross bike and not replacing any of my stock frame bikes. I currently have a Yeti ASR mountain bike and a Wilier Izoard road bike, both production frames, that I wouldn't trade for the world. The custom frame is for three reasons really: first, and foremost, is that my bike shop doesn't sell a cross brand that will fit me and I want to give them business, second, most stock cross frames would only questionably fit me at best (and aren't in stock), and three, it's exciting having a frame built just for you. I'll probably get more frames in the future, both custom and stock. I'm excited about my custom, but I don't regret any of my stock frames.

[Trek420]

boy, can't argue with that sage advice.

You could try but you will never win. ;):D Knott is very wise.

Lots of good ideas here. There's custom and then there's customized and both can be grand. I'm 5' nuthin". My namesake Trek 420 was Trek's entry level road bike, one of few choices available at the time. I don't think I knew custom existed. :rolleyes: In time it's own mother would not have recognized it :) But when it got stolen and I went full custom.

What little I know about bike fit I learned obsessing about upgrades with my LBS and right here on TE:) So I bought low and threw time and money at it :cool: My custom bike is wonderful but the old Trek was no less mine, beautiful in its own way, rode wonderfully well and was unique.

I vote for test ride a lot of bikes, find the right one, get it fit and take off from there. And as always we want to hear the test ride reports.

[kauai_gal]

Yes, Knotted is very wise! I am but a sponge - happy to soak up all of your great ideas!

It's a good point to learn my riding preferences first..then spring for something more fitting. I'll check out the Kona brand. I had no idea they were so affordable! Martiandestiny, thanks for the heads up on the Luna frame. I'll see if it's still available.

The point about theft makes me sad. I'm bummed to have to take that factor into consideration. But then again, I'm no stranger to it either, having had both my car and my home broken into in Hawaii! I hate to think I can't get the bike I want, just because someone will try to rip it off. In all likelihood I think I will just exercise caution and not leave the bike unattended outside for an extended period.

On another note, have either of you gals considered "ugly-fying" your bike to make it less appealing to thieves?

[MartianDestiny]

On another note, have either of you gals considered "ugly-fying" your bike to make it less appealing to thieves?

My bikes are fully insured through my renter's insurance (and they know full well the value). So long as I'm not at fault (I don't eat it) they are covered on and off property.

[Trek420]

On another note, have either of you gals considered "ugly-fying" your bike to make it less appealing to thieves?

My personal feeling: nooooooooooooo.

Bikes are beautiful. People should see you happily riding and think "wow! I wanna ride!" Lock them, watch 'em, when I ride to work mines at my desk. My bikes are locked now even inside the house. :( My one and hopefully only experience with bike theft was from my home. :mad: Ugly had nothing to do with it. Bike 'nappers are evil.

The one good part was imagining the 6'1" crook riding my 47 cm bike down a steep hill looking like he was on a tricycle. :rolleyes:

The good news: more people ride

The bad news: crooks have learned what bikes, even which individual parts have value and they make their own getaway vehicle.

:mad: You can't uglify Ultegra etc. They'll just strip it and sell parts on Craigs etc. :mad:

:mad: Crooks know we uglify bikes to "throw them off". When I see a bike wrapped in tape there are only two reasons for that.

:rolleyes: the rider thinks s/he's throwing crooks off by hiding the decals instead it's just screaming "Look! A valuable bike under wraps!" or ....

:mad: it's a hot bike you don't want the rider to recognize. Uglify as you will, if that was my bike under there I'd recognize it.

Bikes are beautiful! Love your bike, beautify it, make it an object of desire, do your best to protect it. If it does get stolen then oh well, get another. :(

[katherine]

I bought a Kona Dew for my first (grown-up) bike, and can testify that it is indeed bomb proof. I love that bike, it takes so much abuse and is always reliable. Over the years I have changed out parts, stem, seat, pedals, hadlebars, grips, all to make it fit a little better. It also taught me how I like to be positioned on a bike which when it came time to buy a (pricier) mountain bike was very useful knowledge. I am now saving up for a custom Luna, though this will be in addition to, not to replace my Kona. I imagine I will continue to ride my Kona around town, becasue even though my bikes are covered by or homeowner's insurance, the Kona is the easiest to replace and the least liekly to be stolen. Can't wait to see what you decide on!