Does the calculus change if your budget means that you are deciding between a "value" brand with decent mid-level parts and a "premium" brand with subpar components? Below a certain price point (still pretty high for most people) it seems hard to get a premium, bike store stocked brand that has good suspension and brakes, decent wheels etc. I don't care much about xtr vs slx, but a shock and fork that work well and have some adjustability is another thing.
Looking at my choices for my latest bike, I decided to get an aluminum frame and build it up. The adaptability of the frame was a huge reason why I got it -- I could use my existing, non-boost wheels, which made the build affordable for me (yes, another Banshee owner chiming in). It works with my outdated parts, and will work with newer standards when I want to upgrade. As someone who keeps my bikes for a long time, this kind of cross compatibility is important to me. This was my first time not buying a complete bike, and I'll say that I'm pretty hooked on building up from the frame. Maybe not the absolute cheapest way to go, but I can splurge where I want and skimp where I want. I've also really enjoyed learning how to build and maintain my own bike. Very satisfying!
On the topic of good customer support, I did get a poorly aligned frame which was eating bearings, and I was well taken care of by my bike shop and by Banshee, who sent out a new frame, not instantly, but as soon as they could in Covid constrained times. Good support definitely makes me more inclined to keep my business with a shop or a brand, even if it means spending a little more.
April 25, 2022, 12:47 p.m. - araz
Does the calculus change if your budget means that you are deciding between a "value" brand with decent mid-level parts and a "premium" brand with subpar components? Below a certain price point (still pretty high for most people) it seems hard to get a premium, bike store stocked brand that has good suspension and brakes, decent wheels etc. I don't care much about xtr vs slx, but a shock and fork that work well and have some adjustability is another thing. Looking at my choices for my latest bike, I decided to get an aluminum frame and build it up. The adaptability of the frame was a huge reason why I got it -- I could use my existing, non-boost wheels, which made the build affordable for me (yes, another Banshee owner chiming in). It works with my outdated parts, and will work with newer standards when I want to upgrade. As someone who keeps my bikes for a long time, this kind of cross compatibility is important to me. This was my first time not buying a complete bike, and I'll say that I'm pretty hooked on building up from the frame. Maybe not the absolute cheapest way to go, but I can splurge where I want and skimp where I want. I've also really enjoyed learning how to build and maintain my own bike. Very satisfying! On the topic of good customer support, I did get a poorly aligned frame which was eating bearings, and I was well taken care of by my bike shop and by Banshee, who sent out a new frame, not instantly, but as soon as they could in Covid constrained times. Good support definitely makes me more inclined to keep my business with a shop or a brand, even if it means spending a little more.