Bespoke frame advice

[Scientist]

Fed up with the harsh ride on my Ribble Alu Scandium frame. Thinking about having a bespoke frame made. Looks like steel is making a renaissance....

I'm thinking -

- Mercian
- Hewitt
- Roberts
- Dave Yates

Retro look (maybe old english white, or even Martini Racing colours?) with the latest campy group set and light weight wheels....

Something that looks a bit of a sleeper, but does the business and is comfortable for long rides.....doing the South of France next spring...

....thoughts from fellow PHers welcome....

[MATRS]

Good choice of frame builders, might me worth considering Brian Rourke, friendly shop and great service.

http://www.brianrourke.co.uk/rourke-framesets-c-86...

[Scientist]

Cheers Matt,

Do you speak from experience? Do you have one of their frames?

[Minnsy]

As well as getting muddy on the MTB, I also have a roberts road bike. Beautifully made, real craftsmanship. Mine was built quite a few years back, and they really are excellent bits of kit. Can't comment on the others you mentioned, but don't think you'll be dissappointed with a Roberts.. (just don't ask how much mine cost)

Cheers

[Scientist]

Go on....prey tell......how much did it cost?

I'm reckoning on £1k for the frame.....

[Minnsy]

Well...I was looking a road bike, colleague was at our local 'tip' one morning, and one of the guys that works there was selling this bike. He had bought it from new in 1993 for over £1800, and had used it for time trials and amateur road roacing. He was just having a 'clear out'. I popped down and had a long chat with him, and asked him how much - £35. Deal done! He then showed me the bike he rode into work on, a fantastic looking Bianchi - so that settled my mind that the Roberts was 'straight' (if you get my drift)

To be honest, I didn't know a great deal about road bikes - being a MTB rider, so 'Chas Roberts' emblazoned on the chainstay did not mean a great deal to me... a trip to the LBS to show them 'what I've got' suggested I might have a bit of a bargain on my hands. So i did a bit of digging

The frame is a Roberts - who were 'commissioned' by Sigma (www.sigmasport.co.uk) in West London to supply a bunch of frames to them. Sigma then added all the 'bits' - so it is awash with Shimano 105, Campagnolo etc... Colour wise - purple airbrushed over white!

It needed two new tyres, and one new cable! Good clean and that's it. How does it ride? Superbly. Very stiff, gives a real feeling of confidence, great feedback etc. Colleague who as Carbon Specialized reakons the old Roberts rides and feels far better than his..

Its definately a 'keeper'!