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