The love and care taken on a bike manufactured in-house in a factory or workshop in England or America means a LOT more than mere technical ability.
Sure, taiwan and China probably have great technicians and workmen, but they're making stuff 'to order', as the workers get their wage, and large Corps give their designs and orders to be built to specifications by people who don't really care whether the order is from Trek or Specialized or Halfords. There are probably Robots which can build and make stuff as well as any Human.
I'd be willing to pay a premium for stuff made "In-House" rather than out sourced any day of the week. In fact, I do this with my clothing, boots, watches and other goods and precision instruments - as long as I am able and they are available.
So yes, Chinese welders are as good if not better than any Englishman or American, but there are probably Robots as good if not better.
Anyway this is straying from the topic.
Modern bikes, in general, are Uglier than those built ten years and more ago.
I've built a frame, and it isnt that hard really. I find it hard to get damp-eyed over who may or may not have wielded the magic metal-gluing stick.
IMO, the designer is a million times more important than who may have welded it together. It's the designer that determines how it rides.
When you get to the stage of someone like Ricky Feather with artful little touches, that's different - Feather is a designer/builder
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