Road Cycling - Brand Loyalty?

OK, besides Bianchi_Rider, how many of you have a sense of brand loyalty when it comes to what you ride?

Or do you go for the best deal you can find?

I've been thinking about this a lot because I bought 4 bikes this year and 3 of them were Specialized (1 Rockhopper, 1 Hardrock and 1 Langster). The 4th bike is a folding Dahon that I take to work.

Anyway, I'm close to getting my 2nd road bike (sold the 2 mountain bikes) and have been debating whether to get a Cannondale, a Trek or to stick with Specialized.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get a Specialized Allez because I'm really happy with my Langster, but was wondering what you all feel about brand loyalty?

Funny, being such a big Lance fan you'd think I'd go out and buy a Trek.

I'm a Specialized man when we're talking Mountain Bikes, but when the conversation switches to roadie stuff then I turn Bianchi Celeste Green Personal preference.

edit dang that Green sucks on a white background

well i have an old cannondale and after riding it for the past 4 months i have two things to say:

one, i will never buy another aluminum bike

two, i will never buy another cannondale(they love aluminum)

I'm a Specialized man when we're talking Mountain Bikes, but when the conversation switches to roadie stuff then I turn Bianchi Celeste Green Personal preference.

edit dang that Green sucks on a white background
I agree with Raiyn :beer:
Bianchi is the way to go :D
EVERYONE has Trek, get something different, and if you dont like Bianchi get the specialized :)

I agree with Raiyn :beer:
Bianchi is the way to go :D
EVERYONE has Trek, get something different, and if you dont like Bianchi get the specialized :)
If I had to buy a bike other than Bianchi, I would buy a Kestrel, if those were unavailable I would then have to buy a Trek TT, but notice I said "If I had to buy a bike OTHER THAN Bianchi" some pretty strong words in there :)

I like Bianchi bikes, that brand weighted heavily when purchasing my first road bike: Vigorelli 2003, I guess the fact that they have a tradition and great reputation in the industry, not to mention the italo origins.
But I'm open minded, next time I'll be looking at others brands that caught my eye lately such as: Cervello, Colnago, Pinarello, Serotta, Orbea, Cannondale and Trek (in that order).
Corsaire

I will always get a PINARELLO, no other bike for me but a PINARELLO

You mean there are other road bike companies than Colnago ? :D

My last 3 purchases were Giant (2 - TCR 1's and, a TCR Comp.). Next choice will be between either the TCR advanced comp or a cervelo.

I do still ride my old specialized s-works m2 road frame, but it's been converted to flat bars. The thing refuses to age, the paint and frame were apparently made to last since it has been well used and still looks and rides great.

I have three Treks, but only because they are available at the LBS, and seem to represent good quality at a reasonable price. Plus I kind of like buying American made bikes, and the three models I have were all assembled in the US. Otherwise I could have purchased Giants.

If I had big bucks, I'd get a nice custom steel frame, maybe a Rivendell or something like that.

After Greg's comments, I don't think I'll ever buy another LeMond!

-murray

I have 3 Lemonds and all 3 of them were bought for the following reasons:

1. they fit - the geometry is perfect for me
2. they were purchased used and were amazing deals

So, am I brand loyalist? Yes. But I would switch in a heartbeat if I could find a bike that better filled the 2 criteria above.

55/Rad

No loyalty.

I dare you to find someone else that has 3 K2 bikes. Razorback hardtail, Lithium5.0, and a Mod5.0 road. To boot, when it snows, i ride K2 PistePipe telemark skis....

I have 2 treks, all pre Lance, Pre Carbon fibre alu etc.
I like em but that doesn't constitute brand loyalty to me.
I have one Serotta and yes I would buy another bike built
by Ben & co.
However, if all of the bikes by a given company/builder have similiar
ride characteristics why bother? I appreciate the differences
in bikes, Tommasini for sheer elegance (the cadilac of Italian frames?)
Colnago super or mexico (late 70's early 80s only) for race like handling.
Serotta for all rounder, handling, and stability
The Treks (steel) for fun and surprizingly good ride.
yeah, I'm loyal but not to the point that it becomes blinders to
all else.

Marty

No loyalty here. My next ride will be the one that feels the best and I can afford.

I havn't ridden may different bikes so my LeMond was the first "high quality" bike I have ever owned. I have no complaints with it, 853 steel and the rest of it. I was thinking about buying another bike but like my LeMond sooo much that I am just going to upgrade the components and keep the frame. If LeMond has comments about Lance, I realy dont care He (& Trek) make great bikes......Oh and another thing........I dont see many LeMonds around....makes me feel special

i tend to be fiercely loyal if a company gives me a reason so to be. i will never ride a bike that cannot take a chris king headset, simply because they are remarkable products and they construct them in the most responsible and sensitive way possible. that rules out pretty much all integrated headset frames. buying a bike based on the headset? silly, maybe, but king gives me a damn good reason to be loyal.

i've recently tried to support nike, oakley and giro. no, it's not because lance uses them. it's because of the way they behaved when he got sick. to me, a corporation that actually looks at people as people and stands by them deserves respect. it would've been painfully easy for all those companies to bail on this sick kid and save the money they knew they'd have to spend to get him well. don't tell me they were thinking they'd get it back out in the end. that action makes me loyal to these three as well.

i've yet to get my new bike to update my steel schwinn. you can bet it will be american made and take a king headset. these criteria limit my options, i guess. but that's loyalty for you...

i frown on bianchi for doing everything in semi-compact geometry these days.

you see all the cock-eyed pix trying to hide the sloping top-tube and when somebody rides by in an older celeste bianchi i see that classic look and i know that it's gone forever.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/road.html <- they take turns tilting the bike in each direction trying to make that top tube appear flat when it's not. that's just weak imo.

