To go Custom or not...do today's mass-produced OTS bikes allow good enough geometry?

[indysteel]

I have both a custom titanium bike (Guru) with Ultegra/105 and a stock carbon Kuota with a lot of modification for me, as it's a unisex frame.
I love both. You won't regret the custom, but the carbon will meet your needs. Can't speak for the electronic shifting, but money spent on custom is well spent.

Often it's worth the expense, but I have a $3500 custom ti frame hanging on my basement wall that rides like a torture device. So, you never know. Still, I'll likely go custom again if and when I want a new steel frame. So, don't put too much stock on my sour grapes!

[TigerMom]

Nice, large bike budget that you have.

I'm a newbie, but my sister has officially given me the title of "bike nerd".

So, my personal opinion is that if you are a very flexible, athletic person that does not have any funky anatomy and if you have tried riding all the brands of bikes that you are interested in and they all fit, then you probably do NOT need to go custom. Get that Ultegra Di2 that you are drooling over along with the better wheelset instead of the Custom bike with lower grade components. Also, since the 2013 are in, a lot of LBS are selling their 2011-2012 bikes at a discount

Big warning....I am a newbie. But I still want to see a bike photo to celebrate with you when you decide.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[SFLiz]

Nice, large bike budget that you have.

I'm a newbie, but my sister has officially given me the title of "bike nerd".

So, my personal opinion is that if you are a very flexible, athletic person that does not have any funky anatomy and if you have tried riding all the brands of bikes that you are interested in and they all fit, then you probably do NOT need to go custom. Get that Ultegra Di2 that you are drooling over along with the better wheelset instead of the Custom bike with lower grade components. Also, since the 2013 are in, a lot of LBS are selling their 2011-2012 bikes at a discount

Big warning....I am a newbie. But I still want to see a bike photo to celebrate with you when you decide.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

Thanks TigerMom - for sure, I'll post a photo .... that is, if I am ever able to decide....it feels overwhelming. The more info I gather, the more I wish I never started down this rabbit hole.

Hey, my mom lives in RHts area (Walnut)!!

[tulip]

And remember that there's not only one right answer. There are plenty of bikes out there that will be just fine, not just one. Just go ride some. Fight the analysis paralysis.

[SFLiz]

And remember that there's not only one right answer. There are plenty of bikes out there that will be just fine, not just one. Just go ride some. Fight the analysis paralysis.

Haa haa, nailed it. Do you know me? I am totally a "paralysis by analysis" type of gal, unfortunately. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a four page excel spreadsheet on bike component research alone, although I haven't updated it last month. Need to do a brain download again. It's bad.

[tulip]

It's a dangerous trap. Just go ride. That will give you more benefit than your ever expanding spreadsheet. Remember, perfection is a way of not doing things behind the mask of doing things right. That's simply foolish. Ask me how I know. Just get a bike (yes, a decent and comfortable bike--a Seven if that's what you want) and go ride.

-tulip (who is constantly fighting her own perfectionist tendencies)

[GLC1968]

Haa haa, nailed it. Do you know me? I am totally a "paralysis by analysis" type of gal, unfortunately. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a four page excel spreadsheet on bike component research alone, although I haven't updated it last month. Need to do a brain download again. It's bad.

Ha! I had that same spreadsheet and I'm sure it's still tucked away on a computer somewhere in my possession!

You are right in that it is very hard to know what is right until you've kind of ridden 'wrong'. In fact, as much as I wish I didn't have to have gone through my first two bikes, I'm glad I rode both of them for the experience. I was kind of like you in that I'd been riding a mountain bike and I was already fit, so really all the road bikes I tried felt so good that it was hard to tell. My first bike felt a tiny bit too big from the get-go, but it was still such a great improvement over the mountain bike that I didn't really think about it too much. I still rode it for my first year and about 3000 miles before moving on. Then I had a bike that was fit to me and ordered special and it was a huge improvement over the first bike. But I found that I couldn't stop shopping around. Honestly, I thought that was normal and just part of the territory of road biking...you are always lusting over the next thing! Turns out, I was wrong.

But you are 100% right in that it's extremely hard to just 'know' without the experience to base it on. So my advice is to just do the best you can now and accept that as you grow as a cyclist, your needs may change and that's ok. Bikes can be resold, so don't feel like this HAS to be the last bike you ever buy (as much as you may want it to be!). In fact, that may be a really good reason to not go with custom right out of the gate. It might be easier to re-sell a not custom bike if you do change your mind (and why not save a few pennies?).

Whatever you decide, best of luck with it! And welcome to the fold!

[Crankin]

I wanted to add more to my thoughts, now that I am not typing on my I Phone.

It is true that I had to have 2+ bikes that were wrong before I knew what was right. Because of what I learned here, I was able to do a lot of after the fact changing of components on my current carbon bike to make it fit well. My first 2 road bikes were bought when my DH was in a more "hard core" almost racer phase and we both have learned from my experience. My custom bike was built and purchased with a specific purpose in mind. I made some decisions that the shop owner didn't like, but the builder did it all. I still want to change my bars, but after an initial getting used to period, I am riding each of my bikes about an equal amount of time.
I am not one to freak over the prices you quoted. My non custom carbon bike cost 5K, 6 years ago, and my custom ti bike cost, well, more than that. Close to the range you were quoted but not quite as high. But, I never would have spent that amount of money after only riding for 1-2 years. My first road bike cost $1500 and the second cost about 3K. I've been riding for 12 years, I do a lot of hill riding, I'm short (5' 1"), and I would never spend the money for electronic shifters. Unless you have an issue with your hands that makes it physically difficult to push the lever, it's a crazy added expense. "Clunky" shifting sometimes is a result of user inexperience, although it can be crappy components. But really, shifting is an art and eventually, it becomes intuitive.
Personally, I would go for the stock bike, in your position, and really think about the extra added expense of the electronic shifters and the expensive wheels. My personal opinion is that unless you are racing, you don't need either right now. Ride for a couple more years and think about what you really need in a custom bike before you buy it.

