Originally Posted by
alan s
The question is: why is the frame such an important component of a bike vs. all of the other components of a bike? The question is not whether one frame, wheelset or saddle is better than another. I think we agree on the latter question.
You said: "There's nothing particularly special about the frame, just as there is nothing particularly special about the saddle, wheels, crank, fork, etc." which sounds to me that any frame, saddle, wheel, crank, fork, etc will do, since there is nothing special about them. Sorry for the misinterpretation.
The frame makes the bike what it is. All the other parts are just components. The type, the style, the features and the geometry of the frame affect the choice of all the components that go on it. You don't just slap random parts on any frame, do you? The frame will also decide the basic riding characteristics, riding position and riding style of a bicycle.
But then, it's just my opinion, there you go.