Brands of bike - why do you pick them, or not?

RED_

'ey up

I'm curious to know why people pick certain brands of bike and not others.

I sometimes have this unexplained thing with brands, like a gut instinct, that'll make me gravitate to certain companies based on nothing really. Sometimes they just 'feel right' and sometimes they just don't. Even if the brand I'm not liking, is technically better than the one I do like I probably wouldn't pick it given the choice.

Like for some reason, again based on nothing concrete, I wouldn't choose a Kona, a Felt or Mongoose to name a few.

This isn't bike snobbery as they probably make bikes far better than what I ride. It's just a feeling. Like with cameras, I would choose a Canon over a Nikon because Nikon doesn't feel right to me.

Is it just me? Does anyone else lean towards certain brands and why? Or does anyone else steer clear of others because your gut is telling you to?

(This isn't a survey and I don't work for any bike companies! )

butcher of bakersfield

Everyone has a brand bias. It's something well researched and starts from an early age, from what brand of coke, to clothing, to TVs, cars, bikes, etc..

It's the holy grail of marketing, to tap in on that.

Anonymous

Well, I have a preference for Marin.
Years ago, all I really wanted was a GT LTS. It was cool, and I was a teenager. Oh, and Steve Peat rode one!
But, when I finally got round to being able to get a GT LTS, I got a fantastic deal on a Marin Wolfridge (OLD bike in my sig).
I could not have asked for better. It has lasted me over a decade of abuse. When I managed to snap a swingarm in a really bad crash that resulted in concussion and damage to my ribs, the swingarm was replaced, no questions asked.
The lifetime guarantee on bearings is still going strong, the last time I got bearings for it was 3 years ago, and they were free - again, no questions asked.

So, yeah, I lean quite heavily towards Marin.

However, I am also open to other brands. But there are some I simply would not buy:

Orange - far too expensive for what are actually very basic bikes. They live off their "name" really. Nobody of sound mind and body would offload that much cash on something so basic.

Commencal and Lappierre - I have seen, as well as heard and read about too many reports of snapping and frame failures, and the volume of these failures seems far higher than anyone else I can think of. I just would not have peace of mind on one of these.

Santa Cruz - Whilst these are VERY nice bikes, and ride very well, I just cannot get that "HOW MUCH, for a FRAME?!??" thing out of my head. I just don't think they're worth what they're asking.

Kona Full suss bikes. NO, just.... NO. (however, I love their hardtails)

projectsome

I just look at the components and price, and what was available in my lbs. I also don't like the frames where the top tube appears really low...

LeighM

My girlfriend works in marketing and says I'm a marketeer's dream!

I'm totally brand orientated, based mainly on a "gut feeling". I bought my Trek having never owned one, but just because the brand felt right. I discounted many more based on the same gut feeling.

I buy Canon cameras, BMW cars for the same reasons. You couldn't give me a Ford or Vauxhall, I'm sure they make 1 or 2 decent cars, but the brands do nothing for me.

Raymondavalon

I am not brand orientated, I buy a bike that suits my requirement best.
However I do like the brands that aren't that well known to all...

There are also certain brands I wouldn't touch due to the over exposure and hype around these brands.

On over exposure Specialized comes to mind, usually ridden by pot bellied 40/50 somethings at trail centers while the bikes still don those "legal requirement" front, rear and wheel mounted reflectors & bell. The Specialized bunch tend to wear Specialized clothing, safety gear and carry Specialized branded pumps and water bottles...

Orange is another over hyped brand based on a very versatile and functional single pivot frame that doesn't seem to have evolved in years. Plus they're always fitted with those overpriced Hope components. No thanks...

Giant, one of my mates bought the Trance and it's been an 18 month nightmare of umpteen parts failures that can be attributed to poor workmanship when it was slapped together in Taiwan.
Quite sad for an expensive "branded" bike. I'd never touch one after his dilemmas

When it comes to components I have my preferences though

butcher of bakersfield

Specialized are one of the best marketed brands out there, right the way from advertising to the design of the actual bike. They're the Apple of the MTB world. And it's no surprise you'll often see the less knowledgeable riding them, as the brand is plastered everywhere. It inspires a lot of confidence for a new buyer.

