I'm guessing most of us on here are bike snobs or one type or another. Some would never ride a 'plastic bike'. Others won't touch a bike from a big manufacturer, only buying frames from purportedly 'rider owned' brands who make their frames out of recycled scaffolding poles.
It's not necessarily a rational choice – and for the sake of this thread, that's OK.
I'll start. I tend to like brands that don't try to be all things to all riders (so I like Transition, Yeti, Rocky Mountain) or that I don't see many of on the trails.
For the latter reason, I would never buy a full suspension Santa Cruz. Ever.
I know that they are, by most standards, really good bikes. And weirdly, I do quite fancy a Chameleon or a Stigmata. But I see so many 5010s, Bronsons and Tallboys that it turns me off.
I don't see myself buying a Specialized of any kind.
So which bike brands are you irrationally biased against? And why?
Evil.
Giant. Just cos.
I don't think I've got an irrational dislike of any brand - Yeti don't work for me (I've had 5 of them and not liked any), similar with Kona (which I've also owned).
Actually - thinking about it, Evil don't appeal - mainly due to their customer service and cracking frames. I'm sure they've improved but I just wouldn't take the risk for that amount of money.
I'll start. I tend to like [b] brands that don't try to be all things to all riders[/b] (so I like Transition, Yeti, Rocky Mountain) or that I don't see many of on the trails.For the latter reason, I would never buy a full suspension Santa Cruz. Ever.
You'll need to elaborate on this bit for me.
Aye, they are the most popular brand round here by miles, which made me want to try one, see if they really are that good....But I see so many 5010s, Bronsons and Tallboys that it turns me off.
Irrationally? None, I don't think. I'm wary of some because of reputations for poor customer service / warranty wriggling or apparently high failure rates but beyond that, anything's up for grabs IMO (including those whose reputations I'm unaware of, of course)
I've never had a genuinely small manufacturer's bike (Airborne cx frame is as close as I've come) but that's more to do with how much time I have to devote to travelling about for test rides etc and finding dealers than an actual aversion to them
Trek - it'd be like buying a brown kia. The day I buy a trek is the day I've officially given up.
I wouldn't buy a Specialized for myself, but I would buy one. In fact I have. My son's bike. He loves Spesh Enduros, so maybe one of those for Christmas...
Never liked any Giant MTB I've ridden, but their road bikes are ok.
I'd never buy an Apollo.
Giant, Trek, Specialized or anybody else who makes plastic frames.
Specialized, Canondale and Giant for me. No idea why, a completely irrational dislike of their frames to the point they don’t even register when I’m looking at bikes. Stupid, I know.
O R A N G E
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Pinarello.
Colnago.
Apart from that, if it's the right bike I don't think I'd worry about the brand. I've never really liked Trek but I'd not say no to a Madone or a Top Fuel. I've bought Specialized, Giant, Planet X, On-One, Kona, Focus, Orbea, Neil Pryde(!), De Rosa, Marin, Scott, Guerciotti. Nearly bought a Canyon, Cannondale.
Cannondale.
It goes back years to when I worked in a shop that sold them. We had more problems with Cannondale than with all our other brands put together. Stupid proprietary parts (3-bolt disc hubs, CODA finishing kit in particular their lethally rubbish brakes, Lefty forks, Headshox forks, weird size headsets), expensive compared to a comparable Specialized, Trek etc that we also sold and invariably several broken frames awaiting warranty service which, because they had to come from Cannondale Europe, took WEEKS.
Specialized and Trek could turn a warranty round in less than a week. Cannondale you were lucky if it was sorted in 2 months.
GT, just don't like that funny triangle thing they do near the seat post 🙁
Specialized, Trek and Giant.
They just seem to lack rider engagement.
No doubt great bikes, but very clinical and run as large faceless companies (who sue at any hint of infringement). Cycling is after all big kids messing about in the mud, so I want to ride a brand that I think encapsulates this.
If I was ever fortunate enough to own a supercar, I wouldn't go for Buggati, Porsche or McLaren, but rather Lamborghini, Ferrari or Zonda. It's the fun, theater and emotions the brand and product conveys.
