Originally Posted by
RMTBaiden
Thanks for your review. I will for sure check out the bikes you reccomanded. I was typing the post and didn't feel like double checking on the FX Sport, but when I wrote it out it FX Sport 9 didnt sound right, and yes paying for the logo. That's one thing I mostly hear about Trek. Is that they are too popular and its mostly the brand. Thanks for this reply!
They are a very popular brand, people will literally call and ask for a Trek not a bicycle and Trek is known for buying out various IBDs (independent bicycle dealers) and turning them into pure Trek stores and the ones that do not do well they will keep open to get their name out. It is not a smart practice in general for a business to lose significant money like that to keep a store open but it gets their name out there in a big way and cuts out IBDs so they control what is sold.
Plus Trek is well known for buying out brands and killing them, they did it to Klein, Gary Fisher, Lemond, and Bontrager to a degree (though they kept Keith on and they brand all of their parts Bontrager but his awesome bikes are gone). They are a big corporation, that is what happens in that world. In the end though they make a decent product and they do support it so it is not like it is totally all bad but they do things that aren't some people's cup of tea.
Originally Posted by
Rogerogeroge
part owner of a Trek dealer here. You’re not paying a premium for the Trek brand, you’re getting economies of scale. (Giant is really good at this). Trek gives a lot of bang for the buck. And I think their warranty handling is above industry average. You’ll hear some horror stories, but that’s expected for one of the industry’s top sellers. Finally, you’re looking at entry level bikes, and there’s not a whole lot of differentiation at these price points. At this level, shop for a bike shop, not a bike. What dealers spend the time and effort to make sure you’re properly fitted for the bike you buy? Which dealer will more readily swap parts ( for a nominal fee) for something you don’t like, like the saddle or grips? The disparity in customer service between shops can be immense.
I know you are in it all the way and cannot really talk bad about your brand.. However if you look at say the Gazelle Medeo T9 vs the Trek Verve 2+ which I did a couple years ago the Trek was more expensive with a lower tier motor, no frame lock and a 2a charger vs the Medeo which is $550 cheaper (or a little less than $100 if not on sale) had a one tier higher motor, frame lock, suspension fork and a 4a charger standard?
You do pay a premium for that logo in this case and others. There is no way you don't. Both of those bikes are pretty similar in other parts and the Trek is more expensive by a lot if you factor in everything else the Gazelle has that Trek doesn't, even without the sale price. Certainly there are plenty of Treks that are similarly priced to other stuff so it is not always across the board but it is a real thing like it or not.
The other stuff said is true and certainly like Specialized and a few others they do have a lifetime warranty on their frames and forks which is good.