Orange play on the pricing game, I think. The more you charge for a product, the better it must be. Right? Another well played psychological marketing trick. Combined with a British home-bred image, building British bikes for British riders, it's no surprise they won a niche market.

Giant. I just see these as Joe Bloggs. A jack of all trades, but master of non. They're missing an image, but no doubt make up for it on quantity. Again though, as with Specialized, a very big name, and a lot of confidence for new buyers.

I have to say, personally, I like the 'unknown' brands too. I like the mystery. The idea of having something a little different. And I like the idea that smaller brands are putting real thought into their products. The idea that they don't have the constraints of large corporations and they have that extra room for creativity along with a real passion for what they're doing.

cooldad

Raymondavalon wrote:

On over exposure Specialized comes to mind, usually ridden by pot bellied 40/50 somethings at trail centers while the bikes still don those "legal requirement" front, rear and wheel mounted reflectors & bell. The Specialized bunch tend to wear Specialized clothing, safety gear and carry Specialized branded pumps and water bottles...

As a slightly pot bellied 40/50 year old something, occasionally seen at trail centres, more frequently in Surrey Hills - screw you.
I ride a Marin though. Without reflectors or bell.

Although I do have a Specialised - a 1988 Rockhopper.

But screw you anyway.

xendistar

I would not buy a Kona or Trek FS bike as there rear suspension looks like something from Victorian times. I have no doubt that their build quality or their ability to do what they were designed to do. You might call that snobbery but it also has to look the part (to me at least)

I bought a Cannondale HT as my first bike but the build quality has the same level as an infants schools play time, although the LBS have done wonders to get it sorted, but it the embarrassment walking back in the shop when something else has failed again. So that will be my last Cannondale, the wife has a Specialized and nothing has gone wrong with it.

I looked at Saracen bikes but while I liked them I decided they were to heavy, can't see the point in buying a new bike and then immediately having to buy upgrades to make it the bike I wanted.

I now own a Whyte E120, its different, not main stream and a damm good bike, also got it at a very good price

submityournentries

i wouldnt buy a mongoose but i would buy a saracen (purely because in my mind mongoose make BMXs and only BMXs, and my old mantra was brilliant)

oh and im aware that mongoose make much better bikes than saracen, just the proof of the OP really.
and im also a fan of something abit different. for example, i wouldnt buy a boardman because they just dont seem fun. as in i couldnt see myself mucking around in my local forest on a boardman pro, but on my much less well specced ragley, i can.

thel33ter

I don't care what make the bike is, as long as it does what it should, I'll happily take anything.

I always thought that Mongoose's were BSO's but I would happily buy a Teocali, only brand that wouldn't be my first choice is Specialized, cause there are waaaaay too many of them about.

MrChuck

There's something about Oranges that puts me off a bit, although I'm sure they're perfectly good bikes. Likewise Marins don't really do it for me, again though there's a lot of them about so I'm sure they're fine, they just don't speak to me. Not bothered by how popular something is- there are a lot of Speshs, Treks and Giants around for a reason and to discount them (and all the development that's gone into them compared to a lot of more boutique brands) because of that strikes me as a bit daft.

Chronicbint

Fairly new to the "sport" so I have none of the above preconceptions, ill informed drivel or phobias. So I don't really care.

tubaonwheels

I'm pretty new to mtb'ing and did'nt have much knowledge of 'best' brands when lookin for my first decent bike earlier this tear. Was looking for a lightish racy hardtail on a budget around £1000. Was offered a great deal on a Cube reaction RX, worked out well for me, love the bike. Not tried enough other ones to preach on here though

supersonic

I suppose I have an affinity for GTs ;-). But I do like baragins, and have had many other brands too. I tend to gravitate to well performing budget kit.

tom34

For most mountainbikers its a passion, to ride. This is emotional. Very few of us need to ride.

