I admire the desire for sure .... but I am scratching my head ... First .... even if that can build a prototype for $1400 .... the real bike will be more like $1600-1800. I base this on the their history of introducing frames at a price but they go up very quickly. Look at the Atlantis and Bombadil for example .... lol. I know nothing of the economics of pricing a frame and labor costs and all that .... but from what I've seen Riv frames have increased substantially compared to any other steel frames over the last 10 years. Myself it doesn't matter where they are made and don't care for the argument of why it costs more to be built wherever. Just ask what you want for the frames and be proud of it , however you want to do it. No need to justify it. Those that are happy to pay will do so.
Second. Compete with the LHT ? That's a very tough sell. Most people don't know what a lug is, let alone prefer them ! While I like lugs too, I'd have no qualms over buying a frame without them well. Lugs are not infallible ... the workmanship is what matters most... to me. You also have the Surly name .... brand name matters ... like it or not. When you say Surly .... some people react like in the 70's with a Beetle .... "AWW .... I want one too :) " .... just because it's perceived as something special. Third, Parts. A less expensive crankset is needed. Taiwan has some decent ones... Andel brand comes to mind. That's what Surly uses on many of their bikes now in doubles and triples. Wheels would have to be machine built of course ... but they *can* be good, it just depends on the machine I suppose. Cheaper Kalloy seatposts ... saddles .. stems ....bars ... all would be in the cards. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/cE_CLmOGp2sJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
