Originally Posted by
colnago62
I know some of remember the era when you bought a frame and hung on it everything you wanted. I found that it much cheaper to buy a complete bike and then just replace the parts you need to. The big companies buy in such high volume that that ‘expensive’ saddle for you, cost them nothing.
I think that used to be how it was. If you bought a better specced bike, you got a 'better deal'. I think now you end up paying more for an upper tier model than if you just bought a lower one and did the same part swap outs.
One example, Domane SL7 goes for $2400 more than an SL6. You get some Di2 parts for electronic and a wheelset that has a $800 more expensive wheelset. That's a worse value proposition for the consumer.