Companies cost cutting on new bikes

[User33236]

We all know companies build bike to a budget and that compromises are always made somewhere.

For example my latest purchase is pretty well specced. From the wheels through to the saddle, even the tyres, whilst inexpensive and an obvious place to save costs, are perfectly fine.

The only other obvious cost cutting is the fitting of a105 cassette on an otherwise full Ultegra setup! Surprised at how a (best retail price) difference of £13 or so between the two cassettes becomes important to a manufacturer on a bike which retails for a couple of grand plus.

 

[raleighnut]

The 105 cassette is probably more robust though so it should (in theory) last longer.

 

[User33236]

The 105 cassette is probably more robust though so it should (in theory) last longer.

Totally agree but my OCD for uniformity it eating away at me to change it for a spare I have

 

[Kbrook]

Of all the bits I don't mind them changing, it's the cassette. Apart from a very few grammes what's the difference?

 

[User33236]

Whats written on the lock ring

 

[raleighnut]

Whats written on the lock ring

Change the lockring then.

 

[User33236]

Change the lockring then.

Maybe if the elves did it in the night and I didnt know

 

[ianrauk]

Times the £13 by how ever many 1000's of bikes they make and it soon adds up to a fair amount.

 

[Stinboy]

Maybe if the elves did it in the night and I didnt know

I blame the elves for all sorts. They don't mind really.

Packages keep arriving from Wiggle, Chain reaction etc. Elves.

Oil marks on the hallway floor. Bloody elves again.

 

[fossyant]

Just buy an Ultegra cassette. The biggest saving tricks are often wheels and chainsets.

 

[simongt]

Aahh, but back in the day, probably late '40s, Coventry Eagle were offering their 'Flying Ace' sports Model 84 for £6-12-6. Yes, about 1 - 2 weeks wages then, but for that you had a bike with chromoly frame & Russ pattern forks with chromed ends, Dunlop Sports tyres, Monitor caliper brakes, Trivelox 3 speed derailleur, leather saddle, celluloid mudguards, a pump, reflector, large touring bag, tools & an oil can. Now THAT was a well specced bike - !

 

[User33236]

Just buy an Ultegra cassette. The biggest saving tricks are often wheels and chainsets.

Already got a new spare sitting on the shelf. Plan to remove the 105 and keep it as a spare for the commuter.

 

[doog]

64 g differential

I understand your hurt....I'll compensate with my 105 by not over filling my bottle.

 

[User33236]

64 g differential

I understand your hurt....I'll compensate with my 105 by not over filling my bottle.

64g is neither here nor there, certainly won't make any difference to the way I get up hills. Just seemed odd, to me, to stick Ultegra Di2 on a bike and skimp on the cassette.

Like Kbrook says above though if they are going to compromise somewhere the cassette is an easy option to change it the buyer wants to.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Christ - it's a cassette! Sanity check needed somewhere.