Frame or components?

Ralph Barone said:

As I mentioned in a previous thread (Recommendation for entry level road
bike), I'm looking to buy my first new bike in over 25 years. I would
like to get some insight into the relative importance of frame materials
and construction vs. components on the relative "goodness" of a bike.
Once you get past the minimum acceptable levels of quality (and there's
probably some debate about where the "minimum acceptable level of
quality" is), where should my money go? Also, in a sub-$1,000 road
bike, how much am I paying for the frame vs the components?

In that category, the frame is a very small portion of the cost. I
think I read that a welded aluminum frame costs about $4 in Chinese
material and labor. Probably $25 for the distributor by the time it's
painted and prepped.

I'd guess the breakdown is something like 10% frame, 30% fork (if it's
carbon) 60% parts.

And where should the money go? Interface items - seat, bars and
brifters make the biggest difference. I think paying more for Tiagra
vs. Sora's a good idea, since Tiagras can be shifted from more bar
positions. After that, wheels. Light can be cheap and sturdy can be
cheap, but light & sturdy costs more.

Ralph Barone said:

As I mentioned in a previous thread (Recommendation for entry level road
bike), I'm looking to buy my first new bike in over 25 years. I would
like to get some insight into the relative importance of frame materials
and construction vs. components on the relative "goodness" of a bike.
Once you get past the minimum acceptable levels of quality (and there's
probably some debate about where the "minimum acceptable level of
quality" is), where should my money go? Also, in a sub-$1,000 road
bike, how much am I paying for the frame vs the components?

Bikes are sold and ugraded by components but these are really
consumables and in the modern bike biz, it's backwards.The heart of
the bike is the frame and fork, followed by the wheels. Fit is
everything, everything else is secondary. If two bikes have identical
frames and forks, both fit but one has an upgraded rear derailleur(a
favorite of trekspecializedgiantcannondale), get the less expensive
one...as long as it fits. Like before, you buy the bike shop as much
as or more than the bike. One that does a good fit, will swap stems,
saddles to get it right, etc., regardless of how much the bike costs,
plus provide good afterthesale service is the one to buy from.