I recently wrote in the KGS Bikes Ezine about “How do you run the math?” regarding the real value in custom bicycles. A client commented to me after reading it that there was another huge benefit to buying custom other than the obvious “it fits you like a glove” benefit. This person had bought his second bike from KGS and was relating the experience of the first bike.
His first bike was purchased on close-out at a great price. What he had not factored into the real cost of the bike was the new saddle, new handlebars, new stem and the labor to install them. When he bought his custom KGS bicycle, he changed his mind at least five times regarding components, but since we were waiting for the frame to be built, nothing was etched in stone. At delivery, he had a better selection of components and did not have a bigger collection of used components to fill up his junk drawer or sell on eBay.
I believe that people get into their new bike once purchased and read more about the topic, which brings new discoveries and possibilities. If the bike is bought off the floor, these discoveries result in more redundant purchases of equipment. The delays inherent in custom bikes allow for this discovery to happen without penalty and that is a really big factor in both the real cost of the bike and its value to you, both in the short run and the long run.
Have you found this to be true when you bought your last bike?
