Custom Made Bikes in Canada

[peakwebs1]

Hi all,

Has anyone ever purchased or ordered a custom made bike frame? I'm curious what your experience has been. I found this website, Framework Bicycles (https://frameworkbicycles.com/) that uses CNC-machining, a type of precision manufacturing, to create made-to-measure bike frames out of aluminum or carbon-fiber, I think.

Do you think $5,500 is fair. Seems like a reasonable price for made-to-measure frames.

Thoughts? Never used custom before but thinking of taking the leap.

Thanks,
-Dave

[Mark Manley]

Fifteen years ago I had a Roberts Roughstuff which was their expedition bike made for me and it is an excellent piece of kit, at the time I did not really know enough to order a bespoke bike but they knew their stuff and I got just what I needed, it has taken me on many adventures and I still ride it regularly.
As to Framework Bikes their website does not specify what you get for your money, I am guessing just a frameset for that price and I would expect to pay a lot more for a complete bespoke build and as a fan of steel frames it would not be for me. There does not seem to be much about them on the web either, I would expect an address where you would go to be measured up, it was like having a suit fitted at Roberts they wanted to know your every detail.
As a retired CNC machinist I confirm that with small tweeks to the programme they will be able to machine the individual parts to your exact specifications and it is satisfying having something unique that was made just for you but whether it is actually better than a well fitted off the peg frame is a matter of opinion.

[peakwebs1]

Awesome answer, Mark! (let along being a retired CNC machinist!) Thanks for taking the time. I'll inquire about what I'd actually be getting for the money. I'm also curious what their thoughts are on material and whether they can do steel.

-Dave