Really guys with a machine as simple as a bike, what is the real difference. Most frames are built is Asia, and the rest of the bike is dressed with various components from all over the world too.

I would bet the farm that no one even a professional that was put on a bike painted all black, could they could tell any difference between the brands. Frame materials probably, but not bikes made with the same frame material.

One final note is that Trek is an American company which to my mind is a good deal, since it provides jobs for American workers. Just like cars that are foreign, that does not make them better.