Good experience ordering from the custom bike builder feature
I used their custom bike builder to spec out a couple of custom bikes for myself, picked the one I liked best and ordered it. Overall, I was impressed with how easy and fast it was.
Their bike builder pretty much walks you thru every component and checks for fitment/compatibility issues. Though there were a couple of very minor hiccups with the bike bike builder:
I ordered a brake on my build but the builder didn't spec a straddle cable, so my bike showed up without this critical part of the brake system. Since the bike builder listed a straight cable as compatible with the brake I spec'd, I assumed the brake itself came with the straddle cable, but that was not the case. I'm a little surprised that who ever assembled the bike didn't catch this and reach out to me to see if I wanted to add one to the order, since the brake wont work without this simple, inexpensive cable, but I'm too grown up to sweat little things like that. I just went ahead and ordered one, and will ride brakeless til it arrives.
Also, the builder prompted me to order grind guards (I didn't) even though the wheels I selected come with them.
So be extra attentive to those little details when you are putting your build together, since I think the builder more or less checks for generic specs like BB size and headset compatibility.
Source did a great job packaging the bike, and it arrived without any damage, so I'll get to be the one who puts the first scratches on it. The more challenging parts of the build that require special tools -pressing in the headset and bottom bracket, mounting the crank and fork and putting the chain on- was already done, so I was able to get the bike unpacked and riding in about half an hour. I used to work in a bike shop, so my personal experience with the assembly was quick and easy. It was nice to just have to bolt on a few things and be able to ride.
I would recommend their custom builder if you want a quick way to build a bike for yourself and don't want to worry about compatibility issues.
January 18, 2023
Unprompted review