Custom Mountain Bikes
Topanga Creek Bicycles has been building quality custom bicycles for many years since we opened our shop in Los Angeles over ten years ago. We pride ourselves in offering customized bicycles crafted with the highest standards based on your needs, budget and style to make each bike uniquely yours. People come to us from around the world because they trust us for our craftsmanship, professionalism, aesthetic abilities and high degree of personable service. Our goal is to make bicycle riding a great experience for you so you continue to ride and feel proud of your bike.
When you decide to work with us and vice versa, it's important that you feel comfortable and have a great overall experience as we help you design your bike. The moment you step into our shop in Topanga you'll feel relaxed because of the retreat-like forest surroundings. We are personable (told by many people) and will help guide you through the entire process from initial design to component specification to work completion with straight approach and open communication. We will tell you what works, what doesn't and never over promise.
Since we are an authorized Los Angeles dealer for all complete bicycles, bicycle frames, parts and accessories we carry, you receive even more when you make a purchase from us. For bicycles, you get a free Standard Tune-Up and free cable adjustments for the entire first year. We also offer price guarantee in addition to full manufacturers' warranties so you can enjoy your purchase with a peace of mind. Most importantly, you have us. We are friendly, knowledgeable and we have created a down-to-earth cycling community where new friendships are formed everyday. We also welcome customers to join us for shop bike rides and invite them to participate in shop races. Cycling is about having fun and we truly want everyone to have a wonderful experience on a bike that's well built and designed around you.
Narrowing down a mountain bike frame and suspension design from a sea of
endless choices out there can truly be a daunting task. Variables such as headtube
angle, travel and shock design can all affect how the bike handles over both
ascending and descending terrain. Being the dedicated mountain bike shop in Los Angeles and
having members of the shop participate in mountain bike races regularly, we have tested
and ridden numerous suspension designs and our experiences ultimately drive the bike brands
we carry today. Each brand offers its unique and innovative technology that works extremely well
and seamlessly so riders can focus on having fun on the trails. But don't just take our
word for it. Many of these manufacturers have won top industry accolades and our happy
customers are the best testimonials for them.
While large manufacturers spend big marketing bucks on advertising, TV product placements
and having their logos plastered all over Tour de France, smaller companies stay in the race
by spending their money on R&D and being in the forefront of innovation and ideas. Below
is a list of these smaller manufacturers we have the pleasure of working with. Click on each
one for more information. We also have many complete bike demos available for you to try out before
making the decision.
BMC Mountain Bike Frames
All BMC frames are designed and engineered in the city of Grenchen
(known as Switzerland's precision valley) and tested right in their
backyard in the Swiss Alps. Their advanced rear-triangle design provides a very
compliant and efficient ride while keeping the rider in control at all time.
BMC's innovation has put them in the forefront of technology and their quality control is
one of the best in the industry. We highly recommend BMC to anyone who's shopping
for a new mountain bike. Frames are available in aluminum and carbon fiber.
Technology Highlight
- Advanced Pivot System (APS)
An ideal suspension system converts all the rider's energy into propulsion while the shock system absorbs the impacts by carefully calculating the position of the pivotal points on the APS rear suspension. The advanced pivot system offers the rider the perfect combination of efficiency, traction and comfort.
- Integrated Skeleton Concept (iSC)
Cleverly selected skeletal reinforcement elements at the nodal points and the spread of the top tube distribute the impacting forces perfectly. In combination with the special tube profiles, this is how BMC frames achieve an optimum ratio of stiffness and weight.
- Core Stiffness
In order to counteract the extreme stress in the bottom bracket area, the tube designs and profiles of the seat tube, down tube and chain stays are optimized to obtain the best bonded and welded joints. The result is a significant improvement in terms of lateral stiffness and the pedal power applied is converted directly into propulsion.
Salsa Mountain Bike Frames
Salsa Cycles has been around since the early 80's and is known for
producing high-end mountain bikes for hardcore bike
enthusiasts. This year Salsa has introduced many new frames that are
made with the same advanced technology and craftsmanship but are much more affordable
for the masses. We applaud the move because everyone now has a chance to own a
ever-so-popular model such as El Mariachi or Fargo. Also new this years is the
addition of Titanium frames for many existing models including El Mariachi, Fargo,
Ala Carte, Selma and more. Get your Salsa today!
