The Order is placed and now it’s time to wait. With exceptions, the design is not final so now the custom process is a strange locus of buzzing ideas, anticipation, and regularly reminding one’s self that, whatever the widget, it’s worth the wait. There’s a certain level of relief in having committed to the idea, even if a final product is months away.

The most important thing to remember through this part of the process is that the person you’ve commissioned earns their scratch by making stuff. Yes, communication is key and no, no one can spend all day grinding, filing, welding, and cleaning but don’t expect instant responses to e-mails or phone calls. 

If parts or materials are being ordered then some details will need to be locked in sooner than others. For example, if you want specific drop-outs for a frame it’s best to confirm that with the builder in case they have to order them. Likewise, if you’re using more than one vendor – say, for example, your new Coconino or Oddity is getting a factory-installed Jen Green headtube badge or a custom Andrew The Maker bag – some dimensions may need to be finalized sooner than later. Same goes if you’re trying to colour-match between multiple builders or brands.

As exciting as that all sounds, most of the wait is spent actually waiting. Then all of a sudden, a flurry of action! Whether it’s a bag, bar, fork, frame, or some other piece, at some point, you’re going to have to sign off on a final design. 

I’ve talked to a fair few folks who’ve had different experiences with this stage. In my case, I generally have a fairly full concept of what I want in the idea stage so it’s no big deal to sign off on the final translation of my napkin scribbles. I have experienced one exception, which was Nina’s Waltworks, where I was still going back and forth on geometry up to the point Walt was cutting tubes. 

Other than the final sign-off, you only have two jobs during the wait. First, be patient. Even if the timeline stretches a little bit past the ETA and especially if the builder gets ahead of schedule and wants you to make decisions before you’re ready. Also, remain stoked. I know the latter sounds like a no-brainer but I’ve met a few folks who were shockingly ‘meh’ by the time the idea was in the waiting stage.