Allan Wanta frames?

[H1449-6]

Anyone have any experience with Allan Wanta frames? This make was recommended in a thread I posted here about needing a new commuter.

$650 for frame/fork in custom geo. Seems like a pretty good deal.

http://wanta.homestead.com/xcross_1.JPG

[H1449-6]

Any comment? Somebody recommended this maker.

Thanks.

[ashwinearl]

I had a cross frame built by him a few years ago. Best prices on custom steel around. He is a very nice person and has many years experience. I think he worked on Paramounts.
http://static.flickr.com/9/15802574_6cb049185e.jpg
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Lugged steel and fillet brazed. He's seems more of a builder instead of a builder/fitter so it would probably be better if you knew exactly the geometry you wanted.

He has sponsored a team and gives back to cycling which is cool.

At the time he used a painter out of New Jersey (the guy who advertises in back of Velo news) Basic paint job nothing special. But Alan does have a graphics/paint background and I think he might be doing his own stuff now.

I got a full Foco frame. The frame I got was lugged at the BB and fillet brazed everywhere else. Decent work and functional. Not Rex/Kirk artisan stuff but at this price awesome. I had the frame built with those Surly horizantal drops that also have a hanger on them. There was a problem with the placement of the brake studs and it was difficult setting the pads the right height on my cantilevers. He said send it back when you want and do you want a different color. No issues at all, whatever it took to make me happy. He shifted the studs and it was all good.

He also used some classic style cable guides that weren't slotted which made it difficult for cable maintenance, so make sure to talk about stuff like that.

If you know what you want, don't mind not having a chi-chi name, and looking for custom geometry on the affordable end he is a great choice. There aren't many builders in that price range. Curtlo, Teesdale.

[H1449-6]

I corresponded with him via email today and I think I'm getting one. I've got plenty of parts lying around so I should wind up with a pretty inexpensive build for my commuter.

Thanks for the info.

[ox_rider]

If so, can you post photos, ride impression, etc.

Thanks.