David L. Johnson said:Chalo said:However, I will say this: In my search for a custom frame, I found that Seven would not offer a
custom frame to fit me. That is, they would not scale the length of a frame for me in proportion
to its height. I wonder what good a "custom" frame is, if it does not offer this characteristic
at least!
That is weird. I would say that changing the length/height ratio to fit the body is the one
characteristic of a custom frame. If not, why not just get a stock size that fits one or the
other? Placement of cable stops is unimportant.
I see that you, Perre, and I all agree in principle on this matter.
Seven would probably say that varying chainstay length up to 18 inches or top tube length up to 25
inches (as an example-- I do not know what their specific limitations are) provides enough latitude
to do "custom fitting" as they see it.
I simply looked at a typical 18" MTB (an average size design-wise) and plugged in my "scaling
factor" to get something like a 27" TT and 21" chainstays. I figured that would be a fine
starting point.
Seven were not alone in their unwillingness to do a frame like that. Rivendell refused too.
Waterford Precision-- another production-custom frame maker-- also said they would not take on such
a frame. They were accomodating enough to refer me to another framebuilder.
I believe that a framebuilder either provides custom geometry, or they do not. To me, varying
parameters within the range already provided by off-the-shelf frames does not warrant the claim that
one builds custom geometry.
Arvon (of Arvon Cycles in Alberta, Canada) makes some outstanding frames for tall folks, predicated
upon the understanding that many of the desirable properties of a bike must be scaled to work well
for different size riders.
sandsmachine.combp arvon.htmOpen ↗
Chalo Colina
