Well, what he's referring to is the difference between large tours and individual/small run use, I think. Having personal experience as a cyclist in solo/small group tours and in large tours: the mechanics, styling, logistics and execution of both are *quite* different.

Large groups provide more forgiveness for breakdowns/technical mistakes. Smaller groups provide more forgiveness for riding style differences/riding mistakes. That has nothing to do with what you're riding, it simply has to do with how the decisions of yourself and those around you can impact one another. Literally.

This is like comparing apples to oranges. These two styles of touring really aren't interconnected, neither are the business models behind them. For the most part each cyclist much prefers one style or the other, you'll often find that people will be totally married to either solo/small group touring *or* large group touring. I personally will not be going on another large group tour, simply due to lack of personal freedom in going where I want to go, stopping where I want to stop.