Can we talk XCr?
 

Lets say, hypothetically that you were looking for a builder to commission an XCr frameset.
And, lets say you wanted to stay in the states and not go across the pond. Who would you chose?
Suggestions?
Asking for a friend.

Ellis Cycles

Ellis or Bishop.

I believe Mr. Wages doesn't usually do full stainless and instead uses steel seat and head tubes. At least that's mentioned in the model descriptions. But his bikes are gorgeous and by all accounts are happily owned.

I don't know about Bishop in that regard but I love his style.

Why not 953? (Get a Kirk!)

The Kirk JKS-X model uses 953 stainless tubes for the three main tubes, and custom Reynolds steel for the rest. Made in Montana, USA.

Looking for welded or lugged/fillet construction? That would narrow some of your options. XCR tubing is pricey, but sourcing isn't too complicated.

Not sure if they're still building new, but IF's SSR is a great bike.

Yeah, if I wanted made in the USA stainless, this, and a Rob English special, would be my first two choices.

Love my Italian steel bikes but those two make lustworthy bikes that are hard to beat.

Carl at Vicious Cycles/Metal Guru is the USA distributor for Columbus. He and Chris Bishop collaborate on the Item4 bikes, so maybe give one of those guys a shout?

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Quiring.

Give us a little more info. Do you have a current fit on a bike you are comfortable with or do you need the builder to help with a fitting? Road, gravel, touring? Steel or carbon fork? Disc brakes? Is there a budget concern?

As mentioned above, if you are looking for a stainless bike but not specifically Xcr Dave Kirk would be a good option.

Dave Wages would be at the top of my list for an Xcr bike. I'm not familiar with his fit process but his bikes are gorgeous.

I go for David Kirk (his Onesto, which is made of arguably superior 953 stainless) or Rob English, and I’d chose between the two based on whether I wanted a more classic steel look (Kirk) or something more “modern” or distinctive looking.

What are the perceived benefits?

I have not ridden a stainless bike, but everything I've read leads me to believe "steel is steel", and aside from some corrosion resistance, a stainless bike will just ride like any other steel bike with the same basic design and geometry.

With regard to the corrosion resistance, I can't see that being a big deal. Any of us who shell out for a new custom bike will likely take reasonably good care of it, and i've had steel bikes for decades that are ridden hard and wet, and the frames are fine with even the most minimal of care.

Just trying to determine why one would seek an XCr bike?

A good builder would first inquire why, hypothetically, you want XCR to begin with. I had this discussion with an Italian builder because I was concerned about rust and based on my geographical location and avoidance of bad weather riding I was told that rust was not something that I should have had high on my list of concerns.

FWIW, I have an XCr frame and it’s really light, smooth, and zippy.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...light=Olivetti

Sorry for being a little vague, I am particularly interested in XCr.
Dave builds with 953 and i want the seamless XCr tubes and I'm a Columbus guy.
Method of construction does not matter but Tig is preferred.
I had a Carl Strong XCr years ago and regret selling it. I would have Carl build me another, but he won't.
I already have a Bishop, so wanted something different.
Thanks for all the replies BTW