[Closed] a type or brand of bike you would always buy?

surly. because they are strong and unfussy.

No brand loyalty here. Everything on its merits.

A "type of bike", probably some sort of road/gravel/cx/tourer thing.

British Eagle

Yeti... I've never had a chainstay snap and my SB rides brilliantly.

Trek. Brilliant designs and fantastic warranty

And is there a type of bike you would never want to be without?

A mountain bike. Not sure I need to explain on here...

From years of experience....

SRAM mtb gears
Shimano road gears
Rockshox forks/droppers
Maxxis tyres
Easton Carbon bars

Voodoo because they provide excellent, value for money, entry level products that are more than adequate for a fat old biffer like me who has no real interest in spending my fortune upgrading kit all the time.
I've had a 26" Hoodoo for a few years and never, ever felt underbiked for my skill level.

So much so I bought another Voodoo this week. £400 for a perfectly adequate ( for me ) fatbike. What's not to like?

A £3k bike would be utterly wasted on me.

My stumpy wee legs and long body seem to fit Orange bikes rather well. Stuck with them for the past 17 years because of the fit. No complaints yet. 🙂

Ducati

IGMC.

Lusso clothing, works well, fits well, reasonably priced, well made. Plenty of other brands do the same but Lusso still make their stuff in the UK which is the reason for me to choose it over similar products.

Niner, no explanation required.
Ridley, utterly solid and light race bikes. Built with Belgians in mind, by Belgians and a Belgian rides hard and will break stuff if it isn't made by Ridley.
Giant TCX Adv1, because mines been impeccable despite the abuse it's received.
UP, because they're spectacular and they've got my riding style nailed to the top tube.
Cervelo, but the R5ca American made ones only. Again mines been impeccable despite the abuse it's received.
Parlee, handmade genius.

Giant - we have 3 of them at present, 2 road and 1 mtb. Very well made, great value, second to none warranty if required.

I buy bikes on their merits irrespective of brand. Having said that, Genesis make a load of bikes I really like so I own four of them currently 🙂

Cannondale and cervelo

Bit of an Orange fanboi - massive fan of the thinking behind them. Saying that not bought one since Steve and Lester left.

Would very happily buy another Bird.

TBF both relationships are probably heavily influenced by riding bikes with the company owners and agreeing with their philosophies.

Shimano kit. Again, very much approve of their philosophy of only entering a market once they've decided they can do something better, and the fact they are a genuinely humble company.

Whyte
KTM

Simply both because they're exceptionally good at what they're supposed to do.

just sat and wrote down all the mtb's I have owned since 1985.
got to 41 so far. out of them all I have only had problems with 1.

sold them on to try something new.

As ubiquitous as they may be, Trek, as they have always been very well built, withstood lots of my abuse, and done what I have wanted them to do.

Wilier for road. I don't know what it is, but the moment I saw one of their bikes, I fell in love, and now that I have one and it suits me so well, that love has only been affirmed.

I would also now Genesis to my list. And BMC appeals to me for some reason.

As for type, I suppose if I could only have one bike, it would have to be a gravel bike, insofar as it would give me enough of a road experience to keep me happy, but still allow me to go somewhat off-road when the mood struck.

Hope
Two sets of M4 and one E4, all still in use, original M4s from 2004 are still great (after a seal change).
Ceramic BB eight years on and still good. Compared with the 6 months I got at the time from other brands.

Maxxis tyres.
Shimano Cranks.

That's pretty much all that springs to mind.

I don't think I've owned the same brand of bike / frame twice in a row. I've flitted from Marz to Fox to Marz to Fox to RS and the only stuff I've disliked was a set of OE 36s with a really crappy open-bath damper not worthy of the name.

scotroutes - Member
No brand loyalty here. Everything on its merits.

A "type of bike", probably some sort of road/gravel/cx/tourer thing.

Rockshox forks/droppers
Maxxis tyres
Easton Carbon bars

This

and Shimano Pedals

Kona

I just like them. Probably stems from how cool they were in the 90s.

