How influential is the cycling plus bike of the year awards?

letap73

I know some posters think this award is a joke and probably rightly so. However, I have noticed that whichever bike wins, it quickly appears to build up a fan base and is recommended as the best bike in that price range by some on this site. Cycling plus has a large readership so I assume the winner of the award will potential receive huge sales. I would be intrigued to know how much influence (via advertising revenue etc) the big bike brands have in regards to who wins the award. Should we be surprised that a brand such as Giant wins the award?

smidsy

Giant and Mavic for President! :-)

letap73

smidsy wrote:

Giant and Mavic for President! :-)

I assume you are saying for the ladies and gentlemen perusing this forum that the Giant Advanced Defy shod with Mavic tyres would a worthy winner

smidsy

letap73 wrote:

smidsy wrote:

Giant and Mavic for President! :-)

I assume you are saying for the ladies and gentlemen perusing this forum that the Giant Advanced Defy shod with Mavic tyres would a worthy winner

Based on the consensus of the magazines, forums and opinion at large (IME) all people need to ride round on is:

Giant Defy
Mavic Kyserium Elite wheels
Continental GP4000s tyres
SRAM Red Groupset
Charge Spoon Saddle
SPD-SL pedals

So yes, Giant Defy on Mavic wheels is a sure thing....but one that I will be avoiding :evil:

ShutUpLegs

Didn't the Canyon with Di2 come top last year, with Mavic wheels of course.

letap73

smidsy wrote:

letap73 wrote:

smidsy wrote:

Giant and Mavic for President! :-)

I assume you are saying for the ladies and gentlemen perusing this forum that the Giant Advanced Defy shod with Mavic tyres would a worthy winner

Based on the consensus of the magazines, forums and opinion at large (IME) all people need to ride round on is:

Giant Defy
Mavic Kyserium Elite wheels
Continental GP4000s tyres
SRAM Red Groupset
Charge Spoon Saddle
SPD-SL pedals

So yes, Giant Defy on Mavic wheels is a sure thing....but one that I will be avoiding :evil:

Sounds like an excellent build, what bartape, bar, stem combo would you recommend?

smidsy

letap73 wrote:

smidsy wrote:

Based on the consensus of the magazines, forums and opinion at large (IME) all people need to ride round on is:

Giant Defy
Mavic Kyserium Elite wheels
Continental GP4000s tyres
SRAM Red Groupset
Charge Spoon Saddle
SPD-SL pedals

Sounds like an excellent build, what bartape, bar, stem combo would you recommend?

Again the 'popular' choices would seem to be:
Lizard skins tape
Deda finishing kit (usually with ergo bars)

imposter2.0

smidsy wrote:

Giant Defy
Mavic Kyserium Elite wheels
Continental GP4000s tyres
SRAM Red Groupset
Charge Spoon Saddle
SPD-SL pedals

In fairness, that would be a pretty good build for an all-rounder. I'd probably change the pedals & saddle though.

nunowoolmez

Yeah it would be a decent bike but no originality or flair. Actually a bit boring.

smidsy

nunowoolmez wrote:

Yeah it would be a decent bike but no originality or flair. Actually a bit boring.

Pre (Bloody) cisely. Ford Escort :P

I have not renewed my Cycling Plus subscription as it is just the same old predictable stuff almost every issue.

imposter2.0

nunowoolmez wrote:

Yeah it would be a decent bike but no originality or flair. Actually a bit boring.

what about if you painted-over the 'Giant' logo and put a 'Colnago' sticker on it - would that help?

nunowoolmez

smidsy wrote:

nunowoolmez wrote:

Yeah it would be a decent bike but no originality or flair. Actually a bit boring.

Pre (Bloody) cisely. Ford Escort :P

I have not renewed my Cycling Plus subscription as it is just the same old predictable stuff almost every issue.

Yeah same. I now have subscription to Cyclist, which is a much better mag imo.

supermurph09

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Didn't the Canyon with Di2 come top last year, with Mavic wheels of course.

It came close, it was the Focus Izalco Pro 3.0. In terms of influence on readers, well me anyway, I'd say it was huge. Whilst I looked everywhere else, it was that review of the top bikes that formed a large chunk of my decision making. I could not get the Focus for less than the £2099 RRP anywhere despite the bike being out for a year. I think the award may have influenced that price hold. So I chose the Cube Agree GTC Race instead which made the final 5.

smidsy

Supermurph09 wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Didn't the Canyon with Di2 come top last year, with Mavic wheels of course.

