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

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16...e-Flite-AM-Frame-w_-Manitou-Swinger-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...

 

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

 

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

 

I like....

the Product Questions & Answers about v-brakes#-o


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

 

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.:lol:#-o

 

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

 

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!!!! :lol: ok enough ramdom post!! :lol: ride oN Bubs and bbbets!!:bang:

8-[

 

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 (?)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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?

 

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!

 

The '07 Spot has 5.5" of travel, but the geometry of the Sette is more similar to the Spot than the RFX. The Spot frame only weighs 6.2lbs and I'm assuming both companies weighed the frames w/o shocks???

 

I'd like to also add that just because two frames look similar they can handle quite differently. Frame material and butting, pivot locations and frame geometry can make a huge difference in feel and performance. The larger manufacturers can also often times have the suspension manufacturers valve the shock specifically for their frames designs. Usually, you get what you pay for, but not always.

If you are looking for a good 6" frame for cheap consider the Giant Reign for a cool 4 bills.
http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=4621
It won't be the first to the top of the hill, but it definitely won't be the last one down.

If you don't like it, you can always sell it and get your money back and then some.

 

Not all warranties are created equal. Funny that you would mention Ellsworth. Try getting warranty service from them. Good luck! On the other side of the spectrum, Turner and Ventana are both top notch.

 

I have my target locked on the 08 Reign 1, so Im a step ahead of you, this discussion is about money, but not in the sense that I'm not will to drop the coin but more why. I have kept an open mind though out my search and will continue to. everyone is making valid points on both ends of the specturm. my thing is the bike doesn't make the rider. just because I can put down K's does it mean Im going to be fast? probably not. will it help? maybe, but will a $1800 frame kick an $550 frame's arse? No, the rider does that.