


A bike just for you
Sometimes trying to get an off-the-shelf bike that does exactly what you want, or rides exactly how you want can be frustrating. If you want a particular set of wheels, you have a handlebar in mind and you want to carry a load in a certain way, there might be no bike that does this out of the box. Maybe you just want something that feels a bit more like Your bike with an aesthetic that grabs you. If you also have preferences about the components you want to use, then you’re guaranteed not to find a ready-made bike that really speaks to you.
If you find yourself in this situation, then maybe you should be thinking about a custom build. We have been building custom bikes for people since the early days of Commuter Cycles. We start by working out the right frame as a base, then figure out how to make it work for you, then figure out the rest based on your physiology, usage and budget along with any aesthetic desires. We have a lot of experience that helps us pick good parts that work with what you want.
Planning a custom build
Spec list
Planning a custom build takes as long, and often longer, as actually building it. When you first approach us for a custom build, in person, on the phone or via email, the first thing we will do is mine you for information. We will ask about your requirements, your preferences, your planned usage, your budget, and any decisions on frames or components that you may have already made. If you’re chasing a certain look for your bike this is where you let us know. Armed with this info we will put together a proposed list of specifications (or spec list) that details the build along with a quote for that spec.
Bikes are relatively simple machines, but as always the devil is in the details. It is surprisingly easy to find yourself with incompatible (or worse, only seemingly-compatible), or ill-fitting components despite lots of research. Not only are we exceptionally good at avoiding these incompatibilities, we are also very good at judging the suitability of each component for the job at hand.
Fit
At this point we might already have your fit sorted based on test rides, matching an existing bike or taking a few measurements such as inseam and arm length. Sometimes, customers have had a fit done by a physio or another bike fit expert. We are happy to use the recommended fit data to set up your new bike when available. Bike fit is tricky because there are competing factors at play. Usage, handling and sizing are all at play when locking in a fit. The fit on a fully-loaded touring bike that will be ridden at 15k/h for long days is completely different to that of an unloaded gravel bike that will be moving at 25k/h for a few hours at a time. Our expertise is in fitting people for pretty much any type of riding that isn’t racing. We all have significant personal experience with touring, commuting, gravel and dirt road explorations, long distance road riding and mountain biking.
Deposit
Once the sizing and spec list is approved, we will ask for a 50% deposit and begin assembling components. For any given custom build we often have about 80% of the components in store already but the others will need to be ordered in. Any components that need ordering are now ordered and we give you an ETA on anything that is likely to take more than a week.
The build itself
Once the parts all arrive the build itself is often done quite quickly. In some cases it is done in a single day. Frames are always prepped before building. This means headset and bottom bracket fittings are reamed, chased and faced where appropriate to ensure the headset and bottom bracket bearings run as straight and smooth as possible. Everything is fitted and adjusted before being test ridden and further refined. A small amount of steerer tube on the fork is left above the stem to allow for small adjustments in the fit after it has been ridden for a while. Tape will sometimes be left unwrapped until after you’ve taken it for a test ride if there is any doubt over your preferred handlebar and lever angles.
Post-build
Like any new bike, a custom built bike will benefit from a first service to make small adjustments after things have settled into place. We typically recommend this after a month or two, or sooner if you notice anything coming out of adjustment. Even if it seems to be running perfectly, we still like to spend some time going over it to make sure everything is as it should be. This first service is free and we would not expect it to need another until you have put some decent km on it and it’s getting closer to a year old.
Ready to start a build? fill out the form below…
How have other people customised their bike?
Here’s a listing of some previously completed custom builds for customers. Check them out and get inspired!
David was after a compact, multi-modal, touring build to make travelling easy 🗺️
The perfect platform was found in the Bike Friday “All-Packa” frameset that David brought in and had built up with heaps of rad gear!✨
Bike Friday “All-Packa”.
SRAM Force 1x11 Shifting and Stopping.
