I like a good $500 bike as much as the next guy.

But I hear complaints.

So it seems to me that resources could be shifted from one area to another and that the result would be a a better bike.

So what changes would you make?

I'll start:

1) no front wheel - I have many usable front wheels
2) no saddle, bars, tape, stem or pedals - we're all pretty particular about the user interface
3) put three or four kinds of brake levers in the box so I don't have to buy them retail
4) same w/ cables
5) use a better rear hub and headset
6) include a Dura Ace lock ring