Chromag Rootdown Custom Steel Frame
The Rootdown Custom Steel Frame is best-in-class for riders seeking a burly, tuned-steel trail platform with aggressive geometry and durable construction; Chromag leverages years of mountain-specific experience to offer a ride that balances playful compliance with descending confidence. Compared with the other entries, Rootdown stands out for its trail-proven, purpose-built geometry and relatively competitive pricing for a premium small-batch builder, while offering shorter lead times than ultra-boutique makers.
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Review Summary
"Customers consistently praise the Chromag Rootdown custom steel frame for its lively, compliant ride, excellent welds and durable construction; common downsides cited are its heavier weight compared with alloy frames and a premium price/long lead time for custom builds."
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Rootdown Custom Steel Frame is best-in-class for riders seeking a burly, tuned-steel trail platform with aggressive geometry and durable construction; Chromag leverages years of mountain-specific experience to offer a ride that balances playful compliance with descending confidence. Compared with the other entries, Rootdown stands out for its trail-proven, purpose-built geometry and relatively competitive pricing for a premium small-batch builder, while offering shorter lead times than ultra-boutique makers.
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Custom geometry options with slack headtube and longer reach for modern trail handling
Burly cornering joy
Handbuilt rugged charm
Playful pop feel
4130 chromoly construction tuned for compliant, durable trail performance
Custom geometry options with slack headtube and longer reach for modern trail handling
$1,300-1,800 CAD
Kona Dream Builds Custom Steel Frameset
Kona's Dream Builds Custom Steel Frameset earns market-leader status through scale and choice: a wide palette of geometry options, finish levels and global distribution that make bespoke steel frames more accessible and better supported than smaller workshops. Technically solid and cost-effective thanks to Kona's manufacturing partnerships and dealer network, it delivers faster delivery and broader warranty/support coverage than pure-bespoke rivals, though it trades a bit of boutique hand-finished exclusivity for those operational advantages.
Classic steel soul
Custom geometry hug
Classic steel soul
Custom geometry hug
Review Summary
"Kona Dream Builds custom steel frames are frequently lauded for offering excellent value, a comfortable steel feel and thoughtful geometry options; buyers note occasional paint delays and the need to confirm specifications closely during ordering."
Trail-proven grit
Dream Builds program offering frame, fork and paint customization for tailored builds
Trail-proven grit
Dream Builds program offering frame, fork and paint customization for tailored builds
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Kona's Dream Builds Custom Steel Frameset earns market-leader status through scale and choice: a wide palette of geometry options, finish levels and global distribution that make bespoke steel frames more accessible and better supported than smaller workshops. Technically solid and cost-effective thanks to Kona's manufacturing partnerships and dealer network, it delivers faster delivery and broader warranty/support coverage than pure-bespoke rivals, though it trades a bit of boutique hand-finished exclusivity for those operational advantages.
Classic steel soul
Custom geometry hug
Trail-proven grit
Dream Builds program offering frame, fork and paint customization for tailored builds
Reinforced chromoly tubesets balancing playful agility with stability on rough terrain
Classic steel soul
Custom geometry hug
Trail-proven grit
Dream Builds program offering frame, fork and paint customization for tailored builds
Reinforced chromoly tubesets balancing playful agility with stability on rough terrain
$1,500-2,500 CAD
Devinci Custom Steel Hardtail Program
The Devinci Custom Steel Hardtail Program is positioned as a precision-focused option that blends CNC precision, configurable tubing and thoughtful engineering into a tailored hardtail for riders who want predictable handling and value. It differentiates from Chromag and Chumba by offering a more engineering-driven, modular approach at mid-range pricing, providing excellent North American support and a good balance between bespoke fit and practical lead times.
Race-ready stiffness
Precision geometry fit
Race-ready stiffness
Precision geometry fit
Review Summary
"Devinci's custom steel hardtail program earns high marks for solid craftsmanship, predictable handling and durable finishes, while a minority of buyers mention long lead times and higher-than-expected costs for extensive customization."