Thomson Elite X4 Stem (placeholder in pics for sizing).
Thomson Eilte Seatpost.
Salsa Cowbell Handlebar.
Ergon Allroad 2.5mm Bartape.
White Industries M30 Crank.
White Industries BSA MR30 Bottom Bracket.
White Industries MR30 TSR Chainring, 38T.
Shimano T8000 Deore XT Pedals.
DT Swiss 350 Rear Hub.
Schmidt SON deluxe front Dynamo hub.
Laced to Velocity Cliffhanger Rims.
Schwalbe Billy Bonkers Performance Tyres, 20x2.0”
K-Lite Dynamo Lighting and Charging combo.
Thanks, David.
Happy Trails✌️
@bikefriday
@sram_australia
@bikethomson
@ergonbike
@whiteind
@shimanoaustralia
@dtswiss_distributor_aus
@sonnabendynamo
@velocityusa
@schwalbeaustralia
@klite_dynamo_power
#bikefriday #bikefridayallpacka #offcoursecustoms
Aaron picked up Tyres and Cranks from us at the @made.bike Australia show which sparked the conversation of a custom build.
“Make it Jerry Garcia, but fast”.
He had the frame custom made to his spec in the USA by Paul Sadoff at Rock Lobster, sporting a bright yellow paint scheme and a matching ENVE G-Series Fork 🦞
Saddle and Wheels supplied by Aaron and a bunch of nice parts were chosen to create this awesome custom build 🔧
Rock Lobster “CX SL” Custom Frameset.
ENVE G-Series Fork.
White Industries Headset, Purple.
Ritchey Comp Stem, 80mm 6deg.
Ritchey Comp Venturemax Handlebar 46cm.
Blue Lug Guru-Guru Bar Tape, Orange.
Ritchey Comp 25mm Offset Seatpost.
Brooks B17 Saddle.
White Industries G30 Crankset.
White Industries BSA BB, Purple.
White Industries MR30 TSR Boost Chainring.
Shimano GRX 1x12 Speed Shifty & Stop bits.
Rene Herse Oracle Ridge 700 x 48mm Endurance Plus Tyres.
Blue Lug Valve Caps, Purple.
Thanks, Aaron!
Enjoy your new rig✌️
@rocklobstercycles
@envecomposites
@whiteind
@ritcheylogic
@bluelug
@brooksengland
@shimanoaustralia
@reneherse
#rocklobstercycles #offcoursecustoms
Already owning a super nice Tumbleweed “Stargazer”, we know that Steve has great taste in bikes✨
When the new Tumbleweed “Sunliner” was recently released, it sung out to Steve as the perfect flat-bar bikepacking rig.
A custom build was drafted up and we were off!⚙️
Tumbleweed “Sunliner” - Rhubarb.
Cane Creek 40 headset.
Thomson X4 Stem.
Tumbleweed Persuader Handlebar 30deg.
Ergon GP1 Evo Biokork Grips.
Cane Creek eeSilk Plus Seatpost.
Brooks Cambium C17 All Weather Saddle.
SRAM Code Silver Stealth Braking.
SRAM GX Eagle 12sp AXS Shifting.
White Industries M30 Crankset.
White Industries TSR 32t Boost Chainring.
White Industries BSA Bottom Bracket.
Velo Orange Sabot Pedals.
Curve Carbon Dirt Hoops 29” 35mm wide.
Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo Front Hub.
DT Swiss 350 Rear Hub.
Laced up with DT Competition Spokes.
Rene Herse “Fleecer Ridge” Tyres 700x55mm, Standard Casing.
Tumbleweed T-Rack Front.
Tumbleweed Mini Pannier Rear Rack.
Schmidt SON Edelux II “Upside Down” Front Dynamo Light.
Schmidt SON Rack Mount Rear Dynamo Light.
Lezyne “Power Cage” Bottle Holder.
