Mountain Biking - how much do you consider the brand?

I was just wondering how much you guys consider brand recognition in your purchases?
is there really a difference from say an XC hardtail by Rocky and one by Specialized (for arguments sake, it could be any brands)?? besides geometry and such, assuming everything is pretty much the same

I was just wondering how much you guys consider brand recognition in your purchases?

Seeing as both my MTB (K2) and my RB (Aegis) brands are not very well known, I'd have to say that no, I don't really consider brand recognition. My previous MTB was a Nishiki... also not very well known. One might go so far to say that I actually prefer it this way. ;)

Paint job much more important !

I'd consider brand when thinking about frame quality...
Besides that is component spec and geometry, for which brand doesn't really matter.

I would say go with the US made frame if they are perfectly equal. Not that I'm wholly against outsourcing, but it depletes natural resources. I like to make my bike decisions ethical decisions as well. Apart from that, welds, weight, paint, and alloy are all things to consider.

None really. I have no company loyalty. If company z can produce a frame that is quality and proven and they are from the middle of now where. I could care less.

I go a lot by the brand name, I don't trust companies like DiamondBack because of the many problems my friend has had with their bikes. But it's mostly the frame construction and how well-known the parts are that they use.

everybody always seems to ask "which companies should I look at for a bike".
and when i'm trying to help them, i always say "they're all pretty much the same in terms of frame quality or whatever". (we're talking about your typical entry to mid range hardtail)

it seems to me that particular brands don't matter unless it comes to different designs such as rear suspension or something.

For me it's brand loyalty. Although if a bike meets my criteria I will look at it seriously

I have 3 frames that are completely custom made by 3 different builders. I'm not one for labels. Although, in an effort to draw the ire and scorn of Raiyn, I will point out that my "Crack-n-fail" will be shod with a "Manipoo" shortly.

I have 3 frames that are completely custom made by 3 different builders. I'm not one for labels. Although, in an effort to draw the ire and scorn of Raiyn, I will point out that my "Crack-n-fail" will be shod with a "Manipoo" shortly.
Still better than a Head**** not by much mind you

No brand loyalty for me. Unless you are sponsored, get the best quality, at the best price you can afford to fit your geometry and meet your riding criteria.

Well brand loyalty is there for me, though not to the point where i wont look at other stuff. My last frame was from Leaderbike USA for 99 bucks, i was very much impressed with it for the cash

I'd dare say that most of those on here & out there on their Santa Cruz's are hooked on the name. Why else are they almost 2x as expensive as the Haro's, which are almost identical except for the little $500 stickers....

BTW. "khuon", I still own 3 K2's and love each for their own. Nishiki made one of the TOP Mtn.Bikes called the Alien several years ago, which I wanted very badly... My 1st two bikes were both DiamondBack hardtails, also which were very strong and light framed for ChroMoly. The company may not be building the same quality today though.

So you see people, keep an open mind about other "off" brands, or maybe I should say "not in the fisheye lens". I'm not talking about the ones some Joe somewhere developed in his garage. I'm speaking of the Haro, Marin, K2, Ibex, Jamis & others not in the limelight. Just because all those Yuppies are driving-up in their new "bank owned" $50,000 SUV's, and unloading the newest Santa Cruz models don't mean a thing more than they've paid more than us regular folk whom they tend to look down on...

PS. Don't mean to pick on S/C bike's, but it's the brand I see alot of the "fashion" riders on in my area. There's several other overpriced bikes as well, such as Litespeed.

The Bottom Line is this simple fact: It's the Rider, not the Bike. Just because you fork out big bucks on a flashy OMG bike don't mean that the other guy on his $450 hardtail POS can't smoke your @ss.... I'll take on anyone with their $4000+ bike in my neck of the woods anytime....

Its hard developing brand loyalty when different brands are made by the same hands ( the same taiwanese factory pumping out multiple brands ).

I'd dare say that most of those on here & out there on their Santa Cruz's are hooked on the name. Why else are they almost 2x as expensive as the Haro's, which are almost identical except for the little $500 stickers....

