Bicycle Brands
07-20-09, 10:17 AM
#1
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Bicycle Brands
Why did you choose the specific brand of bike your are riding. Be it Cannondale, Fuji, Felt, Specialized, Trek, etc... Was it based on price, brand loyalty, your friend told you to buy x brand etc...
I'm looking at reasons why other have chosen a specific brand of bike to ride. I'm trying to educate myself as to what I should be looking at when buying my first road bike.
I'm looking at reasons why other have chosen a specific brand of bike to ride. I'm trying to educate myself as to what I should be looking at when buying my first road bike.
07-20-09, 10:32 AM
#3
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so far i really like my Specialized. (owner for only 5 weeks and about 600+ miles)
i was actually planning on getting a Trek, but after riding the Trek vs the field i really liked the handling characteristics of the Specialized. The Allez and the Tarmac felt very similar, but both were head and shoulders above Felt, Gary Fisher, Trek, and Cannondale for my fitment and my preferences.
noteable features i particularly liked:
- high-speed handling
- comfort
- braking
- adjustability features of the bike
only complaints are the wheels (shimano RS-10s) that needed truing after 2 weeks (rear) and breaking a spoke and another retruing (rear). i kind of figured as much since out of the factory they're not completely tuned up.
i was actually planning on getting a Trek, but after riding the Trek vs the field i really liked the handling characteristics of the Specialized. The Allez and the Tarmac felt very similar, but both were head and shoulders above Felt, Gary Fisher, Trek, and Cannondale for my fitment and my preferences.
noteable features i particularly liked:
- high-speed handling
- comfort
- braking
- adjustability features of the bike
only complaints are the wheels (shimano RS-10s) that needed truing after 2 weeks (rear) and breaking a spoke and another retruing (rear). i kind of figured as much since out of the factory they're not completely tuned up.
Last edited by sijray21; 07-20-09 at 10:36 AM.
07-20-09, 10:36 AM
#4
You gonna eat that?
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Because a Raleigh was what someone threw in the dumpster.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
07-20-09, 10:37 AM
#5
Senior Member
Bought one. Loved it. Bought another. Loved it. Bought another. Loved that too. 
The first was based on a test ride of a friend's previous incarnation of my RC. They are awesome frames, nobody else has one and the customer service is spot on. Plus a friend of mine is a dealer.
The first was based on a test ride of a friend's previous incarnation of my RC. They are awesome frames, nobody else has one and the customer service is spot on. Plus a friend of mine is a dealer.
07-20-09, 10:40 AM
#7
No matches
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Because it was cheap. My next bike is likely to be a Pedal Force, because it's a good deal. Brand names don't mean much at all to me, I ride whatever I feel is the best value.
07-20-09, 10:51 AM
#8
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Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
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Pretty color:
07-20-09, 11:10 AM
#11
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It's a combination of ride, components, weight, and looks for me. If I am stuck between 2 or 3 bikes, I buy the one from the store I trust the most and want to have a long-term relation ship with.
I bought 1 bike mail order because it was cheap and I will never make that mistake again.
I bought 1 bike mail order because it was cheap and I will never make that mistake again.
07-20-09, 12:25 PM
#14
You Know!? For Kids!
Walked into a bike shop in College Station Texas back in 1984 and saw this beautiful red Trek 330 road bike sitting there. Bought it and loved it until it was stolen off my apartment patio. Replaced it with a Trek 1000 and loved it even more. Never been without a Trek road bike since.
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07-20-09, 12:36 PM
#15
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Colnago. Fell in love with the paint job. Then the test ride made it a no-brainer. I love the ride.
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07-20-09, 12:54 PM
#18
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Felt F85: That's what an LBS in a 75 mile radius (of Washington DC) had in my size (and price range). All the others said they would need to order one for Trek/Scott/Specialized etc. BTW I'm 6'3".
07-20-09, 01:14 PM
#19
Senior Member
I got mine because it was a very high-quality frameset that was on deep discount because it had been hanging out in the shop for 4+ years. Got it at about cost because aluminum went out of style. I figured that Al tech hasn't advanced much in 4 years - my Specialized E5 frameset is lighter than a CAAD9, and I got it for less money. I happen to really like the ride and handling, but really, I was in a tight spot financially and needed a good bike. Turned out to be one of the best purchases I've ever made. No regrets.
07-20-09, 01:50 PM
#20
Decrepit Member
Dad worked for Schwinn for thirty years, so that's what I rode growing up. Waterford, owned by Richard Schwinn and Marc Muller, is the spiritual heir to the pre-bankruptcy Schwinn. So, in a sense, at 67 I'm still riding the same brand I rode as a kid.
07-20-09, 03:11 PM
#22
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I'm a Cannondale fan because the first Cannondale I got fit me spot on...
From then and there, I trust that all Cannondales in my size will fit me (and I haven't been wrong yet...road, cross, touring, etc)....
Lastly, used Cannondales always are the best bang for your buck!
From then and there, I trust that all Cannondales in my size will fit me (and I haven't been wrong yet...road, cross, touring, etc)....
Lastly, used Cannondales always are the best bang for your buck!
07-20-09, 03:27 PM
#23
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Bikes: ParleeZ5/Parlee Chebacco/Trek Farley/Cannondale Slice/Burley Tandem
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My last purchase was a Trek project one. I wanted specific colours and I love the new madones.
07-20-09, 05:09 PM
#24
Was looking for a steel bike to get back in after a long layoff. Wanted USA, but expensive and somewhat scarce. Went to LBS and tried a Cannondale Caad9 and liked it immediately. Very happy with my decision. USA made, rides far better than the Alum critics would think. It inspires me, and it didn't break the bank.
Patrick
Patrick
07-20-09, 05:32 PM
#25
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Bought a Bianchi for a commuter bike because it was the same price as comparable brands and had the added bonus of disk brakes. The key reason I got it was the LBS is right up the street from me and is the only one in town where the guys working there aren't a bunch of boobs. I ended up getting a Bianchi road bike 6 months later because I liked my Bianchi commuter bike and got a great deal on a used one.