Brompton.
Cos I hate folding bikes, and that’s all they make...
but rather Lamborghini (VAG), Ferrari (Fiat)
Sure?
Dave Hinde 😯
You'll need to elaborate on this bit for me.
Based on my totally subjective, non-rigourous, impression of these bike brands, they don't try and appeal to a wide range of riders. Transition, for example; they're squarely in the 'let's have fun on the mountain' camp. Their bikes aren't aimed at racers (except for the TR11 of course – there, I told you it wan't rational) or adventure riders. Similarly, Yeti have actually contracted their range of bikes over the last few years and seem to have pretty much turned their back on XC racing (which was traditionally their 'thing') in favour of trial and endure bikes. Rocky Mountain 'feel' similar, though they make XC race bikes, trail bikes and even a bloody e-bike (again, my impressions are not logical).
I agree with Wallop, too. No Giant for me. I try to like them; they're good(ish) value supposedly ride well... but they just don't float my proverbial.
As mentioned above, Irrationally? None! Definitely wouldn’t buy. Trek or Specialized, would be extremely unlikely I’d ever look at other big brands like canyon or Comencal. Had Several Yeti, great bikes but their reputation for cracking and total lack of warranty support puts me off now!
Commencal - I bought 2 of the things and when I had a problem they were arseholes to deal with and tried their best to wriggle out of it and blame me.
Don't have any irrational ones, if a bike rides well and company aren't dicks I'll buy their product.
On one or Planet X . Never ever ever again. Shoddy products poorly designed and made and woeful customer service. Always amazed when people defend them.
Cove - don’t like the porn names they have given their bikes, no need for it.
Evil for a similar reasons.
Trek - always thought whey were very boring bikes all the way back to the late 80’s. I suppose they are decent bikes but I struggle to see why you’d buy one over another brand.
Cove - don’t like the porn names they have given their bikes, no need for it.
yeah I never liked that either. stupid I think.
On One/Planet X.
Don't like gambling.
I also have a perfectly rational dislike of mass produced overpriced Taiwanese built stuff bought by snobs.
Apart from that, not fussed.
I'd happily buy an Aldi or Tesco branded bike if it was what suited me best.
Cube, Merida and Giant here. And Ellsworth.
Specialized - tried a couple, didn't like them.
Orange - single pivot doesn't do it for me.
Evil - on looks and the horror stories.
Wot? No-one hating on Ellsworth yet?
As for me Planet X as my dealings with their customer service was a shocking experience.
Wasn't there a thread on MTBR (or here even) with an angry 'boutique' bike company owner who really showed how much he lacked customer experience too - or did I dream that?
Troy Lee and Loose Riders apparel, yes not a bike brand but related, its so de rigueur around here it just puts me off, its like some kind of uniform people seem to think they have to wear when they buy a bike.
*they both seem like good gear and my friends really rate them so irrational on my part.
Orange bikes, yeh, we get it, you like to ride a single pivot bike made of cast iron that looks like it was build in a 1050's welding college.
Carrera.
Cube, Merida and Giant here. And Ellsworth.
Dammit a minute too late!
Commencal - I bought 2 of the things and when I had a problem they were arseholes to deal with and tried their best to wriggle out of it and blame me.
Oh, yes, them too. Dealing with Greg The Liar was a joy.
Santa Cruz. They just seem to be very poor value for your money.
.......and this*
Troy Lee and Loose Riders apparel, its so de rigueur around here it just puts me off, its like some kind of uniform people seem to think they have to wear when they buy a bike.
*they both seem like good gear and my friends really rate them so irrational on my part.
*I like the Trail helmets though, mostly because they fit me well.
Trek - not because I disliek the bikes themselves, quite the opposite, but I can think of six or seven that have broken amongst my friends (though warranties were all dealt with very wel to be fair)
Yeti - because of how I've seen them fail dangerously, and the subsequent denial of warranty
Evil, enough said
Hmm. Personally, I really rate Giant bikes - the brand doesn't carry much kudos, but the bikes themselves are well designed and generally decent value for money.Giant. Just cos.
