General Cycling Discussion - Appealing manufacturers...

Just wondering,

If somebody asks you to name a bicycle manufacturer, whats the first one that comes to your mind?

Also, which manufacturer do you consider number one in terms of history, tradition, style, performance, racing results, etc.?

My (obvious) imput: BIANCHI

Bianchi is the oldest and one of the largest framebuilders in continental Europe, but the hardcore collectors of Italian racing bikes prefer DeRosa, Masi, Colnago, etc. I personally have no gripe with your selection, but I would be tempted to rephrase your question, to ask people to identify first-impression or favourite bikes in various categories, such as road racing, mountain, touring, tandems, 'bents, etc.

For modern 'bents, I vote for ZOX.

I'd have to say Schwinn. A company with a long history, well known, and having a big influence on cycling. At least in the U.S..
Too bad their era has ended.

Raleigh is also a good one. Like Schwinn did in the Chicago years, Raleigh of England manufactured most everything on their bicycles. Instead of just assembling parts from various suppliers.


Colnago for Road Racing. Litespeed for titanium. Cannondale for gimicky stuff that gets recalled.;) Just kidding. Specialized for MTBs.

That's interesting...I thought of Trek...the company eating giant of the US!

In terms of history, it'd be either Gary Fisher or Ritchey, but that's me coming from a mountain biking background :D

Rich

I thought of Rocky Mountain, probably because that's why I ride.

Cannondale because they where the first with oversized tubes and polished welds.

Just my input

If you look at competition wins then the most succesful manufacturer is Alan, whose cyclocross bikes were ridden to more word championships than any other individual make in any dicipline.

Hmmm. It seems most of you go for American stuff and recent developments.

I know its all about taste (and my Bianchi's are Alu too) but to me the beauty of a steel celeste green frame with chrome plated lugs is still mouthwatering.

Mark, hallo, greetings from Amsterdam. Do you ride with a club up in the north?

Cheers,
Timo

I LIke the klien Q Race...
love the paint job..
derosa, colnago and masi is my dream..
it seems that everyone around here has a bianchi.. and they all seem to have airs about them (like if you dont own this bike you cant even ride on the same street). this could be me and that eyed monster ...(HEHE)

Originally posted by Timo
Mark, hallo, greetings from Amsterdam. Do you ride with a club up in the north?

Cheers,
Timo

Another Flying Dutchmen!

To answer your Q; no, i can`t find any Mtb club around here.
But if there was, i wouldn`t join them, too much rules and i liked to ride on my own or with some friends.
But since you liked Bianchi, i think you ment a road cycling club, sorry no road bike in my garage :D

Greetz from the North,

Trek, because is the first one to come to my mind, because it is my 2 week old baby ( just got a Trek 1000) and only. :beer:

Road: Cannondale; hands down. Even though my road bike is a Bianchi... :D

Mountain: Trek. If I get an MTB in the future, it'll likely be made by this North-American behemouth.

Hybrid: Specialized.

Torture: Huffy. ;)

Redumbents: Vision, Rans, Burley, BikeE

Road Bikes: TREK

Mountain Bikes: TREK

Tandems: Burley, Santana

Real 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles: Jeep, except the Liberty, (Oops sorry, wrong forum.) :D

Originally posted by ahuman
it seems that everyone around here has a bianchi.. and they all seem to have airs about them ... this could be me and that eyed monster

Celeste-eyed monster?

Rivendell is the first bike that comes to mind because I really, REALLY want one.

Road: Rivendell

Hybrid: Giant (because I own one)

Touring: BruceGordon

CopyCat bikes: Trek

Campus Bike or commuter in high theft area: Huffy/Roadmaster/etc.

hands down the first one I think of is
CAMPAGNOLO

frames: colnago (the old ones don't like the new stuff)
for sheer beauty Hetchins with long stays.

Marty

Ha ha. I thought of Pinarello and MotoBecane first, then Eddy Merckx came flying in for a third place finish....ha ha. Swobo came to mind for clothing.