BTW. "khuon", I still own 3 K2's and love each for their own. Nishiki made one of the TOP Mtn.Bikes called the Alien several years ago, which I wanted very badly... My 1st two bikes were both DiamondBack hardtails, also which were very strong and light framed for ChroMoly. The company may not be building the same quality today though.
So you see people, keep an open mind about other "off" brands, or maybe I should say "not in the fisheye lens". Just because all those Yuppies are driving-up in their new "bank owned" $50,000 SUV's, and unloading the newest Santa Cruz models don't mean a thing more than they've paid more than us regular folk they tend to look down on...

PS. Don't mean to pick on S/C bike's, but it's the brand I see alot of the "fashion" riders on in my area. There's several other overpriced bikes as well, such as Litespeed.

First, brand is very important in making a decision due to the fact that if you purchase some off brand that's made out of someone's garage and you have problems with it, how do you think your customer service experience is going to be? The fact of the matter is the companies that have the resources are able to invest significant amounts of capital into R&D which allows them to do the little things that will make their bikes superior to those of some of the off brands.

As for the Haro bikes, they are nowhere near the quality of the SCs which is why they are priced the way they are. I own neither but I've looked at both and SC absolutely knows how to build an incredible MTB whereas Hara still seems to be trying to figure it out. Their bikes smack too much of their BMX roots which makes it look as though they're trying to cut corners in an effort to leap into the MTB realm too far and too fast.

You can kid yourself into thinking Haro's are just as good but they're quite simply not; MTB is not their focus.

As for the Haro bikes, they are nowhere near the quality of the SCs which is why they are priced the way they are. I own neither but I've looked at both and SC absolutely knows how to build an incredible MTB whereas Hara still seems to be trying to figure it out. Their bikes smack too much of their BMX roots which makes it look as though they're trying to cut corners in an effort to leap into the MTB realm too far and too fast.

You can kid yourself into thinking Haro's are just as good but they're quite simply not; MTB is not their focus.


ThankX for your 2¢ opinion, that's all it's worth trust me.... :rolleyes:

Its hard developing brand loyalty when different brands are made by the same hands ( the same taiwanese factory pumping out multiple brands ).

Design and engineering are different. The factories simply take the jig from the engineers and mass produce. Most frames are dissimilar in a few ways (the odd set of companies do use the same jig for multiple branding, but I don't find it that common)

I stick with what I know works until it disappoints me/fails(which has taken years usually). By then, there's so much new stuff/companies and older companies that may have gone downhill(not in a good way) that I end up having to do tons of research and asking around on BF.net. No biggie, but I do think it's kinda fun trying out stuff from companies I never have before. Frame choices tend to depend on aesthetics a lot more than components for me, but performance is usually the first consideration. For instance, I just picked up an SRAM PC58 for my FS and, I gotta say, it kicks ass! That Powerlink is the shizznit! Used to use Sachs chains all the time, but, hey, stuff wears out....

P.S. Expatriate=Raiyn-baiter :roflmao:

Nishiki made one of the TOP Mtn.Bikes called the Alien several years ago, which I wanted very badly...

Yep. My Nishiki was the Ariel which was the steel cousin to the Alien back in 1990. What I really wanted of course was the hybrid monocoque front triangle combined with cromoly bolt-on rear triangle AlienACX but couldn't afford that... actually I wanted one of the Mantis frames but couldn't afford that either. The Alien (AlienAL, AlienACX) and Ariel bikes were designed by Richard Cunningham who also owned and made bikes under the Mantis name. The Nishiki bikes were basically mass-production versions of the Mantis XCR.

I just picked up an SRAM PC58 for my FS and, I gotta say, it kicks ass! That Powerlink is the shizznit! Used to use Sachs chains all the time, but, hey, stuff wears out....

I asume of course you do know that the SRAM chains are really Sachs-Sedis chains... ;)

I don't consider brand name, unless i've owned products from them before and they're worked wonderfully

I used to be very loyal to Specialized with my Hardrock, i thought it could make you a cup of tea after a ride, i thought it was so special, but i like the smaller companies, one because they stand out, 2 because sometimes they're better, but i am quite loyal to UK distributors, because the more we buy over here, the cheaper things get...

