Originally Posted by Patriot
Think about it. Trek became very popular long before Lance came along. I grew up in Wisconsin when Trek became popular in the 80's. There is a simple reason Trek became very popular. The name.
That's it. The name. TREK is a very simple catchy name that is easy for people to recognize and jive with. Just like Schwinn (before they self-destructed). Throw in some good marketing, and you have a winner. The name says it all for the average person who wants a good qaulity product that they know has built a good reputation over the last decade.
The average Joe doesn't want some off-brand bike that noone can recognize. But if they had a shiny new TREK, they all say, "Hey cool, a TREK. Nice Bike." Because everyone recognizes it. Simple.
Good point. A lady that works for me came into my office today (out of the blue) and said she had been on line looking at Trek Bikes. She was going to start riding and wanted a new bike. I ask her if she had considered any other brand and she quickly let me know that she wanted the best and besides that she really didn't know any other brands.
Your right. It really is simple. Good name and good marketing of that name with a pretty good reputation amongst the majority.