Take the "Cooper" name off the bike (photo above) and spec out a "lesser" bike to match components and with no name. Could anyone tell you the which one is better? Would there be a consensus? My point is that there are only so many "geometries" to work with when it comes to road bikes. True you have touring frames, track and TT, etc....but in the general sense of it all, there is very limited choices. Add to that the differences between the component groups...what makes one groupo $500 better than another? Yes there is a difference between a $79 Wally World and a Trek 520 but is there really that much a difference between a $2000 bike and a $5000 bike? Why are some brands coveted more than others? History? Longevity? Tour winners?....who's to say that bike on the other thread, the Roan isn't just as good as the "Cooper" above? Maybe it is but the manufacturer of the company sucked as a business man and failed....just because you have a great product doesn't mean you are going to succeed. My point being is that there really is no difference in bikes in the general sense. It's like saying Ford is better than Chevy and Dodge makes a better truck than Ford. Really? They all get from point A to point B. They all carry and tow a great deal....only when you have a specific need (chore) do the differences come into play and a decision is needed but for general knock around town and runs to the nursery and Home Depot.....any will do just fine and in that respect, none is better than the other. I apply the same to bikes.

And no...this is not a troll.....I just wanted to read what everyone had to say, if anything at all. Just because I didn't post a reply or a "defense" in a timely manner in which you thought I should have does not constitute a troll.