[TigerMom]

I forgot to mention that I have a friend who bikes at least 200miles per week and has been biking for over 10 years. He LOVES his electronic shifters.

However, he did have to have his girlfriend pick him up by car when he forgot to charge up his electronic shifter battery because the bike was stuck in only one gear when the battery ran out. Something to think about in regards to electronic shifters.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[SFLiz]

However, he did have to have his girlfriend pick him up by car when he forgot to charge up his electronic shifter battery because the bike was stuck in only one gear when the battery ran out. Something to think about in regards to electronic shifters.

Hilarious, TigerMom - I know because when we rented our Madones, my husband's battery ran out (damn bike shop didn't check before renting to us), and he was spinning like a rat on a wheel. I was laughing hee hee but only because it wasn't me... we had to call to get help.

[GLC1968]

I closely considered custom when I first started riding seriously because I am a tough fit. I went through 2 nice road bikes before I found my dream bike. And it's not custom at all. I've since stopped looking at nice road bikes and fancy frames except to admire them. I don't want them because I love my road bike more than I love my car (and that's saying something!). There are two things that have let me fall in love with my bike: 1) my road bike is unique and I've never seen another one like it in real life and 2) my road bike was as close as I could get to a perfect geometry for me and then I paid a lot of money for a spot-on fit. It rides like a dream and it fits me like a glove.

My road bike is dated. It's a 2005. It runs 9-speed Ultegra. It doesn't have fancy wheels nor is it 'tricked out' at all. It is Ti, but it's painted, so you'd never know unless you rode it (or read the label). But it's unique and it works for my needs 100%. Because of all this, I've stopped looking at other bikes and I can't imagine how any other bike could be better for me. That means, I bought the right bike. It wasn't the most expensive. It wasn't top of the line. And yet, I'm not swayed by those bikes because I love mine so much.

My point is similar to Indy's. The best bike for you is the RIGHT bike for you. Having the best of everything will not guarantee that you won't keep shopping around. And having custom won't guarantee that it'll be the perfect bike for you. It's really a shopping process and I can speak from experience in that when you get it right, it's right and you'll know it!

[maillotpois]

The only advice I'd add is to shop around and try several different bikes, perhaps beyond those you've listed. It seems you're in the Bay Area, so I can highly recommend Studio Velo in Mill Valley and Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito. Both of those shops have an excellent and well deserved reputation for bike fitting, which is really the key whether the bike's custom or off the rack.

Good luck.

[SFLiz]

The only advice I'd add is to shop around and try several different bikes, perhaps beyond those you've listed. It seems you're in the Bay Area, so I can highly recommend Studio Velo in Mill Valley and Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito. Both of those shops have an excellent and well deserved reputation for bike fitting, which is really the key whether the bike's custom or off the rack.

Good luck.

Thanks maillotpois / Sarah. Since you're in the area, any opinions on Mikes Bikes in Sausalito? I got my fitting done at Bespoke in the city. It was one of those detailed fittings that took 3 hrs - analysis of flexibility, biomechanics, injuries, measurements, feet/arches, ride form, power generation, etc. I just got that done last weekend but I get a sense that the fitting was more focused toward something that could be translated for Seven since Bespoke only does custom bikes.

[maillotpois]

Thanks maillotpois / Sarah. Since you're in the area, any opinions on Mikes Bikes in Sausalito? I got my fitting done at Bespoke in the city. It was one of those detailed fittings that took 3 hrs - analysis of flexibility, biomechanics, injuries, measurements, feet/arches, ride form, power generation, etc. I just got that done last weekend but I get a sense that the fitting was more focused toward something that could be translated for Seven since Bespoke only does custom bikes.

You can take your fit data to Studio Velo or Bike Odyssey and they can work with it, though they'll likely want to do some of their own work as well. You're right sometimes the longer fit is more intended to work with a specific custom brand (Seven or Serotta), but the data points translate to other bikes.

Mike's Bikes is a nice starter bike store. I got my first bike there and replaced it with a better bike within 3 months. I know they have higher end bikes now than when I purchased; however, they are more of a big box type of store than someplace like SV or BO. I don't think they have anywhere hear the fit capabilities of Bespoke, SV or BO. And they only carry certain (big company) brands so you may not be able to get a sense of what other smaller bike companies may be producing something that fits your needs.

I've also heard good things about Bespoke, just never went there.

I'd have to say in terms of customer service I'd probably go with Studio Velo even over Bicycle Odyssey. We're very loyal to BO, but you have to have a lot of patience when you go there because Tony's very busy and things tend to take a lot longer than they otherwise should because he get interrupted, can't say no, etc. But he is a master.

[lph]

You can do a lot with a good fitting. I've fit four bikes to my needs without any trouble, but I'm an average size and probably an easy fit. I had never heard of custom builds before I came here, and I would personally not spend my money on a custom. No gripes on anyone who chooses to, and I can see the appeal of a unique bike built for you, but I'm just not that interested in having The Bike. I wrench myself and switch parts as needed. If I had a dream bike I would just go all paranoid about scratching the paint job, or annoyed when parts wore out. Now, if I could spend that kind of money and get a bike where the parts never wore out, or could go without maintenance throughout a winter - THAT would my dream bike!