Cycling UK Forum

kmcg460@gmail.com wrote:Many thanks all for taking the time to pass on a great deal of wisdom and experience. Lots of points there I would not have thought about and a number of names to look into - with some endorsed by others. Lots to think about - I'll enjoy the further research and purchase whatever I go for, and now have more chance of enjoying the ride too.
Many thanks again to all.
Kenneth

Tell us what you decide to do!

Yes, seconded, would like to know you did in the end.

I went the custom route - I have a customised Stanforth Conway bike. The reason for that is that all the off-the-peg frames I looked at were too long in the top tube - I am medium height with long legs and short body. So my Stanforth has a shorter top tube and the effective reach is about 2.5cm less than my old Dawes Super Galaxy. The geometry has been tweaked to fit me better than the standard measurements, and most of the components were changed from his standard spec as well, to suit me. I can feel the difference and was struck by it again when I took the Dawes for a ride the other day.

Also, I had extensive discussions with Simon Stanforth, and visited him to be measured up and to have a test ride on his own bike which was a similar build to what I wanted. Very pleased with the result. Lee Cooper built the frame with lugged joints and he did a fine job. The consultations really helped.

I agree with other caveats, such as having your riding position well honed already, a very good idea of what you want to do with the bike, and what things you want to improve compared to your current bike. For example, I told Simon that I like to ride along rough tracks in the summer and showed him a few photos, so he suggested swapping the standard wheel rims for slightly heavier and tougher ones (I agreed - they are great). I was also very clear with him about the reach issue and He advised me on the options to bring the head tube closer while preserving (just) toe clearance.

If I was taller with nearer standard proportions I would have bought an off-the-peg bike and customised it. But if I need another frame (e.g. changing requirements as I get older), I’ll buy a custom one again with no hesitation.

PeterH

Thanks again to everyone who replied to my post back in October. Some of you asked me to let you know what I did.
I decided to go for the custom made - and persuaded my wife that we should have one each to mark our forthcoming big birthdays. From the names that came up in the replies I contacted a number of those that came up several times. Eventually, I went with Simon Stanforth of Stanforth Bikes.
Simon was absolutely fantastic. He spent lots of time ensuring that we got bikes that fitted what we wanted and needed and gave clear answers and advice to all my questions. We collected our bikes last week and spent a few days in the south of England getting to know them - and are delighted with them. See https://www.instagram.com/p/CSufSOyMFoc ... _copy_link
I went with the Skyelander with Rohloff hub and V-brakes - and boblo, I loved the colour of the picture you posted and went with the same green for mine. My wife went with a Skyelander too but with disc brakes and 650B wheels.
The whole process of choosing the bikes, working with Simon and finalising the frame and all the components was a joy with Simon and we've ended up with bikes we're both delighted with. Thanks for all the input from everyone which really helped to focus my mind and get me started on the road to my new tourer.
Cheers.
Kenny

The famous black doors eh? Many happy miles to you both

kmcg460@gmail.com wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 11:33am Hello.
I live in Edinburgh. I am planning to get a new touring bike for retirement. I am considering a made to measure one. I'd be interested to hear views on the pros and cons and things to consider. Also, I'd be interested in any good bike builders to go to for this if I do go ahead, ideally in Scotland or north of England, but would consider elsewhere in UK.
Many thanks.
Kenneth Gray

Genesis croix de fer being sold on classifieds by swscotlandbentrider,53cm looks like a cracking tourer.I bought a 'bent from this chap and can remember this bike .He looks after his fleet very well.

cyclop wrote: ↑23 Aug 2021, 8:14am

kmcg460@gmail.com wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 11:33am Hello.
I live in Edinburgh. I am planning to get a new touring bike for retirement. I am considering a made to measure one. I'd be interested to hear views on the pros and cons and things to consider. Also, I'd be interested in any good bike builders to go to for this if I do go ahead, ideally in Scotland or north of England, but would consider elsewhere in UK.
Many thanks.
Kenneth Gray

Genesis croix de fer being sold on classifieds by swscotlandbentrider,53cm looks like a cracking tourer.I bought a 'bent from this chap and can remember this bike .He looks after his fleet very well.

OP's update post of last night refers...

Bonefishblues wrote: ↑23 Aug 2021, 8:27am

cyclop wrote: ↑23 Aug 2021, 8:14am

kmcg460@gmail.com wrote: ↑23 Oct 2020, 11:33am Hello.
I live in Edinburgh. I am planning to get a new touring bike for retirement. I am considering a made to measure one. I'd be interested to hear views on the pros and cons and things to consider. Also, I'd be interested in any good bike builders to go to for this if I do go ahead, ideally in Scotland or north of England, but would consider elsewhere in UK.
Many thanks.
Kenneth Gray

Genesis croix de fer being sold on classifieds by swscotlandbentrider,53cm looks like a cracking tourer.I bought a 'bent from this chap and can remember this bike .He looks after his fleet very well.

OP's update post of last night refers...

Yep,just noticed.Hope you many happy times in your retirement adventures.

They look fabulous, wishing you many happy miles.

