Who should build my new frame?

[mig]

not descended from no. am one

[ukdodger]

not descended from no. am one

That distance is the most important one to get right IMHO.

[JohnW]

Mercian or Chris Marshall

[PT1029]

Mercian, all the one's I've seen look well finished - paint and under the paint. Over the years however I have seen a few that were measured but looked too large (by reasonably modern standards) ie, not much seat post showing, so check the dimensions against your existing bike(s) if you go for them.
Lots of other names mentioned also good.
My Argos does have some very smooth lugless work - then I did submit 5 sides of A4 saying what I wanted, so it got built by the boss himself!

[willcee]

plus 1 on Mercian on the paint work, my chum chris531 of Flickr fame is great friends with Grant and the Mercian guys, indeed chris gets the very rare factory tour, seems they inherited a new guy about 2 years ago from Rolls, who was a car painter, i've not seen better finish on any frame, period.. that said Mercian are running at the throttle stops, Mercian steel frames are going all over the world.. he told me their waiting list was getting longer weekly.. i hope to call in Derby before november and see what's hanging on the rails in 631.. will

[pete75]

Vernon Barker has an excellent reputation so it might be worth having a word with him. http://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk . Dave Marsh and his collegaues in Maltby have been building top level frames for over 40 years http://www.universalcyclecentre.co.uk/repairs.html so would be worth a call .

[breakwellmz]

How long is this list now?

[bikepacker]

I know it leaves me even more confused, there are at least two recomendations I intend to look into further. It is great though that we get such good responses to requests for advice.

[ukdodger]

I know it leaves me even more confused, there are at least two recomendations I intend to look into further. It is great though that we get such good responses to requests for advice.

That's usually the way here.

[reohn2]

That's usually the way here.

Unless you happen to mention you don't like lugs

[Brucey]

That's usually the way here.

Unless you happen to mention you don't like lugs

-could have been worse; he might have asked if Aluminium or Titanium might be suitable frame materials...

Mind you it'd be dead boring if we all thought the exact same thing....

cheers

[JohnW]

..........................he might have asked if Aluminium or Titanium might be suitable frame materials..........................

We've been through all that before - and we couldn't agree.

[tooley92]

Might also be worth distinguishing between made to measure and true custom built frames, with the former being more of an off the peg design sized and painted to suit the customer.

Not sure all on your list offer a true custom service (if that matters).

Personally, I'd add Steve Goff to that list - not least for the great price and finish (using C&G)

So would I, I have had mine a couple of years now. Steve is a true craftsman and will build a frame to exactly the spec that you want.

[Graham O]

Unless you happen to mention you don't like lugs

Is that a contentious subject here? Not heard about it before. Can I hold my hand up and say that I think lugs looks old fashioned. I even like the fillet(?) welding on alloy frames.

[meic]

Unless you happen to mention you don't like lugs

Is that a contentious subject here? Not heard about it before. Can I hold my hand up and say that I think lugs looks old fashioned. I even like the fillet(?) welding on alloy frames.

I take it that is detrimental in your mind. In mine old fashioned is a good thing.

Beauty is in the eye of beholder but when I put the rusty old gloss black Holdsworth alongside the brand new Van Nicholas, I find the old fashioned one much better looking.