As a others have intimated, I think it's because they're (now) such a corporate mega-company. This isn't necessarily indicative of the quality of their bikes, but they do come off as a soulless, crassly commercial entity.

While I certainly harbor no sort of vendetta towards them, I'm much more partial to more quirky, pragmatic makers like Surly. While Surly is certainly a multi-national brand (owned by QBP), it's my understanding that they're still managed/operated by the same persons who started the company.

Again, I don't have anything against Trek; I just don't think much distinguishes them from Specialized, Diamondback, Marin, or most of the other mega manufacturers.

I think it is a fundamental tendency towards being a retrogrouch that makes you think a surly is a better choice than a Trek. And I think Treks stink on ice.

No, Surly is just an unapologetically practical, mostly unsexy maker that seems to understand that the latest isn't necessarily the greatest. That said, many of their frames can be built up as sexy (or not) as you'd want: You can build up the Troll or Ogre as a high-tech mtb complete with disc brakes and newest comps, or you can build them into ultra-simple utilitarian rigs.

I don't hate Trek, but I don't really want one either because they are so common. I like Marin, Jamis, Kona, Redline, and to some extent Cannondale, mostly because they are less common.

I mean I see Trek FX everywhere...and I don't really want any part of that. Now Trek XO, Crossrip, or Lemond, though, I think I could do because at least those aren't so common.

I wouldn't mind having a Trek 930 or similar with some slicks either.

Really guys with a machine as simple as a bike, what is the real difference. Most frames are built is Asia, and the rest of the bike is dressed with various components from all over the world too.

I would bet the farm that no one even a professional that was put on a bike painted all black, could they could tell any difference between the brands. Frame materials probably, but not bikes made with the same frame material.

One final note is that Trek is an American company which to my mind is a good deal, since it provides jobs for American workers. Just like cars that are foreign, that does not make them better.

Here, as typical, Importing company brand sales territory is population based..

so the 2 major brands, .. Both actually made by a 3rd company, in Taiwan , ROC

are sold in different towns , 20+ miles a part..

They hate on Treks cause it makes them feel better about spending 3k for a bike.

Treks cost 3 grand and more. But do they make good bikes?

But would you spend 3k on a Trek, or something more "******"?

I would get a frame and build it up with Campy.

Or Hate Giant or Merida, but like another Brand, not Knowing that Giant or Merida Actually made it.

This is the only thing that makes sense in this thread.

I use to work in a bike shop for a couple of years and they sold Trek bikes.

I don't see why anyone would have anything against Trek other than being biased towards other companies for their own favorite reasons.

Manny

Elephant in the room: Lance. Period.

I rode a fantastic 2014 Domane 5.2 for one day at this year's Cycle Oregon, loaned to me out of the Trek rep's demo trailer. It was a fantastic bike on less-than-smooth pavement. Surprisingly, I found out that not even the custom 6 Series Domane frames are made in Wisconsin. Did I mention it was fantastic?

Do you also hate Specialized for sponsoring Contador?

I don't hate any bike company. I'm just saying people associate Trek with Armstrong. When he was superman, Trek sales and prestige reached a peak. When Lance fell from grace, Trek fell with him. Trek, Specialized...at any given price point, there's not a dime's worth of difference between them. But I bet the Trek execs put some blame on their golden boy.

I do wonder how that impacted overall US bike sales, year over year, esp. for road bikes...

How many times has an a-hole driver yelled, "Hey Alberto" when he passed you?

95% of the people buying bikes in the US have never heard of the king of tainted beef.

Try this experiment to see how knowledgeable the average American cyclist is. Go to a group ride, head out with the C group, and as you pass each one, ask them who Andy Hampsten is.

After looking at a number of mass produced touring bikes, I chose the Trek 520. It seemed to be the best all around bike and our Trek bike shop is staffed by quality riders and great people.

You could separate bikers into two groups. One who rides what they like. And the other who is influenced by everyone else because they want to be either the same or different.

Wonder if anybody hates the US post office??? damn that Lance Armstrong,, I hear that the post office is going bankrupt now!!! thats all we need let them all go postal!!!

People may not actually hate the Post Office, but fact is the average American isn't willingly using it much anymore. When's the last time that you bought a stamp and put a letter or package in the mail? Considering no more than 20 years ago we all did it countless times a week and now do it very rarely, the end result is the same thing. The Post Office is struggling to survive with its current mandate.

Last week.

there are a few reasons I don't and won't own a trek.

1) I have enough bikes that I look for something different and nice.
2) When I purchased my Cannondale, looked at Trek and the finish of the Cdale was much nicer
3) When I go on a group tour there are too many treks, I like my bike to stand out a little.
4) I like lugged steel frames, classic Italian frames

It's ironic that I bought a Trek FX. I'm usually in favour of underdogs. I loathe big names in general. I just had no idea how big Trek was or how they were related to Lance Armstrong. I didn't even know who George Lemond was. I just loved how FX felt. It was far better than the other bikes I'd tried - Marin, Cannondale, GT and Specialized.

In a way, it was good that I knew little about Trek back then. Otherwise, Trek would have been off my list.

I like my trex. I bought it used and would rather spend the money I did on an older trex than the same money for a new walmart/big-box bike.
What I don't like is the attention it gets. Some people just see the name and assume it is an expensive bike and sometimes (rarely) it has to get parked and locked in some not so good parts of town. Even in my small town we have thieves looking to make a quick buck. If I lived in an area of even more theft, Id prob take off the trex names or rattle can it.