| Practically everybody wants to feel that they | | | | bike - or rather a custom-built bike - one is |
| are an individual, and to have their own | | | | talking about the frame. You send along your |
| particular needs met, whether they are a road | | | | measurements to the manufacturer - length of |
| biker or a mountain biker. So whether you | | | | foot to knee, knee to pelvis, torso, overall |
| want customization or custom-built, there's a | | | | height and they construct the frame with |
| bike out there for you. | | | | those measurements in mind. They then put on |
| | | | all the rest of the stuff - the high-end |
| If you're thinking of getting a custom-made | | | | tires, the brakes and shifters you require, |
| mountain bike, there are several factors you | | | | the crank set, and you're good to go. |
| have to take into consideration. | | | | |
| | | | All t hat costs money. |
| Frankly, the typical weekend biker doesn't | | | | |
| really need a custom-made bike. As long as | | | | An Easy Customization - the Paint Job |
| you buy your bike at a bike store where they | | | | |
| can get you fitted properly, you'll do just | | | | There's other ways to customize mountain |
| fine. | | | | bikes, of course, though I haven't seen many |
| | | | people do it. Why not give them a stylized |
| But for really serious bikers to whom speed | | | | paint job like you see on lowriders? Of |
| is all - the professionals and the dedicated | | | | course mountain bikes used for actually going |
| amateurs, the customized bike is something to | | | | down mountains (as opposed to those used for |
| consider. | | | | cross-country or even road riding) take a bit |
| | | | of a beating and can get scratched up, but |
| Custom- Built vs Customization | | | | for most bikers, a hand-painted mural on |
| | | | their bike can be quite attractive. Why let |
| The terminology of "customization" can be | | | | the lowriding crowd have all the fun? The |
| confusing. People use the words | | | | only reason why I haven't painted my own bike |
| interchangeably, when really they are two | | | | in orange and black tiger stripes is because |
| different things. | | | | I know I don't have the skill to pull it off |
| | | | - but if you've got any artistic talent at |
| A customized bike is one that takes an off | | | | all, why not go for it? |
| -the-shelf frame, and puts on the seat you | | | | |
| want, a stem of the correct height, a | | | | Bike technology is improving all the time, as |
| crankset with pedals you can reach easily, | | | | manufacturers strive to make the strongest |
| etc. | | | | frames out of the lightest of materials. So |
| | | | keep an eye on the review sections of your |
| A custom-built bike is one in which the frame | | | | favorite bicycle magazine, as it will keep |
| itself is built exactly to you measurements. | | | | you up to date on what is happening in the |
| | | | world of cycling. |
| Basically, when one talks about a customized | | | | |