Find answers to common questions

All steel frames start at $2,499.

This includes two sets of mounting points for water bottles, stops/guides for brake and derailleur lines, IS disc brake mounting, 12mm thru axle dropouts, a single color powder coat with contrasting graphics, and a White Industries headset in your color of choice.

Extra options are available and listed on the pages for each bike model. If you don't see an option listed, let me know and I'll provide a quote if I'm able and willing to do it.

All custom steel forks start at $599.

This includes either a lugged crown or unicrown fork with IS disc brake mounting and thru axle dropouts. I currently don't offer a steel fork for flat mount brakes. For that you can choose among available carbon forks.

I will provide you an estimated turnaround time during our first discussion. Note that until you pay the deposit, the estimate isn't locked in. The deposit secures your spot in the build schedule.

1. If after our initial conversation, you'd like to have a Manzanita in your life, you'll pay a non-refundable $500 deposit. You've now committed to the build, and I'll add you to the build schedule.

2. Once added to the schedule, it's time for some homework. You'll receive links to some online forms to record your body and bike measurements and to list the components you'd like to use for the build. This information will help me design your bike for the proper clearances and the right fit. It's at this point that you'll want to consider getting a professional fit. That way we can be confident that the contact points—hands, butt, feet—are where they should be to provide a comfortable and efficient ride.

3. Before your scheduled build time, we'll discuss all of the details that will make your bike unique. We'll talk ride characteristics, geometry, riding style, frame options, paint colors, fit, and component selection. Soon after, I'll provide a CAD drawing of your frame and a quote for the frame and components package. We can go back and forth at this point until you're happy. After approving the design, you'll pay 50% of the balance for the frame and components package.

4. Once the bike returns from paint, you'll pay the remaining balance. Your new ride will then be carefully wrapped in protective packing material and sent to you fully insured. In an effort to reduce waste, your bike will likely arrive in a recycled cardboard box filled with recycled packing material.

5. Bring the items to your favorite professional bicycle mechanic for final assembly and then hop on your new Manzanita and pedal!

I use only the best tubing and raw materials for making your frame, and I stand by my work. If you are the original owner, Manzanita Cycles offers a lifetime warranty on all Manzanita-made products that fail due to a materials or manufacturing defect.

If you crash, abuse, modify, or damage your Manzanita product, or if you install parts incorrectly, use incompatible parts, or fail to do proper maintenance on your bike, then it will no longer be covered by the warranty. Any paint and graphics are also not covered.

If you have a problem with a component not made by Manzanita Cycles, it's best to contact the component manufacturer for support. However, if you're having trouble getting traction, let me know and I'll try to help out.

I typically use UPS to ship your bike with insurance to cover its replacement in case of theft or damage. Shipping to a US destination starts at $75 for a frame. Frame sets or complete bikes will be more. I can provide a quote for international destinations. You can also pick up the bike from Manzanita Cycles World Headquarters if you live near Reno.

Your frame may include tubes from Reynolds, Columbus, Dedacciai, Kaisei, and other high-quality manufacturers.

It's worth noting that the tubing brand isn't as important as the tube characteristics: diameter and butting profile. When building your frame, I'll select tubes based on the best characteristics for the job. Sometimes that means using tubing from a single manufacturer, but most often the frame will contain a mix of brands.

Although I prefer to build your bike as a complete unit in order to guarantee that it looks and performs its best, I'm also happy to send you the frame for your favorite professional bike mechanic to build up. A complete component package will cost less than buying the individual parts at retail price. I also don't charge a fee for building up your bike.

I prefer to focus on making you the best frame and fork possible. There are several professional wheel builders I can recommend. Tubus and Nitto make the best touring and randonneuring racks. I regularly use those racks to place rack mounts. And we can always paint your stem to match the frame if you want that fully integrated look.

Although I love the look of an unpainted steel frame, I also want my frames to last. A clearcoat is porous and doesn't prevent the frame from rusting underneath. Bluing and similar finishes also can't provide the protection a steel frame needs.

Please choose one of the curated color schemes or for an additional $150 you can create your own color scheme.

I'm proud of the work I put into each frame and the Manzanita brand. While every frame must include the Manzanita graphics on the down tube, I can work with you to make the graphics subtle.

One option is to have a glossy frame with matte graphics in a similar color. The texture difference provides a soft contrast.

Another option is to pick a dark frame color with dark graphics or light on light.

The base price includes a raw aluminum head tube badge stamped with the frame's build number.

For $25 you can go with a raw brass or raw copper badge.

For $40 you can have the aluminum badge painted to match the frame's color scheme.

While powder coat colors naturally vary in glossiness, Ollie at Dark Matter Finishing can adjust any powder coat to be matte or glossy. Ollie can even make the frame glossy and the graphics matte, or vice versa.

That being said, I highly recommend going with a glossy finish for your frame. Matte finishes, due to their rougher surface, tend to hold onto dirt and grime, making cleaning more work compared to glossy finishes.