Thanks for the honorable mention OP - that's Kawasaki green if anyone else wants it. Looks nice on your boik. Enjoy

Thanks for the messages and good wishes. Looking forward to future tours
Cheers
Kenny

A made to measure bike for retirement? Go for it!
I did the same back in 1998 when I went to George Longstaff, (unfortunately not still with us). He sat me on the test jig, had me pedalling on it, asked what sort of touring I did, and eventually produced a bike that took me to all sorts of places. On long Alpine descents it handled like a dream and went exactly where I wanted it to go.
It wasn't cheap but was well worth it.

So good luck with your retirement tours.

Norman wrote: ↑4 Sep 2021, 10:39am A made to measure bike for retirement? Go for it!
I did the same back in 1998 when I went to George Longstaff, (unfortunately not still with us). He sat me on the test jig, had me pedalling on it, asked what sort of touring I did, and eventually produced a bike that took me to all sorts of places. On long Alpine descents it handled like a dream and went exactly where I wanted it to go.
It wasn't cheap but was well worth it.

So good luck with your retirement tours.

Apologies for the thread resurrection but had two year gap from forum and I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments.

Not a custom made to measure, but I’m looking forward to Dave Yates painting my Reynolds 525 touring frame (made by him). Adding Hope headset and bottom bracket and thinking about different permutations for a possible build. It’s exciting!

kmcg460@gmail.com wrote: ↑22 Aug 2021, 10:20pm Thanks again to everyone who replied to my post back in October. Some of you asked me to let you know what I did.
I decided to go for the custom made - and persuaded my wife that we should have one each to mark our forthcoming big birthdays. From the names that came up in the replies I contacted a number of those that came up several times. Eventually, I went with Simon Stanforth of Stanforth Bikes.
Simon was absolutely fantastic. He spent lots of time ensuring that we got bikes that fitted what we wanted and needed and gave clear answers and advice to all my questions. We collected our bikes last week and spent a few days in the south of England getting to know them - and are delighted with them. See https://www.instagram.com/p/CSufSOyMFoc ... _copy_link
I went with the Skyelander with Rohloff hub and V-brakes - and boblo, I loved the colour of the picture you posted and went with the same green for mine. My wife went with a Skyelander too but with disc brakes and 650B wheels.
The whole process of choosing the bikes, working with Simon and finalising the frame and all the components was a joy with Simon and we've ended up with bikes we're both delighted with. Thanks for all the input from everyone which really helped to focus my mind and get me started on the road to my new tourer.
Cheers.
Kenny

The bikes look gorgeous, both colours are lovely, and the kit looks great as well.

Enjoy! Hope you’ve been riding them lots!

markjohnobrien wrote: ↑15 May 2023, 8:47pm

Norman wrote: ↑4 Sep 2021, 10:39am A made to measure bike for retirement? Go for it!
I did the same back in 1998 when I went to George Longstaff, (unfortunately not still with us). He sat me on the test jig, had me pedalling on it, asked what sort of touring I did, and eventually produced a bike that took me to all sorts of places. On long Alpine descents it handled like a dream and went exactly where I wanted it to go.
It wasn't cheap but was well worth it.

So good luck with your retirement tours.

Apologies for the thread resurrection but had two year gap from forum and I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments.

Not a custom made to measure, but I’m looking forward to Dave Yates painting my Reynolds 525 touring frame (made by him). Adding Hope headset and bottom bracket and thinking about different permutations for a possible build. It’s exciting!

Dave Yates has long had a very good reputation among people who know about these things. So I am curious about why he likes using Reynolds 525 tubing, rather than just using the pricier tubes such as 725. The big cost with his frames has always been his craftsmanship and care, with the tubes themselves being a smaller part of the cost. So DY must see something he particularly likes in 525, or something he is not so keen on in the dearer tubes. I wonder what it is.

pwa wrote: ↑16 May 2023, 7:03am

markjohnobrien wrote: ↑15 May 2023, 8:47pm

Norman wrote: ↑4 Sep 2021, 10:39am A made to measure bike for retirement? Go for it!
I did the same back in 1998 when I went to George Longstaff, (unfortunately not still with us). He sat me on the test jig, had me pedalling on it, asked what sort of touring I did, and eventually produced a bike that took me to all sorts of places. On long Alpine descents it handled like a dream and went exactly where I wanted it to go.
It wasn't cheap but was well worth it.

So good luck with your retirement tours.

Apologies for the thread resurrection but had two year gap from forum and I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments.

Not a custom made to measure, but I’m looking forward to Dave Yates painting my Reynolds 525 touring frame (made by him). Adding Hope headset and bottom bracket and thinking about different permutations for a possible build. It’s exciting!

Dave Yates has long had a very good reputation among people who know about these things. So I am curious about why he likes using Reynolds 525 tubing, rather than just using the pricier tubes such as 725. The big cost with his frames has always been his craftsmanship and care, with the tubes themselves being a smaller part of the cost. So DY must see something he particularly likes in 525, or something he is not so keen on in the dearer tubes. I wonder what it is.

My understanding is that he has nothing against pricier tubing (such as Reynolds 725) and would build if asked but viewed Reynolds 525 as perfectly good for touring as it has thicker tubing to resist dents from heavily loaded bikes, has good strength although not as high as 725, and meets all his requirements for an excellent touring frame at slightly lower cost.

He is now retired but has sold me an unpainted Wanderer 525 frame (that he took around shows to show the quality of the build), and is painting to a colour of my choice. This frame was once the basis of a Cycling Plus Touring Bike of the Year. Very exciting!