But so far, ive had 3 frames, My specialized which i still like alot, it rides really nicely, my DMRm Which is now sold, and my new PLanet X 777 which i havent tried out yet because it is just a frame...

I'd dare say that most of those on here & out there on their Santa Cruz's are hooked on the name. Why else are they almost 2x as expensive as the Haro's, which are almost identical except for the little $500 stickers....

Yeah, identical in that they both have 2 wheels. I have a Haro, so it's not like I don't like the brand, but you can't compare the to Santa Cruz. That's like saying Fiats and Ferrari are the same.

I asume of course you do know that the SRAM chains are really Sachs-Sedis chains... ;)

I did know that, but I forgot. LOL! I never was able to break a Sachs chain-Shimano was a different story, tho....

I did know that, but I forgot. LOL! I never was able to break a Sachs chain-Shimano was a different story, tho....
I've never had any thing but problems with Shi*No chains. Sram chains on the other hand last much longer and have fewer issues

I've never had any thing but problems with Shi*No chains. Sram chains on the other hand last much longer and have fewer issues

I know when I used to train and race a lot, it seemed like I'd go through Shimano chains like crazy, but a Sachs would last at least a season. If the current SRAM is as good as/better than old Sachs, then I'm set. I've been very happy with it so far. Never had a lot of trouble with other Shimano parts, but as I break/wear out stuff, I'm trying to get into other brands.

I know when I used to train and race a lot, it seemed like I'd go through Shimano chains like crazy, but a Sachs would last at least a season. If the current SRAM is as good as/better than old Sachs, then I'm set. I've been very happy with it so far. Never had a lot of trouble with other Shimano parts, but as I break/wear out stuff, I'm trying to get into other brands.
I'm quite happy with my last generation non Rapid Rise Shi*No stuff, but chains and cassettes I prefer SRAM. I'll most likely be building my next bike as an all SRAM, Avid, Rock Shox, Truvativ affair with a possible Fox twist

P.S. Expatriate=Raiyn-baiter :roflmao:


I'm sure you're aware it's all in good fun. As long as I'm hijacking this thread too, I'll share this bit of self depracating humor. I've got the typical Aussie haircut now, which means just under an inch of hair on top, brushed forward or spiked into a fauxhawk when it's time to dress up. Anyhoo, when I take off my helmet, it's all arranged like nice cornrows from the air vents inside. Snoop would be proud. Of course, no one mentions this to me when we stop for coffee or a rest, they just let me look like an idiot.

ahh don't worry about the hair, mine does that too.

As for brand loyalty, no I don't belive I'm loyal to any particular brand. Just whatever works well is what I'm going to go for.

My 3 bikes:

C'dale mtb
Specialized roadie
Bianchi Roadie

I'm sure you're aware it's all in good fun.
In all honesty do you think I'd let him get away with it if it wasn't?
:roflmao:

40 minutes was all I lasted on the BMX. I rode to the dirt jumps/track, but it was still a bit muddy. No wallabies there either. Then I went over the concrete skate park, but little ruggies were all over it on the boards, so I rode back home. Knees will recover soon.

I'm sure you're aware it's all in good fun. As long as I'm hijacking this thread too, I'll share this bit of self depracating humor. I've got the typical Aussie haircut now, which means just under an inch of hair on top, brushed forward or spiked into a fauxhawk when it's time to dress up. Anyhoo, when I take off my helmet, it's all arranged like nice cornrows from the air vents inside. Snoop would be proud. Of course, no one mentions this to me when we stop for coffee or a rest, they just let me look like an idiot.

Yeah, I know. I'm twisted, not stupid-LOL! Hmm, my wife might debate the stupid thing. Anyhoo, my welding helmet messes my hair up more than my bike helmet(I think). Not really anyone around to see my hair after a ride, tho. One of the girls at work thought the helmet-head from welding was kinda cute so I left it alone. That conversation reminded me that I'm just married, not dead...:D

That conversation reminded me that I'm just married, not dead...:D

Talk about a very fine line...

I think brand is important when you are buying some stuff like bike parts- you dont want to be hammering down a hill and find that your bike is not up to the task.

