Builder recommendation?

[SamIAm]

So my wife has a wonderful Ellis custom that she loves. Her friend rode it the other day and loved it from a fit and function perspective.

She wanted me to help her order an Ellis immediately, but when I told her the lead time, I lost her.

I have the geo and tubeset, any recommendations for someone who could tig weld it into a frame within 2 months?

[AngryScientist]

give Bilinky in Philadelphia a call, they make some nice stuff and take on "projects". they coupled my Serotta in pretty quick time. dont know what their current lead time is, but i would call and find out. they employ some top notch welders...

http://www.bilenky.com/

[RedRider]

8 weeks is a short lead time and whether the builder does his own finishing/painting will be a big factor. There's a builder's list somewhere on Paceline which should give you a good call list.
Why do you have a tubeset? In my opinion, it's like bringing your own ingredients to a restaurant.

[christian]

I think he means he knows what tubeset was used.

[SamIAm]

8 weeks is a short lead time and whether the builder does his own finishing/painting will be a big factor. There's a builder's list somewhere on Paceline which should give you a good call list.
Why do you have a tubeset? In my opinion, it's like bringing your own ingredients to a restaurant.

Because she is exactly the same size and weight as my wife and I trust Dave's design and she loved the ride of the bike. What's not to like?

[RedRider]

I think he means he knows what tubeset was used.

Oh... I thought the OP was going to send a tubeset to the builder.

Because she is exactly the same size and weight as my wife and I trust Dave's design and she loved the ride of the bike. What's not to like?

Yes, Dave does great work and it's a shame she can't wait for an Ellis.

[Liv2RideHard]

I recently had a wonderful experience working with Jonathan Greene. He is welding bikes now and I am pretty sure he keeps his queue pretty short, +/- one month. It was really fun working with Jonathan. It was a memorable experience and the finished product has been amazing. I absolutely love the bike. He nailed it. I strongly recommend contacting him. Cheers.

Guy

[Ahneida Ride]

Kelly is at 8 weeks for a Tig bike.

[rnhood]

Like good fitting shoe or glove, it often works best to stay with what works. Talk to Ellis and twist his arm.

[sc53]

My Bedford Ti took 8 weeks on the nose and was perfect.

[jmoore]

Kelly is at 8 weeks for a Tig bike.

How many weeks is Bill at :D


+1 for Kelly. Perfection in a tig frame

[Rudy]

Try Waterford. Dave worked there before he went solo.

[KidWok]

Waterford/Gunnar and Co-Motion are well regarded for their welded steel and short lead times. Full Disclosure: I've had industry relations with both companies, but wouldn't hesitate to buy from them at retail. Both company have their own custom drawn tubing. Co-Motion does more bending/manipulation of the tubing and IMHO has nicer paint. I've had three Gunnars and the paint was incredibly delicate on all of them.

Tai

[vqdriver]

if she likes the ellis, try giving him a call. he may have a buyer in the queue that's postponed their turn in line. perhaps you could buy their spot and let them off the hook?

[goonster]

give Bilinky in Philadelphia a call
I am tremendously fond of the Bilenky crew, but they are not the outfit to go to for a quick turnaround. For frame repairs or coupler hacking, on pre-approval of schedule, yes. For a complete frameset, probably not.

I was very satisfied with Bradley Wilson at Capricorn cycles. His prices have gone up (deservedly), but he is experienced (also worked at Waterford), does good work, was very receptive to my input on geo, communicated well, and delivered on time.

He does not do TIG, but will do filet brazing and lugs. AFAIK his build queue is (undeservedly) short. At the very least, his flickr album deserves a quick look:

Capricorn Website (http://www.capricornbicycles.com/)

Capricorn at Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shortpants51/)

[jr59]

Yep, the wait from Ellis is getting out there.

Bedford, and Gunnar/Waterford sound like a good bet to me. I would also give IF a shout Just to see.

It's really to bad that you already sold your wife's old frame. :(.

There are plenty of real good builders out there, and you know most of them. Good luck!

[Ken Robb]

I am too lazy to go to their website(s) but Gunnar used to offer a "Waterford level" paint job for a reasonable up charge over the very basic Gunnar work.

[parris]

Just curious but what is the lead time these days for an Ellis?

[boomana]

Carl Strong? I met a happy customer about a year ago when I was admiring his bike. I don't remember his answer when I asked about the time frame, but I do remember being impressed that it was short.

[roguedog]

Don't know their wait times but how bout Caletti, Alliance or Rock Lobster?

