Sean Walling shows us what a stock custom bike looks like.
If you’ve ever lusted after a hand built bike but couldn’t afford it, this might be the bike for you. Soulcraft has taken out the custom sizing part of custom bikes and creates a more affordable option. If you fit one of the 3 stock sizes of the Tradesman, you could save yourself some money with this bike.
The quality of the Tradesman is the same as Soulcraft’s full custom offerings, but somethings were simplified to keep the customers cost down:
-wishbone rear end (allows all 3 sizes to use the same part)
-sizes limited to 3
-no diamond detail on braze-ons
-no stamped head badge
-1 color per production run
For the complete bike shown here with Fox Fork, XT group, WTB wheels, tires, grips and saddle, Thomson stem and seat post the price is $4250 – Made in the USA.
Soulcraft Bikes is based out of Petaluma, CA.
More info: www.soulcraftbikes.com
“Top Notch Bicycle Frames”
Looks great, but is it just me or does that whole package price just seem crazy high?
Nice welds, I can’t afford it but nice Frame!
Yes. You could buy a gunnar or niner for far less and build it up yourself with a similar setup for around $2500. It is a nice bike, but over priced.
Dumb question, but aren’t most mountain bikes “hand-made?” I’m pretty sure that my Cove STD was welded up by hand by a guy in Vancouver and I’m also pretty sure that my Transition Bandit was welded up “by hand” by a welder in Taiwan. Are there really a lot of bikes out there being built by robots? Unless the builder is making the bike to your custom measurements, I don’t get how you can have a “stock custom” bike. Seems like an oxymoron.
Props to ALL of these guys who want to make a living as custom builders. Not everyone can afford one of these just like anything else in life. Do you want to drive a Chevy or aBMW? What else are you going to do with your money, buy $400 dollar phones, $2000 dollar TV sets? How long do those last? Bottom line is when you buy one of these from any custom builder you are supporting an idea and a life for a DREAMER who had the nerve to actually think he could do what he really wanted to do with his life. For Mark M… DUHHHH and that guy in Taiwan gets what benefits from his corporation? Oh he only works 60 hours/week but he makes $30 a day instead of $5.00 or $1.00 like the other factory workers. I would rather know the guy who made my stuff.
@scott: I’m proud to say that every single piece of furniture in my home was _hand made_ in the USA. I plan on keeping all of it for life. Did you miss the first part where I said that I own a Cove STD? This frame was hand-welded in Vancouver and I was willing to shell out $3000 for that frame (not to mention my Gravity-Dropper, Chromag, Straitline and Elka made-in-NA bits). My point is that why is a frame welded in the USA considered “hand-made” while a frame welded in Taiwan is not considered “hand-made”? I bet they welder in Taiwan takes a lot of pride in his skill and craft. I’m all for supporting our local builders and I do exactly that as much as I can. I’m honestly confused about what makes some frames “hand-made” and others not. Please enlighten. Discounting the skill of somebody just because they are from Asia sounds a bit racists to me.
Aren’t just about any of the many custom frames available (USA made…) within that price range?
@Francis: why not start referring to these as “Craft Bicycles?” From what I’m told, even bikes in a Wal-Mart are “hand made.”
So…exactly what about this bike is custom?
Since when is $4250 affordable?
How much are the “custom” custom bikes if the “stock” custom ones top $4k? I’ve checked out prices for several custom bikes and $4k can get you a sweet fully customized frame (and all the bits to hang on it) from several reputable builders… failing to see how this is a bargain.
Also, my current bike price range is half that, so calling $4k “affordable” is a little crazy in my book.