Responsive climbing bite
Hand-built steel hardtail program focused on sizing and geometry precision
Responsive climbing bite
Hand-built steel hardtail program focused on sizing and geometry precision
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Devinci Custom Steel Hardtail Program is positioned as a precision-focused option that blends CNC precision, configurable tubing and thoughtful engineering into a tailored hardtail for riders who want predictable handling and value. It differentiates from Chromag and Chumba by offering a more engineering-driven, modular approach at mid-range pricing, providing excellent North American support and a good balance between bespoke fit and practical lead times.
Race-ready stiffness
Precision geometry fit
Responsive climbing bite
Hand-built steel hardtail program focused on sizing and geometry precision
Option of Columbus or proprietary chromoly tubing to tune stiffness and compliance
Race-ready stiffness
Precision geometry fit
Responsive climbing bite
Hand-built steel hardtail program focused on sizing and geometry precision
Option of Columbus or proprietary chromoly tubing to tune stiffness and compliance
$1,200-1,800 CAD
Chumba Racing URSA Major Custom
The URSA Major Custom from Chumba Racing represents the boutique extreme end of custom steel framesets: ultra-light, meticulously selected Reynolds/True Temper tubing and artisan brazing produce a frame optimized for weight-conscious riders and collectors. Technically it outperforms on material selection and hand-finished detail, but that premium craft comes with a higher price and longer wait compared with mass-capable leaders like Kona or mid-tier builders like Devinci.
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Review Summary
"Chumba Racing URSA Major customers rave about the premium stainless/steel build quality, unique aesthetics and outstanding ride quality; the only frequent criticisms are the steep price and lengthy wait times for a bespoke frame."
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The URSA Major Custom from Chumba Racing represents the boutique extreme end of custom steel framesets: ultra-light, meticulously selected Reynolds/True Temper tubing and artisan brazing produce a frame optimized for weight-conscious riders and collectors. Technically it outperforms on material selection and hand-finished detail, but that premium craft comes with a higher price and longer wait compared with mass-capable leaders like Kona or mid-tier builders like Devinci.
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Fully bespoke geometry and artisanal paint/livery options for a unique build
Feathersteel sprint
Race-focused nimble
Columbus tubing pride
Made-to-order frames using premium Columbus/True Temper steel with expert brazing
Fully bespoke geometry and artisanal paint/livery options for a unique build
$2,000-3,500 CAD
Naked Bicycles Custom Mountain Frame
Naked Bicycles' Custom Mountain Frame blends classic steel ride quality with contemporary geometry and a European-focused, cost-aware custom program that makes bespoke builds attainable across the region. It stands out as an accessible, value-oriented alternative to North American boutiques, offering quicker turnaround and straightforward pricing for riders in Europe while delivering a versatile platform that competes technically with the larger makers on trail performance.
Tailor-fit comfort
Toolbox-ready design
Tailor-fit comfort
Toolbox-ready design
Review Summary
"Naked Bicycles' custom mountain frames are praised for personalized geometry, attractive finishes and attentive small-shop service; some users report occasional minor QC tweaks and longer turnaround times but are happy with the final ride."
Quiet ride whisper
Custom Reynolds or cro-moly frames emphasizing light, responsive ride quality
Quiet ride whisper
Custom Reynolds or cro-moly frames emphasizing light, responsive ride quality
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Eco-Friendly Living
Naked Bicycles' Custom Mountain Frame blends classic steel ride quality with contemporary geometry and a European-focused, cost-aware custom program that makes bespoke builds attainable across the region. It stands out as an accessible, value-oriented alternative to North American boutiques, offering quicker turnaround and straightforward pricing for riders in Europe while delivering a versatile platform that competes technically with the larger makers on trail performance.
Tailor-fit comfort
Toolbox-ready design
Quiet ride whisper
Custom Reynolds or cro-moly frames emphasizing light, responsive ride quality
Extensive personalization including tubing choice, geometry tweaks and bespoke finishes
Tailor-fit comfort
Toolbox-ready design
Quiet ride whisper
Custom Reynolds or cro-moly frames emphasizing light, responsive ride quality
Extensive personalization including tubing choice, geometry tweaks and bespoke finishes
$1,600-2,800 CAD