Companies cost cutting on new bikes

[S-Express]

Save costs where it least matters - and it matters least on things like cassettes. If you are placing orders for cassettes several thousand at a time, then it makes sense to place orders for something which can be bought cheaper but has no detrimental effect on performance.

 

[User33236]

Then if you are putting together an Ultegra bike you have your answer

I already had my answer at the start of the thread Just interesting to hear what others do / would do.

How many people here change bits on brand new bikes?

 

[outlash]

How many people here change bits on brand new bikes?

Apart from saddle & pedals?

 

[User33236]

Apart from saddle & pedals?

Saddle (usually) and pedals (not fitted on many) are a given

Wheels are my next usual change but the new bike came with Fulcrum Racing 5 LG which are decent enough for me.

 

[S-Express]

All I would add is that making something for the lowest cost possible - and then selling it for the highest price possible, is something that manufacturers have been doing since Henry Ford's time and probably before

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I already had my answer at the start of the thread Just interesting to hear what others do / would do.

How many people here change bits on brand new bikes?

Saddle, tyres, stem (if needed). I'm very fussy about tyres! Not that I'm a demon in the bends or anything - I just like very grippy and very PF resistant and couldn't give a fig about weight tbh. I value my skin more than anything & I hate changing tyres on skinny lanes with cars whizzing by!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

the benefit of ribble's bike builder is that you can build to your own spec and budget. i saved by speccing cheaper tyres and tubes, knowing that i had better ones to put on. you do have to specify a full groupset, but to me that's an advantage...

 

[User33236]

the benefit of ribble's bike builder is ...

One downside with Ribble bike builder is you can't spec a Bianchi frame

 

[alecstilleyedye]

One downside with Ribble bike builder is you can't spec a Bianchi frame

with a campag groupset i hope...

 

[User33236]

with a campag groupset i hope...

(It shouldn't really have Shimano full stop if I was being true to the brand lol)

 

[gavintc]

I already had my answer at the start of the thread Just interesting to hear what others do / would do.

How many people here change bits on brand new bikes?

I have not bought a bike for many many years. I have bought a few frames and built them up. You choose where to cut corners. And yes, I did fit a 105 cassette with an ultegra groupset.

 

[potsy]

How many people here change bits on brand new bikes?

Usually tyres as I prefer a certain brand and they don't always fit the best on new bikes.

Most other things I'll just replace as they wear out, last 2 bikes I've bought are pretty much standard bar the tyres/spd pedals.

 

[Smokin Joe]

It is first frames, then groupsets and lastly wheels which sell bikes. To make the price appealing to the average punter costs are saved on tyres and finishing kit. It was ever thus, those who know about these things build their own or pay for upgraded components before closing the deal, those who don't know don't care - at least till they become more knowledgeable and realise some of the is below par.