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

letap73
letap73 Posts: 1,608
edited February 2013 in Road general
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?

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Giant and Mavic for President! :-)
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    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 :lol:
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    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 :lol:

    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:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Didn't the Canyon with Di2 come top last year, with Mavic wheels of course.
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    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 :lol:

    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
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    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)
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    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.
  • Yeah it would be a decent bike but no originality or flair. Actually a bit boring.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    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.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    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?
  • smidsy 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.
  • 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
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    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. :lol: (and that is a dig at CyclingPlus/the system, not the poster)

    Its a FIX I tell you. A Cartel no doubt! :twisted:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    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.
  • smidsy 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. :lol: (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!!!!! :lol:
  • MrSweary
    MrSweary Posts: 1,699
    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!
    Kinesis Racelite 4s disc
    Kona Paddy Wagon
    Canyon Roadlite Al 7.0 - reborn as single speed!
    Felt Z85 - mangled by taxi.
  • 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
    Rob Spedding, Editor, Cycling Plus
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    "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
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    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.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • 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
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    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 :lol:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • 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.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • 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)
  • 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
    Gazspurs Posts: 122
    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