Hmm, a Tallboy is about as targeted a bike as you'll find - pure XC - so not quite sure I get this. I can think of other reasons not to buy them (the price being one!) but accusing them of producing versatile bikes? Not sure I get this...I'll start. I tend to like brands that don't try to be all things to all riders (so I like Transition, Yeti, Rocky Mountain) or that I don't see many of on the trails.
For the latter reason, I would never buy a full suspension Santa Cruz. Ever.
I get why people reject Specialized as a big brand but they hardly ever build a bad bike
superstar
Spesh or Trek
No good reason; they make excellent bikes. And I own a Giant and would have another
The only faulty frames I've had have been from smaller boutique brands.
Never, ever had a QC issue with Trek or Spesh.
All of mine are Customer services and/or warranty issues
Kinesis; because they only give a 3 year warranty on a (now) £1700 frame which says to me they dont have confidence in their product.
Yeti, Commencal and Cannondale - too many broken frames.
And of course On One/Planet X because their products are branded and marketed by a 12 year old. Bish bash bosh, nope. Full monty, nope. Pickenflick, Nope. Plus the paint jobs make them look like a turd rolled in glitter. I really [i]want[/i] to like them, as QC issues aside they are well ish designed products at a fantastic price but I just cant.... I bought one of the bargain Stelvio frame and forks to bimble about on it, but the faux retro paint job is just too much of an eyesore. Sorry chaps 🙁
I actually really like Trek for their innovation eg 69er, Stache, Farley 27.5 fat, and when they stop using pf bbs will happily buy one of their bikes
Any expensive brand. Bikes are so good now that shelling out for some boutique mediocrity seems perversely anti-cycling.
Expensive bikes are fine, if you can afford a 5 grand specialized or whatever then good for you - that bike is awesome. Dropping similar on an evil or orange, though, is like setting money on fire. A vulgar practice to be avoided at all costs.
Thread goes from what you wouldn't buy to someone telling everyone else what they shouldn't buy 😆
Saracen - Because of the reputation they had (at least amongst my piers) back in the day. They were likened to Carrera. Reputations like that stick, as I can clearly see they make some decent bikes now.
superstar
Yeah, another arsehole I'd not buy from - though they don't make bikes luckily.
Trek - for their habit of buying then wrecking once-great companies. Also the Lance/Greg Lemond thing.
Cannondale for, simply due to the lefty fork (even though they don't all have them!)...yuk
Felt
Merida
Cube
No idea why - just prejudice and snobbery, really.
trailwagger - Member
Saracen - Because of the reputation they had (at least amongst my piers) back in the day. They were likened to Carrera. Reputations like that stick, as I can clearly see they make some decent bikes now.
Posted 7 minutes ago # Report-Post
You own piers? Wow, which ones? Brighton? Blackpool?
Shouldn't you be on the yachting forum?
Not sure I get this...
1. Re-read OP
2. Note "irrational"
3. And the whole "see a lot of them about" thing.
Ta.
Lynskey
For getting the published geo wrong and costing me £400, and not taking any responsibility for it.
You own piers? Wow, which ones? Brighton? Blackpool?
Shouldn't you be on the yachting forum?
hahahahaha........ good one
Interesting thread!
I own an On-One from about 5 years back which I love. But I wouldn't buy a new bike from them at the moment. Branding seems shite and wasn't enamored with their customer service. Interested to see what is in their imminent new range.
I own a Specialized. It's a nice bike. My wife then said she's surprised that I went for something "so off the shelf and mainstream".
She's right. and in general I am not a fan of any of the American brands. I think it stems back to when at university, we were looking at countries that were crap at engineering (albeit in the automotive context). Ford and Chrysler had very high fault rates with their new cars....there for I Irrationally associate shoddy engineering and design with Americans.
Edit - also I think they don't have a clue about building a bike for British mud.
