Couldn't have said it much better. I know Brandon, and have worked with him in the past. He's a great guy and definitely knows his $hit. I am not discounting his knowledge and reasoning as a product manager either, he knows what it takes to sell bikes and has a good track record of getting it done.I understand Nate's point. He's not trying to hype his brand, just justifying their reason for specing Saint parts and pointing out the ways different brands either look to save money...or make money...on high end bikes when specing them out. It's not an indictment on the Specialized brand, just two different ways to sell bikes.
I know Brandon doesn't spec bikes with crap because he rides and races too. You'll always find him running what will work on his bikes and apparently he and his crew have confidence in that set of wheels. Is it also a way for them to make a few dollars (or keep from losing a few) on the complete bike? Maybe. Maybe not.
Riders themselves get to hash that one out over the coming year and will make the final call on the spec for next year.
Now...when is someone going to make a $3500.00 race ready complete DH bike like Iron Horse was doing?
I just find it somewhat humorous that because it's the bike Sam is on, and it looks the same it makes it the sickest bike of 2010...