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The idea of a bike frame which has a geometry customly built for you might sound very appealing ( guarantees a good fit and meets your needs, if it is built by
a competent builder ). However, the majority of the population can be fitted with no issues on stock standard frames that most reputable companies offer. Meaning, the majority of the population do
not need custom geometry frames.
Custom geometry frames are really for very very experienced riders who know what they want out of their bike, or riders with unique biomechanics. A experienced
rider refers to someone who has done close to 50,000kms and have gone through at least 5 bikes. Given their time on the different bikes, they'd know what type of feature they like on each bike. It
comes down to fitting, handling, and the look of the rider on the bike. Some riders may not like headset spacers, so a longer head tube might be desirable. Or some like large amount of seatpost
showing, which calls for a more compact frame. An aggressive handling may be desired by some, which can be achieved through the geometry of the frame.
Essentially, a custom geometry frame isn't always necessary for a custom bike experience. What's necessary for this ultimate riding experience is good advice on
the right equipment, a professional assembly of the bike, a bike fit, and sound riding technique. It is much more difficult to have this experience from just a stock bike. Also, it is quite rare for
one person/shop to be able to provide all 4 of the mentioned attributes for an ultimate riding experience.
Right Equipment
The right bike for you doesn't necessarily have to be the lightest, or the most expensive, or with the most Italian componentry. For an audax or non racing
rider, the perfect bike might be a titanium bike, with a more relaxed geometry, which provides a very comfortable ride. For a commuter, a steel frame with pannier racks might be most desirable due to
its longevity and reliability.
Professional Assembly
The assembly of a bike is very important. This process ranges from ensuring every bolt and thread are lubricated and torqued enough, to minor setup features
such as outer cable-length and hood positions (we've seen a few high end bikes with levers that have been in different positions on each side). Without the professional assembly of the components to
the bike, riders may not get the most out of their bike.
Bike Fit
Given the frame is the right size, a correct bike fit should provide you with the ultimate riding position for your needs. Everything from handlebar length,
stem angle etc can be adjusted so that any minor positional differences that a rider has with the bike frame can be fixed.
Riding Technique
As simple as cycling may look, there is a certain technique that optimizes power output. With a correct technique and the correct set up on the bike, a rider
should be able to get the most out of their bike, and the most out of the money they spent on the bike!
When all 4 of the above components are achieved, then a rider will be able to get the most of their bike and have that ultimate riding experience. At
BikePro, with over 25 years of cycling and bike fitting experience, we are confident and adamant that we can deliver this complete service.
Getting Custom
Having said all that, we are not discouraging the idea of a custom bike. The process, and the result is a deep custom and tailored experience and not
everyone feels the need for it. So how do we fit you onto a custom geometry frame? There are usually 4 ways to do it, but we only like to do tailored fit.
1. From an existing fit/bike
The theory behind it is that if you're comfortable on a certain bike you've ridden in the past, the geometry and fitting is taken from that bike and applied to the custom frame. But with this
method, you're only really recreating a past bike you've ridden with a new paint job or material, which isn't so custom and not 'specially designed' for your biomechanical structure.
2. An external fit system
If you have done a bike fit externally (ie not at BikePro Fit ), we are happy to incorporate that data into your custom geometry. However, the external fit does not seem appropriate to you or not
road worthy, we will suggest changes that can be made. If you're happy with the changes, then we're happy. But, we will not build a bike that we don't think is safe or appropriate for you, no matter
the price.
3. A standard size
Many custom builder have 'standard' sizes available as custom frames. We do not have this as, if there is a standard production size, it is not a custom frame.
4. Tailored fit
This is the fit method we highly recommend. An in house custom fit is done for you, where we analyses the best position and geometry with you based on your biomechanical structure, your cycling
needs and also what you want. After this fit, we input the data in our BikeCAD software and an initial diagrammatic frame is made up. Over the course of back
& forth communicate between us and you, a final design is done. We will only proceed to order if you are happy with every aspect of the bike (geometry, paint job, logos etc). Ultimately this is
the best option as the result (the bike) is a fully custom bike that is tailored to your needs. For more information on our Custom BikePRO Fit, click
here.
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