PROCESS
If you are interested in a frame or a complete or partial bicycle—or simply want more information—please use our contact form to start a conversation. You may also call Steve at (206) 852-5199 or email steve@hampsten.com, and I’ll get back to you as soon as we can. If you are in or visiting Seattle, I’m happy to meet in person and offer a tour of our facilities. While phone conversations are helpful, for important details—sizing, paint and decal choices, components, and more—we encourage you to share as much information as possible by email.
We’ll discuss the type of riding you like to do, the roads you ride, and your preferences for tires, wheels, and components. We’ll also cover any health considerations or physical limitations, and you’re welcome to ask questions about materials, geometry, fit, or our experience. From there, we’ll dial in your frame design, ideally using your current bike as a reference—our “Magic Numbers” guide may also be helpful for identifying key frame measurements.
We aim to keep wait times reasonable and to keep clients informed of their place in the queue. Most frames are built in order of deposit, although more complex or prototype builds may move at a different pace. Current turnaround time is typically 4–6 months, depending on a range of factors.
For interested clients, we’re happy to provide preliminary drawings in BikeCAD so you can visualize your proposed frame. We can also provide a detailed price quote. After initial design work, we do request a commitment in the form of a deposit to continue. If you’d like to move forward, deposit options are available here and payment processed via PayPal.
A final invoice—usually accompanied by photographs—will be sent as your frame or bicycle nears completion, typically during assembly or after paint and finishing. Payment may be made via PayPal, personal or bank check, wire transfer, cash, or credit card.
All frames are warranted to the original owner for as long as you own the frame, unless otherwise specified. This warranty covers tubing and craftsmanship; paint is not included. While issues are rare, our goal is always to resolve them quickly and keep you satisfied.
Derailleur hangers are designed to bend or break when needed. Most welded steel frames use a standard derailleur hanger (such as this Paragon Machine Works 10mm round/flat mount dropout); titanium frames may vary. Please contact us directly with any questions.