Who to go to for a 953 frame?

[DanialW]

I want a 953 frame. I've been saving up my pocket money, and work have coughed up some back pay. It's time for a new bike. Why? Because I want one.

So...

Brian Rourke come recommended, but I don't like the paint jobs. Bob Jackson does a 953, and I already ride one of their bikes. I'm not sure I want another though. Mercian appeal to me, and they seem quite accommodating when it comes to custom paint jobs.

Could I ask if anyone else has experience of buying a 953 frame? Who did you get it from? Are you happy with what you got? Were you happy with the service?

[MSeries]

My mate Jim has a Rourke, you saw it on the Kiddie Killer last year. I think it's lovely. Surely they'll paint it however you want them to ?

[clarion]

Rourke.  I mean - I know I am a big fan of Bob Jacksons, but, for the specialist steels, it's hard to beat Rourke's quality.

I don't have one, I'm afraid, but I have seen a few.

[D.G.E.]

I'm about to pick my Chas Roberts Audax Special up this week (how excited.....!) but anyway, Bikeradar.com really rated the Roberts 953 Audax Roberts 953 Audax Review - BikeRadar

[border-rider]

I'm about to pick my Chas Roberts Audax Special up this week (how excited.....!) but anyway, Bikeradar.com really rated the Roberts 953 Audax Roberts 953 Audax Review - BikeRadar

The ride may not appeal to everyone – certainly if the armchair titanium ride of a bike like the Sunday September is your idea of a good ride then don’t consider the Roberts. But if you’re a stronger, heavier rider, this just might be the ideal bike for your fast riding audax or sportives.

You certainly feel any bumps on the road as you ride, and it’s really not one you’d want to tackle mixed surfaces on, but it was fast, felt lighter than its weight and handled very nimbly, even with its lengthened rear stays.

sounds ideal for a 200, maybe less so for LEL...

[mike]

Danial, be really interested to know why you're going for 953 over titanium?

[border-rider]

The Blacksheeps have Rourke 953 bikes, and they're very fine indeed

[donpedro]

I hear from several sources that Dave Yates did some development work on 953 for Reynolds. He is certainly amongst the most experienced and respected frame builders in the UK and very open to customers preferences!

[rogerzilla]

Roberts, if you can afford it.  See the latest CTC mag.

[border-rider]

Roberts, if you can afford it.  See the latest CTC mag.

Bit Croydon though, innit ?

 

[D.G.E.]

Roberts, if you can afford it.  See the latest CTC mag.

Bit Croydon though, innit ?

 

And there's me in Naaaarfolk getting one. I hope the locals don't mind me going a 'bit Croydon'   

[clarion]

Hmm, yeah.  Guess Roberts is almost, y'know - local now.

[Adrian]

Bit Croydon though, innit ?

 

Yes, but now that both Beanos and Turtles are closing, if Croydon were to loose either Zara's Kitchen or Chas Roberts it really would be time to take off and nuke from orbit.

[DanialW]

Danial, be really interested to know why you're going for 953 over titanium?

It's not so much a question as choosing one steel over titanium, as never really considering titanium. Not for any particularly negative reason; titanium hasn't really come into my thinking on the matter.

[Hot Flatus]

As I said the Rourke 953 I saw was lovely.  Don't be put off by the paint designs... he'll do whatever you want.  Have a look at these:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rourke953/HotOutTheOven

[Tewdric]

Do you think they go faster with this painted on the top tube?

Picasa Web Albums - Brian Rourke Cycles - Hot out the O...

[gonzo]

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rourke953/HotOutTheOven

Yeah, butthey're all kinda dull, they look to be the same design but with different colours.

If you want flair, look at something like this:
Lynskey Performance - Road Bikes

Even better still, what about this:
2 WHEELER CUSTOMS

[Frenchie]

Mercian. I don't have a 953 though, but they did two bikes for me.

[Hot Flatus]

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rourke953/HotOutTheOven

Yeah, butthey're all kinda dull, they look to be the same design but with different colours.

If you want flair, look at something like this:
Lynskey Performance - Road Bikes

Even better still, what about this:
2 WHEELER CUSTOMS

Whoever builds it, it is going to be the same/similar, design as 953 doesn't come in profiled tubes IIRC

[Jethro]

Had a new 953 from Bob Jackson earlier this year and very pleased with it.  At around £850 for Frame and Forks, its almost half the price of Rourke, Mercian, Yates and Roberts.

Whats more, I had it built lugless (fillet brazed) instead of the horrible tig welded type that most seem to be using.

Just polishing of the Stainless Steel is extra.  Expect a 6-month waiting list though.

[Ian H]

I think I'd trust Mr Yates, all other things being equal.

[vorsprung]

Remind me again what the advantages are of this 953 steel over Ti?

Can it be welded by anyone?  No it needs specialist gear
Is it a tried and tested technology that has been in use for years? No
Is it cheap(er)? About the same, maybe a little cheaper
Is it heavy? It's the same as steel, so maybe a little heavier
Is the ride quality great? It's the same as steel, so not as good as Ti

Strikes me the main advantage is that you can get it made in the UK by trusted builders rather than crazy chinese welding machines having a day off from making aerospace parts

[Hot Flatus]

The frame I handled (Sean Kelly's) was amazingly light.

[vorsprung]

The frame I handled (Sean Kelly's) was amazingly light.

It's possible for a steel frame to be lighter than other so-called lighter materials is it not?  Just depends on the builder and what they wish to achieve

[alexb]

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rourke953/HotOutTheOven

Yeah, butthey're all kinda dull, they look to be the same design but with different colours.

If you want flair, look at something like this:
Lynskey Performance - Road Bikes

Even better still, what about this:
2 WHEELER CUSTOMS

Bear in mind that Americans charge proper living wages for a decent paint job. you cannot find a £70 paintjob out there!!! I haunted the framebuilding forums when I was designing my bike and a typical US paintjob is upwards of $200 for a single colour. You'll easily pay $400 for something complex.