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

[Bad JuJu]

Ti is a lifetime buy, as long as the hurricane doesn't take it! But knowing the salt/water won't damage it, makes it something to consider.

That is certainly something to think about. I'm smarter about my bikes now that I've been through a big, destructive hurricane like Ivan (2004, Gulf Coast, not as widely publicized as Katrina because it didn't hit a big city like New Orleans). Now, when I evacuate, my bikes evacuate.

I like the idea of a Ti bike in theory, but I don't think my budget will accommodate it. Thanks for the suggestions, though.

[Blueberry]

Bad Ju Ju -

You might be pleasantly surprised with Habanero - a stock frame is $795, and custom is $1195 (plus shipping, of course). I've heard pretty good things about them. Of course, they aren't as well known as some of the other builders, and some folks don't like them (no specifics to offer).

CA

[Bad JuJu]

OMG, what gorgeous bikes those Habaneros are! I'd never heard of them--what a well-kept secret. Great--now I have yet another option to consider.

[motochick]

Please get a Habanero so I may live vicariously through you! If you shopped around for all your parts, you could build a very nice, light, custom cheap. My hubby and I have built up a tandem and saved about 5k by doing it ourselves and finding good deals on parts. Good luck in your quest!

Brenda

[KnottedYet]

I fondled a Habanero at Trek's LBS.... niiiiiiice bike!

[Kathi]

My biggest concern about buying custom, besides getting a good fit, was ride quality.

I went from a Cannondale that "beat me to death" to an Aegis CF frame. The ride on the Aegis was so smooth for me and I was very spoiled by it. Originally, I was looking for a custom carbon frame which was pretty non-existent in my size because I wanted 650c wheels.

So I agonized for months about this purchase. It was made harder by the fact that I couldn't find any bikes in ti or steel small enough for me to ride. As I talked to different shops the consensus came out that for someone my size the best solution would be to go with a ti/carbon combination. The theory was that straight ti was to stiff for someone of my weight, 105 lbs, but having part carbon would give me the shock absorption that I was looking for.

I finally found a shop who had a couple of options for me. They had a 48cm Serotta Nove, ti/carbon, that they were able to adjust small enough so that I could get a sense of what the materials felt like and a 46p Fierte ti. At least I was able to get a sense of how the materials felt.

I didn't like the Fierte ti at all, it was too stiff giving me a pretty harsh ride. The frame was stock and designed with a much heavier person in mind. The ti/carbon bike came in close to what I was looking for.

Because of wanting the 650c wheels there were some issues with the Nove so I opted for the Ottrott. Serotta was able to give me everything I asked for, lighter weight tubing designed appropriately for my weight, excellent handling, the snap and smooth ride equal to the Aegis, frame nicely proportioned on 650c wheels.

Originally, I questioned how much hype is involved when a company says the tubing is chosen according to the rider's "size, weight and riding style" but Serotta made a believer out of me. Attention to these details does make a difference in the ride quality of the bike.

I set out to build my dream bike and I definitely got it with my Serotta.