Stigma about bike brands
HenryS
Posts: 104
I am fairly new to cycling and even though i am part of a club and have taken part in a few races i cycle mainly for fun. I own a Carrera Vanquish which i bought from Halfords and during my rides i get a few, albeit joking and innocent, insults about the brand of my bike from fellow cyclists.
So i was wondering, are certain bike brands considered cheap?And does the brand of your bike reflect the type of rider you are?
So i was wondering, are certain bike brands considered cheap?And does the brand of your bike reflect the type of rider you are?
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yes unless you ride a £5000 carbon dream macine with zipps or bora ultras and super record you will never be accepted
'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'0 -
Halfords don't have a particularly good reputation in most cycling circles and their Apollo range kind of destroyed any respectability they did have. Which is a shame really, because their Carrera range did get some good reviews and all the ones I've tried have been decent quality and well priced (I particularly liked their Bugaboo MTB!).
Actually, thinking about it the Subway range seems to be recommended quite regularly for commuters too.
But, in answer to your question, yes some brands have good reputations and others don't. I'm not sure there are any that a considered "cheap" per se because all the big brands produce a range of bicycles from the budget range to the boutique stuff. I'm sure that brand choice also reflects the type of rider you're perceived as, even if that isn't necessarily the case!0 -
haha well bit off a way to go then0
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My first bike was a second hand red Carrera Virtuoso. Must admit that a certain sense of 'shame' about riding a 'cheap' bike did play a part in the decision to purchase my new one recently. Only slightly mind. funny thing is though, I had no idea it had such a reputation until I found this forum!!!0
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HenryS,
Get your fitness up and then leave the £5000 brand tarts for dead. (see the silly commuter racing thread)
They won't rib you about your bike as they will be the ones with expensive machines without the legs to run 'em properly.
"Bed is for sleepy people.
Let's get a kebab and go to a disco."
FCN = 3 - 5
Colnago World Cup 20 -
Brand snobbery exists everywhere, whether it's in clothes, bikes, cars or whatever. People will buy a Wilier simply because of the name, just like people will buy a Merc simply because of the name, or Gucci or whatever. I'm sure I'll get sneered at on a Giant road bike (I do for riding a Giant MTB). The main point of it is to enjoy riding the bike..... it doesn't matter what the name on the downtube is when you are halfway down a descent, grinning from ear to ear and loving the freedom of just being on a bike0
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couldn't of said it better, guilliano
like a rolling stone0 -
True, and the stigma lies wrongly, Carrera are decent bikes, but take the flack for being sold by Halfords.
Enjoy the bike and the experience, and dropping people on two or three grand bikes!FCN 10 -
guilliano wrote:Brand snobbery exists everywhere, whether it's in clothes, bikes, cars or whatever. People will buy a Wilier simply because of the name, just like people will buy a Merc simply because of the name, or Gucci or whatever. I'm sure I'll get sneered at on a Giant road bike (I do for riding a Giant MTB). The main point of it is to enjoy riding the bike..... it doesn't matter what the name on the downtube is when you are halfway down a descent, grinning from ear to ear and loving the freedom of just being on a bike
Agree, I ride a Giant Defy road bike and LOVE it. It's fast and a complete joy to ride. Not only that but it's muted Grey, Black & White paint job looks really classy IMHO. Much more sophisticated than a lot of the garish paintjobs i see on "posher" branded bikes."If you think you can, or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford0 -
I remember back in the early 90's I was at an mtb race in Aldershot.
I was only 17 and had very little money but enjoyed every minute of my cycling.
Back then I rode a £230 Holdsworth Zagora mtb which only had Shimano 100gs gearing, however it was my pride and joy bought and paid for by me.
Sat on the start line a kid sat on a £4000 Klein Attitude looked over my bike laughing.
Who was laughing at the end of the race....Me as I fininshed in the top 30 and he was all the way near the back.
Bike snobbery does exist but let your legs do all the talking, a £5000 grand bike my make you feel good but wont turn you into a pro.0 -
blu3cat wrote:HenryS,
Get your fitness up and then leave the £5000 brand tarts for dead. (see the silly commuter racing thread)
They won't rib you about your bike as they will be the ones with expensive machines without the legs to run 'em properly.