If I had the money, Brooklyn Machine Works, just to park outside Starbucks. Otherwise Giant.

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I'd buy another Giant road-bike as I absolutely love my 2013 Defy.

I don't really like Campag or SRAM road groupsets so would probably only buy a bike that has Shimano kit.

Maxxis Tyres. Shimano cranks.

Every time I try something else I marvel in my own stupidity.

Ritchey stuff for me. Strong, light, not hideously expensive (well until you get to superlogic carbon things...).

Look good as well!

[s]Evil - cos I just saw this on Fresh Goods Friday: "Price: £2,699 (frame only)"[/s]

I've just posted that in the wrong thread haven't I? 😆

I wouldn't say always, but I would happily buy from Bird again assuming the bike and price are right given what I'm looking for at the time. That's based on the product (quality and value), philosophy, customer service, and that personal touch you get from a small company.

My Stanton bikes frame is still impressing me, I'd definitely buy from them again. They seem to build to a level of detail and quality but still aren't ridiculously priced.
Other than that, Renthal stems and bars.

I wouldn't say always, but I would happily buy from Bird again assuming the bike and price are right given what I'm looking for at the time.

+1.

Also Maxxis MTB tyres assuming they don't degrade the quality.

Cannondale, I started out on one way back will probably end on one. I like that they aren't scared to try new stuff out they remind me of Saab, a brand I miss.

Genesis my roadie is one and my lads bike is too, seem like well thought out good riding bikes.

I've had 3 Yetis and 3 Rocky Mountains, so they probably count.
Would defintely by Kinesis again.

XC Hardtail.

If I had the money, Brooklyn Machine Works, just to park outside Starbucks. Otherwise Giant.

Needs moar huck

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Cotic went above and beyond for me so many times it became ridiculous. And also make kick-ass bikes, and are a generally great company. That's my benchmark. I don't own any just now mind (well, I have a frame and a corpse, but no bikes) but that's just how it worked out. 10/10, would buy again

I guess as I'm on my sixth Cotic frame, err, Cotic 🙂

They make bikes I like (obvs) and always get prompt response from Cy whenever I decide to hassle him about some shit.

On the opposite side of the spectrum I also like Giant (had 5 oh theirs over the years).felt they made road bikes that suited mountain bikers. Good value for money and decent dealers.

I would have said transition as well made, good value fun bikes, but recently they seem to have made a decision to up their prices massively and try to compete with Santa Cruz and yeti etc

I'd always consider On-One, just because the two I've got have done what they're supposed to do for years. And they're soulless and have no 'character'.

It was always Turner for me, I've had five of them. Unfortunately I think they've been left behind a bit recently.

I've got a 2017 Trek Fuel and a 2015 carbon Defy now, love both of them which I'm almost surprised by for no rational reason. Guess I'm still a bike snob at heart

Ibis, great bikes and supposedly good customer service although not needed it. The mrs has got four and her cx one is her fave bike ever.

Cotic. Brilliant people to deal with and I really like the open and honest design and marketing philosophy behind the brand. Helps that the bikes look great and ride pretty fantastically too.

Hardtail, sloping top-tube. ATB or MTB. Currently ATB with drops.

Brands? Not really loyal. Genesis, Kona, Rocky Mountain, Kinesis etc. Have owned more Konas and Cannondales than others (three of each)

My perfect fantasy-league contender XC-bias MTB would be:
Frame: Slacker/higher front-end Cannondale mid-range F-series (CAAD3, made in USA)
Wheels: 29er
Fork: 100mm lockout Headshok that only needed servicing every 5000 miles.
Gearing would be Deore 2x10 with Deore 10spd thumbies.

I guess as I'm on my sixth Cotic frame

Either you have a lot of bikes or a lot of crashes 😉

I've had a number of Cotics and I love them.

I'd always consider a Cotic option.

