Dear Uncle Dave:

I have bought a few aluminium full-suspension frames from well-renowned brands in the last decade, and I’d say that the two most expensive ones were not super well aligned and finished. For example, on the latest one, I’m talking seatstays that pull 1/4″ to one side, defects in the forged parts and paint/clearcoat lifting off in some spots. Ultimately, when assembled and bolted together, the frame is straight and the pivots’ action is smooth, but I expect better quality control than that when I’m paying two grand for a bare frame without shock. If fact, I have bought a complete full-suspension bike for the same amount of money two years ago and the frame was surprisingly straight and well finished. Was it luck?

Am I the only one that inspects a new frame to see if everything is straight before building the bike ? Has the manufacturing quality been going down in recent years, is it bad luck, or has it always been like that and I need to lower my expectations ? Or most poeple see it but they don’t care ? When built up, I don’t think about it while riding, but instead of getting stressed out about the manufacturing quality when ordering or building a high-end frame I should be excited!

What are your thoughts Uncle Dave ? Thanks!

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