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Outset Workshop · Three Kings, Auckland

Custom Mountain Bike Builds

A custom mountain bike build starts with the frame you want and a conversation about how you ride. Pick any frame we stock or bring your own, and we size it to you, build the wheels in our workshop, assemble the bike and set the suspension up for you before you ride away.

By Bruce Davey, founder of Outset · Last updated 4 October 2026
Any frame
From our range, or one you bring in
Fit and sizing
Bike sized and set up to your body
Wheels built in-house
Laced and trued in our workshop
Suspension set up
Dialled to you at handover
Why go custom

Is a custom build right for you?

A custom build suits you if the spec of a complete bike doesn’t match how you ride, if you want specific parts from day one, or if you already own a frame worth keeping. A complete bike comes with one parts list per size; a custom build lets you choose every part, so nothing needs swapping out after the first ride.

You know the parts you want

Choose the fork, brakes, cockpit and wheels yourself instead of accepting the spec a complete bike ships with.

Your body isn't a stock size

Bar width, stem length and saddle are matched to you as part of the build, not changed afterwards.

You ride hard on wheels

Pick the rim width, material and hubs for your riding, then have the wheels laced and trued in our workshop.

You already have a frame

Bring in a frame you own and we’ll build it up with the parts you choose.

The process

How does a custom build at Outset work?

Every custom build follows the same five steps, from the first conversation to a bike set up for you at handover.

01

Talk it through

Tell us how and where you ride, what you want the bike to do, your budget, and any parts you already own.

02

Fit and sizing

We work out frame size and the contact points that fit you: bar width, stem length, saddle and crank length.

03

Choose the parts

Build around any frame we stock or your own, then choose the fork, wheels, drivetrain, brakes and cockpit.

04

Built in our workshop

Wheels are laced and trued in-house, and the bike is assembled by our mechanics in Three Kings.

05

Suspension setup and handover

Fork and shock are set to you before you ride away, and a follow-up service is included.

Outset mechanic truing a freshly built wheel in the workshop
In-house wheel building

Who builds the wheels on a custom bike?

We do. Wheels for custom builds are laced and trued by hand in our Three Kings workshop, using the rims and hubs you choose. Rim width and material set how the wheel rides and how the tyre sits; hub engagement sets how quickly the drive picks up when you pedal.

See the Industry Nine Hydra2 hubs and We Are One rims we stock, or browse custom wheel options.

Recent builds

Custom builds from our workshop

A selection of bikes built in our Three Kings workshop.

Build options

What parts can you choose for your build?

You can build around any frame, fork, wheel or cockpit part we sell. The carousels below show what is in stock now; if the part you want isn’t listed, ask and we’ll check availability.

Questions

Custom build questions

How much does a custom mountain bike build cost?

The cost is the parts you choose plus the build, so it depends on the frame and spec. Tell us your budget when we talk it through and we’ll work the spec around it.

Expect a custom build to cost more than a comparable complete bike: bike brands buy parts in bulk at original-equipment pricing that retail buyers can’t get. What you get for the difference is a bike with exactly the parts you want, fitted to you.

Can I bring my own frame?

Yes. Bring in a frame you already own and we’ll build it up with the parts you choose. If you haven’t settled on a frame yet, the frames in the carousel above are in stock now.

Do you build the wheels yourselves?

Yes. Wheels for custom builds are laced and trued by hand in our Three Kings workshop. We stock Industry Nine hubs and We Are One rims alongside other brands, shown in the carousels above.

What does suspension setup at handover involve?

Before you ride away we set the fork and shock to you: spring rate or air pressure, sag, and rebound and compression damping as a starting point for how you ride. If you’re running a coil shock, our coil spring rate calculator shows the spring rate to start from.

Is there any aftercare once I pick the bike up?

Yes. Every custom build includes a follow-up service. For anything after that, our Auckland workshop services the bike like any other.

How do I start a custom build?

Send us a message with the form below, call the shop, or come in to Three Kings. Tell us how you ride and any parts or frame you already have, and we’ll take it from there.

Start your build

Ready to plan your custom build?

Tell us how you ride, the frame you have in mind and any parts you already own, and we’ll get back to you to talk it through.

Enquire