Freaking out (a little) about bike being built

**Veronica** · 07-08-2009, 01:50 PM

I had not ridden my Rivendell Legolas when I ordered it. It's not custom either. I've had it nearly three years now and still really love it.

Veronica

**tulip** · 07-08-2009, 02:00 PM

Did they do all sorts of measurements as if you were going to have a custom built bike and then compare those measurements to the bike you are getting?

I have a Luna that was not custom built for me. I did test ride it before purchasing, though, because I happened to be in New Mexico for another reason. However, Margo measured me up, measured the bike up, and said it was a good fit. And it has been perfect.

**Trek420** · 07-08-2009, 02:04 PM

I had not ridden my Mondonico or any Mondonico for that matter when I ordered mine. I met with the builder, he measured me, then he went off to Italy to sip espresso and build my bike.

I had a loaner Della Santa www.dellasanta.com from my LBS's fleet while I waited. I did think "If this is what custom steel feels like I'm going to like this."

My bike was finished maybe 2 months before my first AIDS ride. You know how they say don't make any major change to your bike before a multi day tour? Do as they say and not as I did but I love that bike!

**GLC1968** · 07-08-2009, 02:25 PM

I have bought 3 bikes prior to riding them.

The first was my Specialized Dolce Comp - they didn't have anything even close to my size to try in the bike I wanted, so I ordered it sight unseen. I liked it well enough, but it was about a year later that I decided that it wasn't the bike for me.

The second was my Terry Classic. I bought it used from a woman who put less than 50 miles on it. I liked it when I got it, but it was really hard to judge because there were a lot of changes that I needed to make before it was super comfortable. I still have it - it's my commuter.

The third was my Terry Isis. I'd never even seen one in person. I did all the geometry comparisons and ordered it online. They shipped to a local LBS for the build and I picked it up from them. I had a little fine tunning to do, but even though it wasn't set up 100% for that first ride, I'll still never forget it. I went out by myself at lunch one day and did my usual route. I did it MUCH faster than usual because I think I was so excited. Riding the bike felt like I was riding on glass...it was soooo smooth! Instant love. Turns out, lasting love too...I still adore this bike!

**jobob** · 07-08-2009, 02:49 PM

I had a Lynskey built up without ever test riding it, and it came out fabulous.

I had a semi-custom build, in that the dealer took the measurements off my current road bike (which fit me pretty well) and had them transferred more-or-less onto a Lynskey R230 frame using their "houseblend custom" program.

So it's not an off-the-shelf frame, but it's not one of their "pro builds" where they start from scratch and build up a bike to someones exact specs either, it's sort of in-between.

It's a big difference from my fairly heavy steel Riv - much lighter weight, and it's very easy to get up to speed.

I wrote about getting my first impressions here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=29763

I hope you like your Lynskey as much as I like mine.