This highlights why as most progress in the sport, frame up builds become more common: stock bikes at certain price points, as good as they can be, just aren't up to our personal snuff. I've now picked up two completes in the last 4 years, and the amount of swappery that went on to get the fit and function where I like it amounted to a bit of extra coin being spent. Touch points will mostly be a point of preference and can get a pass, but to trace a ride quality issue back to hub engagement will make this a hard sell. Swapping bars/stem/post/saddle is one thing, but swapping a wheel out is a bit much to ask for at these price points.
Dec. 14, 2021, 6:34 a.m. - JT
This highlights why as most progress in the sport, frame up builds become more common: stock bikes at certain price points, as good as they can be, just aren't up to our personal snuff. I've now picked up two completes in the last 4 years, and the amount of swappery that went on to get the fit and function where I like it amounted to a bit of extra coin being spent. Touch points will mostly be a point of preference and can get a pass, but to trace a ride quality issue back to hub engagement will make this a hard sell. Swapping bars/stem/post/saddle is one thing, but swapping a wheel out is a bit much to ask for at these price points.