I am writing this comment as I work in a bike shop that sells Fondriest....
I never tied it before with other high-end quality frames but I encountered a mechanical problem with my rear derailleur that completely crooked my hanger. In order to bend it back into place, we of course had to heat the frame with a torch to make it safer and after doing this process we did not see a single square millimeter of paint beign changed on either of the two bikes (one had a standard Fondriest painting and the other one was a 'cross with 'rubber' finish for those how know it.
I would be curious to know how a Giant of a Cannondale would've held up to that treatment...For me personnaly a frame is not only evaluated for its price, you have to check other factors not so evident as paint quality, and small details that make your bike worth in the long run...Of course it may be a bit abusive for some but buying a bike that was designed by a company and not only another copied stock taiwan frame.
I never tied it before with other high-end quality frames but I encountered a mechanical problem with my rear derailleur that completely crooked my hanger. In order to bend it back into place, we of course had to heat the frame with a torch to make it safer and after doing this process we did not see a single square millimeter of paint beign changed on either of the two bikes (one had a standard Fondriest painting and the other one was a 'cross with 'rubber' finish for those how know it.
I would be curious to know how a Giant of a Cannondale would've held up to that treatment...For me personnaly a frame is not only evaluated for its price, you have to check other factors not so evident as paint quality, and small details that make your bike worth in the long run...Of course it may be a bit abusive for some but buying a bike that was designed by a company and not only another copied stock taiwan frame.