why is Specialized better then this guy's frame???

[.8down]

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/164...nger-4-Way.htm

what makes the bigger companies charge so much when you can get this sucker??? R&D? I hear everyone copies everyone in the industry. are you paying for their marketing? I want to keep an open mind in my search for an AM bike... I'm trying to ignore reputation and marketing... but its hard to make an educated choice...Someone that knows the biking industry tell me why I should drop K's instead of bills...

[guero]

here are a few i can think of: craftsmanship, materials, backing their warranties (doesnt apply to all manufacturers)...

[SAR_boats]

The best bang for your buck right now is going to be KHS. They have a lifetime warranty and they are local.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by .8down

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/164...nger-4-Way.htm

what makes the bigger companies charge so much when you can get this sucker??? R&D? I hear everyone copies everyone in the industry. are you paying for their marketing? I want to keep an open mind in my search for an AM bike... I'm trying to ignore reputation and marketing... but its hard to make an educated choice...Someone that knows the biking industry tell me why I should drop K's instead of bills...

the Product Questions & Answers about v-brakes


ps. That looks like a great deal to me. Check the reviews on the frame before you lay down the kay'$h

[2wheel_lee]

Specialized?? I think it looks more like a Turnsworth.

Although if I were to settle for a Turner or an Ellsworth, I think this would be a much better (affordable) option.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Specialized?? I think it looks more like a Turnsworth.

Although if I were to settle for a Turner or an Ellsworth, I think this would be a much better (affordable) option.

Although if I were to settle for a Turner or an Ellsworth, I think this would be a much better (affordable) option.

[allison]

You are going to pay a certain amount for a label. That's true in *any* industry.

Go to the grocery store... you can buy Lay's potato chips or you can buy Joe's crisps. Or Mt. Joe's soda. The store brand is always cheaper, so why do people buy the brand name?

I dunno.

Can you walk into a store front and ride the Sette around? Does the shop that sells them have a store front you can walk into and talk to the owner/manager? Some people don't care about that, but others do. We've purchased all but two of our bikes locally, and the other two both came from Speedgoat. Not a local store front, but they do actually have a shop (also good online sales, which is why I'm on a Dos).

The store interaction is why we started out on Specialized bikes instead of Trek. Continued satisfaction with the bike, customer service, and really not needing to worry about the frame at all since purchase is another reason I've gone with Specialized more than once. Still happy with all 3 of my bikes from them

[ShinKen]

not a fan of Specialized bikes bu I saw this new epic or what ever the name of the bike was with their new fork on it and well, I was droooling!! danggg!!!! ok enough ramdom post!! ride oN Bubs and bbbets!!

[soul rider]

then again who actually makes them? Older Haro DH frames used to be an M1 with Haro stickers on it. the sette looks like a Raliegh (?)

[TURNERob]

Find out the weight of that Sette frame and then compare it to say a 5 Spot or RFX even.....there is probably a big difference.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

Find out the weight of that Sette frame and then compare it to say a 5 Spot or RFX even.....there is probably a big difference.

its says a bit over 8lbs
Turner says the 5 is 6.5 lbs

I'm not picking on Spec, I have one myself, I just used them as an example. I can only believe that most of the savings is because distribution costs and marketing, and like Allison said a store front, getting the word out about your bike like paying racers to use them is probably really costly, yet its the racer not the bike right?...I'm just playing Devils advocate. At the end of the day I will probably get a Giant... Which I think many of you frown on but when I rode it, it felt right.

[ghixon]

I used to be in pharmacuetical marketing in a previous life. At that time, 87% of a drugs cost was directly tied to marketing. Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule, but it usually is tied to marketing.

Specialized and some of the other larger builders need to pay for their teams and advertising somehow.

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by .8down

At the end of the day I will probably get a Giant... Which I think many of you frown on but when I rode it, it felt right.

Do it. Personally, Giant's the only brand I've owned. They make great bikes, are a great value and have a lifetime warranty. Yes, I would be a lot cooler on a boutique Niner, Turner, etc., but... you get the point.

