your bike example is weak, and almost exactly the opposite of what you said. cheap bikes fall apart because they use cheap components, usually made by the same company that produces the frame and fork. if you buy a high end bike, you generally pick every component yourself. Bike components are standardized, just like ski bindings, to work with everything. There are exceptions, such as the BBs on a bike or integrated binding systems with skis, but for the most part, standardized compatibility yields greater sales for a company, and offers many more options for the perfectly tailored feel the end-user is looking for