Originally Posted by Andy_K

But what determines the price point? Is it all cost of materials? Doubtful. Is it cost of production? Not the last time I brushed up on economics.

If you've got an aluminum frame with round tubes and an aluminum frame with "hydro-formed" tubes in all kinds of exotic shapes, the round one will cost less to produce, but that's not why it's at a lower price point. It's at a lower price point because consumers are willing to pay more for something with "hydro-formed" in the marketing materials. The exotic shape, if correctly designed, also happens to be the thing that's necessary for aluminum to compete with steel in terms of ride feel and strength.