Custom Frame build - seeking advice

[marc2131]

Hi all
I am scoping the market for a custom frame builder who can make me a good steel road bike for reasonably competitive club rides and maybe racing from time to time. My primary aim is to get as light and stiff a bicycle as possible. I ride a 60cm frame (BB – mid top tube).
Spoke to a well-known Sydney based frame builder who suggested the following:

1. build frame with Columbus Spirit tubing
2. use high end componentry ie. Dura Ace and DA C24 wheel set.
3. use a carbon fork

I was told I could achieve a bicycle weighing in between 7 – 8kg. However on the weekend I met a guy in my bicycle club who rides a similar tubed bike, slightly smaller at 56cm, and he claimed his bike weighed in at 7.8kg. This 56cm frame alone was 1.4kg.

My main concern is that if I am going to expend all this cash for a bike, I’d like it well under 8kg, pref 7.5kg and below. Is this possible with this type of tubing and the frame size?

Appreciate feedback.

Regards
Marc
Sydney NSW

[Dimis]

Hi Marc,

I see no reason why you cant get to mid 7kgs using the parts list above on a custom built frame.
Particularly with DA C24s wheels
In my experience rough figures for a build run something like this.

Groupset - Dura Ace < 2kg (mine weighed in at 1850g with tires & tubes less tubeless).
Wheels - DA C24s < 2kgs
Build Parts (handlebars, stem, saddle, pedals etc) - 1.5kg
That leaves you with 2kgs for a frame.

Do the math you'll be close, maybe even a little better.

Good luck & post pics of your build.

Best wishes

[marc2131]

Thanks Dimis
If all goes to plan, hopefully this may come to fruition by mid 2014 - fingers crossed.
Been looking at stuff made in the USA, especially at the North American Hand Made Bicycle Show. Some incredible and highly innovative stuff over there. Getting lots of ideas and will see if a local Sydney based artisan can emulate this.
marc

[Mulger bill]

Have you spoken to THIS bloke?