It does matter where the work is done. For the sake of our discussion, we have two bike manufactures.
A) is "Fignon" a well marketed, clean smooth lines, etc. etc. Their founder won the Tour de Cremora in 1976. Their basic frame set is $1700.00
B) is "Minnow" little known company, not well marketed. The owner has bee in rehab four times. Their basic frame is $400.00.
Both companies do not make their own frames. The are made in the Chang Moo Quack factory in Taiwan, which produces thousands of frames a month
Joe Smith buys a "Fignon" frame, a Chorus grouppo, and has a fine time of biking.
Sam Smith buys a "minnow" frame, a Chorus grouppo and has a fine time of biking.
Who got ripped off?
Whether well produced or not, Joe Smith paid $1300 dollars more for a frame that he could have gotten for much less. Build quality aside.
Henry Turner Corpus Christi, Texas
At 07:26 PM 2/9/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>they never <were> handcrated by "Luigi" in his small workshop.
>that is an illusion that was born in the 70s U.S. bike boom.
>also, why does it matter where the work is done as long as
>it's produced well? it's a win-win situation. you can
>subcontract in the next county or across the pond. you're still
>doing the same thing: spec-ing a product and finding an efficient
>method of manufacturing.
>e-RICHIE
>Richard Sachs Cycles
>No.9, North Main Street
>Chester, CT 06412 USA
>www.richardsachs.com
>Tel. 860.526.2059