Spurcycle Original Bell, Black w/ Gold Hammer.
Thanks, Steve✌️
Enjoy ripping around on your new Sunliner!
@tumbleweedbikes
@canecreekusa
@bikethomson
@ergonbike
@brooksengland
@sram_australia
@whiteind
@velo_orange
@curvecycling
@sonnabendynamo
@dtswiss_distributor_aus
@reneherse
@reneherse_aus
@spurcycle
#tumbleweedbikes #tumbleweedsunliner #offcoursecustoms
⚙️Here’s a little look into the process of adapting Shimano GRX Shifters with a Gebla ShimKit & Rohbox that we featured on David’s super cool SOMA Wolverine in our last post🔮👀✨
Shimano GRX 11speed 2x shift internals are removed as a whole unit, from each lever✅
Gebla A22 ShimKit is installed in place of the original shift internals, in each lever✅
This allows the Shimano GRX shifters to actuate the Gebla Rohbox✅
The Gebla Rohbox actuates the gear indexing of the 14 speed Rohloff Speedhub✅
Hey presto!✨
You now have a Rohloff equipped bike with Drop bars⚙️
Drop us a line if you’d like to learn more or have this conversion performed on your bike by our workshop wizards! 🧙
Gebla
@_rohloff_
@shimanoaustralia
#gebla #geblarohbox #rohbox #rohloff #offcoursecustoms
David’s SOMA Wolverine came together in spectacular fashion, utilising the nifty Gebla Rohbox system to articulate shifting from Shimano GRX Brake/Levers to a 14 speed Rohloff Speedhub ⚙️ Neat!
Assembled with a bunch of our favourite parts and rounded out by some awesome purple highlights complimenting the “Lunar Rock” paint scheme 🌚💜
SOMA Wolverine V4.1 TypeB - Lunar Rock Grey.
Wolf Tooth Headset.
Ritchey Comp Stem.
Salsa Cowbell Deluxe Handlebar.
Brooks Microfibre Bartape.
Ritchey Comp Seatpost.
Brooks Cambium C17 Carved saddle.
Wolf Tooth Seat Collar.
Shimano GRX810 Brake/Shifter Set.
Shimano XT Brake Calipers.
Gebla Rohbox ShimKit A22.
Rohloff Speedhub w/ Gates CDX Sprocket.
Gates S550 CDX:EXP Crankset.
Gates CDX Centretrack Belt.
Schmidt Son 28 Front Dynamo Hub.
DT Swiss EX471 Rims via DT Comps.
Rene Herse 700x44mm Snoqualmie Pass Tyres.
PDW Full Metal Fenders 700x55mm.
Pelago Commuter Stainless Steel Front Rack - Large.
Schmidt Son Edelux II Front Dynamo Light.
Schmidt Son Seatpost Rear Dynamo Light.
Thanks David!
Enjoy✌️
@somafab
@somafab_b_sides
@ritcheylogic
@salsacyclesoz
@brooksengland
@wolf_tooth_comp
@shimanoaustralia
@gebla_
@_rohloff_
@gates.bicycle
@sonnabendynamo
@dtswiss_distributor_aus
@dtswiss
@reneherse
@ridepdw
@pelagobicycles
@merrysalesco
@scvimports
#somafab #somawolverine #offcoursecustoms
Adam’s SOMA Wolverine came together so nicely✨
Specced for daily mixed-surface use with the capability of carrying a child seat✨
Bright, Classy, Comfortable… this build has it all🍊
SOMA Wolverine V4.1 Type-A Frameset.
Cane Creek 40 Headset.
Ritchey Classic Stem & Seat Post.
SOMA Dream High Rise Handlebar.
WolfTooth FatPaw Grips - Rohloff.
WolfTooth Seat Collar.
Brooks B17 Saddle.
Veloci ROLLlCii 15 Crankset.
WolfTooth Direct Mount Chainring 36t.
