Benefits of buying a custom bike

Custom bicycles are in fashion, it is not an explosive trend, but there are more and more cyclists interested in getting a bike built specifically for them. Although it may seem like an elitist option, there are several arguments to choose a custom bike besides the guarantee of knowing that our bike is unique. Let's see what custom bikes are and what advantages they have.

Custom bikes are more fashionable than ever

We go back 30, 40, even more years. Steel was, except for specific exceptions, the material used in the manufacture of bicycle frames and anyone looking for the best would go to the craftsman who, like a tailor, would build a custom bike exclusively for him. An activity, the artisanal manufacture of bicycles that, over time, with the arrival of new materials: first aluminum and then the omnipresent carbon; the mass production of bikes and the relocation to Asian factories, was forgotten.

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However, just as it happens today with vinyl records, the artisanal construction of bikes is experiencing a new life driven by those who are not satisfied with having a machine like the ones you see a thousand on the road but seek a unique bike. A total level of customization that also has the advantage of allowing us to have a custom bike where the bike adapts to the cyclist and not the other way around.

Total adaptation

In general, with the availability of sizes and playing with different component measurements, there is no problem in adapting standard frames to each specific cyclist. Brands like Specialized use databases with millions of biomechanical studies to define the scaling of sizes in their ranges and, in many cases, offer customization options that allow you to choose handlebar widths and reaches, stem length, saddle type, etc.

However, there is a small percentage of cyclists for whom the standard sizes we usually find do not fit. In general, this happens with very tall cyclists, over 1.90 m; or very short, less than 1.60 m. Also in the case that body proportions are out of the ordinary as occurs, for example, in people with very long legs who are forced to use ridiculously long stems to be able to use a bike of the size that corresponds to them.

Beyond measurements, it is also important to consider that many cyclists do not have much flexibility, which is a problem in high-end models that, in most cases, have very aggressive geometries oriented towards competition. Another case would be that of cyclists with injuries, disabilities, or any other physical problem that require a machine specifically adapted to them.

If you have identified with any of these cases, you are the perfect candidate to have a custom bike made.

Biomechanical study

If going through the hands of a biomechanist is a recommendation that applies to any cyclist who is going to buy a new bike, in the case of a custom-made bike, it becomes an essential element to determine the ideal fit based on the needs and preferences of the future owner of that personalized bike.

A process that begins with an interview between the biomechanist and the cyclist in which he is asked about the type of cycling he usually practices: it is not the same for a sports cyclist as for someone who participates in brevets; tastes, physical peculiarities, injuries to consider, etc.

Next, the biomechanist would search for the ideal placement using a motion capture system and an adjustable horse that allows simulating the different dimensions of the bike. It is important for the cyclist to provide feedback while pedaling on this horse with the sensations that each of the adjustments is transmitting. Different combinations are tested until the most suitable position is found, generating a report that the biomechanist sends to the craftsman.

Geometries

Another advantage of having a custom-made bike is being able to adjust the behavior of the bike to our preferences. As mentioned before, often top-of-the-line serial bikes are very aggressive models with a clear competitive orientation. This makes them difficult to ride for the technical level of most cyclists.

With a custom machine, we can play with the head angle, establish a seat angle that allows us to center the weight of the cyclist on the bike without problems, choose shorter or longer stays depending on whether we want to prioritize climbing or flat terrain; and adjust the wheelbase length to give more importance to stability or agility.

Materials

Due to its ease of manipulation, without a doubt, the preferred material for artisanal bike manufacturers is steel. Thanks to current alloys provided by classic manufacturers like Columbus or Tange, it is a material that allows for bikes with astonishing performance in terms of stiffness and absorption, maintaining weights unimaginable years ago. Also, aluminum is present in artisanal bikes and, of course, titanium, historically desired material by those seeking the bike of their dreams.

To a much lesser extent, we can also find artisans who create their creations using carbon fiber and even more exotic materials such as bamboo or wood.

Aesthetics

Of course, creating a bike from scratch to our liking does not overlook the final appearance of it. The final touch with a personalized decoration is part of the identity of the unique bike project. A part of the process that may be less highlighted as it is an option that large brands have gradually implemented on serial models, although, in their case, the industrialization of the process forces us to adhere to predefined patterns unlike what happens in our artisan project.

How much does a custom bike cost

Obviously, having a unique bike, exclusively made for us, is not cheap. However, if we compare it with the prices of the top-of-the-line models of different brands, which have been skyrocketing in recent years and having the incentive that we are going to have a bike that fits us like a glove. In any case, the range of qualities in an artisanal project is high and it is easy to play with the different aspects to adjust the expense to the budget we have. To get an idea, the price of a complete custom titanium bike could start around €6,000.

In any case, it is common in the case of custom bikes that they are first-rate machines since the typical customer who opts for this solution is usually an experienced cyclist looking for something different and has clear preferences.