There is obviously, to me anyway, a significant market of riders who just want frames. The manufactures of most bikes used to cater to this but as less and less do, those who sell frames are making it difficult by either only selling the frames of the most expensive bike, i.e., S Works, making all frames expensive, i.e., Santa Cruz or they truly are a boutique or cult frame, i.e., REEB, Stanton, Moots, etc.(insert name of favorite frame you will never buy). Coming from smaller firms outside Australia where I noticed the $4,499 as a typical price.
So as I continue to search for a frame I don't actually need to replace my Trance 29er my eyes start to turn towards China. I have trouble stomaching the price and spec on most stock bikes...so...Carbonda is looking better every day.