# What to look for in custom geometry **URL:** \ **Category:** Tech Help\ **Created:** [October 18, 2026, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049 "2026-10-18T18:27:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Michael\_F](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/michael_f/32/13064_2.png) [@Michael\_F](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Michael_F)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/1 "2026-10-18T18:27:46Z")
Hi there, I have long legs and a short torso and struggle with most bikes being too long and/or too low. This means with my current bike I ended up with a short stem, short reach bars, a stack of spacers and/or the redshift topshelf bars. I am considering going with a custom frame with a bikefit and would love to hear from people going through the process of getting to the custom geometry. What do I need to pay attention to? I have spent hours comparing geometry chart and have some idea of what I think would fit but don’t know how that would work out in terms of ride feel. I would like to not have any toe overlap and sometimes brush the chainstay with my heel, which I would like to prevent on a new bike. Also, one of options I am looking at is No22 so any feedback there is also appreciated. Thanks for your input, cheers ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Leville](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/jack_leville/32/10423_2.png) [@Jack\_Leville](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Jack_Leville)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/2 "2026-10-18T18:48:59Z")
Personally, I think you should get your fit first, and not necessarily with the fitter of the custom builder. Normally, a custom builder is willing to work with fit data from another fitter or even from the customer. That leaves room for you to search for a fitter that you have confidence in. Second, search for a custom builder that makes products you like, that has sufficient experience with the type of bike you want (and the material you want it in), and that makes a really good impression when it comes to working together. The builder should obviously be interested in: - the fit data - info on your weight, shoe size, etc - what type of rides you want to use the bike primarily for - the type of handling you prefer - the level of comfort you desire - other requirements, like toe overlap, gearing, tyre clearance… Hopefully a productive discussion unfolds… Just my opinion. Hope it can help. ---
**Author:** ![frank](https://community.escapecollective.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@frank](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/frank)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/3 "2026-10-18T18:55:07Z")
Definitely go and get a bike fit first, and then ride with that fit for a few months to make sure it’s good. From there when you work with a good reputable builder they will ask what you are looking for and concerns are. Are you wanting gravel, road, “all road”, bikepacking, etc, etc. That will also play into what they can do for you in terms of angles, lengths, components, and so forth. So if you tell them you want a gravel bike, but toe overlap is a concern, they’ll do what they can to accommodate this but understand there is sometimes only so much that can be done. Ideally the builder will understand bike fit and ride characteristics well enough to work with your fit numbers, and not just slap you into the bar x/y and call it a day. The one I’m working with now listened to all my concerns, is working with them, and is keeping the bike in a modest geo as to not box me into the specific fit details I gave them. Ive done 1 custom frame, and am in the queue for a second. The one thing I will offer here is they can feel both amazing and stressful. It’s an investment (especially a No. 22). You will be excited to get it, but also nervous about “did I do X right” or “should i have gotten Y”. They also may end up being a nuisance b/c of something being slightly out of spec. For example my custom steel frame is susceptible to slipping seatposts. It sucks and is annoying given the frame cost but i now have what works best, it just took some trial and error. At the end of the day just remind yourself its a bike and in 99% of cases you can fix the situation. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Leville](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/jack_leville/32/10423_2.png) [@Jack\_Leville](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Jack_Leville)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/4 "2026-10-18T18:58:01Z")
And a very important lesson- one I learned the hard way: think at the very least twice before making last-minute changes to your design. They may not be as thought-through as the original plan. ---
**Author:** ![frank](https://community.escapecollective.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@frank](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/frank)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/5 "2026-10-18T19:00:35Z")
To add to what jack said, dont try to cram every idea into it too. My first frame I had it run with a dropper routing for gravel. I took the post out after a year, and now I have this unused port entry on the downtube. I can probably get it filled, but I need to wait for another paint job or just let it be part of the character of the bike. I also have rack mounts Ive never used once. ---
**Author:** ![Nick](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/nick/32/7422_2.png) [@Nick](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Nick)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/6 "2026-10-18T19:38:03Z")
So much good advice here. +1 to get a fit first, find an experienced builder, don’t try to cram in too many ideas / get too clever, think about whether you want to run the brake hoses through the headset or not (custom actually gives you that choice), and if it’s a 1 person operation take their ETA and double it 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Babs](https://community.escapecollective.com/user_avatar/community.escapecollective.com/babs/32/3783_2.png) [@Babs](https://community.escapecollective.com/u/Babs)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.escapecollective.com/t/what-to-look-for-in-custom-geometry/6049/7 "2026-10-18T21:18:44Z")
I’ve done customs several times. I agree with all of the above. I will add: do not ask a builder to do something out of their routine (except Rob English, I suppose). Extreme example - don’t ask a tig welder to fillet braze unless they regularly do both.