Who's bought a custom bike "long distance"?

[Bad JuJu]

I've been trying to avoid going the custom frame route, but I've been realizing over the last few weeks that I'd be going longer distances on my bike if I just didn't hurt so much. I've worked with my LBS guy to tweak reach to handlebars, saddle position, and everything else we can think of, but I'm still in pain after about 30-35 miles, and after about 40, I'm in misery: shoulders, back, neck, hands. And on my bike, some things are adjusted as far as they can go. It's frustrating because I feel strong enough to ride longer, but the painful parts are screaming at me to stop.

So I'm going to get a pro fitting, and maybe try out some recumbents, though not sure I want to go that way. After that, I'll consider my options. But I'm wondering whether any of you have stories to tell about ordering a custom frame (or complete bike) long distance--good experience? Bad experience? In between? Things to look out for? Thanks for any advice.

[mimitabby]

Well, i did and sent it back. it wasn't what i asked for.

But i'd do it again someday; maybe, from Mercian?

[Bad JuJu]

I thought I remembered your ordering a custom frame, Mimi. So sorry to hear it didn't go well. So what did you end up doing for a bike?

[SadieKate]

What do you mean by long distance? You mean, ordering from a builder without being fit in person by the builder?

Yes, I have, but I wouldn't do it unless you have a builder with years of fitting experience, a top notch local fitter and a very clear idea of what position makes you happy.

Sounds like you have far too much weight forward on your bike which could be a number of problems. What do you do for core strength? Just asking as it is one of the cheapest routes for alleviation.

[mimitabby]

I thought I remembered your ordering a custom frame, Mimi. So sorry to hear it didn't go well. So what did you end up doing for a bike?

my custom frame I bought from a local builder after getting burned by a guy on the east coast with a NOT custom frame.

My bike that I ride today is a Davidson.

[Bad JuJu]

What do you mean by long distance? You mean, ordering from a builder without being fit in person by the builder?

Sounds like you have far too much weight forward on your bike which could be a number of problems. What do you do for core strength? Just asking as it is one of the cheapest routes for alleviation.

Yes, I mean ordering from a builder that's far away by filling out a form with my measurements, etc.

Interesting you should mention core strength--I've just started working on that. When I was in the navy, about 100 years ago, I had great core strength, but I got lazy about it when I wasn't having to do regular physical fitness tests. So now I'm doing a program of weight training twice week, including some crunches and planks, and yoga once or twice a week. So you're saying that building a stronger core may help?

[SadieKate]

Absolutely! And if the navy experience was, ahem, 100 years ago, you really need to do exercises that strengthen your ability to hold up your head while leaning forward. Crunches are important but work the front of your neck, not the back. Planks help but your head is more aligned with your spine that it is on a bike.

Speaking as someone who isn't getting any younger either, the first thing that goes for me is the muscles on the posterior sides of my neck. I've been doing lots of core strength work lately while having been off the bike for several months. Everything feels great except my neck -- because I neglected to work on those muscles that are very specific to that forward lean.

Great articles here from someone with first rate credentials.

http://www.topbike.com.au/physio.htm

[tulip]

Yes, a strong core will definitely help because you will be able to support your body with your body, instead of supporting your body by putting all your weight on your shoulders and arms, down to the handlebars. Crunches are only okay IMO, yoga is good for flexibility and some strength, but I've found that pilates has really helped me strengthen my core deeply. You might want to check out pilates with certified instructors that specialize in pilates (not hybrid-pilates-type classes taught at some chain gyms).

I have a Luna, which I adore. It was pre-built, however, so was not built for me. I was in Santa Fe NM for another reason and decided to check out this bike that I saw on the internet at Luna. I rode it, Margo measured me, and the bike fit my measurements. It's just fantastically comfortable. I've been riding road bikes since 1983 and this is by far the most comfortable road bike I have ever ridden. I hardly know I'm riding it. There are no pressure points, no soreness.

I just bought another custom bike that was based on my measurements and on the measurements of my Luna that I sent in. It's a Bike Friday. I've only ridden it twice, since I just got it last week. It, too, is quite comfortable, but I need to ride it more to have an accurate picture.

Other folks on this list also have gone the custom route; I know of at least one Luna owner (she's bought a couple, so I would guess that she likes them).

Have you tried riding stock bikes (WSD or not) that fit better than your current bike? There are lots of TEers who seem to be quite comfortable with their stock bikes--OCRs, Ruby, others?? There's only so much tweaking you can do if the frame just doesn't fit you, and that getting one that does fit will be quite an improvement.

