Custom built tourer or santos travel master

[serensmum]

I am in the position of being able to buy a proper tourer after using a number of hybrids for the job. I have been looking at having a woodrup frame built for me and then specifying it with a flat bar and pretty much the santos travel master spec. So, is it worth having the frame built for me or should I just save a grand and buy the santos?

Thanks

[Valbrona]

That Santos Travelmaster thing is a bit like my Dawes comfort bike (Saratoga Rigid) bought for £250, as opposed to the Santos costing £2500.

And only use a Rohloff for something like the South Downs Way. Have a truck roll over your back wheel with a Rohloff in South American and you might be a bit stuck.

[geocycle]

I am in the position of being able to buy a proper tourer after using a number of hybrids for the job. I have been looking at having a woodrup frame built for me and then specifying it with a flat bar and pretty much the santos travel master spec. So, is it worth having the frame built for me or should I just save a grand and buy the santos?

Thanks

My view on custom built is that if you are an odd shape or have very specific needs it can be justified. Good dealers will have a wide range of frames and spend time making sure they fit folk with the kit they want. The Santos looks like a really nice bike, compare also the Thorn nomad if you want a heavy duty tourer.

[Moodyman1]

Custom if you are an odd size otherwise a factory bike, unless you made of money and want to make a statement.

[reohn2]

Custom if you are an odd size otherwise a factory bike, unless you made of money and want to make a statement.

I agree.
May I ask,what's the attraction of the Santos?

[fossala]

Without a doubt I would get a Chimera B.D. from Woodrup http://woodrupcycles.com/Woodrup_chimera_Rohloff_gates
I first set my eyes on it a while ago, someone has one on another cycling forum I visit. Love at first sight.

[serensmum]

I am quite small and getting a frame that suits with more than one bottle cage is difficult and fitting a rack that is level is always a challenge and involves extra extensions which always seems like a weak point to me. The idea of a custom bike really came from the fact I have been left this money in a will and I wanted something I would treasure and hopefully always have.

The attraction of the Santos is that is pretty much as I would have it in terms of components (the derailleur version) and one of my local bike shops sell them.

[fossala]

If you went with a custom frame, you could get the persons name who left the money on the inside of the chainstay or fork as a discrete reminder.

[geocycle]

I am quite small and getting a frame that suits with more than one bottle cage is difficult and fitting a rack that is level is always a challenge and involves extra extensions which always seems like a weak point to me. The idea of a custom bike really came from the fact I have been left this money in a will and I wanted something I would treasure and hopefully always have.

The attraction of the Santos is that is pretty much as I would have it in terms of components (the derailleur version) and one of my local bike shops sell them.

Sounds like you've answered your question. Go Woodrups. They look great in my view.

[bikes4two]

I have a Santos tandem with Rohloff. In the 5 years I've owned it I've maybe done 5,000 miles and the ONLY issue I've had was a stripped braze-on thread on the front pannier rack fixing point and that was most likely caused by me not keeping it tight and the stress of a loose pannier rattling around did the damage.

A quality built bike with a tough paint finish which rides very well and looks and is a lovely bike.

But of course, there are bikes of equal merit too.

[Brucey]

this might sound like a daft question but what would you use the bike for? If it includes utility riding, and/or leaving the bike locked up in random places, I'd suggest that even with a very good lock, an expensive bike will be a target for thieves, and you would be better off with something less likely to be pinched for that kind of thing. By all means have a much nicer bike, but keep something as a hack bike for such use would be my advice.

If you are going touring then you still have a security issue with any new-ish bike, but getting something that fits you and suits you may be of great benefit. It can be a case of diminishing returns though; very often a custom bike will end up significantly more expensive than an 'off the peg' of similar specification.

There are many good touring bikes out there, some custom made, some not. The latter is OK if their frame geometry fits you. The fitment of racks and bottle cages is not exactly a problem unique to you in particular. Worth a look at what Thorn have to offer, Roberts do nice custom builds, so do all the other decent framebuilders out there including Woodrups.

BTW I think that a Rohloff hub would be very good for many kinds of touring. In the unlikely event that you have a prang bad enough to break the wheel, having it rebuilt isn't a big deal, you will likely have many more pressing concerns than that. If you can do, go somewhere where they sell both, and ride a similar bike with different types of transmission.

If you are buying a last-a-lifetime frame, buying a 'last-a-lifetime transmission' to go with it makes some sense, some would say.

cheers

[reohn2]

serensmum
Further to Brucey's sound advice,I'd take a test ride on the Santos and see it fits and rides ok but I'd also consider other makes such as Thorn,either their ClubTour or Sherpa,(they offer a large range of sizes and more importantly for a small rider(BTW,how small is small?) top tube lengths) and Spa's own tourer,both shops know their stuff when it comes to touring,These bikes are not as expensive Santos but IMO just as good,but it's all in the ride.
The Santos is available in either Aluminium or CroMo steel,as personal choice I'd go for steel as it far more durable.

Obviously some folks like that idea of a taylor made bike,that's their prerogative but I'd only go custom build if I couldn't find an off the peg tourer that didn't fit.
Just my 2d's worth.

Edit; I can't find any geometry figures for Santos
Edit2; Found them,they're scant!

[georgew]

I am quite small and getting a frame that suits with more than one bottle cage is difficult and fitting a rack that is level is always a challenge and involves extra extensions which always seems like a weak point to me. The idea of a custom bike really came from the fact I have been left this money in a will and I wanted something I would treasure and hopefully always have.

The attraction of the Santos is that is pretty much as I would have it in terms of components (the derailleur version) and one of my local bike shops sell them.

Well if I was small, had the cash and was still able to tour, then I'd grab this pronto before it's gone.

A good price and a cracking bike with super strong wheels. What's not to like.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-sherpa ... prod30961/