It came close, it was the Focus Izalco Pro 3.0. In terms of influence on readers, well me anyway, I'd say it was huge. Whilst I looked everywhere else, it was that review of the top bikes that formed a large chunk of my decision making. I could not get the Focus for less than the £2099 RRP anywhere despite the bike being out for a year. I think the award may have influenced that price hold. So I chose the Cube Agree GTC Race instead which made the final 5.

Oh the irony. Yes the result influenced me to buy another bike.

Quality. (and that is a dig at CyclingPlus/the system, not the poster)

Its a FIX I tell you. A Cartel no doubt! :twisted:

Bozman

The Defy = safe option.

It's all down to individual taste, it's a road bike for all ages. my old man has just bought a Honda Jazz and i'd guess that he'd buy a Defy if he wanted a road bike, it's not going to turn any heads but it's going to do a job without giving you any grief.

supermurph09

smidsy wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Didn't the Canyon with Di2 come top last year, with Mavic wheels of course.

It came close, it was the Focus Izalco Pro 3.0. In terms of influence on readers, well me anyway, I'd say it was huge. Whilst I looked everywhere else, it was that review of the top bikes that formed a large chunk of my decision making. I could not get the Focus for less than the £2099 RRP anywhere despite the bike being out for a year. I think the award may have influenced that price hold. So I chose the Cube Agree GTC Race instead which made the final 5.

Oh the irony. Yes the result influenced me to buy another bike.

Quality. (and that is a dig at CyclingPlus/the system, not the poster)

Its a FIX I tell you. A Cartel no doubt! :twisted:

I LOVE MY BIKE!!!!!

MrSweary

nunowoolmez wrote:

Yeah same. I now have subscription to Cyclist, which is a much better mag imo.

Quite. I get Cyclist and Rouleur (because I'm a bit of a closet ponce). Magazines that are more about cycling rather than just gear for cycling.*

*A little unfair perhaps but only a little!

rob_spedding

Just to be clear...

Whether someone advertises or not has no influence whatsoever on who wins. We ride the bikes and judge them on how they ride - simple as that. And before you damn the winning bike... Ride it – I can assure you that it really is rather bloody good!

Rob

keef66

"Yeah same. I now have subscription to Cyclist, which is a much better mag imo."

Wife bought me one for Valentine's day. Love the feel, smell, photography. Also seemed not to be overwhelmed by advertising. Less convinced by the 2 page article on bearings which was high on waffle / low on facts. Jury still out.

smidsy

Thanks Rob.

I don't think anyone is questioning the bikes abilities, the result just seems a little predictable, that's all.

I suppose one could argue that it is that way because it really is the best, but when the tests across the cycling world all come up with similar reports it can appear to be something else.

wishitwasallflat

As long as something to do with it is vertically compliant and laterally stiff it'll do for me ... now where's my credit card ...

smidsy

wishitwasallflat wrote:

As long as something to do with it is vertically compliant and laterally stiff it'll do for me ... now where's my credit card ...

Are you an actress or a bishop

pride4ever

It doesnt influence me in the slightest. I saw a Bottecchia, I wanted said Bottecchia, I bought said Bottecchia, I love said Bottecchia. Ive ridden too many bikes to mention and the differences within price ranges are minute.

Courage Monsieur

People seem to be down on the whole thing but the truth is it is quite influential. Just read the road buying advice section.

I see where people are coming from with the whole Focus / Giant / Trek / Spesh = boring but then I would say that applies to almost any major manufacturer, including Cdale, though it doesn't seem to get the same rap, and plenty of 'traditional' names in carbon too.

So unless you're going handbuilt steel or Ti or exclusive (and expensive) carbon I fail to see how these very good £2K bikes can be so easily dismissed because they are dull or Ford Focus or whatever.

Like a Focus the winner tends to be good value. Expect a German online retailer to be up there. And the Trek Domane sounds quite innovative.

Having said all that many of the reviews are just dull. Many just go: nice frame but it chatters on our shitty roads and the wheels could do an upgrade.

(Advertiser's Note: This post was sponsored by Trek)

Courage Monsieur

pride4ever wrote:

It doesnt influence me in the slightest. I saw a Bottecchia, I wanted said Bottecchia, I bought said Bottecchia, I love said Bottecchia. Ive ridden too many bikes to mention and the differences within price ranges are minute.

Yes, that is a classic, quirkier option. I'd also be much more inclined to notice it than a Trek etc. Nice one.

Gazspurs

I had to stop reading that magazine, & cycling active. Cover the same brands every issue & offer very little insight to the top gear.

Just subscribed to Cyclist which is a spot on read every month

supermurph09

Just found out what this years is.