It is not easy to test your components yourself so you are trusting the quality control of the manufacturer.

Yeah, identical in that they both have 2 wheels. I have a Haro, so it's not like I don't like the brand, but you can't compare the to Santa Cruz. That's like saying Fiats and Ferrari are the same.

If you already own a HARO, then maybe you should buy a Santa Cruz so you WILL see they're practically the same.... :rolleyes:

I have friends that own both brands, and I have ridden both brands.... I chose to spend $700 less for my X2, and have no regrets whatsoever.... :p

Actually, it's like comparing red apples to more expensive yellow apples....

Santa Cruz is a brand that builds MTBs. They spend a lot more money on R&D, and constantly work to develop their suspension and tubesets for maximum performance, and they work with suppliers to make sure their bikes work best with whatever shocks and forks they choose to spec them with. Haro started as a BMX company, and has tried to get into the MTB business. While they make respectable mountain bikes, they will never achieve the performance of a Santa Cruz or other high end bike. While a competent rider will do fine with either, a more accomplished rider would certainly see the advantages of going with the Santa Cruz.

Its not worth it guys. Killer will never admit what you guys want him to. You can show proof after proof and he won't give in. I think value wise the haro kills SC. You really can't beat the value.

Not everyone needs to be a value shopper though. You want value? Look at Giant and Felt too. Some of us are a bit more fortunate in our means. I bought my brother a Jekyl when they came out, and he rode it for about 3 months, then replaced it with the next shiny thing that caught his eye. He's a good rider, but I'll be the first to admit that he's got ADD when it comes to bikes, and he likes the bling. He'll spend anywhere from $3-4k on a bike, and I can usually buy it from him for a fraction of that 6 months down the road. Can't wait to see what he's done to his Bullit. That may be my first SC.

I consider the brand when deciding what NOT to buy more than anything else.

For example, I will never, ever buy anything made by Cannondale again. Cannondale seems to subscribe to the assinine philosophy that "different is good" without any regard to the major problems lack of compatibility can cause.

My second MTB was a Cannondale when they were one of a few companies who used 1 1/4" headtubes for a couple years. Of course, years later when I need a replacement fork to rebuild the bike as a singlespeed, none can be found in that size.

I see this "Lefty" crap and that Headshock thing and cringe. Of course, one of my riding buddies bought a bike with the Headshock and ended up trashing the whole bike after the 7th shock went bad and Cannondale stopped honoring the warranty.

I wouldn't buy a bike or part because of its brand but I certainly would NOT buy one because of its brand.

No brand loyalty from me. If I like the ride and it fits my budget, I'll consider buying it. I will however avoid certain brands, like Rocky for instance, because I've had bad luck with one their products and even worse luck with their service. Or maybe I'll avoid a brand for political/personal reasons, such as, on the road side of the biking industry, I won't buy a Lemond because I think Greg is a jerk, but that's just my opinion, yours may vary.

I won't buy a Lemond because I think Greg is a jerk, but that's just my opinion, yours may vary.

I think Greg is a jerk too. But... I respect him as a former bike racer and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of his bikes because they are well made and they ride nice. I wouldn't be buying a bike for him. I'd be buying it for me.

I seem to have the bad luck of buying bikes whose builder goes under. My first was a Bridgestone (yeah, they're still around, but not building bikes). Then I got a McMahon hardtail. It's a drag because if I want anything done to the frame, I can't send it back to the manufacturer. My McMahon has this weird v-brake set-up that no other brake manufacturer can provide and since they're no longer around, I'm pretty much stuck with what I have. I still love my bike, but it's a drag to not be able to go with a standard v-brake, let alone discs. I also have a '97 Breezer Storm that I've converted into a commuter bike, which is fine since that's what Breezer seems to be focused on these days anyhow. No more mtb's for them, I guess.

So yes, I would rather go with a larger manufacturer than a small one cuz you never know if the small guys will be around next year. I recently placed an order for a custom-built Santa Cruz Blur. Much of my decision was based on its performance, but I admit that because my LBS has a very good relationship with SC it made my decision that much easier.