Regardless, core work is very important. That'll improve posture, sitting in chairs, walking, sleeping, riding, everything.

[OakLeaf]

Besides sharing all the concerns other people have expressed, I wouldn't order anything expensive after "filling out a form with my measurements." Measuring the human body is a very technical skill, and the important variables are going to be different depending on what it is that you're ordering. I wouldn't have a tailor measure me for motorcycle leathers, for instance, or a motorcycle leather race support person measure me for a bicycle.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I opted to order a custom bike from Luna Cycles as well. I first communicated with several Luna owners.
Margo has you take a LOT of body measurements and send them to her. She also took the angles and frame geometry of my current bike. She takes a lot of info on all the issues both good and bad that you are currently having. She liked that I sent her photos of me riding my current bike as well- pictures of body posture and positions can say a lot about bike fit. I trusted her because she has been building custom bikes for women for over 15 years now.
I don't have my Luna bike yet....it should be arriving within the next 4 weeks or so- it's still being painted right now. So unfortunately I can't give you any input yet on how it turned out.

[Triskeliongirl]

While I haven't gone full custom yet, if I think about the folks that just rave about loving their custom bikes, both here (Mimi, DebW) and local people I know, they all worked with LOCAL custom builders (around here Crumpton in Austin has a terrific rep...). That is my plan once I finish putting my kids through college...... The next best thing I think is flying out for a fit/design session, but I think you need to meet and ideally go for a ride with your builder, let him observe you on your present bike, etc., be sure your philosophies mesh (i.e. don't buy a bike from someone that doesn't think TCO is a problem if you think its a problem, stuff like that).

[Triskeliongirl]

Correction, if you wanna call a bike friday a custom, I did have one built from measurements I mailed in of me and my present bike, and it had to be re-done......... SO that is what I think of that route. But bike fridays aren't truly custom bikes. They have pre-fab seat masts and mid sections that get put together in diff. comb. depending on your size specs, which is not the same as having a custom builder design your bike from scratch where frame angles can be varied, etc.

[Pedal Wench]

I would also suggest trying other pre-built frames with different geometries. Get your measurements, then see if anyone makes a bike with that geometry. You might not need a custom bike, just one that truly fits YOU!

When you're working with your local LBS, do you get a feeling for what's not working on your current bike? Is it too big, too small, reach too high, too low, seat position okay, etc? You might just need a new bike that's the right size for you.

[SadieKate]

I think we all need to clarify what we each mean by "measurements." I worked with Tom Kellogg of Spectrum, arguably one of the best in the business. Many world titles on his bikes. He didn't want body measurements; he wanted to see profile photos of me in very specific positions on all of my bikes and measurements of my current bikes. He was working with joint angles and weighting because that is what allows the proper muscles to be engaged. Measurements like leg length, etc., tell a builder nothing about your flexibility - for instance, how comfortable you are with leaning forward and where the bend is achieved. Some folks will never have a pure "flat back."

I had a very experienced fitter do everything locally and then set up a fit bike off Tom's CAD drawing and take more photos. Tom nailed the fit from across the continent. But I've got 20 years of riding under my belt and knew what positions my body was happy with. Therefore, Tom had an experienced and knowledgeable customer to work with.

All this doesn't mean you don't need a custom bike. A friend's first road bike was a custom Seven because her body just didn't fit stock bikes. She looks fabulously comfortable on it and her mileage zoomed up, but she worked with a local fitter (happened to be the same one that I did). The builder doesn't need to be local, but whoever is doing the fit and advising the builder needs to be be. Tom could turn out the same great fit for an inexperienced rider if he has a good fitter to work with. For one thing, the average newbie wouldn't know how to measure bikes properly.

Ask BikerZ about getting her Seven. She had a local fitter and the bike was built across the continent.

And good builders should be willing to work with local fitters. Otherwise, move on . . . .

[IFjane]

I had a very experienced fitter do everything locally...

The builder doesn't need to be local, but whoever is doing the fit and advising the builder needs to be be.

And good builders should be willing to work with local fitters. Otherwise, move on . . . .

Amen, SK!

My LBS owner is a very experienced fitter. He took all my measurements, similar to SK's experience detailed above. Once he and I were happy with my positions on the fit bike, he sent everything to Indy Fab in MA. Four months later I had my bike & it was the best investment I have ever made (in cycling, that is! )