So based on this the purchase of a mountainbike will be emotional and perception. Then add onto that the price, component specs, perceived value etc.

Do I want a bike not many others have, what have I heard about this brand, it looks nice, I like the newest, etc.

That's all it is, nothing more.

thel33ter

supersonic wrote:

I suppose I have an affinity for GTs ;-). But I do like baragins, and have had many other brands too. I tend to gravitate to well performing budget kit.

Apart from the GT affinity I agree.

Hence my Kona, relatively basic bits but it's taken way more punishment than a 100mm travel race bike deserves, and it was cheap

Mi2terE

I've always preferred Kona's (hardtail), well the old ones, verdict is still out on new one. I'd throw mine over fences, also when in foot straps back in the day, practice the front brake, over the handlebars step of and run sideways as the bike goes off for a few rolls. Never broke it, lost count of how many times I'd be wiped out and the bike would go for a fly, its never broke ever. So I'm guessing that tends to keep you loyal.

£500 is a lot of lolly to spend on a bike for most people let alone £1k plus. So I don't think there is a person that would want their bike in bits after a year or two of riding let alone a few weeks. That makes me loyal ie can it really do the job it was built for, but in reality with so many downsizing, cutting corners, trying to make as much profit as possible and all the techno, fashion, marketing hype - I'll now ride anything and try to make my own mind up. I guess this is why when I'm out I don't mind swapping bikes with people I meet to try out, as gone are the days in my eyes where you can trust the manufacturers

ianpinder

I buy nicolais because I can get what i want, saying that i've just bought an ibis tranny

colint

I've moved from road biking and have found MTB's to be more pragmatic about brands than roadies. Generally there seems to be a reason people take against a MTB brand, too expensive, too basic etc, whereas roadies will refuse to by a brand based on which pro rider uses it ie Trek and Lance Armstrong, where it's built (usually people who are anti american)

I'm a sucker for brand image, it really annoys me because I work in sales so no all the tricks but I can't help falling for them.

Raymondavalon

cooldad wrote:

As a slightly pot bellied 40/50 year old something, occasionally seen at trail centres, more frequently in Surrey Hills - screw you.
I ride a Marin though. Without reflectors or bell.

Although I do have a Specialised - a 1988 Rockhopper.

But screw you anyway.

Pfft.. I must have hit a nerve there... but no apologies to those who are sensitive about the age & physique comment I made

Anyway, I am no spring chicken myself being in my 40's... but the point was that I've seen many an "all kitted out from top to bottom in Specialized" older riders and it's that fact alone that put me off the brand
I term these type of Specialized owners as the "midlife crises bikers" that will use the bike for a summer of fair weather riding then allow it to slowly perish in the garage / shed for the next decade.

*AL*

Raymondavalon wrote:

I term these type of Specialized owners as the "midlife crises bikers" that will use the bike for a summer of fair weather riding then allow it to slowly perish in the garage / shed for the next decade.

I have encountered a couple of these Specialized owners you speak of, and if I'm honest, it just makes us proper mtb'ers who happen to own a Specialized bike try a little harder and look a little better

andypaul99

Raymondavalon wrote:

I am not brand orientated, I buy a bike that suits my requirement best.
However I do like the brands that aren't that well known to all...

There are also certain brands I wouldn't touch due to the over exposure and hype around these brands.

On over exposure Specialized comes to mind, usually ridden by pot bellied 40/50 somethings at trail centers while the bikes still don those "legal requirement" front, rear and wheel mounted reflectors & bell. The Specialized bunch tend to wear Specialized clothing, safety gear and carry Specialized branded pumps and water bottles...

When it comes to components I have my preferences though

What a load of old twaddle. Have you ever thought that people may be wearing Specialized gear because its actualy pretty damm good value, from jerseys to glasses, shoes you name it.. ive found its a brilliant brand for quality and great value for money.

as for the bikes, i guess you would also have a problem with everybody driving Fords and VW's wouldnt you? The truth is that like those brands Specialzied bikes are popular because THEY ARE GOOD BIKES!!!! (can you really think of a really bad Specialized bike in the past say 5 years???)

