Originally Posted by
spare_wheel
the difference between a trek and a cheap qbp frame (cross-check) is the service. i went through two trek alu frames before trek finally offered me a free plastic frame with the understanding that i would not get a replacement if i managed to brake it (tough decision).
Funny, because I've put over 25,000 miles on my "cheap QBP frame" (a 2008 Cross-Check) and it's still going strong after year-round riding in slush and snow and rain and shine, double centuries, 400k randonees, and even putting knobbies on it and gravel grinding it for a few thousand miles.
It's recently repurposed as an upright townie-ish bike that I'll be throwing an gear-hub rear and trailer on it for doing big grocery trips.
Plus, since I bought it through a local shop (as you can with anything QBP), I still had the usual shop coverage for first year free adjustments and tune ups.