(yet I still bought one, and keep it in the shed all winter)
Never really thought much about my own brand snobbery till now! It hit me how long a list mine would be! Much of which has no real basis other than I don't like this or that.
It actually means a very small pool I would buy from. Although my road options would be greater than my mtb it would seem.
Every day is a school day!
Jones.
If i wanted a mixte i'd jyst steal my mums shopper...
*Runs for cover*
Rationally : any brand where the frames cost 2x what you'd pay from a direct sales brand, I'm sure SC and Yeti make great bikes, but be honest, so do Canyon and even Orange look cheap these days!
Irrationally: Oreba, Merrida, maybe BMC, don't know why, I think it's just the association with old school Euro XC geometry.
Keying into the other thread on light bikes, I still have an irrational dislike of unnecessarily heavy bikes from [i]any[/i] manufacturer. It's irrational as I know that a heavy bike won't always be worse than a lighter one, but I've walked away from countless bikes simply because when I pick them up in the shop they feel...lardy.
In my mind, a good bike should feel nice and light and have a bit of "wow" factor when you do that first "shop lift". If I groan and strain when picking it up, then I'll always be thinking that the bike isn't as good as it could be, and this would stop me buying it.
Oh, and matt paint finishes on carbon MTB frames. FFS, what are you thinking of guys - they look scruffy as hell after just a couple of rides!
I get why people reject Specialized as a big brand but they hardly ever build a bad bike
Interesting, this. I've test ridden several Specialized bikes, road and mtb, and all of them have just felt wrong from the off and I didn't warm to them later. But I've owned 4 Giants, and they all felt right from the first pedal stroke.
Jones.
always wanted one. bought one. was very underwhelmed. sold it.
wish jeff would make a nice 29er/tourer.
Santa Cruz, Audis of the bike world... 😛
Orange for me.... I just don't get it.
Evil - no direct experience, but their reputation for breakages and the most sucky of aftercare means I will never look at them.
Pace for the same reasons. I mean, it's Pace - you're on you own.
Orange for out and out cack aftercare. Acused me of breaking a sub 5 by jumping it, when I didn't know how to jump. Slow, reluctant borderline rude and pretty arrogant.
Anything that looks odd or a hardtail or I can't get a deal on. Never pay RRP, ever!
Orange - road a Five many years ago, it was ok but nowt special. Cant see why they cost so much.
PACE - They used to make nice bikes.
Saracen - Because of the reputation they had (at least amongst my piers) back in the day. They were likened to Carrera. Reputations like that stick, as I can clearly see they make some decent bikes now.
Ignoring the Piers / peers spelling...
I had a couple of Saracens back when they were absolutely superb XC racing bikes. The titanium full-rigid (I ran it with Pace forks for a while as well) was just incredible.
Then they went off into their cheap heavy BSO full sus piles of shite for a few years.
Now they're back as I originally remember them so yes, I'd have a Saracen.
However to add to the list of brands I would never buy: Orange.
The way MBR used to fawn over every single iteration where each year's model would have it's pivot point moved by 1/4" therefore rendering every previous Orange Five obsolete and the fact that they were common as muck on the trails for a few years - urgh.
Specialized. Not because of their bikes but because of the "crush the little guy" philosophy. Need to learn to keep their legal department in check.
I wont drink brewdog beer for the same reason.
Pinarello - Those gopping forks and Chris Froome.
Evil - Minging, hugely expensive & questionable CS.
Specialized; the new cross shaped enduro is sooo ugly bleugh.
Trek; annoyingly perfect (haha) and they're bullies.
Santa Cruz; meh, although I like the new chameleon. Plus £££
Yeti; like some sort of club, like freemasons. PLus ££££
GT; omg bleugh.
Intense -bikes names after guns and ammo. Idiotic man-child stuff.
Neil Pryde. Yaughts, gads.
Pinarello - team sky or merchant bankers. All choppers.
SRAM. I hear the 1x stuff is alright these days, and the roadie shiz, but no.
