Years ago, I had an aluminum Intense full suspension frame which worked just fine with regard to perceived ride quality and free movement of the rear end with the shock out but had a visibly asymmetric joint between the top tube and head tube (drove me nuts every time I looked at it). More recently, I got a Norco frame with a carbon front triangle and aluminum rear which I took apart to add frame wrap to before building. The left and right bearings of the main pivot on the chain stay swing arm were at least 10 degrees mal-aligned causing binding of the axle. I would never have noticed this unless I had disassembled it but it surely would’ve shortened bearing life. Norco replaced the part and the new piece was correct. Lesson is quality control is NOT a given across multiple mfgs regardless of country of origin.
Jan. 24, 2021, 10 p.m. - Warhorse
Years ago, I had an aluminum Intense full suspension frame which worked just fine with regard to perceived ride quality and free movement of the rear end with the shock out but had a visibly asymmetric joint between the top tube and head tube (drove me nuts every time I looked at it). More recently, I got a Norco frame with a carbon front triangle and aluminum rear which I took apart to add frame wrap to before building. The left and right bearings of the main pivot on the chain stay swing arm were at least 10 degrees mal-aligned causing binding of the axle. I would never have noticed this unless I had disassembled it but it surely would’ve shortened bearing life. Norco replaced the part and the new piece was correct. Lesson is quality control is NOT a given across multiple mfgs regardless of country of origin.