Originally Posted by
StanSeven
Less expensive parts; component pieces that won't hold up over the long run and many miles...less QA. Come on. Do you think they make DA and the lower end exactly the same and just charge more?
I wouldn't be surprised in the least. Many companies (including my employer) have one line for an entire group of products. Sometimes, the lower end products are intentionally crippled before they're boxed up, but not always. As we all know, painting a certain brand name on a frame will add thousands to the MSRP. And c'mon, this is cycling. Marketing trumps all.
Originally Posted by
StanSeven
I have DA and also 105 on my commuter bike. I've got maybe 20,000 miles on the DA without any sign of wear. 105 is shot in that same milage with exactly the same maintenace
Again, I'm not calling you out. I just want to understand why. Is weaker metal being used? I don't think that QA can account for differences in wear patterns.