There are people out there who spend a fortune on frames just because they are different....personally i just want to ride and have fun while im doing it, and for me a Specialized ticks the box every time.

rant over

butcher of bakersfield

I don't think anyone is knocking Specialized. They clearly make very good bikes. But I think Raymondavalon's stereotypes are partially true for the reasons I outlined above.

Brand loyalty often comes down to irrational and illogical reasoning. With one person merely preferring one image, to another. And that image is entirely open to your personal perception. And if you see a lot of middle-aged, fair weather riders on Specialized, then that's what you see.

Myself, I would happily ride a Specialized. But given the same spec, and without the option to try any bikes, I'd probably ride something else. That's just my preference. I find them a bit pretentious. Like the blonde, who knows she looks good. But I think I'd happily ride an Orange, that many others find pretentious.

No logic there. Just a mixture of artistic interpretation.

supersonic

Many brands have their sterotypical riders lol.

Briggo

I aim to become a 40-50 year old pot bellied Spesh rider, only have another 13 years to go.

MountainMonster

Just as ray has said specialized has their group of worshippers who bought everthing to match the bike, so do other brands.

Stop worrying about brands so much, and worry about the quality of kit they've got. I don't look at names, I look at if it's made well and suits my needs. I'll ride anything and wear anything if it's good quality.

Ryan Jones

I was won over by cannondale with my new bike, though i'm hardly a brand snob as it's replaced a saracen. Reason being that despite the parts spec not being quite as good as a similarly priced Specialized, the quality and attention to detail to the frame is in another league which is more important to me as i'd rather keep it and upgrade instead of replacing next year.

I'm always interested in what mongoose are doing however, purely because my first real bike was one, a 2002 Mongoose Rockadile ALD.

supersonic

GT riders - live in the 90s

Trek riders - boring

Specialized riders - has been discussed ;-)

Orange riders - has definitely been discussed.

Marin - always trying to convince others, but usually themselves that they are great

OnOne - common people

Mongoose - even worse than GT owners

Raleigh - oh dear

Carrera - cheapskates. Can't afford Marins.

Cannondale - more money than sense

Apollo - no sense whatever

Commencal - secretly hate them

;-)

Aye, many sterotypes!

Anonymous

Really good thread RED_

Though I think we are polar opposites, I love my Kona (and when it comes to DSLRs I always buy Nikon).

But anyway, won't hold that against you

I think the reasons I like Kona are -

1. they do make great bikes, they certainly aren't bad (little over priced maybe).

2. They have quite a laid back, chilled brand image, I must quite like this.

3. When I was a kid (less than 10) I remember a friend getting a Kona Lava Dome, and just being amazed by it next to my Raleigh, this has to be a big part of it for me I'm sure.

Having said that, by brand loyalty only goes so far. I'm kinda thinking of selling my hardtail Kona Caldera and buying a road bike and a full susser. And, to be honest there are no Konas in those categories that really 'flick my switch'.

So I'm starting to look elsewhere, and I suppose I'm now a prime target for all the clever marketers with their snazzy brand images and fancy websites.

For the full susser I seem immediately drawn to Ibis, Knolly or Lapierre. But away from Specialized, Commencal, Trek or Giant. I don't know why I'm sure all these companies make decent bikes and I've never ridden any of them so my bias is pretty daft really.

For my possible road bike I seem to lust over Willier, or Orbea, again never ridden either, in fact I haven't ridden any raod bike for over 15 years. But I do know that if I brought home a similar spec'ed Focus, Ribble, or Planet X it just wouldn't feel the same. (though I'm sure Ribble Focus and Planet X make decent bikes which are amazing value for money).

butcher of bakersfield

Ha. @supersonic

supersonic wrote:

OnOne - common people

And hippies, of course.