Undiscovered Gems: any great bikes that don't get the attention they deserve?
04-15-14, 10:12 PM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
LeMond
04-16-14, 09:33 AM
#54
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,180 Times
in
1,470 Posts
04-16-14, 09:40 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,602
Bikes: Ridley Noah fast, Colnago CLX,Giant Propel Advanced, Pinnerello Gogma 65.1, Specialized S-works Venge, CAADX,Cervelo S3
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 74 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There are the big brands that are ubiquitous on the streets and in the mags: Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Colnago Fuji, etc., and there are the rarely seen but well-known small brands that always top the 'cult favorites' lists, like Indie Fab, Baum, Firefly, English, and Parlee.
Are there any brands that you think are undiscovered jewels, overlooked by the road cycling community in general? Maybe specific models that are under-appreciated road bikes though they may carry a better known brand name on their tubes (e.g. a road bike from a company best known for MTBs)?
What do you think deserves more praise, and why? Whether great value, unique styling, superb handling, advanced tech, amazing craftsmanship, or whatever, and irrespective of price, let's see what discerning cyclists a different stripe might ride.
Are there any brands that you think are undiscovered jewels, overlooked by the road cycling community in general? Maybe specific models that are under-appreciated road bikes though they may carry a better known brand name on their tubes (e.g. a road bike from a company best known for MTBs)?
What do you think deserves more praise, and why? Whether great value, unique styling, superb handling, advanced tech, amazing craftsmanship, or whatever, and irrespective of price, let's see what discerning cyclists a different stripe might ride.
04-16-14, 09:49 AM
#57
L-I-V-I-N
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Stafford, OR
Posts: 4,796
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
For the gravel and all-rounders, I'd say Kelson.
__________________
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
04-16-14, 10:00 AM
#58
Senior Member
04-16-14, 10:17 AM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Mine has a Taiwan sticker too.
04-16-14, 10:19 AM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 353
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
04-16-14, 11:01 AM
#63
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mid Atlantic USA
Posts: 44
Bikes: Trek 4500, Scott CR1, Specialized Crux, Argon 18 Gallium Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Scott?
I don't see too many Scott bikes around. A friend has a CR1 that seems very well made. I test rode a Speedster recently and was pleasantly surprised.
04-16-14, 03:34 PM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Perth, Australia and sometimes Penang Malaysia
Posts: 1,916
Bikes: Litespeed L1r, Litespeed Ghisallo 07, TCR Advanced Team SL 0 ISP, Giant TCR Advanced SL, Giant TCR Advanced Team - T-Mobile, Giant Propel Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Litespeed L1r is underated, especially since you can get get the frameset for 1500usd, it has all the latest spec, bb386 bottom bracket, 1.125" x 1.5" tapered steerer fork, 950g aero frame.
04-16-14, 04:23 PM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,764
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
761 Posts
Too funny. On the 41 it's the more obscure, less known bikes that get truckloads of credit and adulations. It's the major brands that get shovel full of disdain and mockery. It's the opposite on the 41. Everytime someone posts a pic of their Parlee or Guru or Wilier or Moots 41 wet their pants. Someone posts a Trek Madone and it's meh reaction, it's run of the mill, too common, too many Treks on the road etc.
Felt and Jamis for the modern road bikes. Sannino for the vintage Italian. Kona for the MTB. Nothing to obscure, but not the biggest names in the business. And yes, Trek for the tandem - it was available and a nice bike for the price, so I like it a lot.
04-16-14, 04:24 PM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 343
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
The LBS I got it at also carries Focus, and I really hope that is my next brand when I upgrade.
04-16-14, 05:29 PM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Lovely, but can we honestly say that Merckx doesn't get the attention it deserves?
04-16-14, 07:15 PM
#72
Senior Member
i am litespeed fan (3 in the stable, 07 Vortex, 05 firenze, 96 Ultimate). The specs are all right but I can get into their carbon line up.
04-17-14, 11:35 AM
#73
:)
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,420
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD12, Specialized Rockhopper, Norco Fluid FS1
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I've been lusting after a Ritte frame for a while now. I can't afford it, but damn do I want one.
04-17-14, 12:42 PM
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts