Changing the way cyclists purchase custom frames

[domesgique]

Originally Posted by sg8357

Mercedes used to have an European delivery option.
Fly to Germany, tour the factory, pick up your car
and tour around Europe, return to the factory, they
ship the car to your dealer. You fly home.

Last I checked, Volvo was still doing the same style of delivery. Travel, tour, pick up vehicle, more touring, drop off vehicle, fly home, pick up your vehicle.

[Kyle h]

I’ve spoken to Santiago for Scarab and I’m sure he would be more than happy to accommodate someone flying to Colombia, picking up a bike and then doing a tour.

[cvbm]

For what it's worth, when I got my custom bike I had a specific geo in mind and was very specific with things like cable placement and bottle cage placement.

If you're not sure on all the details (even the extremely minute stuff) I'd say let the builder do their thing. Heck, if I could do it again I'd probably go more hands off on the whole process as I'm sure customers like me are probably not a builders favorite customer and I kinda started to recognize that after the fact so this post definitely caught my attention.

[Andy sti]

I went to ID (Hailey, Sun Valley area) to visit with and get fit by Erik Rolf for my Alliance. Spent some time camping and hiking on that trip. Went back when it was done and I built it up in his shop then went for a couple rides. Erik and I went for an MTB ride the next day too. Super fun way to do it.

[christian]

Originally Posted by domesgique

Last I checked, Volvo was still doing the same style of delivery. Travel, tour, pick up vehicle, more touring, drop off vehicle, fly home, pick up your vehicle.

I'd like a PV544, but with a B21ET, a Getrag dog-leg 5 speed, and disc brakes from a 144, in Graphite gray. Wait, Volvo doesn't do customs?

[d_douglas]

I think the old Speedvagen model of showing up in a Unimog and getting fit up outdoors would be pretty fun and have a circus atmosphere. My SV was an email only affair, though my 8month pregnant wife and I did drive to Portland to pick it up.

I’ve had three custom bikes and they’ve always been distant purchases, which is a bummer. Going somewhere and visiting the maker to discuss in person would be great (the Pegoretti example sounded amazing, but I am thinking that is reserved for ‘special guests’

I would like to buy another Desalvo and go for a ride with Mike - he seems like a cool guy ! I met him at NAHBS when I picked up my Desalvo a decade ago.

[72gmc]

If/when I get the chance to order a Kirk, I'm going to Montana if at all possible. I'm greedy for time well spent and Dave seems like a good source of that.

[GParkes]

11 years ago I walked into Dave Kirk's shop while out west on business. I didn't know Dave, but had met him 2-3 times before and we had mutual friends from Saratoga. I pulled the trigger on a frame for my 50th birthday shortly after visiting. He had measurements, etc and general idea of what I wanted (I'm very center of the bell curve for fit) When build time came around I gave him total artistic freedom. He carved the assymetric lugs as to how he thought I would like, I had given him an idea on color, and when it was ready to go to paint, he contacted me because he was changing his graphics design - wanted to know if I was cool with that. I said surprise me. When it was prepped for paint, Joe Bell called me and we discussed paint codes, could no long get what I was looking for, so he asked if he could mix something special for me - surprise me.

The bike was a true creation by Dave and finished with the same flair by Joe. I did sell the bike a short while back to Adam (HilltopperNY) for a few personal reasons. I'm fairly certain if Adam reads this post he'd agree it is a special frame. Now, I am in the planning phase of getting another classic from Dave that I can ride until I can't ride any longer.

The choice of builder is the critical part. I believe there are "Framebuilders", and people that build frames - there is a difference. A framebuilder will translate the conversations into creations. Thank you Dave, I look forward to number two.

[2000m2]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

I have posted images here and elsewhere though the years.
Here’s one of several albums.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/986633...th/52004912348

Originally Posted by sokyroadie

From this thread:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...=303159&page=4

Wowza! love it

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by domesgique

Last I checked, Volvo was still doing the same style of delivery. Travel, tour, pick up vehicle, more touring, drop off vehicle, fly home, pick up your vehicle.

I did that quite a few years ago...got the Volvo factory tour as part of the package. Highly recommended! Car plus trip cost less than buying a car off the lot.

[C40_guy]

I met with Monty Young of Condor Cycles just after he had received my order from his US reseller. Had a lovely chat with him about frame sizes and custom lugs.

I ordered a Hot Tubes cyclocross frame "by accident" after meeting Toby and asking him to repaint a vintage David Rourke frame. Turns out the Rourke was too large, so Toby saved the day by building me a properly sized frame. Still one of my favorite bikes, 20 years later!

[ltwtsculler91]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

I did that quite a few years ago...got the Volvo factory tour as part of the package. Highly recommended! Car plus trip cost less than buying a car off the lot.

My in laws did it last summer, and are doing it again this summer for another Volvo. They loved the experience and when you factor in a mostly paid for vacation, it's a great deal. Volvo and Porsche (whose program is much worse) are pretty much the only two still doing it for cars.

While I haven't actually picked up any of my bikes at the factory, for the most part it's been a similar order process with everyone. Speak to them, express wishes and overall vision for bike, something shows up in 6-12 months for me to ride that aligned with our conversation (or the one with the dealer). A lot of this comes down to choosing a builder and talking to a few to find someone who's build vision aligns with your own, so not much different than ordering that Volvo.

[EliteVelo]

Marco Bertoletti's workshop is open invitation. You can do things beforehand, or go and have a chat. His daughter, Michela may need to help with translation, but Marco is one of the nicest you'll meet. He will put the torch aside and go out for a ride with you. He would rather see you ride, your measurements, and come up with a hypothesis for a build depending what he sees.

Italy of course