Jarrett2

Is it possible to rank road bike brands?

Like:

Tier 1 - High End Custom Builders
BMC?

Tier 2 - Big Name, Off the Rack Brands
Specialized
Trek
Cannondale

Tier 3 - Smaller, Off the Rack Brands
Fuji?
Felt?
Marin?
Scott?

Tier 4 - "Off" Brands
Schwinn?
Motobecane?

These are just guesses/examples. Is it possible to do this sort of hierarchy in a meaningful way? Are more tiers needed? What would your list look like?

Photorph

There's another similar thread discussing this going on right now. What makes Tier 3 inferior to Tier 2? Fuji, scott and felt make the exact same bikes as specialized/trek/giant/cannondale... This is what I don't understand. The pricing for the tier 3 you list is also less (especially with fuji) when comparing the same level of bike.

xjustice09x

Its possible, but you would have to spend some time coming up with meaningful ranking criteria. If not the list is all subjective.

lsberrios1 

Although you are probably going to get burned for this post I'll play because I always like comparo threads. From Tier 1 to 5 they all ride the same. Tier 6 rides OK and Tier 7 is trash on wheels.

Tier 1 = High end Custom builders

English Bikes
Parlee
Linksey
Crumpton
Storck


Tier 2 = "made in Italy" or "swiss made" bikes

BMC
Pinarello
Colnago
Willier
Lemond
Merckx
Look
Cinelli

Tier 3 = THE BIG BOYS

Specialized
Giant
Trek
Ridley
Orbea
Cervelo
Bianchi

Tier 4 = Big box bikes or open mold derivations

Felt
Cannondale
Scott
Boardman
Merida
Argon
Kestrel

Tier 5 = bang for the buck

Fuji
Diamondback

Tier 6 = Cheap bikes that are OK

Windsor
Motobecane
Gravity
Novara

Tier 7 = crap

GMC
Schwinn
Huffy
Royce Union

txags92

Seems totally subjective to me. Without an objective and meaningful criteria for how to separate the tiers, I think you are just asking for opinions. Sales figures will give you that just as well as asking for it will. I guess my question is what is the purpose of trying to rank them this way? Are you expecting manufacturers to lower the price if they are in a lower tier? Do we restrict lower tier riders to the back of the pack on group rides? What is the point? Find a bike you like at a price you like and be happy with it...why worry about where it ranks? Oh wait...this is the 41...carry on.

Elvo

Colnago > Serrota > everything else

Jarrett2

This is good stuff. Thanks for putting that together.

Jarrett2

Just curious how they are perceived here.

T800CF

Are Colnago really made in Italy?

lsberrios1 

You could ask the same question about Pinarello and Willier. The truth is that they are not. They are built either in Taiwan or Japan using Toray carbon and then hand painted in Italy (some of them). This gives them the right to say "made in Italy". The BMC on the other hand if it is the IMPEC model then yes it's built in Switzerland. The other models are built in east asia.

Another company that does their own composite from Europe is Time and not sure but I think Look may be one of those too. Both of those are french and qualify as High End.

lsberrios1 

Take into consideration that like Cannondale makes a $1,400 105 bike in AL so does Willier or BMC. I am comparing their Flagship frames and the premium they command. For example, a supersix high mod frame goes for $2,500 (example but +/-), an S-works Tarmac goes for $3,500, a Pinarello FP8 goes for $5,800 and a Storck Fascenario goes for $9,000. These are only frames. Components you can choose afterwards for the same price no matter what the frame.

lsberrios1 

The hardest ones to differentiate are Tier 3 from 4. Tier 4 I mostly classify them behind the ones at 3 because their part sourcing is a little cheaper. They opt for FSA cranks and brakes vs. Specialized with their in-house S-Works cranks or giant's leaving the Shimano one in. They are also usually sold at 10-15% less than those with more history. You can also find Tier 4 bikes in stores like REI, Dicks etc whereas Specialized bikes are only through authorized dealers.

Pendergast

Easier to rank them by "snob appeal"(or "brand cachet") than to rank them by quality.

Campag4life

Specialized makes the best bikes in the world. They won the TdF.
/Thread

MRT2

Since many of these companies, including some prestige names are really just marketers, I don't know how much relevance such a list has since for the most part, you are buying the same product regardless the name painted on the frame.

Besides, where does Waterford fit into this heirarchy? Rivendell? Soma? Surly? Not roadish enough?

Jarrett2

I'm still learning. Can you elaborate on what this means?

I'd say through 'em somewhere. Where do you think they fit in?

Bandera

Certainly, but you have NO CRITERIA proposed.
What are the various mfgs to be measured upon?

Durability?
I nominate Worksman Cycles: Cargo Bikes, Industrial Bicycles and Industrial Tricycles from Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store

Traditional quality, proven designs and a beautiful aesthetic available in custom framesets:
Mercian: Mercian Cycles - Custom Cycle Frames & Cycle Shop

Inexpensive transportation:
bicycles for men - Walmart.com

Fixie-Steet Cred:
wiggle.com | Cinelli Gazzetta 2014 | Single Speed Bikes

Total Stage wins in 2014 UCI World Tour Competition?
It's not Worksman.....

A certain precision is required for A/B/C/D comparisons to have any meaning, this thread lacks that requirment.
Without a measurable Quality Statement.....Twaddle, Marketing and Rumor......


-Bandera

MRT2

It means that except for a handful of statement products, there is very little difference between major, or even "third or fourth tier" brands at a given price point. IMO, there is a big drop off down to big box, department store, and sporting goods bikes, but that is another story.

All the major brands, and most of the boutique brands make all or most of their bikes in China or Taiwan, and source components from the same firms. Though it may make you feel good to go with Specialized over Fuji, or Raleigh, or Jamis, if the level of quality at each price point is really close, if not identical.

Pirkaus

The question to ask first, is what is the definition of each tier, and what attributes qualify and how do you quantify these to form a ranking? Is it, as mention "snob appeal", race pedigree, build pedigree, historic longevity..........**********?

bikemig 

This is simple:

Any bicycle I own > everything else.

NormanF

The comment about Schwinn applies to its big box bikes.

Its IBS bikes are of high quality on the other hand and are well regarded. They're not cheap but they are well-priced.

grolby

This thread has just so much fail.

Case in point.

Bob Dopolina 

Incorrect.

Bob Dopolina 

Correct.

OldTryGuy

How many actual manufacturers are there?

There are those companies that outsource the frames then assemble the bike.

There are those companies that outsource the tubing, build the frame then assemble a bike.

There are those companies that outsource the CF, build the frame then assemble a bike.

There are those companies that weave(manufacture) their own CF from raw thread, manufacture their own resin, build the frame then assemble a bike.

I think the last would be a top tier quality manufacturer. Just how many are there?

But maybe the above is not relevant.