I agree with your sentiment entirely, but I wouldn't like riders to think that they get any less 'hiccups' with large scale manufacturers, I think that we just hear less about it as most large scale brand complaints go through the local bike shop, not on forums such as this. Typical examples would be no availability (in the UK at least) for replacement carbon rear derailleur plates from a well known major brand. Fortunately, we supply our own versions of those and needless to say, we've sold quite a few. Also, frames. We do quite a number of frame repairs and a percentage of those are manufacturing faults (in our opinion) where the manufacturer has denied the warranty, or they are not the first owner.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know who the UK distributor is for Ciamillo brakes? According to the Ciamillo website it's Otago cyclesport but the link doesn't seem to be working?

To everyone else I will post an update if I ever receive anything.