There are two reasons for a made-to-measure suit: Either you can't find anything that fits properly among the normal sizes in the shop, or your own demand for individuality is so great that you can simply afford it. The situation is very similar with a customised frame for a racing bike. The problem: With the spread of carbon as a frame material and the fundamentally different manufacturing processes, the range of customised frames has shrunk drastically. However, there are ways to build customised carbon frames. A few specialised suppliers promise to be able to build a customised frame with state-of-the-art features. We took a close look at seven of them and checked whether they fulfil the requirements of a high-end road bike. The inevitable consequence: the test field is exclusive. As a complete bike, almost every model breaks the 10,000 euro barrier - you don't see such noble creations every day.
You can find the complete test and the results of these customised carbon frames as a PDF download below:
- ArgonautSpacebike 2.0
- Calfee Dragonfly
- Cyfac Absolu V2
- Festka One
- Parlee Z-Zero
- Sarto Seta
- Scappa Il Corriero
Turning point in frame construction
In the days when steel dominated frame construction, things were simple: you went to an established frame builder, had your measurements taken, made special requests and had a frame soldered together that was in no way inferior to a high-quality off-the-shelf model in terms of its technical properties. But with the triumph of carbon as a material, things changed fundamentally. This is because a manufacturing process has become established for series frames which - once established - no longer allows any variations in geometry: In the so-called monocoque construction method, the fibre mats are laminated with epoxy resin into a negative mould, which is usually milled from a solid block of steel, and then cured. Each frame size requires its own mould, which is expensive and only pays off if a sufficient number of bikes are sold. Even though the standard frame shapes on offer have become more diverse in recent years - comfort models with a shorter top tube and longer head tube, for example, solve the problems of many a sports cyclist - it can still be difficult for particularly tall or short cyclists to find a suitable bike.
Customised frame builders therefore take a different, often completely unique approach to production. Even with carbon frames, there is usually no way around the classic, adjustable frame gauge. The tube-to-tube method is used most frequently: Purchased or, in some cases, self-made carbon tubes are individually shortened and joined with carbon mats at the joints. Craig Calfee works with sleeves that he laminates himself from carbon; Parlee combines the two. Argonaut laminates seven individual frame parts in a similar way to mass production, but uses specially developed moulds that can be adjusted in length and angle.
All-round service included
Some suppliers even promise to be able to customise the riding characteristics of the frame in addition to the individual geometry, taking advantage of the freedom of the material. Carbon is not a homogeneous material like metal; depending on the fibre quality, use of material and direction of layup, you can - within certain limits - influence how stiff (and therefore stable) and comfortable the frame will be. Essentially, it is a question of the ratio of stiffness to frame weight with regard to the rider's body weight and pedalling force: a very stiff frame requires more material and is therefore heavier, while a particularly light frame has limited torsional rigidity.
For example, an Argonaut is only built after a detailed personal consultation; Parlee not only offers several models, but also different tube sets to meet different requirements. Craig Calfee also offers extra reinforced sleeves and a significantly stiffer model for an additional charge, and Sarto and Scappa also offer a choice of several differently designed models. A customised paint finish is a matter of course for all suppliers. Many manufacturers also offer a very long, if not lifelong, warranty on their frames - this is rather unusual for series frames and shows how the frame manufacturers want to position themselves: For the high price, the customer should not only get a good product, but also as much service as possible.
Many individual details
However, with one exception, our test specimens are not made to measure; as we always return all test bikes to the manufacturers, we did not want to expect small suppliers in particular to build customised frames that they would subsequently be unable to sell. The frames are therefore more like business cards for the companies, intended to show how well each company has mastered its craft. Although we have also graded the equipment, you should bear in mind that the bikes are usually customised. The prices therefore only refer to the frame sets.
Visually, the participants have a lot to offer: All frames are accurately crafted, and a number of individual details emphasise the special claim. Some openly display the material: With the sparingly lacquered frames from Argonaut, Parlee and Sarto, you can see the cuts of the individual mats on the surface. It's hard to get enough of the extravagant design of the Calfee sleeves; the perfectly executed, semi-transparent lacquer finish also allows the raw material to shine through - although it costs an extra 800 euros. In contrast, the frames from Cyfac, Festka and Scappa, which have a top coat or are painted, appear somewhat sober, even if they are finished in an unreservedly clean manner.
Driving stability risk
The moment of truth comes in the TOUR test lab, where the framesets are measured. This is where the candidates reveal their inner values and it becomes clear whether the individualists are also a technical alternative or not. In terms of weight, three models stand out: Parlee and Sarto weigh around 900 grams, which is on a par with top frames from the large series; Argonaut even creates a small sensation with a frame weight of 784 grams - only a few monocoque frames reach this level. The heaviest are Cyfac at 1,280 grams and Calfee at 1,230 grams, which is somehow forgiven for its extra weight due to its unusual and somewhat outdated construction. However, a good frame should not only be light, but also sufficiently stable - a characteristic that you don't really have to worry about with modern production frames from established manufacturers.
