Why a $2000 frame?

I totally agree-- while I still appreciate the little "Made in USA" sticker on my BLT, you cannot discount the fact the Taiwanese and Chinese are crafting (and I do mean crafting) some really fine, high quality frames. In the 3 years I owned by Giant Trance, I never had to replace any bearings and it rode beautifully. My Yeti ARC frame was fabricated in Taiwan and it is beautifully crafted. "Made in USA" does not necessarily make it a better frame.

 

Seeing as I'm someone who owns a small machine shop. ...... thanks

 

Usa Usa

 

Or like american cars... LOL!!!

 

YEAH, I WIN !!!

There were over two pages of this thread posted while I was out riding my bike yesterday afternoon. :bang:

 

I've been riding my Giant AC1 since 2003 = 6 years...
broke rear chain stay at the weld...got warranty replacement within 2 months...
squeak like a mother
but bearings and everything else is perfect...
hated the RF North Shore DH crankset - chainring SUX a$$!

Will I still buy the AC1 again! Hell Yeah!!! Wait... HELL YEAH!!!!!! and for the $1400 closeout price, i still have $600 more in my pockets than the guy staring at his Turner 5-Spot frame as he waits for more cash to build it and ride it...

 

For all of you who want a $2000+ frame, but only want to spend $10:

www.rideforreading.org

And it is for a great cause! Let's help them reach that $2000 donation goal. Good luck.

 

But does that make it a better frame/bike? I totally agree with you on all the points you made above. That's why I sought out a "Made in USA" Santa Cruz BLT frame (before that, I owned a Santa Cruz, CA made Bontrager Racelite steel hardtail). My buddies will tell you how much of a fanatic I was (still am) about buying American. However, all those sentimental qualities of "Made in USA" you mentioned, IMO, do not make it necessarily a better performing nor a better built and finished ride worth hundreds or thousands of dollars more. As for "welded by a machine overseas"-- I also disagree. There are some real craftsmen and frame builders in Taiwan who've been fabricating frames for decades and do beautiful work (my '09 Yeti ARC is one example). As for R & D, companies like Giant and Specialized employ engineers/designers in the States who dream it all up and then produced overseas. I would wager that a lot of thought went into Giant's Maestro suspension system. And they can do it more economically and efficiently than builders here. I'll step off my soapbox now.

 

As an add-on...

Specialized has employees that actually work IN the factory in Taiwan to oversee production and provide QA. I'm sure that's the case with the other companies that have their frames made at the Giant facility.

And no...Giant Bicycles does NOT make Specialized frames or the frames of others. That factory is owned by Giants Bicycles' PARENT corporation. All intellectual property is retained by the respective bike manufacturers.

 

I win too!!

I'll get my 2 hours in at the luge tonight - just not sure if there is that much 'hot wind' left in the users of this site :lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

Because I can.

 

well, when it comes to Ventanas...

1. it's sexy
2. i want one
3. it's really sexy
4. i really want another one
5. picking up the phone and talking to the guy who is actually making the frame is well worth the money
6. building it up is nearly as much fun as riding it
:beer:

 

I have broken three frames Niner twice, Turner once. Had the frame next day from Niner. Turner 4 days because they let you pick what color then send it out for powercoating. If I had to wait 2 months for a frame replacement I would end up going out and buying another bike while I waited.

If you call Niner or Turner on the phone it is picked up by the third ring by a real person. I go not think that would happen with Giant.

Dean

 

It's OK. You're a racer. It's rationalized. You can spend $2000 on a boutique frame and ride up more @sses.

 

Yeah Sams riding an off the shelf Demo:lol::lol::lol::lol:

His bike is completely custom including the Geometry.

 

I'm willing to fork out the dough for that!
:beer:

 

motobecance really?

While the component spec on the motobecane may be decent, I don't know if I would trust that frame. How much testing do they do? I've been mountain biking for 19 years and can remember when the top of line bike for any big box company was $1500. I do appreciate the higher carbon bikes, but the bike companies lost me over 4 grand. I mean I think the Speshy Enduro SL is an awesome ride, but I can buy a sweet Honda 450r dirt bike for that. Hell my Ducati didn't cost much more.

I must say that my newish 08 trek Top Fuel is easily the nicest, best riding mountain I've ridden and is worth it to me, but then it was a warranty replacement. I guess that warranty is built into the higher price tag? :?:

While the component spec on the motobecane may be decent, I don't know if I would trust that frame. How much testing do they do? I've been mountain biking for 19 years and can remember when the top of line bike for any big box company was $1500. I do appreciate the higher end carbon bikes, but the bike companies lost me over 4 grand. I mean I think the Speshy Enduro SL is an awesome ride, but I can buy a sweet Honda 450r dirt bike for that. Hell my Ducati didn't cost much more.

I must say that my newish 08 trek Top Fuel is easily the nicest, best riding mountain I've ridden and is worth it to me, but then it was a warranty replacement. I guess that warranty is built into the higher price tag? :?:

 

I am hoping Yeti moves their operation to Pakistan or Afghanistan so I can support Owl Kayda with my purchase.

 

How much does a Honda or Ducati weigh?

You pay more for less.

 

dean- i'd be surprised if they don't have your number blocked at this point. you're a menace to the industry. :lol:

:beer: