What actually happens during a custom bike build

A custom build is not just picking a colour. It starts with a conversation about how you ride, where you ride, and what your current bike does or doesn't do well. From there it's a series of decisions. Frameset, geometry, drivetrain, wheels, contact points. That take a few weeks to work through properly.

The consultation ¶

The first step is a sit-down conversation, usually about an hour. Amelia asks about your current bike, your commute or riding routes, any physical considerations (old knee injury, shoulder issues), and your budget. If you have a current bike, bring it. The fit data from an existing bike is the most useful starting point.

By the end of the consultation you should have a clear sense of what frameset geometry suits you, what drivetrain makes sense for your riding, and a realistic budget range. There's no charge for the consultation.

Frameset sourcing ¶

Spoke & Wheel sources framesets from a small number of Canadian and Taiwanese manufacturers that Amelia has visited in person. She doesn't stock frames speculatively. Each frameset is ordered for a specific build once the spec is confirmed. Lead time from order to arrival is typically three to five weeks.

For the 650b tourer builds, the frameset is a chromoly steel design with rack mounts, fender clearance, and a threaded bottom bracket shell. For single-speed commuters, it's a lighter-gauge chromoly with a horizontal dropout for chain tension adjustment.

The build ¶

Amelia does the builds herself, usually on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings before the shop opens. A complete build from bare frameset takes six to eight hours spread over two or three sessions. Cables are run, the bike is ridden briefly to settle the housing, and then final adjustments are made.

Before handover, the bike gets a full safety check and a short test ride. You'll get a written spec sheet listing every component, its source, and the torque specs for key bolts. Useful if you're doing your own maintenance later.

If you've been thinking about a custom build and want to understand what's involved before committing, come in for a conversation. There's no obligation and it usually takes about an hour.