Technology Highlight
- Salsa Titanium
Titanium offers a unique balance of strength, weight savings, stiffness, and durability. Salsa uses 3/2.5 seamless titanium, and a biaxial ovalized downtube for lateral stiffness at
the bottom bracket and vertical stiffness at the headtube. This, paired with renowned Salsa geometry,
results in a frame of impeccable quality for a lifetime's worth of epic riding.
- Alternator Dropout
Alternator dropout equipped frames allow both geared and singlespeed setups. The Alternator also makes proper chain tensioning a snap while allowing hassle free quick-release wheel removal.
Niner Mountain Bike Frames
Twenty-niners have gained tremendous amount of popularity in the recent
years partly due to the intrinsic advantages larger 29 inch wheel has
over its smaller brother. Larger contact patch yields more traction and
longer radius carries more forward momentum over obstacles to make going downhill
a total blast. Niner Bikes devotes their R&D entirely on 29ers to
make these machines light weight yet nimble. Available in full suspension
and hardtail.
Technology Highlight
- Constantly Varying Arc (CVA™) Suspension
Unique to Niner and designed in house, CVA™ works very differently from other full suspension bikes to isolate pedaling forces and remain fully active under all conditions. Another key component to CVA™ suspension's amazingly active design is the low leverage ratio of shock stroke to suspension movement which translates to smoother, more effective damping and less drag on the seals.
- Bio-Centric Bottom Bracket System (EBB)
Simple, light, and strong, Bio-Centric uses two-piece design with flanges on the outside
of the cups to seal the EBB from dirt and grime, which are the number one cause of creaking in other EBB systems. EBB is also the perfect solution to chain tensioning needs. With one 6mm hex wrench, the EBB can be adjusted on the fly and in the field, and it’s still the lightest EBB system on the market.
- Tapered Headtube
Steering precision starts with the front of the bike. Niner's tapered headtube improves rigidity in this critical area which translates to less wheel deflection and more control. Larger headtube also gives more room to fit a massive hydroformed downtube that joins the bottom bracket to become the burly heart of the bike.
Pivot Mountain Bike Frames
Pivot Cycles is the brainchild of two industry gurus - Chris Cocalis
(founder of Titus) and Dave Weagal (inventor of the DW Link). The DW-link
suspension design produces the ultimate ride. The perfect balance of
traction, acceleration, square edge bump performance, superior braking,
and the ability to handle big hits with ease is what Pivot bikes are known
for. The DW-link's patented position sensitive anti-squat eliminates pedal
bob during hard pedaling and gives the bike additional traction while
climbing, as well as helping propel the bike forward during sprinting.
Technology Highlight
- DW-Link
DW-Link design starts out with a slightly rearward travel path for better square edge bump performance and then goes to a more vertical path, remaining active throughout the travel. The DW-Link truly allows the tunability to give the rider the best pedaling performance possible without sacrificing braking or suspension feel. Simply put, the DW-Link is the next level of suspension design.
- Integrated Bottom Bracket
Pivot is the first frame manufacturer of its kind to feature a 92mm wide bottom bracket shell with internal Shimano XTR bearings. There are no external washers or threads in the shell. The bearings are housed in light composite resin cups with a full sealed sleeve to keep out the elements. This design allows for easy crank installation with no frame facing or special spacers required.
- Tubing, Forging and Welding
Pivot tubes are triple butted and hydro-formed proprietary 6000 series aluminum. In addition, every other part on the frame (other than the head tube) is cold forged. Forging is significantly more expensive but yields a much stronger, lighter frame. Pivot frames feature a combination of traditional and smooth welds to keep things smooth and snag free.
Maverick Mountain Bike Frames
Maverick is a small bike company that focuses on simplicity in design
with big results. Their approach has won praises from across the industry
even though there's never more than 3 or 4 models from their product line.
Little has changed in geometry and design principles because there's nothing
more to improve upon with Maverick's timeless design that works so well in
all terrains.
Technology Highlight
- Monolink Frame Technology
MonoLink is too simple looking to be one of the most advanced suspension systems out there. MonoLink doesn't rely on complicated shocks with fancy-pants valves and springs with logos on them, because the system itself, and the bike itself, is engineered to deliver a ride quality that speaks for itself. MonoLink means that when you are out there enjoying a ride, less can go wrong and more can go right.