I'm a Specialized man when we're talking Mountain Bikes, but when the conversation switches to roadie stuff then I turn Bianchi Celeste Green Personal preference.

edit dang that Green sucks on a white background

That green sucks on everything! The bikes may be ok, but I can't stand the green color. I felt sorry for Ulric going from that crappy green to the equally as bad pink.

i frown on bianchi for doing everything in semi-compact geometry these days.

you see all the cock-eyed pix trying to hide the sloping top-tube and when somebody rides by in an older celeste bianchi i see that classic look and i know that it's gone forever.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/road.html <- they take turns tilting the bike in each direction trying to make that top tube appear flat when it's not. that's just weak imo.

I too am disappointed in the sloping top tubes. However, some of the current models have level top tubes like the San Lorenzo, Giro, Strada, and Brava.

I have a Specialized Hard Rock UNO for a MTB and a Bianchi San Remo touring bike. Not sure what I'd buy if I could buy new. I think I'd try out a buch of different machines and get the one that feels best.

Ritchey. Period. The guy's welding rocks, his parts design have advanced mtbing to a world class cycling contender.
I 'trust' products with his name to be of a very high quality, and as advanced in metalurgy and design as is any other top parts manufacturer.

I am not familiar with his cross or road frames\ components, though if in the market for a road bike, considering the daily punishment I put the mtb through (loves it), I might just by a Ritchey road bike.

>jef.

No loyalty.


Same here. I will buy the best bike for the money I have to spend.

But then I have only ever owned 2 bikes, a Nishiki years ago and my current Mercier

I like my old schwinn Paramount, Waterford built. But my #1 choice is Serotta. I have had my Legend Ti for 11 years now. Still rides great!!
Ben's in upstate NY. If you have real deep pockets the Ottrot :rolleyes:

i dunno about brand loyalty, but when i was searching for a new bike...i had a tendency to gravitate towards trek

I've got two: an REI Novara Triompho, a fine entry level road bike that got me back into cycling and now serves as my commuter and rain trainer; and a Trek 5200, my weekend go-fast bike. I love them both but my next bike will probably be a Steve Rex custom deal.

I like my Steelman Eurocross well enough to daydream about flying to CA to get fitted for a Steelman road bike. (King headset for the guy above who like's 'em so well...)

I've got two: an REI Novara Triompho, a fine entry level road bike that got me back into cycling and now serves as my commuter and rain trainer; and a Trek 5200, my weekend go-fast bike. I love them both but my next bike will probably be a Steve Rex custom deal.

I ride a Steve Rex now, and I have to say, nothing compares to custom! You will be very happy with his work. Steve is an artist. He built me a 65 cm city bike, equipped with a Shimano Nexus 7 hub which is my daily commuter, and the thing is gorgeous and an absolute joy to ride. My next Rex will be a road bike (hopefully this year).

OK, besides Bianchi_Rider, how many of you have a sense of brand loyalty when it comes to what you ride?

Or do you go for the best deal you can find?

I've been thinking about this a lot because I bought 4 bikes this year and 3 of them were Specialized (1 Rockhopper, 1 Hardrock and 1 Langster). The 4th bike is a folding Dahon that I take to work.

Anyway, I'm close to getting my 2nd road bike (sold the 2 mountain bikes) and have been debating whether to get a Cannondale, a Trek or to stick with Specialized.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get a Specialized Allez because I'm really happy with my Langster, but was wondering what you all feel about brand loyalty?

Funny, being such a big Lance fan you'd think I'd go out and buy a Trek.


No bike brand loyalty here. I buy what I like. If it feels good under my behind, and handles well, then it moves up the list. I compare it to other bikes I'm interested in, then I buy the one I like the best.

I've had trek's. got bored w/'em. Moved onto Orbea. So far so good. I have a C-dale TT bike. Rides well, but would get a Cervelo next time. Money talks for me. I try to get the most bang for the buck, so to speak.

i really like cannondale's color scheme. my next bike would either be a specialized or cannondale.

Well, I've always ridden Bianchis with the exception of a Schwinn in the late 70's. Just my personal preference. They've always worked for me.

That doesn't mean there aren't other great bikes I'd like. I mean who wouldn't want a Trek OCLV bike? Problem is everybody has one and there's frickin tons of them on the road. And I want a little something that I can call my own.

BTW, if anyone wants to give me a Pinarello Dogma (Ego if you can swing it), I'll profane Bianchis in these forums to the end of days. ;)

I ride a Steve Rex now, and I have to say, nothing compares to custom! You will be very happy with his work. Steve is an artist. He built me a 65 cm city bike, equipped with a Shimano Nexus 7 hub which is my daily commuter, and the thing is gorgeous and an absolute joy to ride. My next Rex will be a road bike (hopefully this year).

I'll keep a look out for you, Radfahrer! There can't be that many 65cm Rexes with internal hubs around town. Lucky you to have such a one-of-a-kind.

And that's the thing with my Trek. It's a great bike--light, fast, smooth--but you can't swing a dead cat without hitting another 5200.

Well, I set out when buying a road bike to NOT buy a Trek since I already had one, and everyone else seems to have one. However, after test riding countless bikes from different manufacturers, I kept coming back to the 2300 as the best ride for the price I had in mind. I liked the Bianchi Vigorelli that I tried, but they didn't offer a lifetime warranty on teh farme. So... now I'm like everyone else, and I couldn't be happier. Now, when we start talking dream bikes, this would be my choice!


http://www.pinarello.com/images/pop_up/dogma_mirror.jpg

Check out the Ego. Even comes with the surfboard. :p
http://homepage1.nifty.com/Liaison/sports/2003/1102/PB010051.jpg