Would you buy a bike that rode like a dream, had the highest-end components and otherwise was comparable to a $2,000-$3,000 bike, but it costs like $500 said "Huffy", "Roadmaster", "Next" or "Magna" and the components weren't badged at all? Or would you rather buy a $2,000-$3,000 bike from the LBS and bask in the glory as everyone looked jealously at your ride? This is assuming that you have reasonable means to buy either bike.

I was just wondering because I think I'd have a hard time riding around something that was labeled like the cheapest possible brand. Not trying to offend owners of these bikes, as they are a perfect pick for an introduction to riding without breaking the bank, but I'm curious to see if anyone would take the cost difference for an image boost.

I love people like you. When I lock my bike up next to yours I'm confident that with equivalent locking technique yours will be stolen sooner than mine.

i have a 300 dollar bike off craiglist

I've stripped all the logos from my bike so as long as it works, who cares?

I don't think I'd like to have a $3000 bike - I wouldn't want to leave it anywhere or ride in the rain or anything.

Of course the other thing is that 90% of the people around you think you're an idiot no matter what you are riding. You're just a DUI who has to ride to work.

Yeah for real - few people care. The ones that do are the same highbrows that lie about being able taste the difference between "Frosted Flakes" versus "Crisps with Frost"

A $2,000 Huffy or Magna would be the ultimate stealth commuter

I've owned several high-end bicycles with high-end components, so I'm not going to pretend like the label or brand doesn't matter (although I get just as excited about some cool but inexpensive bikes as I do about expensive bikes). When you buy a high-end bicycles (or high-end anything) you want to feel like you are buying more than just a name: You are buying a "special" bike from a small company or individual frame builder who put extra care into your ride, rather than a bike that is mass-produced by child-labor on the other side of the world.

That said I've drooled over many bicycles with re-painted (no decal) lugged steel frames and components that, while not high-end Shimano or Campy, are still nice looking and functional components. There are plenty of really nice bikes like this out there that don't cost more than a few hundred dollars used...and they are great bikes! If I saw a steel frame with beautiful lugwork and nice functional no- name components that said "Huffy" I'd still think it's a nice bike. I'd also figure it wasn't really made in the Huffy factory.

Was it the 7-Eleven team that rode high-end racing machines with the Huffy label in the Tour de France?

I like MAGNA bikes because they have stickers on the frame pointing out they have "21 speeds" and "cantilever brakes"

That's just a lie your parents told you (or that you tell your kids) to save a buck.

eh - either way its worth the $2 savings

Powdered milk on the other hand still makes me gag at the thought.

I beg to differ... Fruity Dino Bytes do actually taste better than Fruity Pebbles. Over the years, Fruity Pebbles developed a weak preservative taste.

...I'm just sayin'

I'm not saying one's "better", just opposing the position that you can't tell a difference.

Some generics are exactly the same product... others are made on the same line with slight variations... and some are just worthless.

There is a stigma attached to those names because they generally use cheap components. If they didn't use cheap components, the stigma would (eventually / quickly) vanish and the point would be moot.

The more general version of your question, if I get you right, is:
Do you buy certain products just to make others jealous?
(^^ My paraphrase of "and bask in the glory as everyone looked jealously at your ride".)

To that I'd answer no.

If it works and it is durable I like it. I could never abide a carbon frame, I would scratch it and would likely damage it through heavy use.

A light huffy with good components, I'd totally do it. Best part would be smoking people who thought it was a real huffy.

I ride a bike with a label absolutely nobody has ever heard of. Of course, it's also 23 years old and has decent, but not top of the line, components, which I'm upgrading bit by bit. People who know bikes will know what they're looking at (good classic lugged steel, touring geometry, in the process of becoming a randonee bike), but to everyone else it's a ten speed and I'm the dork riding it.

If I cared what other people thought I'd be pretty damn unhappy; there's never any shortage of people wanting to tell everyone else what to do, buy, wear or ride. I have a knee-jerk reaction to phrases that involve "you should..." - makes me want to bite people, hard! I've heard way too much of that nonsense. I even had a guy in one of my college classes remark in a disapproving way "you're a keener, aren't you?" I looked back at him and said, "I paid $500 tuition for this class, effing right I'm a keener. What is this, high school?" (this was about 18 months ago... evening class, almost everyone there was a mature or returning student. I was taken by surprise and wasn't as tactful as I might have been, I admit!).

I can tell the difference! The secret is in the quality of the crunch, not the taste!

I ride a Schwinn. Lots of people think Schwinn sucks. Still, there are secret societies devoted to their worship.
Just ride what you're comfortable on - if you're not comfortable on a $2000 Huffy then I guess don't ride it. If you worry too much about what others think then you're going to have a hard time being happy.

Sorry, What's a keener?

Keener = a nerd, someone who takes schoolwork seriously, possible overtones of "teacher's pet." All of which are kind of hot buttons for me, I'm afraid (I'm trying to embrace my inner nerd, I really am. But she's very shy and kind of sarcastic when she feels threatened...)

I wouldnt spend $500 on any of those brands..... The MOST I would spend would be $1500.... and thats on my dream bike (LHT).....

I get my hair cut 4 times a year(full head of hair) and I am in law enforcement. I really could care less about perceived value and love true value.

I probably wouldn't buy a $500 bike.

I could care less what the 'label' says. It is all in how the machine performs. I have a 5 year old Trek 1000 and a 2007 ActionBent 'bent - and the 'bent is the most expensive thing I've bought in almost 10 years @ $700. I drive a 20 year old bronco II that looks like CRAP. I got it for free (needed a tranny) and I spend less than $300 a year in maintenance.

Come to think of it....... I haven't owned a car that was less than 15 years old in about 15 years.

I loved my red, new... when I was 11 yrs old, Peugeot ten speed (circa 1985 I think?). It wasnt a very pricey bike, but it road so well and I road it to school for over 4 years. I look for one like it all the time.