Has anyone ordered a custom Calfee? Have heard nothing but good things from Calfee owners on standard frames, but do not know anyone who has ordered a custom sized frame. Would like to hear some feedback on the process and satisfaction if anyone has tried. Thanks!
I have a custom Calfee tetra-tri. Great bike. Great experience. I had City Cycle in San Francisco handle all the measurements and working with Craig Calfee. Because someone is going to pipe in that very few people need custom: I did it just to replicate the exact bike I had and loved. It was a circa '98 QR Kilo. We also had them add 2cm more on the seat tube cluster and head tube to save some spacers and give the all carbon fork a bit more support further up. It’s been a great bike. I’ve had friends go direct and get great service also, for the same price, I preferred to have my favorite LBS be a part of the mix and make sure everything was going to be perfect. The only problem is 5 years later it’s still a great bike and I can’t justify replacing it. Although the Kuota/Issac Joule/Lucero bikes are rather sexy.
you might ask the same question on the Calfee forum
http://www.bikefanclub.com/forum/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=calfee
.
Thanks!
Had a custom Tetra Pro made that I designed. After emailing Craig to discuss the option I had a shim put inside the bottom of the seat tube to stiffen the BB (I use kneesavers pedal axle extenders to address some genetic oddities so there is a lot more lateral force than normal) and also Dragonfly style sculpted dropouts added.
It came out perfect, to the millimeter on all the measurements, looks great, rides beautifully and really didn’t take any longer than their stock frames. Last I heard Craig was still doing all the custom frames himself to ensure the best quality.
I have a custom Tetra-Tri designed and fitted by Chris Kautz. It is a dream in all respects: build quality, finish and comfort.
I have a Calfee Tetra-Custom. This was my 3rd season on it. Never have I ridden a bike remotely similar to the Calfee’s feel, response, and comfort.
My buying/delivery experience was not as smooth as it could have been. Delivery took about 8 weeks longer than stated, and when the bike arrived it was the wrong color scheme! When the rear wheel is fully seated in the dropouts, the wheel alignment is off, so I have to manually align it. When I discovered this I was extremely pissed and I was told I could either send it back and wait for a new one, or simply align it manually. As soon as I rode it I didn’t want to send it back. The color grew on me.
For all of the money that the frame cost, I would not have expected these three issues I’ve described above, but it was worth every penny. My next bike will be built over this winter, and it’ll be another Calfee. Craig still owes me for the color mix up.