Baum v Cecil Walker?

Jotjepoes

I'm looking to get a custom bike in Victoria (Melbourne) and I'm tossing up between going to Baum or Cecil Walker. If you have had any experiences with them on their custom bikes (good or bad) I'd appreciate hearing them.

Cecil Walker are close to me and do both steel and alu frames. Baum seem to have an exellent reputation but only do steel (and titanium) and seem a lot more expensive. I still haven't entirely decided whether to go steel or alu, but I figure I'll talk to them about it. (I'd love to have titanium but that's a lot of $$$!)

Why custom? I'm short with small hands. Having done a lot of research (I initially wanted to go carbon) I've discovered that existing WSD's which cater for small hands, don't seem to have the geometry right for me.

I've considered Kennedy's as well, but they only do campy and not shimano, and from the research I've done, the shimano set up seems better for my small hands.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Jotjepoes

matagi

I have no experience with any of these manufacturers but ......

You might want to consider Thylacine Cycles - also Melbourne based.

Thylacine

Hi There,

Are you after a complete custom bike, or do you know what parts you want and just want a frame and forks?

Your project sounds really interesting. We tend to do a lot of frames for taller people (I'm 193cms personally), so the challenge of fitting you and designing a killer bike would be a great experience I reckon.

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roshea

From what I have read, both Cecil Walker and Kennedy get their frames made by Paconi in Braeside, but they may be made to different specifications. Hillman in Brunswick also do custom frames, but when I spoke to them I got the impression that all their frames were built overseas (not that it changes anything - Hillman get the work done to their standards and look after the warranty). Baum and Thylacine are in another league from the point of view of price and probably quality.

531Aussie

As Roshea suggested, if you're gunna get a Cecil Walker, you might as well go straight to Paconi in Braeside (MacBeth St). Cecil Walker will obviously whack on a bit extra, and, even worse, they might put their horrible stickers on it.
Paconi's stickers look heaps better, and people will assume you're a h@rdcore pro who will only ride custom. He might even have something sitting there for you in your dimensions.

If you don't wanna spend too much; wan't something to do ride everyday and not be too scared of getting it wet, just get something in Columbus Zonal (I reckon) from Paconi

However, if you want a sexy limo that's gunna be the new love of your life, maybe go fancy with a Baum, Thylacine, or even a Teschner (!!!$$$$) in steel, ti, or fancier aluminium

Dancier

Kevin won't sell direct, he refers you to Kennedy or Cecil Walker.

In the past Cecil Walker owned Paconi cycles, it may be different now but i don't think so. Does anyone know?

531Aussie

oh, things must've changed.
I think he's now owned by Bike Sportz; aren't they in car-hoots with Cecil Walker?

roshea

I understand that the proprietors of Cecil Walker and Bikesportz are brothers.

531Aussie

oh, that's what it is

is that why their Campag groupsets are cheaper than most?

parawolf

<rumour>
They buy 'em off PBK and sell them as Retail
</rumour>

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roshea

On the other hand, ask Dutchy about trying to get help with warranty issues on a Bianchi purchased from CW

JeremyP

Are you a guy? If so have you considered a women's geometry bike?

DamianM

You didn't read his post very well did you ?