Submitted by
FM
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Wa. Date Reviewed: August 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Cheap Thrills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$925.00
Purchased At:
Curtlo
Strengths:
Custom - Can be whatever you want it to be.
Fillet Brazed, best quality tubing
20+ years of custom frame building experience really shows in the ride quality & details
Weaknesses:
Wait... and communication during the wait.
Similar Products Used:
DeKerf Team 853 and Implant hardtails
Davidson Custom mountain hardtail
Doug has the experience, skills and talent to build a top-shelf custom steel frame. How is that better than a high-quality production steel frame? depends on what you are looking for. In my case I had specific fit and geometry in mind, and I was looking for a burly frame that could handle agressive steep trails and maybe some light FR. The wait was about 8 months. Overall, communication was pretty good but there were a few emails I never recieved a reply back on. However, when I did recieve the frame, it far exceeded my expectations! It was everything I had hoped it woudl be, and more, since Doug put some extra "personal touches" on. definitely worth the wait!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pinchphlat
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: April 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Sparrow Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Curtlo C
Strengths:
Remarkable climbing and very fast through tight twisting single track. The bike rides very smooth, something noticed by all of my other fellow riders with much more travel on their bikes. The frame is very light (2kg or 4.4lbs) and is steel - a plus in my opinion.
Doug's welding is of the highest quality on this frame. The Salsa rear shock gives 1" of travel, and I have found that this is more than enough with the 29er setup to deal with rough terrain.
Weaknesses:
None that I can think of to be honest. Riders who are used to 4+ inches of rear travel may find the softail set up too harsh for their liking, but I think it is perfect for cross-country riding.
Bike Setup:
Shimano XT groupset and brakes; Bontrager Rythym Elite 29 wheelset; Rockshox Reba Race 29er forks; Maxxis Crossmark tyres; Thompson elite seatpost and stem; Race Face Evolve low riser bar; WTN Speed V comp saddle; Exustar pedals; Gore Ride-on cabling
Bottom Line:
As the previous reviewer noted, there is a wait of about 6 months for one of these frames. Believe me, it is worth it. My bike set-up is light (10kg or 22lbs), fast and smooth. Overall, it is just a fun bike to ride.
Oh and Doug's customer service is great. I live in Australia, and I had excellent assistance in getting the bike and its parts shipped over from the US.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jon
a Cross Country Rider
from baltimore, md Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$950.00
Purchased At:
Curtlo
Strengths:
Light, perfect fit, fantastic ride
Weaknesses:
had to file out dropouts
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager race,
Bike Setup:
XT
Bottom Line:
If you can wait 6 months, you will be very pleased
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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