I am sure this topic would have been discussed a lot here or people have affinities to particular brands.

In bicycles are there brands like Toyota/Honda (know for reliability) vs Porsche/BMW (known for performance) vs Mercedes/lexus (know for lexury) etc then models within each brands?

If yes what are they?

I have a couple Specialized bikes. They're good. I have a Trek and a Cannondale. Nice bikes. But I mostly ride Cervelo. A company founded by aerospace engineers.

I didn't know this when I first test-rode a Cervelo. It just felt like, "THIS IS MY BIKE. It WAS MADE FOR ME," even though it wasn't.

the GMC DENALLI is probably the yugo of bicycles

each manufacturer releases many different models every year categorized by riding style and price. the comfort, the racer, the bombproof...I would be so bold as to say the top end bike from everyone is going to be a solid luxurious reliable performer.
obviously people are swayed by big names and what they see the pro's riding. you will not be dissappointed if you buy a high end model from:
trek
cannondale
cervelo
pinarello
specialized
ridley
scott
and dont forget kestrel.

bf members feel free to add to this list (like you were waiting for my permission!)

I love my Specialized. My brother likes Cervelo because he likes the way it sounds.

Don't forget BMC, Giant, Look, and the list goes on..

In our house we've got:

- Hasa (2)
- Giant
- Santana
- Merlin
- Shogun (2)
- Fuji
- GT
- Venture

Plus several others.

And I used to have a Marinoni.

Thanks guys.
What do you guys think of Giant?
In my area there are about 6 or 7stores within 10 miles radius and each one has one big volume name (like Trek, Cannodale, Binachi, Giant, Schwinn) plus some specialized names which I don't recognize. I went to one They have 2 high end Giants. One in Aluminum ($1300) and other top of the line currently in store is Carbon ($2000) but they did not have my size. May be I have to wait week or 2 to know if they are going to get one.
Sales guys was saying Giant makes many bike for themselves and others but they sell like at least $400 cheaper comparable bike from other volume brand like Trek or Bianchi etc. That's why I thought it might be Honda vs Acura difference. Both reliable but one has more luxury and more brand name etc. Giant store in my area has great customer service I must say and no sales pressure. Not sure if I should stick with giant or make trips to all of the brand store and spend hours and hours and confuse myself.

Bike Brands all have the same group set brands I think that your question is really more applicable to them. I think that Campy is the high end temperamental brand and Shimano is the Toyota/Honda (known for reliability).

Many brands sell for less than Trek at equal levels of frame quality and components, but for my money Trek has always had great customer service and their regional brand managers have always been easy to deal with in the event of a problem.

Your LBS can make a big difference though. A crappy LBS selling great Trek bikes is still a crappy LBS.

Big, really huge big. Monstrous big.

O god, here we go again...
Cars != Bikes.

What do YOU think of Giant? If it fits and you like it get it. I hope you are not buying a bicycle brand because some people classify them as the "Porsche or Ferrari" equivalent of bicycles. The only thing you may want to avoid is buying a bike from Wal-mart or Target. Bikes from your local bike shops are mostly great bikes.

I do NOT intend to buy bicycle from a big Mart shop. So far I have been to only one shop (giant) and usually differences are small (at least for average joe) once you cross $1000 or $2000 price mark.

I was not sure bicycle brands have reputation or reliability history. You may know very well, Porsche and Ferrari are not reliable cars only performance cars.

Unfortunately, no matter which bike I ride, it has exactly the same under-performing motor.

1) Find local Trek dealer
2) Go to local Trek dealer
3) Get fitted for a Trek road bike
4) Purchase said Trek road bike
5) Take it home and ride the dog snot out of it
6) Repeat step 5 as often as possible

Keep in mind, each manufacturer makes a variety of frames, but none come with engines (to play on your car analogy). You brought up Giant, so their TCR line is a more aggressive position. The Defy is a more comfort oriented, relaxed position. Then, there are different materials. Aluminum is the more economical, carbon more expensive. Then, there are the components. In Shimano, Tiagra is low, then 105, then Ultegra then Dura Ace, with each step being lighter and costing more. So, back to your car analogy. The TCR is like a Corvette. The Defy is more like a Cadillac. However, you're still buying a Corvette or Cadillac with no motor. Go ride them. Tell you lbs what you want to accomplish by riding, then ride as many as you can and find what is most comfortable for you. Then, buy it and start working on the engine. You'll start out as an anemic four-banger, but keep it up and you'll work your way up to that Z06 Vette.

**On edit - Sorry Blackdays, didn't mean to sneak in between you and DC_United fanboy!**

^Can stop posting the same crap in every thread?

Remember, all bike brands are good, and have quality products.

Except Trek.

Can't stop seeing the same questions in every thread...

this is so lame...

Yes and most of the big brands have all three in their line-up.

Two ways I can respond to this:

But much like any other good advice, will work if followed...


Freakin' bring it...


It's Friday and I'm in a pretty good mood, so I'll let you decide.

For the most part the components on the bike are made by 3 companies (SRAM, Shimano, Campy) and the frames are mostly made in a couple factories in China or Taiwan. The frame designs may be slightly different from brand to brand, but for the most part the biggest difference between an Aluminum X and and Aluminum Y or a CF A and a CF B is paint and logos.

I'd say buy based on the best components and fit you can get for your particular price point.

Not entirely accurate. Some truth but a little simplistic.

Just because a frame A is made in the same factory as frame B doesn't make them identical. The design specs and manufacturing specs can vary significantly.

I believe we should keep it as simple as possible for the beginner. They can do more research into the dirty details of different designs once they get to riding and start to HTFU

This is even worse than the 6-step post.
Is there no limit to your lameness?

When I got my Cervelo, I test rode it and a few other bikes. When the Cervelo's turn came around, I took it out on the street, clipped in, pushed the pedal, and it leaped forward. A big smile grew across my face. It was "my" bike right there, but I felt like I had to climb some hills and try other stuff to make sure it was really a good choice. Ten minutes later, I didn't want to bring it back to the shop. I had some more fun on it, then I had to go back to the shop and pay for my new bike.