Edit: NM, Alliance has 12-24 week wait atm (or so his site says).

[Louis]

I second Waterford, especially if the customs are sold via an LBS in your area that you trust.

[SamIAm]

Thanks guys. Some good options here.

[fogrider]

so many builders...so little time...kirk, bedford, strong, della santa, steelman, english, rock lobster just to name a few more.

[joosttx]

give Bilinky in Philadelphia a call, they make some nice stuff and take on "projects". they coupled my Serotta in pretty quick time. dont know what their current lead time is, but i would call and find out. they employ some top notch welders...

http://www.bilenky.com/

Bilenky's lead time is over a year.

[93legendti]

Curtlo or Scott Quirring?

[jr59]

So my wife has a wonderful Ellis custom that she loves. Her friend rode it the other day and loved it from a fit and function perspective.

She wanted me to help her order an Ellis immediately, but when I told her the lead time, I lost her.

I have the geo and tubeset, any recommendations for someone who could tig weld it into a frame within 2 months?

I didn't think Dave offered tiged frame sets? :confused:

[LegendRider]

How about Zukas Cycles in Augusta?

[bluesea]

Doesn't Llewellyn have a pretty reasonable queue right now? Not sure why he hasn't been mentioned.

[jr59]

How long is the wait for a Zank these days. I know he was trying to get into the tiged end of things.

[Bob Ross]

Carl Strong? I met a happy customer about a year ago when I was admiring his bike. I don't remember his answer when I asked about the time frame, but I do remember being impressed that it was short.

Carl was at 12-16 weeks when I ordered my Strong 2.5 years ago. From the looks of his Facebook page, he's no less busy now.

[Joachim]

How about Zukas Cycles in Augusta?

I emailed Nate last week. He is at 4 months right now.

[jblande]

Among these choices, doesn't Kelly Bedford seem like a great option?

[CNY rider]

Do you still have any spots with Curt Goodrich?

[marle]

Moots does custom in 8 weeks

[SamIAm]

I didn't think Dave offered tiged frame sets? :confused:

He doesn't. My wife's bikes is lugged. I just thought it might be easier and faster to find a tig builder.

[Ahneida Ride]

I am tremendously fond of the Bilenky crew,


So am I ...

[Lurch]

For fear of turning this into a random pimp your favorite builder thread, another name to consider is Mike Desalvo. He usually turns frames out fairly quickly, and several of us forum members are fond of his work as well.

[Walter]

I have worked with Roland Della Santa before. Short turn around time and honest deadlines given.

(lots of other great builders around as well)

[buddybikes]

whomever you choose, you will need to keep paint simple, add complexities, and time will be spent.

[dekindy]

Give Craig Ryan, of Foresta Frames, a shout.
http://forestaframes.com/Site/Foresta_Frames.html

Or Kevin Harvey at Harvery Cycle Works.
http://www.harveycycleworks.com/index.html

Oops, Craig does lugged and Kevin does fillet/lugged. They probably would meet deadlines if you are not set on tig. Craig does his own painting and I recommend him highly.

[EricEstlund]

So my wife has a wonderful Ellis custom that she loves. Her friend rode it the other day and loved it from a fit and function perspective.

She wanted me to help her order an Ellis immediately, but when I told her the lead time, I lost her.

I have the geo and tubeset, any recommendations for someone who could tig weld it into a frame within 2 months?

Is she without a bike at the moment? If she loved the Ellis, why not wait? She already knows she will like it, and it supports the guy that put in the design she enjoys.

[noahgenda]

Last time I checked Rock Lobster had a short lead time

[AllianceBicycle]

Just to clear up my wait, it's quoted at 12-14 weeks on the website. However, I can do a bike in 10 weeks right now. I error on the long side.

Thanks for the mention earlier in the tread though! I hope she can find a builder who can meet her needs and wait time.

Thanks,

Erik

[veloduffer]

I would highly recommend Jim Kish (kishbike.com). Although he is known for titanium bikes, he does tig steel as well. Top notch craftsmanship, right on time delivery, and reasonable price too ($1800 for steel including paint).

[fmbp]

Last time I checked Rock Lobster had a short lead time

not so right now. Paul is right around 7 months (per a conversation I had with him a couple of weeks ago), give or take, these days. My frame is at the powder coater right now, and I'm about beside myself with excitement and anticipation.

[559Rando]

Lots of great builders out there. Short of taking the time machine back to circa 1985 Tom Ritchey (super prolific!), Tom Teesdale is fast: http://tetcycles.com/