Giant - if I wanted a middling bike (doods, I live in the new forest - it's pretty unduro) they'd be the first place I'd look

Not "always" - I've never owned one but definitely on the list for my next proper bike are Cotic, Bird and, err Trek; all on customer service grounds as well as rep for good riding.

I do like Turner's (historical?) attitude to CS but they're small and a long way away and their current bikes aren't doing it for me

That new Pivot sounds great but something's not right for me - I think it's too much for me (money and, "bike" but more importantly, "brand")

Liking Ibis... I know they come up short on the top tube for sizing, but get the one that fits...
Liking Orange: The 5 we had was as tough as nails and just did it all...
9:Zero:7 Fatbikes, they fit really well and are well thought out.
Transalpes.. just won a Fat 5 frame and the whole bike I tested worked well.

Hates.. Specialized... bad warranty service and their overly litigious stance.. its not really necessary ..

Dream bike? The SC V10 Fatbike that was a on-off, geez a shot of that!

Red ones.

Edit: Not only faster but easier to find in the foliage after falling off.

I have two Specialized bikes and another five for the rest of the family but that is more to do with my LBS being a Spesh main dealer than anything else (I get a hefty discount) 🙂

I like Cotics too but I'd make do with any decent 'trail' steel hardtail with a couple of pairs of wheels, that's what I couldn't do without. Oh, and bottle cage mounts that aren't under the sodding downtube right in the path of dog shit.

Anything 'fat' 8)

Rapha - their passion for the history, traditions and mystique of cycling matches mine. The high prices reflect the commitment required to be a real cyclist.

10/10 yossarian

Feels a bit fanboi posting this now, but given the levels of service, advice and assistance - on top of making bikes so fun and fast they're bordering on lethal - Bird will now be our go-to first choice. Just need them to make a rigid steel 29er and I'm set..

It would have previously been Specialized but their geometry seems to be headed in the wrong direction of late, plus it feels good to support a local bike company who are putting their all into what they do.

Always based on merit and looks for me, but have always been impressed by responses and design ethos from Cy (Cotic), Dave (Turner) and Chuck (Ibis), so these would top of my list.

When originally looking for an LT 29er, I wanted to like the Ripley, but their insistence on using the same rear triangle for most frames, ruins the looks for the larger sizes. The Mojo (1), Tranny and Silk were a design high point for Ibis in the late naugties.

I like Surly as simple no bull bikes/frames but overpriced when new like everything I guess.

Surly for me too. They do sometimes come across as trying a bit hard to be cool and rebellious, but because they're American it seems quite sweet.

Also DMR, no nonsense solid kit built to ragged.

I have 2 Surlys and 2 DMRs, so money where mouth is etc.

Marin. They make the best looking bikes.

Rapha - their passion for the history, traditions and mystique of cycling matches mine. The high prices reflect the commitment required to be a real cyclist.

😆

Marin. They make the best looking bikes.

LOLZ!!

metalheart - Member
I guess as I'm on my sixth Cotic frame, err, Cotic

WTF have you been doing to them?? I mangled a BFe, was offered a crash replacement that didn't appeal to my "give me a massive discount cos I'm a loon" side and got something else instead. Got a Simple a few years later; have to admit, they make good frames 🙂

Ànother Cotic fan here :oops:. Looking at buying another to go with my Bfe.
Also Rose Bikes. The UK rep, fin, has always been helpful and even contacting the German office was a pleasure. Having a great well priced product also helps.

Would never buy a bike purely based on brand, but i've never ridden a bad Scott, and they'd usually be on a shortlist.

Interesting the love for maxxis, the only one i've found that doesn't drag like an anchor is the aspen and thats made of tissue paper. They're pretty much now bottom of the list of tyres i'd try.

Giant. They do nothing badly and lots very well, whilst providing good value.

Orange for me.

Loved their image as a kid back in the early days and loved my orange/white fade Clockwork. Having been out of the saddle for years I got a GT back in 99 which I hated so got another Orange in 2004 and have been on them since. Tried plenty of other brands but am yet to find anything I'd change to.

ton - Member
surly. because they are strong and unfussy.

