Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
There is no Merlin, etc. OEM model. They don't have elves like Santa to build bikes in their back rooms. They buy bikes from Asia built to their specifications. The manufacturers in Asia buy the OEM packages of parts that are used on the bikes. Plus very little SRAM goods appear on bikes from these sellers. So where is the OEM rationale? That why I keep saying the deal with the UK sellers is not converting excess OEM goods to retail. They are buying parts in bulk yes, but not with any pretense of making bikes out of them.
I remember reading some long 'about us' story on Ribble's site about how they build their own bikes (very much so from parts and frames that of course aren't made in the UK) out of of some location in northern england. But besides the point.. is there an answer anywhere above why US based online (or even storefronts that they own like REI or Performance) companies cannot do what UK based companies can do?