Originally Posted by
njkayaker
People keep implying that where something is made solely determines quality. Crap can be built anywhere. Anyway, quality frames have been made in Taiwan for many years. No doubt, crappy frames are made in Taiwan too.
Sure I wholly agree that Taiway/China makes quality frames. My response was to a comment alluding to a the WalMart Corsa with 105 parts is inferior to that of a 3X more costly LBS version of a similarly equipped bike. I am simply making it clear that the irregardless of LBS or WalMart, the frames likely come from the same mfg plant in the Orient.
Walmart does have a large economy of scale but they also requires things to be made differently (ie, cheaper). That is, the skill and qualify control for Walmart stuff isn't necessarily going to be the same as for a LBS frame.
Please cite source. Conjectures and anecdotes will be rejected.
Do you seriously believe that Shimano or Sram has two assembly lines to make 105s, Ultegras, Force and Reds? One is to be mfg with a lower quality than the other?
I can imagine it now.... "that Ultegra piece from Amazon.com... nah, it's crap. But my Ultegra bought from my LBS is superior". Why would Shimano or any brand mfg want to shoot itself on the foot by risking their premium models falling apart on rides?
Kinesis or Giant are the two large frame makers for bikes that I know of, they offer various types of frames to bike companies. Is there a way to tell the frame for the Corsa is any worse than that of a Cannondale? Don't know until you are a metallurgist or got a hold of the frame's ID for Xref.
The price reflects simply the muscle of economies of scale from Wal Mart side. Do you not notice that around this time of the year, the previous year bike at an LBS which costs $2000 goes off on a major discount? That tells me there's some serious profit margin fat that can be shaved in order to move the bicycle. While I don't see anything wrong with trying to make money, after all a business has to be profitable right? But don't blame consumers for trying to save money too.
Again, keep in mind that Walmart, etc, can sell bicycles cheaply because they don't have to pay to support being able to service them! The LBS isn't really in the business of making Walmart more profitable (and service fees are not enough to keep a business running).
Certainly this is the first time I am reading this excuse. Because the excuse by LBS regarding high price products was due to the dictation of the bike mfg itself. And that the LBS' hands are tied
. Similar to the car dealerships' excuses. Visit the many complains regarding Canadian LBS bike pricing discrepancies!