STOCK BIKE VERSUS CUSTOM BIKE: 4 REASONS TO BUY CUSTOM EVERY TIME

Have you ever felt like your bike just doesn’t quite fit you? Maybe you like a particular frame design but not the overall build spec. Or perhaps you’re just tired of seeing the same mass-produced frames in every group ride you do, and you want something different, something that suits your personality or makes a statement.

A custom bicycle is the answer.

While some riders assume custom bikes are an indulgence, a specially created bicycle provides long-term value that an off-the-shelf bike can’t match. It can also be more affordable than you think.

We love putting custom builds together, so let’s look at the benefits of getting a custom-made bike, and why getting one could be the best decision you ever make.

IMPORTANT NOTE! When we talk about custom bikes/custom builds, we mean an individual build done on a factory-produced frame, not a custom-made frame.

Some people do need custom-made frames if they have very specific geometry requirements, but most people simply don’t need it if the person in charge of selecting each component knows what they’re doing.

REASON 1: A custom bike is designed to fit you, not someone else.

Mass-market brand bikes are designed for an average body shape. This is done, of course, to maximise the number of potential buyers for those designs.

The problem is that many riders aren’t average. Two people can be the same height but have completely different arm or leg lengths. Some of us have long torsos (ask Lia how she knows), while others have shoulders which sit at different heights.

And we’re not even taking into consideration the ramifications from back problems or mobility issues.

Moreover, what a mainstream brand thinks are “average” fit dimensions may not suit someone who needs a more aggressive position for racing, or, conversely, a rider looking for a more relaxed feel. This particular issue is also only becoming more pronounced with the proliferation of integrated handlebar/stem/headset systems, which are inherently inflexible outside very set parameters.

Not everyone has a perfectly proportioned body, either. In the many years we did bike fits, we would usually discover imbalances and/or asymmetry issues with that rider. For example, it was surprisingly rare to find someone who had legs which were exactly the same length. (For the vast majority who didn't, finding out was also a surprise.)

Asymmetry aside, many riders find that off-the-shelf bikes just don’t feel quite right.

For riders who are on the shorter or taller side, finding a ready-made bike that fits properly can add an extra layer of difficulty. Tall riders can feel cramped, or end up with super-long head stems to try and put their hands in the right position. Shorter riders have an extra challenge in that small bikes often handle terribly because, for mass-market brands, they’re usually an afterthought.

(This is why we once designed a frame with custom geometry so it wouldn’t handle like a bastard and would actually corner properly.)

Not only is an ill-fitting bike uncomfortable to ride, it’s also a quick way to get injured, or to aggravate pre-existing conditions such as knee pain, ITB issues, back and neck issues, and wrist problems.

In contrast to a stock bike, a custom bike is built to fit you exactly.

It takes your specific proportions into consideration to ensure that you’ll be in the most comfortable and efficient position, whether you’re going to be crushing your race competition, riding around the world, or just rolling through the hills on the weekend.

A custom build also considers things such as injury history, joint reconstructions or previous broken bones, and your level of flexibility. (Not everyone can stay in the drops for an hour.)

Not only will the resulting bike be more comfortable, but it will also be easier to ride.

And you won’t feel like the by-product of 1000 other people’s data.

REASON 2: You want something different

Large brands tend to follow industry trends, whether that’s frame shape or paint schemes. Sometimes the workshop is a sea of sparkle metallics, other times everyone’s decided that dark neutrals are the only acceptable option. (And don’t get us started on integrated cockpits.)

However, as any party you’ve ever been to will tell you, not everybody has the same taste.

With a custom build, you have full control over the bike’s aesthetics.

Want a classic steel frame with retro touches? A sleek, understated build with hidden details? A gold-touched MTB? A Goth-inspired silver-on-black masterpiece?

It’s all your choice.

Conversely, you may love a particular brand’s frame but not like any of their complete bike options.

If you’ve got a frame, though, you’ve got the beginning of a custom build.

There’s a certain brand we deal with where if it's a choice between a complete bike or a custom build, we always recommend the custom build option. While we love the frames, this brand's component choices aren’t up to the quality we’d like (especially since COVID wreaked havoc on the industry) so the value isn’t as good as full custom build.

Interestingly, the custom builds often end up about the same price than the complete bike, but you get a far better bike for your money.

The advantage of a custom bike over an off-the-shelf bike is especially important when it comes to avoiding the trap of proprietary systems.

Having your bike custom-built can avoid locking you into particular component configurations, which can come with nasty surprises (e.g. only being able to a certain headstem, or discovering that you can’t swap to a different model of suspension due to the frame design).

