Originally Posted by Mr.BoJingles

I've been doing a lot of searching for a while and I'm really searching for the best I can get for my money. I've talked to my LBS's and they're willing to service anything, even BD bikes. I was thinking for a long time about buying a MB and having a local shop tear it down and build it up. But in the search for a Ti bike I came across GVH Bikes, a couple emails and now I'm considering having them build a SRAM Rival bike for me, or buy their build kit and have a local shop build my bike.

Originally Posted by Mr.BoJingles

I've seen some OEM carbon frames on the bay and things like the Pedal Force and the group buy currently being organized. I have a lot of experience with OEM manufacturers (albeit not with the cycling industry) and generally you see "buddies" of the factory getting the same stuff, unbranded at "good guy pricing". But I feel a bit hesitant about buying a "generic" even compared to a MB or a used frame, are my concerns warranted?

FWIW I'd rather buy an all American (or European) bike for personal reasons, but they are very expensive and I still have Tuition and gas bills.

Thanks.