Seeking Waltly Advice

[litcrazy]

I'm about to put some money down towards a Waltly drop bar mountain/gravel bike.
For those of you who have gone with Waltly, what advice do you have for me?
What do you wish you'd known at the start of the process?
What would you have done differently?

Finally, did you pay with PayPal or Alibaba?

Thanks! Z

[prototoast]

They are extremely literal in terms of doing what you ask for, but things you don't specify may not be done in line with your expectations. Check every drawing, specify every detail, and you should be happy. Give them vague instructions and you will most likely end up with a frame with lots of quirks.

[kgreene10]

I’m chiming in not with advice but with a suggestion for others that respond to this thread.

If you are knowledgeable about frame design and the Waltly process, why not offer a CAD drawing review and advice service for, say, $100 an hour? I started the process with Waltly but decided I was in over my head when it came to tube thickness, for example. I would welcome a couple hours worth of consulting to help smooth the process.

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by kgreene10

I’m chiming in not with advice but with a suggestion for others that respond to this thread.

If you are knowledgeable about frame design and the Waltly process, why not offer a CAD drawing review and advice service for, say, $100 an hour? I started the process with Waltly but decided I was in over my head when it came to tube thickness, for example. I would welcome a couple hours worth of consulting to help smooth the process.

I've offered waltly consulting services to people here for free. Sorry for undercutting the market.

[litcrazy]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I've offered waltly consulting services to people here for free. Sorry for undercutting the market.

I will definitely be taking you up on your offer! Thanks.

[kgreene10]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I've offered waltly consulting services to people here for free. Sorry for undercutting the market.

Well now I guess I’m obliged to offer you a stipend when I circle back to ordering from Waltly and become exasperated all over again!

[unterhausen]

Acting as a consulting service is what Carver does. Except nowadays I think he uses xacd

[BRad704]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

Acting as a consulting service is what Carver does. Except nowadays I think he uses xacd

Carver Bikes? are they actually built by Waltly?

[Flinch]

Can't say with regard to dealing with them, as I acquired a 2013 mtn bike frame second hand, but it is my favorite mtn bike, and the quality is top drawer.

I have heard from many the they will work off of your specs, and make sure you leave none unspecified.

[litcrazy]

Any thoughts from folks on paying through Alibaba vs Paypal?
They have been doing this long enough that I'm not that worried, but I haven't used Alibaba before.

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by litcrazy

Any thoughts from folks on paying through Alibaba vs Paypal?
They have been doing this long enough that I'm not that worried, but I haven't used Alibaba before.

I've used both, either is fine. Use a credit card.

[steamer]

Originally Posted by BRad704

Carver Bikes? are they actually built by Waltly?

Carver used to use XACD. At least that was true when I got a bike back in 2020. I recently got a new fork through Carver, and that was built by Waltly. I didn't ask why, so I am not sure what the real scoop is. Maybe they just simply switched, or maybe they use, or always used, both. Not sure.

But, either way, Davis earns his cut by helping make sure details don't get messed up or lost in translation.

[ridethecliche]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I've offered waltly consulting services to people here for free. Sorry for undercutting the market.

What a guy!

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I've offered waltly consulting services to people here for free. Sorry for undercutting the market.

Like

[deluz]

I got a quote from Waltly a while back. It was about $1400 for a road frame.
Also contacted Carver and his price was $1800.
I already have a custom steel frame so working from that I could calculate the equivalent stiffness for Ti tube sizes. Both Waltly and Carver were responsive but I think it is worth the extra money to go with Carver for his expertise and experience in designing Ti frames. Waltly will basically do what you ask but that may not result in the best design choices. In the end I did not feel confident enough to go with a Chinese Ti frame and will be going with another steel frame from a US builder that costs nearly the same price.