Of the choices below, for a custom Ti hardtail.price no object since they're all about the same except for Quiring, who would you go with?
This will be a long project since it will be costly, but i want it done right, so time to deliver the frame is not really a priority. I'm more interested in how the maker treats the buyer, quality of ride, beauty of the welds, etc...
I'm sure everyone will have a different opinion, since we all have favorites... I think the advantage of IF and seven is that they are larger custom builders with a lot of support vs. the smaller makers...With the smaller makers i like how it feels truly made for you and you develop a relationship with the maker...
I'm not really bothered by the fact thylacine and crisp are international makers, although i wonder about support with those issues...

I guess for now, it's between Black Sheep, Eriksen, and Crisp
THanks!

Quiring
Seven
IF
Eriksen
Kish
Crisp
Thylacine
Black Sheep
Potts

All of your choices make excellent bikes. I agree that a component of your decision should be the relationship and repore you have with that manufacturer/framebuilder. I don't agree about larger builders having more support, however. Those larger manufacturers are sold through dealers, and there is some substantial mark-ups there. Also, you don't really get to talk to the person making your bike, you have to go through the dealer. This can prevent the builder from understanding the complete package you want. Sure, the dealer will have some support, post-sale. But how much are quickie-spin the barrel adjuster-tune ups really worth? Not much in my book. As to the larger issues, in terms of support, most of these should have a lifetime warranty. So, even the smaller guys will be standing behind their frames. Also, the smaller guys are usually quick to address these issues. Word of mouth advertising is the rule for them. The big guys concentrate on producing new frames, warranty work can be put on the back burner, sometimes.
Everyone thinks of custom as geometry driven. Yes, the bikes geometry is crucial, but so is tube selection. Especially with Ti, you should have a variety of tubes(butting,swaging, diameters,wall thicknesses) to select according to each individual riders proportions, riding style, and preferences.
Finally, selecting a custom ti bike also means you are getting a work of art. The framebuilders' artistry and craftmanship should be something you, and everyone who rides with you, gawk at, even years later.
Good luck in your search.
Oh yeah, just look at my avatar to see my preference!

I guess for now, it's between Black Sheep, Eriksen, and Crisp
THanks!


All three real nice builders.

Personally I would opt for a smaller builder instead of going for a bigger builder. I've heard some weird stories from bigger companies lately.

A friend of mine had a custom build by Daren (Crisp), he's one of the most critical (bike-wise) guys I know and he was very satisfied in working with Daren.

Especially when you're in Europe I would go this route.

We sell more frames Internationally than we do locally, so we're very popular with buyers looking for something a little different, from a company with global sensibilities.

In terms of global support, aside from the fact we're the most contactable company out there, we also have a global network of repairers, so on the offchance you have an issue, you won't have to send it half way around the world to be remedied.

I own an Eriksen 29er hardtail and soon will have a Black Sheep road bike. I cannot think of a single reason not to go with either of these guys for a nice custom Ti bike. They are both super guys to deal with and make great frames. I have not received my Black Sheep yet, so I cannot say much about it other than the process of dealing James has been wonderful. The Eriksen is a stellar bike in every way. The ride is simply siblime and fits me as perfect as a bike has ever fit me. Kent knows his stuff too and will take care of you. I say give them both a call and talk about what you are looking for in this bike and they will tell you what they can do. After that you should have a good feeling of where they are coming from and then make the choice from there. Really, you cannot win either way! Good podition to be in if you ask me.

I've worked at lbs's and went through aluminum and steel frames.
But i went with kish about 3 years ago and haven't looked back. my previous screenname is hellmuttcracker... and you can search my bikes... anyways if you want a really smooth welds go with kish, because there really is no comparison.

My next custom Ti will be a Kish or Erickson. For some reason I put them a notch above the rest.

Call them all and see how you feel.