I was talking with an acquantance of mine yesterday and he kept using the phrase Trek builds a mean bike. this repeated statement was driving me nuts! I just need to put it out there that Trek does not build much of anything. Nor does Specialized, Cannondale, Focus, Blue, KHS, Jamis, etc. etc. etc. These companies are marketing companies. Some literally build nothing for the mass market, but have it built for them by another company contracted to do the work. Some design work is handled by the marketing company, but the physical manufacture of the product is not done by them. I must also add that much of the design work is handled by the contract manufacturer, for obvious reasons.

One caveat here, Giant is a manufacturer, and does build the product they design and market other than the Giant branded accessories and tools. So, please, when talking about the company of choice be it bicycles, lawn mowers, or even autos, make sure when you say "They build a mean widget" that the company actualy builds the widget.

Thank you.

Ti