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by .8down

its says a bit over 8lbs
Turner says the 5 is 6.5 lbs
.

keep in mind the 5 spot has 5" travel, the sette is 6".
Their Ace xc 3" frame is pretty lightweight at 5.5lbs.

[jcampbell]

From the looks of the rear pivots, the bike looks like hell. They look week. The amount of side to side flex is one of the biggest complaints in frames, other than weight, and is something that the average rider can really feel.

Unfortunately you get what you pay for when purchasing bikes nowadays. You do pay a premium price for different tubing and high grade materials, as well in some cases like Specialized... Marketing. Premium brands will have higher prices, but its not all Marketing in the cost. People forget about the quality and craftsmanship and overall bike industry support. Companies like Specialized turn the profit and do put it into professional race teams and better pros that bring back r&d feedback to the designers to clean up flaws in certain areas.

I wouldn't waste the money on the Sette if you plan on improving your riding skills. Don't be fooled by the 6in travel either. I would make a bet that a 5 spot would feel like it has more travel that the Sette. The pedaling efficiency alone is noticeably different. I ride and Ellsworth Epiphany... you can see and feel the difference in materials and craftsmanship. The bike weighs in the low 5 pound range and has more than 5inches of travel. My bike has more travel than a spot but I have ridden and demoed a few spots and they really are fantastic bikes. There are a lot of bikes out there, buy a proven winner, not a cheap copy and you will have a better biking experience.

Don't forget that if you buy a Sette, you basically own an unsellable bike. A premium frame costs just as much when you figure the resale value. 1650 or less will get you a spot. You could turn around and sell it for 800 to 1000 anytime depending on how nice you kept it.

[.8down]

good discussion guys...keep going? is 6061 alum the same? are warranties created equal? what if your craftsman at Ellsworth is having a bad day do you get a bad bike?

[.8down]

Originally Posted by mechmann

another option would be one of the younger bike companies that is on the cutting edge. maybe Transition or Brodie bikes. they seem to make nice frames at lower prices, but are still giving back to the riding community with sponsorships and support.

their mantra:

SETTE was founded on the belief that bike riding should be fun, and not deplete all your cash. We looked at what was available for cyclists and the prices were astronomical. So we set out with the mission to bring the consumer the highest quality gear at the lowest price without taking away any features, and actually adding some we knew were missing. We were tired of brands that made promises they could not keep and were more concerned with their products image than the actual consumer. These Brands spent tons of money on marketing and sponsorships and passed all the costs to the average cyclist. In the end, the customers were stuck paying all these extra costs.

SETTE was born with the idea that the cycling industry needed a revolution, a wake up call. Since we all ride, this was call to action. First of all, we knew that price was important, but quality and features should never be sacrificed. We also knew that we did not want generic cheap looking products; we wanted products that were cutting edge and well designed. After years of research, design and negotiations SETTE was launched by Primo Designs Importers LTD.

We invite you to experience the SETTE difference, where you have the freedom to buy what you want at the lowest price without sacrificing an ounce of quality.

Enjoy the Ride!

[jcampbell]

Originally Posted by .8down

good discussion guys...keep going? is 6061 alum the same? are warranties created equal? what if your craftsman at Ellsworth is having a bad day do you get a bad bike?

Its not just that, if you had a chance to look at my bike you would understand. Its not just 6061 aluminum tubing notched to fit the bottom bracket. Its extruded and formed tubing that has thicker top and bottom areas with light sides that are machined to fit the bottom bracket perfectly. The welds are super clean, there are magnesium rockers that are machined out in every possible area to keep the weight down. They are also anodized to make it even lighter. All stainless hardware with nice looking strong pivots. I also have a fox rp23 with it, which is definitely better that the other offering the same realm.

One bad bike, or waste your money knowing your getting a bad bike. I am not knocking a Sette, its just to me, its like buying a China Tornado over a Honda CR450. The two bikes are definitely different and made for different types of riders... which category do you fit in?

Did I mention that its Made In USA. I don't know about you, but this means a lot to me.