Confused about custom v's stock

[Steven1969]

Totally confused about custom frames v's stock frames and would really appreciate feedback.

Have been looking at Serotta Ottrot ST, Pinarello DogmaFP, Opera Leonardo FP & Time VRX.

Some are saying to only consider custom others to stay with stock as I have a relatively normal buil.

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steven

[palewin]

Totally confused about custom frames v's stock frames and would really appreciate feedback.

Have been looking at Serotta Ottrot ST, Pinarello DogmaFP, Opera Leonardo FP & Time VRX.

Some are saying to only consider custom others to stay with stock as I have a relatively normal buil.

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

StevenCustom builders effectively do two things: they modify sizing and geometry for "other than normal builds" and they can fine-tune ride characteristics based on rider weight and expected use. If you have a normal build, the first does not benefit you. The second only becomes an issue if you have a specific desire (say long distance touring, possibly randoneering, and so on, which is not what most bikes are designed for). I have a custom bike, specifically because I have a shorter torso/longer legs than is typical, so I needed a somewhat shorter top tube than was usual for a given seat-tube size. But the bikes you mention are all top-of-the-line racing bikes, and for that function I doubt that any custom builder could improve the geometry/handling/feel, so it is purely a fit question. The only thing that comes to mind is whether Serotta charges any differently for a "stock" Ottrott vs. a custom one. If that was the bike you settle on, and there was no price difference, then I guess you could let the shop do its "fit thing" and let you know how different the measurements came out vs. stock. In fact, given the cost of the bikes you mention, your shop should be willing to use the Serotta fit kit and compare the results to the stock sizes of the Pinarello, Opera (which is of course made by Pinarello), and Time. (Heck, given the fact that my race schedule is so "crit heavy" I'd probably be afraid to use those super-bikes...)

[Steven1969]

Custom builders effectively do two things: they modify sizing and geometry for "other than normal builds" and they can fine-tune ride characteristics based on rider weight and expected use. If you have a normal build, the first does not benefit you. The second only becomes an issue if you have a specific desire (say long distance touring, possibly randoneering, and so on, which is not what most bikes are designed for). I have a custom bike, specifically because I have a shorter torso/longer legs than is typical, so I needed a somewhat shorter top tube than was usual for a given seat-tube size. But the bikes you mention are all top-of-the-line racing bikes, and for that function I doubt that any custom builder could improve the geometry/handling/feel, so it is purely a fit question. The only thing that comes to mind is whether Serotta charges any differently for a "stock" Ottrott vs. a custom one. If that was the bike you settle on, and there was no price difference, then I guess you could let the shop do its "fit thing" and let you know how different the measurements came out vs. stock. In fact, given the cost of the bikes you mention, your shop should be willing to use the Serotta fit kit and compare the results to the stock sizes of the Pinarello, Opera (which is of course made by Pinarello), and Time. (Heck, given the fact that my race schedule is so "crit heavy" I'd probably be afraid to use those super-bikes...)
Thanks for the information. I am starting to leen heavily towards a stock frame, but after this weekend will be also be looking at the new Colnago's coming out.
What are you riding at the moment and have you heard anything good or bad about the bikes I mentioned.

[palewin]

Thanks for the information. I am starting to leen heavily towards a stock frame, but after this weekend will be also be looking at the new Colnago's coming out.
What are you riding at the moment and have you heard anything good or bad about the bikes I mentioned.(a) My bike is a titanium Spectrum, which is essentially a custom Merlin. Tom Kellogg, who is the designer for Merlin frames, designs his custom frames under the "Spectrum" label, and has them built by Merlin. If you end up going custom (I know you're leaning towards stock, which makes sense given your "average proportions") the most important thing is the ability of the person doing the measuring/fitting. I went to Tom's shop in Pennsylvania, so that Tom himself made the fit decisions.
(b) All the bikes you mentioned are top-of-the-line, you're in the "should I buy the Ferrari, the Porsche, or the Lamborghini" area: you can't go wrong with any of them. But these are not bikes I would "buy by mail" without having seen them, sat on them, etc. - again use the car analogy, would you buy one of the cars I mentioned without a test drive? When you mention the new Colnagos, one "red flag" went up. One of them is the super-light climbing bike they originally designed for Rasmussen - the trade-off in the design was weight vs. stiffness, since "Chicken" is a very light pure climber. That might not make sense for you. On the other end of the spectrum, the monocoque Colnagos were designed to be super-stiff for power sprinters who found the normal C-50 not stiff enough. Again, a trade-off which might not make sense for you. While all the bikes you mention fall into the "super bike" category, there are always design trade-offs; you really need to talk to someone who knows those particular bikes. These are not bikes where it makes sense for you to gather info on the internet, and then order sight unseen. I hope you have an LBS (or several LBSs) which carry the brands you're interested in.

[Steven1969]

(a) My bike is a titanium Spectrum, which is essentially a custom Merlin. Tom Kellogg, who is the designer for Merlin frames, designs his custom frames under the "Spectrum" label, and has them built by Merlin. If you end up going custom (I know you're leaning towards stock, which makes sense given your "average proportions") the most important thing is the ability of the person doing the measuring/fitting. I went to Tom's shop in Pennsylvania, so that Tom himself made the fit decisions.
(b) All the bikes you mentioned are top-of-the-line, you're in the "should I buy the Ferrari, the Porsche, or the Lamborghini" area: you can't go wrong with any of them. But these are not bikes I would "buy by mail" without having seen them, sat on them, etc. - again use the car analogy, would you buy one of the cars I mentioned without a test drive? When you mention the new Colnagos, one "red flag" went up. One of them is the super-light climbing bike they originally designed for Rasmussen - the trade-off in the design was weight vs. stiffness, since "Chicken" is a very light pure climber. That might not make sense for you. On the other end of the spectrum, the monocoque Colnagos were designed to be super-stiff for power sprinters who found the normal C-50 not stiff enough. Again, a trade-off which might not make sense for you. While all the bikes you mention fall into the "super bike" category, there are always design trade-offs; you really need to talk to someone who knows those particular bikes. These are not bikes where it makes sense for you to gather info on the internet, and then order sight unseen. I hope you have an LBS (or several LBSs) which carry the brands you're interested in.
Once again thank you.

I have had a look up close at all the bikes bar two, which I am seeing at a trade show this weekend. I have still to see the Opera Leonardo FP and the new carbon Pinarello Paris FP.
I totally agree with what you said regarding research on internet, but it gets hard some time when few bike shops will let you take one of these top end babies for a spin.
Thanks once again and good riding.

Steven.