Why Build with steel?

Steel is the most versatile for building custom frames. There are a bounty of alloys, wall thicknesses, diameters, shapes and lengths of steel tubes to choose from. Mixing and matching these tubes to match your size, power, ability and needs is what custom is all about!

When ordering materials for a customer, I pick each tube based on what you need it to do. I do not buy sets or in bulk. While I primarily use True Temper tubing made in the USA, I can also order from Columbus, Dedacciai. Each manufacturer has multiple grades of steel engineered specifically for use in bicycle frames. With proper rust prevention, these frames can and will outlive you.

For a while I had planned on arguing the greatness of steel as a custom frame material against each other option out there but there are many fantastic builders out there doing really great and innovative work with all types of materials that I thought it rude to be negative towards the non ferrous custom frames. Choose the material that best suits you! Be it the ride characteristics, aesthetics, price, or connotations that help you decide, you should be confident in the builder and material you choose.



What about weight and wait?

Steel has come a long way since the old ten speeds you might be used to. Often people are surprised by how light a quality steel frame can be. I regularly produce frames in the 3.5lb range without using any superlight, race specific tubing. When thinking about the complete weight of bike and rider, the small difference in frame weight is insignificant. Chances are, you could save more weight on yourself than the bike. If you are racing at the level where a 15lb bike will make the difference between winning and losing, then you aren't buying your own bikes anyway.

Often the wait times on a custom frame can be tough to come to terms. Whether its your first custom or you're filling your house with them, you can use the wait time to prepare your current bike(s) and significant others for the new addition to the family, so they know what to expect when the Icarus arrives.

I do my best to keep on top of my orders and give folks an accurate idea of how long it will actually take.

Why choose Icarus?

It is important to know your builder! I am a one man shop and will be working with you one on one from start to finish. Answering your emails, designing the frame, ordering materials, the entire fabrication process and packing it up to ship.

The only step that I do not do myself is the paint. I leave that in the capable hands of Bryan of Fresh Frame or Tony at Hot Tubes.

I am flexible and want to hear about your ideas for the frame. Whether you know exactly what you want, down to the sizing, geometry, details and paint or you just know that you want a bike that fits for daily riding, I will work with you to create that bike. I will give you my honest opinion about will and won't be cool/fit/work and you can listen or not! CHOICES!!



All photography on this page by Milica Wren