- Minimal Chain Growth
As the rear wheel moves, it's critical that the path it takes creates very little variation in the distance between the chainrings and the cassette. The unique design of MonoLink incorporates the position of the bottom bracket into the suspension, and therefore allows for the wheel to move all the way through its travel with negligible chain growth. It's one of the most important features that helps any Maverick to "disappear" under you, as you ride.
Surly Mountain Bike Frames
When you hear "Surly Bikes", immediately you associate it with terms like
"outside the box", "unique" and "rock solid". Rightfully so because Surly's
designers are locked up in the basement until they come up with bicycles
that are eccentric, high in fun factor, and yet extremely functional.
Made out of nothing but steel for that comfortable ride, Surly bikes are
strong and will guarantee to put a big grin on your face.
Technology Highlight
- Versatility Like No Other
Surly bikes beg to be ridden. People ride their Surly to the grocery store one moment then
go off to a bike race the next. The solid construction can take anything that was thrown at it.
- Staying Green
Surly uses steel for as many products as possible. Steel is plentiful, durable, repairable, and easily recyclable. They also powder coat the frames instead of using wet paint because fewer solvents have to be used.
- Steel Rules
Surly custom 4130 CroMoly tubing is used throughout all of their bikes for a lively and fast, yet forgiving, ride. Steel simply rides like nothing else. It soaks up all the little bumps on the road without compromising strength and rigidity.
For many people one of the hardest things to figure out when it comes to custom built bicycles is price and budget.
With so many frames and components to consider it often seems intimidating to even get the process started. The reality
is figuring out the right budget for your custom bike doesn't need to be complicated. We have come up with a simple
breakdown chart to help you understand what you're getting based on your budget so there are no big surprises.
The budget breakdown chart below is based on average bike build with comparable components and is meant only
as an estimate and a starting point. Fill in your budget amount inside the yellow input field and then click
"Calculate". The result will show you a breakdown of your budget for each component category.
Let's say you have your eyes set on a pair of latest American Classic All Mountain wheels that
pushes the percentage up a few notches for that category. We can help you spec out less
expensive components in other areas to compensate for it so you still fall within your budget.
With our long history of custom bike building you can count on us to guide you along with
proper recommendations and open communications.
Let us guide you and help you choose every custom part from
crank to saddle and down to the chain to make sure the bike is uniquely yours within your budget.
Below is a list of popular components we customize the bikes with. We also have relationships with
majority of vendors for those unique and highly special components.
- American classic hubs, wheels
- Avid disc brake sets, Elixir series
- Cane creek headsets
- Chris King hubsets and headsets
- Continental tires (tubeless and standard)
- Crank Brothers Handlebars, seat posts, stems, pedals, wheels
- Formula brakes
- Fox shocks
- Hand laced wheels
- Hope brakes
- Manitou shocks
- Marzochi
- Niterider lights
- Ritchey Handlebars, stems, Seat posts,stems
- Rock shox shocks
- Schwable tires
- Shimano Deore, XT, XTR
- SRAM X.9 X.o XX
- Stans Rims (tubeless)
- Thomson stems, seat posts
- Truvativ handlebars, stems, seat posts, stems
- White industries cranks, hubs, freewheels
- WTB saddles and tires (tubeless and standard)
Wheels are often overlooked because people tend to pay most attention on frames and gruppos.
Shaving a few grams off the wheels versus component such as the derailleur has far more
performance gain due to reduced rotational weight of the wheels and lesser
inertia required for each wheel rotation. Here at Topanga Creek Bicycles we have the
very advanced Phil Wood Spoke Cutting & Threading Machine so it's possible to hand
lace any size wheel with precision and efficiency.
See our custom wheel building demo page.
In addition to offering full custom built bicycles from the frame up, we also perform
various upgrades on your existing mountain bikes. If your components are showing signs of
wear and tear or you simply want the latest technology to keep up with the Joneses, we can
help if the components are compatible with your bike. Just bring the bike
in and we'll evaluate upgrade options with you.
To make an appointment for custom build, please come to the shop, call us or
use Contact Us page to submit a request.