Not everyone riding around on £3-5000 bikes are just yuppies with no ability. Dropping them may not be as easy as some make out.
NOTE: I am not rich!
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Airborne Warrior wrote:blu3cat wrote:HenryS,
Get your fitness up and then leave the £5000 brand tarts for dead. (see the silly commuter racing thread)
They won't rib you about your bike as they will be the ones with expensive machines without the legs to run 'em properly.
Not everyone riding around on £3-5000 bikes are just yuppies with no ability. Dropping them may not be as easy as some make out.
NOTE: I am not rich!
Tap them on the shoulder from behind, right hook with power emanating from torso usually does the trick.Tippex, what an erection, go and close the window.0 -
Airborne Warrior wrote:blu3cat wrote:HenryS,
Get your fitness up and then leave the £5000 brand tarts for dead. (see the silly commuter racing thread)
They won't rib you about your bike as they will be the ones with expensive machines without the legs to run 'em properly.
Not everyone riding around on £3-5000 bikes are just yuppies with no ability. Dropping them may not be as easy as some make out.
NOTE: I am not rich!
Agreed. This inverted snobbery is just as bad really. To hear people on the internet tell it every rider on a cheap bike is automatically a better rider than those on expensive bikes, which is of course utter rubbish.
Anyhoo, I don't think many people are really immune to a bit of brand snobbery, it's just the level it kicks in at that varies. To some the like of Trek and Spesh are still too common.0 -
Colnago EPS Frame 09
Campag Super Record 11 Groupset
Lightweight wheels
NOTHING ELSE WILL DO................don't get me wrong, I'm not a bike snob!0 -
I actually find there is a hell of a lot less bike snobbery with road than MTB!
Because there is so much more variety of kit with less emphasis on Groupsets etc then people can and do really b*tch out on the trails.
At the club though, people just get on their bikes and ride them, if someone has a particularly nice bike they'll get a compliment...0 -
The way I see it, as a bike shop worker and a cyclist, is that if you ride a bike and enjoy it then great. I will admit to being a brand snob in the sense that I can't stand Halfords Shockwave bikes...... especially when we get people in the shop insisting that Halfords sell a downhill race bike for £100 when we start at around £3000! But hey, they both have dual crown forks so obviously must be the same thing.
I get sneered at sometimes for riding a Giant MTB, generally by the Cannondale riders. Fact is that Giant are the biggest manufacturer of bike frames on the planet (1 million Trek frames a year for starters) and as such offer a great blend of value and quality, so as a brand I like them and will riecommend and ride their bikes if it's the right thing to do.....
In my shop I have heard the comment "why don't you stock any decent road brands" (we stock Giant and Trek, but can get almost anything), but have never heard a similar comment from a MTB rider. Probably just the area I'm in0 -
Can't say I've ever experienced or witnessed any bike snobbery in the cycling club. Must be confined to the TT scene.Shazam !!0
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guilliano wrote:Brand snobbery exists everywhere, whether it's in clothes, bikes, cars or whatever. People will buy a Wilier simply because of the name, just like people will buy a Merc simply because of the name, or Gucci or whatever. I'm sure I'll get sneered at on a Giant road bike (I do for riding a Giant MTB). The main point of it is to enjoy riding the bike..... it doesn't matter what the name on the downtube is when you are halfway down a descent, grinning from ear to ear and loving the freedom of just being on a bike
I agree with guilliano.
When I first started cycling I was into MTB and there was one bloke to whom you were what you rode and judged everyone by the bike and kit they owned. What an a**e.Tail end Charlie
The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.0 -
Sadly, it's a trait of modern life - brand snobbery is everywhere, from the clothes you wear, the car you drive and the job you do. Whilst many do have preconceptions on certain brands - my own sig is a bit of a give-away, but whilst you'll generally find a bit of friendly banter in many cycling club, I find that racing is a great leveller - experience tells me not to judge a rider by his steed - the guys on the beaten-up bikes are often the ones with the most miles in their legs! I get constant ribbing for my eclectic bunch of bikes - particularly my old Gios fixed that I rode with moustache bars on winter club rides, but I still beat everyone uphill on the Surrey Hills route.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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There is a big difference between a £60 bike shaped object from a sueprmarket, a £500 bike shopmachine and a £1000 custom made machine, and if you can afford it and it suits your agenda then buy what you are comortable with.
