Author Topic: Any boutique frame makers for one off replica frame?  (Read 1983 times)

kwantani

Any boutique frame makers for one off replica frame?
« on: August 29, 2024, 05:56:05 PM »
Any boutique frameset factories in China that can do one-off or low volume on replica frameset from yester years?
e.g. Lotus Sport 110?
https://www.twohubs.com/Product/collections/lotus-sport-110-campagnolo-record-complete-bike/712519

Hotta TT
https://www.twohubs.com/Product/collections/eddy-merckx-hotta-tt700-time-trial-bike/2090794



Serge_K

Re: Any boutique frame makers for one off replica frame?
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2024, 03:15:43 AM »
If you expect a factory to copy / make a design in CAD, make a mould of the size you want, it can certainly be done, because that's basically what ever factory that doesn't use open mould does, but you're looking at thousands upon thousands, as the tooling itself costs thousands.
Is that what you have in mind?
Fast on the flat. And nowhere else.

kwantani

Re: Any boutique frame makers for one off replica frame?
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2024, 03:41:48 PM »
Yes something similar... boutique factory willing to invest in special replica frameset as mentioned above to served the vintage/collection market.

frnchy

Re: Any boutique frame makers for one off replica frame?
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2024, 08:47:02 PM »
Yes something similar... boutique factory willing to invest in special replica frameset as mentioned above to served the vintage/collection market.

https://bikerumor.com/aasq8-how-much-does-it-cost-to-mold-a-carbon-bike-head-tube-woes-and-fat-bike-29ers/

The price of molds starts around $60k USD and very rapidly goes up from there... and that figure is for just one size of frame, doesn't include forks nor frame testing nor layup scheduling, etc etc etc... there is no universe where any boutique manufacturer could break even, much less make a profit, on replicas of frames that aren't exactly super hot collectors items and are illegal under UCI rules for competition. Not to mention the "vintage/collection market" is, by definition, interested in vintage frames and not replicas. Sorry, but it's not happening.