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Practically everybody wants to feel that they are an individual, and to have their own particular needs met, whether they are a road biker or a mountain biker. So whether you want customization or custom-built, there's a bike out there for you.

If you're thinking of getting a custom-made mountain bike, there are several factors you have to take into consideration.

Frankly, the typical weekend biker doesn't really need a custom-made bike. As long as you buy your bike at a bike store where they can get you fitted properly, you'll do just fine.

But for really serious bikers to whom speed is all - the professionals and the dedicated amateurs, the customized bike is something to consider.

Custom- Built vs Customization

The terminology of "customization" can be confusing. People use the words interchangeably, when really they are two different things.

A customized bike is one that takes an off -the-shelf frame, and puts on the seat you want, a stem of the correct height, a crankset with pedals you can reach easily, etc.

A custom-built bike is one in which the frame itself is built exactly to you measurements.

Basically, when one talks about a customized bike - or rather a custom-built bike - one is talking about the frame. You send along your measurements to the manufacturer - length of foot to knee, knee to pelvis, torso, overall height and they construct the frame with those measurements in mind. They then put on all the rest of the stuff - the high-end tires, the brakes and shifters you require, the crank set, and you're good to go.

All t hat costs money.

An Easy Customization - the Paint Job

There's other ways to customize mountain bikes, of course, though I haven't seen many people do it. Why not give them a stylized paint job like you see on lowriders? Of course mountain bikes used for actually going down mountains (as opposed to those used for cross-country or even road riding) take a bit of a beating and can get scratched up, but for most bikers, a hand-painted mural on their bike can be quite attractive. Why let the lowriding crowd have all the fun? The only reason why I haven't painted my own bike in orange and black tiger stripes is because I know I don't have the skill to pull it off - but if you've got any artistic talent at all, why not go for it?

Bike technology is improving all the time, as manufacturers strive to make the strongest frames out of the lightest of materials. So keep an eye on the review sections of your favorite bicycle magazine, as it will keep you up to date on what is happening in the world of cycling.