Custom vs non-custom frame

"Simonb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've made a decision to save up for a very nice bike (Bob Jackson or Chas Roberts). How much
better is a custom frame? Is it worth the expense? I could go for a better groupset if I went non-
custom. Decisions, decisions. Any advice?

Simon

I bought a Roberts road bike some years ago and don't regret it. Fits like a glove but felt very
strange at first after my tourer. Now I'm used to it the handling is superb. The frame should
outlast many groupsets.

Ken

"Simonb" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

I've made a decision to save up for a very nice bike (Bob Jackson or Chas Roberts). How much
better is a custom frame? Is it worth the expense? I could go for a better groupset if I went non-
custom. Decisions, decisions. Any advice?

Since the frame fit is a function of your body proportions, I would suggest if your size and shape
approximate to those of a 'standard man' you'd be OK with a non-custom frame. If clothes aren't a
problem, bike frames might follow.

If, related to your height, your arm/shin/thigh/foot/back length are too long or short go
for custom...

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

Quoted message said:

I've made a decision to save up for a very nice bike (Bob Jackson or Chas Roberts). How much
better is a custom frame? Is it worth the expense? I could go for a better groupset if I went non-
custom. Decisions, decisions. Any advice?

Go for the Roberts custom, I did in late '95/early '96. No regrets, it's great. Fitted it out with
Campag Record/Chorus mix, (8 speed back then, hard to get some spares now) & it's a lovely ride,
zooms up hills, engine permitting!

Niv.

Niv said:

Go for the Roberts custom, I did in late '95/early '96. No regrets, it's great.

In an Audax yesterday I rode with a chap on a Roberts. It looked like a great bike, this is what got
me thinking about a new bike. The Roberts website has a price for a bike with Campag Centaur;
presumably this is just a guide and I can mix and match groupsets?

Simon

Quoted message said:

In an Audax yesterday I rode with a chap on a Roberts. It looked like a great bike, this is what
got me thinking about a new bike. The Roberts website has a price for a bike with Campag Centaur;
presumably this is

just

Quoted message said:

a guide and I can mix and match groupsets?

Not too sure, I had my frame built into bike in Harrow (The Bike Shop), but did some myself, as I
always do now.

I'm pretty sure Roberts will build anything you want, just go there to be measured & chat to them
about what the bike's for & how much you want to spend, (alternatively, tell them what you really
want & rob a bank!).

Niv.

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 11:49:03 -0000, "Simonb"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

I've made a decision to save up for a very nice bike (Bob Jackson or Chas Roberts). How much better
is a custom frame? Is it worth the expense?

You can upgrade a groupset, the frame you are stuck with. Go custom.

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

Simonb said:

I've made a decision to save up for a very nice bike (Bob Jackson or Chas Roberts). How much
better is a custom frame? Is it worth the expense? I could go for a better groupset if I went non-
custom. Decisions, decisions. Any advice?

It depends if you fit one of the stock frames out there. Lance Armstrong does!

Custom frames may become more important now that a lot of bikes only come in three sizes.

Niv said:

Quoted message said:

In an Audax yesterday I rode with a chap on a Roberts. It looked like a great bike, this is what
got me thinking about a new bike. The Roberts website has a price for a bike with Campag
Centaur; presumably this is

just

Quoted message said:

a guide and I can mix and match groupsets?

Quoted message said:

I'm pretty sure Roberts will build anything you want, just go there to be measured & chat to them
about what the bike's for & how much you want to spend, (alternatively, tell them what you really
want & rob a bank!).

There have been the occasional tale that Roberts will build what _they- want. that may come from the
fact that they are probably a lot more experienced than the customer.

However SWMBO amd myself went for measuring and ordered two Roberts (an audax and a compact clubman)
in '99 and they are absolutely superb. The care and attention to detail was beyond expectation and
the service impeccable. The ride quality is exceptional and it is by far the best handling touring
bike that I have owned. I still haven't found anything I would like to change.

John B