What Makes a High-end Frame, High-End? Part 2 of 3

This is the second installment of our series.  So, in the first installment, we determined that having an in-house fabrication facility assists in reducing prototyping costs while giving the company increased depth in engineering and manufacturing of high quality frames.

Now, we consider the production methods used when mass-producing frames.  The variance in quality of frame manufacturers can be day and night - and one traditional piece of criteria that has stood the test of time is to look at weld quality.  A high-end frame, whether made in the United States or overseas, will always have a consistent weld-bead, and what we often like to refer as "dimes" or "pearls" to describe this feature.

Here is a picture of the CHUMBA F5 - which showcases a quality weld:

As you can see - there are minimal blotches, and a uniform, clean look to the craftsmanship showcased in the frame.  Additionally, you can see this XCL picture:

Weld quality is a good indicator of the level of care and craftsmanship the manufacturer puts into their frame.  Usually, a frame with consistent weld beads is a sign the manufacturer was willing to incur the extra expense to ensure good frame alignment, finish, and materials when manufacturing the frame.

So it's often not so much just the simple question of what country the frame was made in, but rather, what level of manufacturing and engineering depth does the bicycle company have in-house; and after producing workable models in-house; to what length does the company go to ensure pristine welds, frame alignment, and a beautiful finish.  Often times, the subtle details in the frame will reveal this information.

What Makes a High-end Frame, High-end? Part 1

This is part 1 of a 3 part series.

There are so many frames on the market today, whether they be multi link, single pivot, or 4-bar from myriads of different manufacturers and a full-range of prices that it's hard to identify what differentiates frames without a thorough analysis.  So, we've complied a list of commonly asked questions and explanations that can help you evaluate the heritage and quality of a particular bicycle frame.  Here goes:

(1).  Can this bicycle company produce a frame in-house without using a subcontractor?

A bicycle company that is able to fabricate bikes has more control over their prototyping process and product development.  Rather than outsourcing these functions, an in-house fabrication ability allows designers, machinists, and riders to communicate and develop product with immediate feedback.

This process is valuable for multiple reasons.  First, designers receive first-hand experience and information with respect to fabrication issues with improved communication and control during the prototype manufacturing process.  Second, designers can implement revisions much quicker and with more flexibility than working with a subcontractor.  Last, subcontracting fees can really add up, creating an economic disincentive to try as many different possibilities for prototypes as possible.  It's not uncommon to try 3 or 4 different versions of  a prototyped frame before a satisfactory bike is produced - the costs can be extremely high for a subcontractor to go through this revision process, and this cost is ultimately passed on to the consumer.  There's a reason why top bicycle companies, including Yeti and Santa Cruz keep prototyping abilities in-house - even though they also rely on subcontractors.  Here's an informative article posted by Santa Cruz Bicycles regarding the prototyping process they conduct in-house: http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/mail/march08joe.html

So what's the moral of the story?  If your riding a high performance boutique bike from a company that needed to outsource all of its product development and prototyping fabrication, chances are that the bike will carry a steep price tag, not necessarily because it is any better.