It also means that you can side-step being restricted to only using brand-specific components such as headstems and seat posts, thus avoiding a lot of headaches down the track.

Your desire for something different might even be driven by a more specific purpose.

Some riders have unusual or very particular requirements of their new bike, such as needing something that can handle Everesting efforts, or even just wanting a build that’s designed to not attract attention.

Whether it’s because the bike options aren’t quite right, you don’t want a mainstream brand, or you just don’t want to turn up to your group ride on the same bike as ten other people, a custom build means you get what you want, looking exactly the way you want it.

REASON 3: It’s better than modifying a stock bike.

Adding personal touches to an off-the-shelf bike is often par for the course.

Want a different bar tape or top cap? That’s easy.

Where it starts to get complicated, however, is when you want to change something significant, such as the groupset, wheels or handlebar setup. These areas are instantly complicated even further if you’re dealing with integrated designs.

But why would you want to modify stuff in the first place?

Usually to upgrade it.

Mass-market brands spec their bikes to hit particular price points. To meet those price points, they save costs by cutting corners on different areas: components, wheels, frame material, etc. It’s not uncommon to see a basic wheelset on an otherwise pricey bike, or a groupset that doesn’t match the high-level rear derailleur.

Industry secret time! If you see a bike with a combination of different level components, the rear derailleur is always the highest-specced gear component.

Why?

Because large bike companies know that this is usually the first thing people look at when assessing a groupset.

Chuck a Dura-Ace rear derailleur on a 105 groupset and most people won’t notice the 105 parts, as they don’t tend to look at the levers, calipers or front derailleur.

Checking the rear derailleur is one of the three main things people do to a bike that’s for sale; the other two are tapping the top tube with a fingernail and squeezing the tyres. None of these things will tell you much about the bike itself, yet 99% of people do at least one, if not all three.

But we digress.

Once you’re changing major components, not only does upgrading a stock bike quickly become expensive, but you also need to find a shop who’s willing to modify one of their bikes for you.

As the customer who’s giving them your hard-earned cash, you might think it shouldn’t be a problem. However, depending on what you’re asking, the costs to the bike shop may outweigh the final selling price, so you might be surprised how reluctant people can be to start pulling bits off and putting other bits on.

With a custom-built bike, however, you don’t have to try to persuade a bike shop to modify something. You also don’t have to upgrade sub-par components, and you don’t have the hassle of trying to source and fit additional parts yourself, either.

You get exactly what you want, in the combination you want it, the first time.

REASON 4: It’s a better long-term investment.

Rather than a bike that’s just being pulled out of a box and put on the floor (whether it’s been assembled properly or not), every single component on a custom bike has been sourced and fitted by hand.

We also always ensure that the frame has been machined and properly finished so the bike won’t click and creak when you ride it. This means you won’t waste time taking it back into the shop to get various tweaks or noises checked out – you can be out enjoying yourself on it instead of battling traffic.

In addition, you won’t have the additional costs of getting components upgraded or switched out. There will be no need to go to a different saddle or better brakes, for example – your custom bike has already been designed to suit your needs and riding style, from the rims, tyres and spokes through to the pedals and bar tape.

Because your bike has been built specially to fit your dimensions, there's also no need to get adjustments made to the setup. You’ll be happy and comfortable on it from the moment you roll it out of the shop, and can look forward to years of trouble-free riding.

Another important note here is the part you played in this new bike. It’s genuinely something of your own – you’ve helped create it, which makes it even more special than just picking something off the shop floor. This sense of unique ownership is also why it’s so rare for someone to sell a custom build; out of the many, many bikes we’ve built for people, 99% of them are still with the original owner.

While the upfront cost of a custom bike can be higher (though it’s not always), it tends to pay off in the long run in terms of durability, comfort, performance and overall riding pleasure.

OK, I want a custom bike! But I don't know where to start...

Bike shops don’t expect you to walk in with a detailed spec list in hand.

Most riders start with a dream, an idea, or even just a ‘I’m sick of my roadie’ jump-off point.

As you've seen, a custom bike isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about getting a ride that’s built for you in every way. With a custom build, you get perfect fit, tailored performance, durability, and personalisation, ensuring your bike meets your needs and riding style without compromise.

Talking through your ideas and plans will result in a bike that’s tailored exactly to meet your dreams, rather than something you’re not going to enjoy.

So take the plunge.

You’ll never regret it.

Got something in mind? Need some inspiration? Check out our custom builds gallery and get in touch...