MKS Always Pedals.
Shimano SLX Race Brakes.
Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo Front Hub.
Rohloff Speedhub Rear Hub.
Velocity Cliffhanger Rims laced via DT Comps.
Rene Herse “Oracle Ridge” Tyres, 700x48mm.
Schmidt SON Edelux II Front Dynamo Light.
Schmidt SON Seat Post Rear Dynamo Light.
Pelago Commuter Rack, Medium, Stainless Steel.
Adam’s Thule Child Seat Setup.
Thanks, Adam!
Happy Trails✌️
@somafab
@somafab_b_sides
@canecreekusa
@ritcheylogic
@wolf_tooth_comp
@brooksengland
@velocicycle
@mkspedal
@sonnabendynamo
@_rohloff_
@velocityusa
@reneherse
@pelagobicycles
@thule
#somabikes #somawolverine #somawolverinev4 #offcoursecustoms
Damon brought his Crust Nor’Easter frameset in for a build featuring some parts old & some parts new.
This turned into one super fun rig!✨
Crust Nor’Easter Frameset.
Crust polished headset.
Nitto Technomic Stem.
NItto S83 Seatpost.
Crust Nullabar Handlebar.
Brooks Cambium Rubber Bar Tape.
Brooks Cambium Saddle.
TRP RRL SL Brake Levers.
Crust Palm Oil Brake Calipers.
Microshift SRAM MTB Bar End Shifter.
SRAM GX Rear Mech.
Garbaruk Cassette.
White Industries M30 Crank w/ TSR Chainring & BSA BB.
Chromag Scarab Pedals.
Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo Front Hub.
Hope Pro 4 Rear Hub.
Velocity Cliffhanger Rims.
DT Swiss Competition Spokes.
Schwalbe Marathon Almotion 700 x 55mm
Schmidt SON Edelux II Dynamo Light.
Velo Orange Flat-Pack Rack.
Wald 137 Basket.
Tubus Duo Low Riders.
Velo Orange 700 x 63mm Fluted Fenders.
King Anything Cage.
Velo Orange Mojave Cage.
Thanks, Damon!✌️
@crustbikes
@brooksengland
@trpcycling
@microshiftofficial
@sram_australia
@garbaruk_components
@whiteind
@sonnabendynamo
@velocityusa
@velo_orange
@ron_kingcage
@hebie_tubus_racktime
@schwalbetires
#offcoursecustoms #crustbikes #crustnoreaster
Lorena’s Velo Orange Polyvalent turned out so nicely!
Capable, Comfortable, Custom, this build has it all.🩵
Velo Orange Polyvalent.
White Industries Headset.
Ritchey C220 Classic Stem.
SOMA Dream Low Down Riser Bars.
Ritchey Comp Trail Grips.
Ritchey Classic Seatpost.
Brooks Cambium C17 Carved Saddle.
Shimano XT 12 speed Shifty & Stoppy bits.
Veloci ROLLcii 13 Crank.
Garbaruk 36t Narrow Wide Chainring.
MKS Always Pedals.
Schmidt SON Edelux II Front Dynamo Light.
Schmidt SON Seatpost Rear Dynamo Light.
Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo Front Hub.
DT Swiss 350 Rear Hub.
Velocity Blunt SS 27.5” Rims.
Laced up with DT Comps.
Rolling on Vittoria Mezcal 27.5 x 2.1 TNT Trail Tyres.
Thanks Lorena,
We’re so stoked on this one!✌️
@velo_orange
@ritcheylogic
@whiteind
@somafab
@brooksengland
@sonnabendynamo
@dtswiss_distributor_aus
@velocityusa
@vittoria_australia
@vittoriatires
@rideshimano
@velocicycle
@garbaruk_components
@mkspedal
#veloorange #veloorangepolyvalent #offcoursecustoms
And for some light reading and inspiration, here’s a link to some custom builds with blog write-ups: