NW Custom Frame Builder

[freshsushi]

I'm looking for recommendations on a frame builder, and what I should be looking for from a frame builder. Specifically, I want a good road-race bike that will survive crashes (I'm thinking titanium)... and I'd like to put in S & S couplers on the frame.

I'm centering on Davidson's - their price list on their website looks pretty sweet. Has anyone here had any experience with their frames? http://www.davidsonbicycles.com/html/home.shtml

[mimitabby]

my husband just got one, and I am getting ready to buy one myself.

The other day I was in their shop and as always, owners of other davidsons are coming in for little and big adjustments.

But what I wanted to tell you about is there was a bike in there that after several years a weld came undone. They were in the process of fixing it!

SERVICE. I am very impressed on how they take care of their customers. They are friendly and helpful..

And I see people coming in on 20 year old bikes that are still happy with them.

see http://www.sersale.org/bike/raleighdonbike.htm

[mimitabby]

another thing i like about Davidson is they do not subscribe to the one bike fits all theory. YOu go in and tell them what you want, and they make it.
You want it to fit 650's? they make 'em. You want a superlight bike? you can have that. You want oversized tubes? they will do that too..
And if you want TI, they do that too.

Go in, ask to talk to Bill, and make yourself acquainted. that's another thing.
No hard sell. I like that.

[Eden]

Davidson is very good, but Seattle has a wealth of custom frame builders
so there are a few other options too
Ti-Cycles will build custom frames - obviously they have a lot experience with ti.... (www.ticycles.com)
Hampsten builds really nice race bikes (http://www.hampsten.com/)
There's always Rodriquez - though they will likely push steel and 650 wheels....(http://www.rodcycle.com/)

[SadieKate]

If you're open to the entire PNW, DeSalvo in Ashland. They work ti.

S and S has a website that lists all the builders using their couplers.

Don't forget the Ritchey Breakaway-type system. It is showing up on more and more bikes with great reviews.

[mimitabby]

I was really interested in the Hampsten Bike Frames for a while, too. He was supposed to be at Bike Expo, but was a no show. A few months ago I drove all the way out to his shop one day to discover that it's actually his garage (unmarked even) and he only opens by appointment.. So I never went back, it would be really awkward for me to go there with an appointment and NOT want a frame, you know?

[SadieKate]

A lot of these builders (and Hampsten is really a designer and outsources the building) are 1-2 man outfits so appts are critical. If you were just being a look-e-loo, he wouldn't have wanted you there. But I can't imagine that if you had said "I'm looking for a local builder, you have a good rep but I've never seen your bikes. Can I come by for a few minutes?" that he would have turned you away.

BTW, outsourcing isn't a bad thing. Steve Rex outsources his ti frame builds to Jim Kish, one of the best in ti craftsmanship.

[mimitabby]

I should have gone with you SadieKate I didn't think of that.

[SadieKate]

I'm seeing more and more Hampsten frames. I think the first was on the Mt. Tam road ride last fall with Veronica and Kim. It was purty. I think the Andy Hampsten connection is cool.

[mimitabby]

me too.
The man who wrote the book about Alfonsina (which I read and wrote a review about) is the one who turned me on to this family; from Italy. I felt like an Idiot because I'd never heard of the guy.

[Eden]

A friend of mine races a Hampsten Cinghale and likes if very much (the paint job includes piggies -cinghale is Italian for boar - if you are in the right region you'll find wild boar-cinghale- on most of the menus)

I have a non-custom Ti-Cycles that I like very much too.

btw Sushi - have you been racing? I remember you were interested last year.

[freshsushi]

thank you ladies, for the recommendations and tips - I'll be sure to call ahead and make an appointment, with whomever i choose. I am open to anything in the NW, but I was particular to people who have heard/had experience with the framebuilder. Those Hampten bikes sure are pretty...

Mimi- I think you've sold me. Davidson's sounds like everything I was looking from a framebuilder, I'll visit them and tell them you sent me if they work out (basically at this point, it comes down to the price - what I think I can afford... hah).

Eden - I dabbled a little bit, "little" being I rode a "little" before getting dropped during the first 3 miles each time. Hah. I'm positive it's because of my bike, not because I-am-slow-and-too-lazy-to-practice.

[mimitabby]

YEs, tell them I sent you; I need more brownie points, always do.

and we'll have to compare, I will be going in sooner or later and committing,
just as soon as I quit being so scared...