My wife and I bought a pair of Thorn Rohloff tourers as a Silver Wedding Anniversary gift to ourselves and have not regretted it at all, but I still commute ocasionally on a £200 Ridgeback.
Both are good bikes, but I would stick with the Thorn if I had to make a choice.
Other bikes are specialist, my Recumbent Trike is again in the £2000 mark, but is a machine that fully justifies its cost in perormance and use.
As before - buy what you canafford, are comfortable with and will use.<b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
He that buys flesh buys many bones.
He that buys eggs buys many shells,
But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
(Unattributed Trad.)0 -
I think to get the most out of something, you want the best you can afford and put the miles in.
Thing is you get what you pay for most of the time. Strength, lightness, handling and style are what you are paying for IMHO.
I love my litespeed and wouldnt now want to ride anything that is less than comparible to it.0 -
guilliano wrote:Brand snobbery exists everywhere, whether it's in clothes, bikes, cars or whatever. People will buy a Wilier simply because of the name, just like people will buy a Merc simply because of the name, or Gucci or whatever. I'm sure I'll get sneered at on a Giant road bike (I do for riding a Giant MTB). The main point of it is to enjoy riding the bike..... it doesn't matter what the name on the downtube is when you are halfway down a descent, grinning from ear to ear and loving the freedom of just being on a bike
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Nothing wrong with liking nice things. I for one would never use Shitmano, always Campag, but I would consider myself a purist. Whilst I love lovey Italian frames and great groupsets drenched in carbon, I would never look down my nose at any rider or bike owner. We are 'all' cyclists and we should respect that!0
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Perhaps you are been to sensitive about this? Either they are joking or should be ignored.
Personally I'd treat such comments as put downs and reply in kind rergarding their riding, tacky team clothing, age, accent, bid nose etc. I'd avoid comments regarding race, religion & their choice of partner though! Alternatively just smile and tell them to pee off.
Ignoring it is probably best though.'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.0 -
yeah its nice to have a good bike but everyone gets what thy can afford at the time i bought a carrera virtuoso 6 weeks ago ive done a 50 mile ride and 2 70 mile rides one in 4hrs 15.
Id rather have good legs and a s**t bike than s**t legs and an amazing bike0 -
I agree, bike snobbery is every where.
My road bike is a Giant SCR 3 (£500). Changed the seat, stem and handle bars, put some lighter tyres on it and good luck to the group who tries to drop me.
I get such a rush out of riding with the fastest group in my club on the weekend rides. There is no better feeling than passing guys on £5000 bikes up the hills - Eat your heart out!
For me, it's all about the enjoyment, and when I'm not having fun anymore, I'll upgrade...0 -
I love wiping the floor with people on expensive bikes with my Specialized Langster but I love riding my Trek Madone just as much. My Madone is 3 years old now and I feel (not that anyone has said anything) that it's an old bike and I need a new one, even though it'll last forever with the amount of riding I actually do on it.
I personally hate all the "I would never use Shimano" comments, they are gears. You click a lever, they change. Who cares who m akes them?!? Personally I can't get on with Campag but would I slag them off? No. They are excellent components, I just find the Shimano ones more comfortable (and after years of MTBing I'm used to Shimano).
So just get out and ride, who cares what it is? Admit it, there is an overwhelming sense of satisfaction in passing someone on a fancy bike on a normal bike. Had great fun catching and dropping two roadies on full carbon bikes on my full Sus MTB a few weeks ago, they didn't like it too much though...0 -
Had fun yesterday on a tempo ride overtaking roadies on their fancy bikes and me on my 25yo ebay special(£33) But just as much fun to be had on my club run on sunday riding my Orbea Onix. As others have said the most important thing is to ride and ride well. I was most impressed with a chap in my club who was doing very well on a Felt single speed and spent a lot of time asking him about his ability to ride so fast on it.Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?
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