why buy a custom?

"Choosing a frameset is the single most important choice a rider faces when purchasing equipment. The results of that choice will directly affect how close to potential a rider can perform...."            Steve Hogg, Bicycling Aust' 1998.

Each and everyone of us is unique. Our flexibility, leg, arm & torso measurements determine how comfortably we ride and handle a bicycle. Today's mass produced bicycles are built to accommodate an 'average' sizing requirement of today's market. Some, unfortunately are lacking in essential elements that will impact on a bicycles performance, once we start to understand the science of frame design. Through choice of materials and an understanding of application, a well designed frame is built for maximum efficiency, proper bio-mechanic position and over-all handling and balance. 

The bicycle has become more specialised as the years go by and cater to a vast range of uses. As a consequence a custom frame may not be appropriate for all cyclists. If you can achieve proper fit on a bike but find that you end up with a disproportionately long or short stem, or your seat post or stem is dangerously high out of the frame, you are a good candidate for a custom frame. 

who buys custom bicycles?

You don't have to be a professional athlete to deserve a hand-built custom frame! It is true that a custom cycle will cost more than a complete bike off the shelf, but once you start to weigh up the advantages of a custom cycle and understand off the shelf bikes have a finite life, a custom cycle is well worth the effort.

Essentially, the people I've sold custom bicycles to love to ride. Anyone who spends more than 2 hours a week riding is a prime candidate for a custom cycle. If you commute to work, race MTB or road, participate in any of the national Big Rides or purely have a passion for cycling, then you should seriously consider investing in a custom cycle.

taking the first step.

A custom bicycle couples a specially designed hand-built frame with selected components to produce a complete bike.  Below are examples of frames available through selected frame builders and a selection of quality components. You will be fitted before your frame is built,  then we hand select each component to meet your particular riding needs. So if you are curious all you have to do is come in and ask about investing in a custom bicycle. Please email any enquires also.   

please call us!

If you intend to drop by the shop to discuss a custom bike please give us a call prior to arrange a good time to call in. Where possible we like to arrange an after hours time between 6 - 7pm, as we get very busy in the shop and would prefer to give you our 100% attention. 

Why Choose a Baum frame?

"A custom frame is one of the finer things in life still available. As with other exclusive items, such as handmade shoes, it will only be chosen by those wise enough to value true quality and service above marketing hype and short-term image. Each Baum frame is designed and built to your unique personal specifications to feel right from the start. ......  We select the finest materials from Easton, Dedacciai, Columbus, Reynolds, and True Temper to tailor the ride to your style and requirements .... Each frame comes with a lifetime construction warranty..."  JB Cycles 2003.

"What drives the bike industry to use mainly aluminum right now because of aluminum's low price and relative light weight. But to put it simply, in $900 or less price range, a quality steel frame still offers better ride feel and strength characteristics, than an aluminum frame. If you take care of your steel frame, it will last for years. It has very good fatigue strength. Aluminum (including high end Scandium) has a limited fatigue life. Even if you leave it in your garage, the material still will weaken over time."

Specifications
• Tange Prestige heat-treated CrMo steel; butted CrMo rear end

• Semi-compact road geometry; responsive and stiff

• Rear rack & fender mounts

• Optional black IRD Mosaic carbon fork w/ alloy steerer available

• 1-1/8" size headtube - w/ extra height so you use less spacers

• 27.2mm seatpost size

• Max tire size: 28c

• 7 sizes: 48cm to 62cm

• 4.0 lbs (54cm)

PRICE $799.00

MIXTE

http://www.somafab.com/bvistapix.html

PRICE $889.00

STANYAN

http://www.somafab.com/stanyan.html

PRICE $1300.00

Custom Pics

Geoff Lawton - Permaculture Institute  May 2010

SURLY 1x1 with Alfine 8 speed hub

In April 2010 I took the Permaculture Design Course at The Australian Permaculture Institute just north of Lismore NSW. Instruction was given by Geoff Lawton who has become renown for his extensive knowledge and ability worldwide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Lawton

During the course Geoff and I talked about a bike that would be durable, reliable and low maintenance. He had an old Malvern Star MTB that he was thrashing the life out of around his 60acre farm, so was in need of a good upgrade.

The Cromoly Surly 1x1 seemed to fit the ticket on price and durability. The 8 speed internal hub for its low maintenance and a suspension fork for the off road tracks around the Institute.

The bikes currently at the Institute are all fitted with baskets and racks to carry tools, machete's, chicken feed or whatever else needed carting from A to B. 

I just hope this bike isn't left out in the rain with the others. 

Mike Moore's - Soma Smoothie

Aaron Wax's Aluminium Single Speed

Built August 2008

Odyssey GI 11/8 Stem

Redline Race Bars

DaBomb Single speed kit 18T

39T Alloy CNC chainring

700c Double wall wheels

Tektro V brakes

Axiom Full Mudguards

Sealed Bottom Bracket

FMF Cranks 

Nicholas Gill's Surly 1x1 with: 

Alfine 8 speed

Avid Cable Disc

August 2008

John Troddyn's Surly 'Karate Monkey'  - Small

29" & 700c compatible 

Built February 2008

700c Mavic A719 Rims

Rohloff 14 speed Hub

Shimano Hone Cranks & BB

FSA CNC'd 40T ring

Dice Roulette front sealed hub

Hayes 9 Hydraulic brakes w 6' rotor

Maxxis 'Wormdrive' tyres

Brooks B17 Special leather saddle

Doug Innes - Baum 'Cappuccino' Custom Frame

Built August 2007 

Shimano Hone crankset

Rohloff 14 speed Hub

Sun Rhyno Lite Rims

Avid Juicy Carbon Disc brakes

Rock Shox 'Duke' Fork

Cycle Fit by Steve Hogg

Kate's Soma

* Soma Smoothie 54cm frame Prestige tubing

* Kinesis Integra Aluminium 11/8 Fork

* FSA RD 80 wheelset - sealed bearing hubs

* Shimano Ultegra 10s groupset

* Time RXE pedals

* Ritchey WCS Classic Handlebar

* Vittoria Rubino Tech folding tyres

* Weight 9kg

Complete Custom Retail $2980.00

Matt Shearer's Custom 1x1 Surly XS

Built December 2006

Brooks Leather Saddle and Tool Kit

Rohloff 14 speed Disc Hub, TruVativ Hussefelt crankset

Hayes El Camino Hydraulic Brakes

(don't look too close at where the axle is sitting in the drop out - we still had to make a final modification to the Rohloff OEM plate at this point)

DT Swiss front Disc Hub, SUN Ryno Lite Rims, Maxxis Overdrive tyres