Originally Posted by
rydabent
When people argue over bike brands they have to understand that a half dozen mfg in the world make 99% of bike frames. Those mfg get in orders from the different brands, weld up a frame and paint it with the name of the bike company that ordered it. They for the most part are all the same bike with different paint and name on them.
Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
You leave out an incredibly critical detail in this- just because a couple frames come out of the same warehouse doesnt mean they are of the same design or quality.
A contract manufacturer will have many levels of quality they are capable of and which is followed depends on cost and oversight.
You are completely incorrect when you claim they are for the most part all the same.
Originally Posted by
rydabent
Remember the more of any product you buy, the lower the cost. While there maybe a couple of different tube sets used, they are all welded up on robots these days. And remember paint covers a lot of sins. So unless you are arguing totally different bikes like a DF and a recumbent, I still contend there isnt a dimes worth if difference in frames or bike names.
Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
Ok, so let's say Dorel contracts with AsiaBikeCompany(ABC for short) to build the mid and upper level road bike options for Cannondale and GT since both are Dorel brands.
Your assertion is that there isn't a dimension bit of difference between a GT Grade and a Cannondale Topstone? I used these as they are the gravel models for each brand. (edit)
ABC builds what Dorel's brands ask them to build. ABC charges based on how much finish is needed or time spent on wheel building is desired, etc. If a brand or model wants more QC and better finish, ABC can accommodate, it just costs more.
There are actual examples that don't support your claim- as in Giant or Merida or Ideal make bikes for different brands that perform differently and are finished with varying quality due to the requests of their customers.
Far be it from me to lump myself in with Ryda .... (j/k, or "just kidding for those of WWI vintage) but he us making a slightly different point, I think.
Yes, Giant, Merida, whoever else make a variety of frames at a variety of different quality levels .... but None of them are anything but very good frames. Some customers might request more QC samples from each run, but still the manufacturers' QC standard is already high, which is why we don't see a lot of lawsuits targeting those companies over frames failing in use (and all you nitpickers about to post all the frame and fork recalls .... go pick more nits. We are all aware here, and still .... show my the litany of lawsuits over failed Giant frames. Go ahead. Even when some bad parts got through, they were caught and replaced quickly. So don't waste everyone's time (feel free to waste your own.))
It was clear to me (and I am never wrong, right?
) that Ryda meant that there is no notable Quality difference between all the frames Giant or any of the other major frame makers produce.---Not that there were no size or color differences. To even think that would be absurd---obviously they produce frames in a range of sizes.
So as far as that, I am forced (shudder) to agree with Rydabent---if you get a Trek or a GT or a Giant of a Cannondale, you are getting about the same level or quality of material and workmanship. it's not like Giant has a production line where it deliberately sets up the robot software wrong for cheap bikes.
And yes, I assume that when Giant makes bikes for a Walmart-level brand, they use cheaper materials and adjust welding and handling times to suit. I assume that the cheaper frames use thicker (marginally) tubing which is easier to weld securely while a more expensive frame with thinner tubing might take a little more care, and thus the robots run a little slower .... but it isn't like we hear about a bunch of low-end Giant or Merida frames failing, either. They do a good job at whatever they do. That is why they are the biggest in the industry.