What’s the custom handmade Bike?
Sklar Bikes, Retrotec, Sycip Bikes, Desalvo Custom Cycles, Shin Fabrication, Seven Cycles...
These are the names of bicycle brands. Do you know what they have in common? Yes, they are all handmade bike brands where the builder handcrafts each bike frame and takes custom orders from the owner. When you hear the words "custom order," you can easily imagine how special it is, whether it is a three-piece suit or a pair of rings. The same is true for bicycle frames, where you can get a one-of-a-kind bike that fits your size and purpose, and that is made with experience and thought. That is what a custom handmade bike is.
Perhaps you are already looking at the finely detailed and beautiful handmade bikes at NAHBS, MADE (North American Handmade Bike Show) or Bespoked (the UK version of NAHBS) with envy on Instagram or image search.
Building your dream bike requires the experience level of your previous rides and, of course, some investment money. So while the thought of a custom bike may seem daunting in itself, don't worry. Remember, how much thought you put into the dream will have a huge impact on the final outcome. And choosing the right bike builder is key. Let's talk about why, how, and what to watch out for. With this information in hand, you will be better prepared to find the right bike builder for you and realize your dream bike.
Why go custom bike?
There are many reasons to choose a custom bike, but here are some of the main ones
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「FITTING / GEOMETRY」
Have you ever had trouble finding a bike that fits you or doesn't feel right for the proportions of the bike itself once set up? With a custom build, we can take your body measurements and fine-tune the geometry, size, and proportions based on those numbers to create a bike for you that fits your body and your riding style perfectly.
I own a (one-off) bike that was built just for me."
Choosing a custom handmade bike that has been created for you with time and passion will make you even more attached to and bonded with your bike. It is no exaggeration to say that a cyclist who buys a custom bike is almost certain that it will be the bike he or she will ride for the rest of their life.
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Co-operation with builders whose philosophies are respectful and worthy of our trust."
In this real world of too much globalization and not-so-generic business ethics, don't you feel that finding trustworthy people is becoming more and more important?
One of the main reasons why so many enthusiasts are turning to custom bikes is transparency and so-called "authenticity" (trustworthiness). Asking for a frameset from an independent framebuilder with a history and a proven track record gives you a better understanding of where and what your big money is going, and a solid reason to be sure that you can support what you believe in.
Particularly important key when choosing specifications
You have probably spent many months or even years developing your ideal bike, both in your mind and on your rides. Certainly, we believe that bike specs are completely dependent on your riding style and intentions. However, sometimes it is important to incorporate a fresh, objective perspective into your ideas. In other words, it is a great idea to listen to the opinions of frame builders and experienced cyclists who have experience and who work in bike stores. They are professionals, of course, and if you remember to take full advantage of their knowledge, things will go very well for you.
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What do you want from your bike?"
For example, you may have grand plans to get a 'do-it-all superbike', but you may actually end up riding one style 95% of the time. Doesn't it seem a bit wasteful to sacrifice that 95% for 5%?
And what about materials? There are many choices: chromoly, titanium, carbon, stainless steel, etc. For example, if you think chromoly steel is the right material for you, listen closely to your builder when it comes to choosing a tubeset. Also, remember to consider overall bike balance. If you are not given an unlimited budget, why not consider ways to spend your money a little more effectively instead of choosing extremely fancy materials? For example, I think it would be wise to choose chromoly over stainless steel and use the money saved to invest in hand-built wheels with great parts.
Finally, let's consider the paint job."
This may be a personal opinion, but I think that deciding on paint is generally the most difficult part. There are more endless choices out there than in any other part of the process, so you may actually just have to wish yourself luck. But the best way to choose it would be to just collect what you find or like. (Social networking sites like Pinterest and Tumbler are great for this): pictures of bikes you've image-searched, color samples from paint manufacturers, your favorite sneaker designs, etc. But don't give up, the painters will surely enjoy a challenge from you to the fullest.
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The Key to Choosing a Builder."
Over the past few years, there has been a marked resurgence in handmade frame building and a steady increase in the number of options available. Builders have different experiences, styles, and methods. Building a custom bike is like working with a shaper on a new surfboard; trust is especially important.
It requires a lot of communication, all of which should be an enjoyable process. Therefore, it is important to choose a builder with whom you are compatible and can understand each other.
Also, not all builders can build the dream bike you are looking for. For example, if you want a sturdy hardtail MTB, it is not a good idea to rely on a builder who primarily builds road frames, and vice versa. Some builders are known for their welding skills, some have a reputation for great painting skills, and others are team makers who are properly organized and make the best titanium frames faster and more correctly than anyone else.
CIRCLE'S has been in contact with frame builders for many years, so we have a deep understanding of the uniqueness of each of these builders, and we are sure that we can help you find the right builder for you.
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Learn more about the frame builders recommended by Circles.
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SEVEN CYCLES
Boston, the birthplace of American culture, has been home to numerous handcrafted bike makers in the past and present, but Seven Cycles boasts the outstanding ability to produce nearly 2,000 custom titanium bikes per year with its high level of technology and organization.
Their handmade custom bikes, produced using their own 5th Element fitting method, are sure to attract many cycle enthusiasts and lead you to the next step in your quest for cycle sports.
MORE DETAILS![HUNTER CYCLES](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/articles/sim_f011_01.jpg?v=1702027232&width=880)
HUNTER CYCLES
![RETROTEC CYCLE](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/articles/DSC00558.jpg?v=1702025956&width=2000)
RETROTEC CYCLE
![BLACKCAT BICYCLES](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/articles/DSCF6960-1600x1067.jpg?v=1698649992&width=1600)
BLACKCAT BICYCLES
![DESALVO CUSTOM CYCLES](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/articles/DSCF6835.jpg?v=1698651083&width=1131)
DESALVO CUSTOM CYCLES
![SYCIP BIKES](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/articles/sim_f007_02.jpg?v=1698649153&width=880)
SYCIP BIKES
![SKLAR BIKES](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/articles/DSCF2421.jpg?v=1698648984&width=3008)
SKLAR BIKES
![](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/files/DSC_1156_cd6f2908-12bf-494d-92ed-c0c9b659b230.jpg?v=1702026118&width=2276)
BREADWINNER CYCLES
A Portland-born handmade bike maker for people who love to ride their bikes every day, Tony Pereira, a frame builder with over 20 years of experience designing and building custom frames, fuses one-off custom frames with his own unique style. Each model frame is designed and manufactured in Columbus, Ohio. Each frame is handmade using traditional frame building techniques with Columbus tubing placed in the right places for the rider's body type and personal preferences, with the geometry and design of each frame meticulously tuned using traditional frame building techniques.
MORE DETAILS![RETROTEC 27.5" FunDuro Twin-Top ATB / CALI BLUE METALLIC](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/products/15DSC_4474.jpg?v=1572251523&width=1500)
![RETROTEC 27.5" FunDuro Twin-Top ATB / CALI BLUE METALLIC](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/products/15DSC_4475.jpg?v=1572251523&width=1500)
![BLACKCAT BICYCLES Smooth Road Frame Set / Half Moon 50](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/products/bc-road-6_18477309938_o-e1441100.jpg?v=1592301082&width=1200)
![BLACKCAT BICYCLES Smooth Road Frame Set / Half Moon 50](http://shop.circles-jp.com/cdn/shop/products/bc-road-6_18044412933_o-e1441100482244.jpg?v=1592301082&width=1200)