NW Custom Frame Builder

[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...