I like what I call honest bikes. Good handling, well enough made, but not so precious that I'd feel bad dragging it over a rock or through heather.

Surly and the Brant era On-Ones fit that bill. IMO there's some future classics among them, 1x1, Pugsley, and the SCandal. Not to forget the Pompino. Those are the bikes I've hung on to.

I've had some much fancier stuff, and the only one I regret selling was my Singular Swift. It was just too pretty. I couldn't bring myself to treat it like my other mtbs, so it ended up being a garage queen.

As far as brands are concerned, I'd buy Surly on trust based on previous experience, but not so sure about modern On-Ones though.

The bike I really want would be a road bike with lugs, nice steel (not self-branded gas pipe), and most importantly able to handle balloon tyres, ie 29er clearances. The Singular Peregrine came close and although it was an excellent bike, it fell short for me.

Hope for brakes/hubs, & Orange, love my 2011 5. If I ever get another bike, Orange would be my 1st consideration, & It would have Hope bits on.
I'm still using original M4's on my HT which have never been any problem. X2's on the 5 from new, again, no problems.

WTF have you been doing to them??

Hope - having been tempted by the cheap shimano idea XT's are not that good or reliable.
Still running 4 year old Hubs and BB's with very little attention.

SRAM their 11sp just works and it works well. It's head and shoulders above the rest and goes to show what happens if you can push things.

Santa Cruz, genuinely good bikes with amazing back up. Again the bearings are well sealed and lasted fine for me. love VPP and the way they ride.

Maxxis - no nonsense good tyres

Morvelo Clothes - really nice cut, fit and feel.

Interesting the love for maxxis, the only one i've found that doesn't drag like an anchor is the aspen and thats made of tissue paper. They're pretty much now bottom of the list of tyres i'd try.

Brand endorsement is a great marketing tool. What you have to remember is that they also make the Crossmark.

Will probably always use Hope hubs, not the lightest but super reliable. Now on my 3rd set of Stans rims across 3 different bikes and disregarding the fact I put a sizable ding in an old crest xc rim while throwing down it antur they've all been spot on, love my new Arch MK3's. a recent addition is 7mesh, their gear is just incredible, the fit is unbelievably good, the quality is second to none and having dealt the good folks there directly they are a pleasure to deal with. On the mtb I refuse to wear anything else now, it's that good. Ibis is another good shout, I no longer own one but funds and a test ride allowing I'd be awfully tempted by a new Ripley. But I do love my T130C RS as well so it would have to be good!

Thompson for stems and seat posts
Hope for hubs / brakes
CK for headsets
Shimano drivetrain

Started with trek, as a kid I wanted one, when I got one a few years back it was great a had a 6500, it was the right bike, then got a fuel ex7 but it felt short, tried another a few years later and the fit was wrong. So no more trek's, so where did I go? Specialized, they just fit perfectly! Currently I have 3, work commute crosstrail, a fuse and camber, my next bike will probably be another speshi.

I aspire to owning an orange 5 or 4, I just can't justify the money 🙁

I'll probably always trust:

Mavic for rims
Hope for hubs and brakes
Chris King for headsets
Thomson for stems and rigid seatposts (never tried their dropper).
Maxxis for tyres
Odi for grips
Shimano for cranks
Alpkit for socks
Wildcat for Bikepacking gear
Fizik for saddles

-

I used to trust Shimano for drivetrains until their stubborn refusal to accept 1x forced me to SRAM (which has been excellent).

I've owned a lot of bikes (I think I would beat ton above if I sat down and counted them all - I can't help swapping them out and trying something else!)

Favourite brands/kit:

Hope: brakes, hubs
Stans: Rims
Chris King: Headsets
Thompson: stems/posts
SDG: saddles

Orange, Reilly, Rourke, Cotic are all frame brands I would go to

Surprisingly very good experiences with the Boardman Elite range too - amazing value for money and very good bikes