Specialized (bully boy legal arses)
Saracen (I think theyre rubbish)
Carrera (but the one on my turbo is Ok as I don't go outside on it
any BSO
Cube (no pedigree or history)
Santa Cruz (see Audi comment above)
Intense -bikes names after guns and ammo. Idiotic man-child stuff.
Slope style?
Hard Eddie?
Recluse?
Spider?
Primer?
ACV?
I don’t think the M DH bike series are, just coincidence.
I get they have some but really? It’s just a name...
I have no brand loyalty. I would probably buy any bike at the right price
However, I will avoid anything supplied by Raleigh due to terrible customer service in the past.
Having broken bikes in the past I am more interested in warranties.
If I am buying new I avoid anyone who does not have faith in their own product and will not give more than 3 years warranty.
I now look at companies like Orbea who offer lifetime warranties. Like most things it's probably not as good as I expect and they will probably try and shirk responsibilities but it's better than nothing or 2 years.
But the question is what irrational bike company would I avoid? I'd have to choose Pinarello just simply because in my head the road bikes are ridden by people with more money than sense and just believe everything they read in glossy magazines. Probably not true but in my head it is.
Brands such as Merida or Orbea never appealed but both have brought out much better bikes recently. Non-rational as allowed in the OP!! The appeal of brands often has an aesthectic appeal to me and designs / designers change over time so diffcult to rule brands out entirely for me.
Whyte would be a good example - older designs of theirs were fugley IMO but the last 2-3 years they've got some great looking bikes on the market.
I now look at companies like Orbea who offer lifetime warranties.
Typically these are 5 years, it doesn’t mean a bike for life
I don't want to hijack the thread but.....
Orbea is pleased to offer you an lifetime warranty once your limited warranty term has ended, according to the conditions described below
https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/warranty/
There are plenty of other companies that offer this too, I just know Orbea do it as I nearly bought an Occam.
Saracen have put out some damn fine bikes since their relaunch six or seven years ago.
Shame people still associate them with BSOs and "ur bik iz saracin", but maybe that means I'll get a mad bargain on one of these...
[img] 
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I'll get hammered now but...... YT, Canyon. I don't like the direct sales model, I like having an LBS to deal with, get to know, sort any issues out with etc.
Funny with the comment on TLD kit, I've got a TLD full face, because it was the one that actually felt comfortable, tried all the others I could find but that was the most comfortable. But I'd not be see. Dead in the day glo full racer kit!! 😆
Don't have any irrational ones, if a bike rides well and company aren't dicks I'll buy their product.
This.
There are companies that are very expensive and appear to have shocking quality/customer service standards, and I'd avoid.
There are companies that sell cheap stuff and have some quality problems from time to time, I might buy stuff from them cos it's cheap - although recently I've noticed that they seem to have an unmanageable range of frames and thus rarely have stock of any frames/bikes I might want.
Owned a Specialized, won't buy another after finding out where they had saved money on the spec and them using proprietary parts (shock size).
Got an Orange 5 and I love it but there's no way I'd buy one now, the prices are just scarily big for the full builds.
Never liked Giants, ridden a few but they're just dull to me.
Anything from On One!!
Would happily buy a Carrera or Raleigh as a budget commuter/pub bike, both have the odd one in their range that makes sense for that kind of thing.
Trek because of Lance.
Spesh because they are litigious dicks.
I have [s]no[/s] very little brand loyalty. I would probably buy any bike at the right price
This.
My LBS is a Spesh dealer and Spesh make good bikes as a rule, so I'd buy a Spesh. Saying that, I won't buy carbon because of the build horror stories and lack of eco credentials, and propriatry(sp?) stuff really puts me off.
Contradicting myself further, I also prefer to buy British is there's a viable option.
I've dealt with Bird and would very happily buy another. There's corners cut to hit price points (the paint is a little thin compared to my UK-made expensive hardtail, so I really am picking at scabs) but from a design and customer service PoV I think they're bloody great.
I don't trust a lot of cheaper companies because I have an idea of how they are claiming what they sell is made of what it is. On the flipside, I'd buy a Cotic or a Stanton for that reason – they're down the line about every tube in their frames.
I love Orange and would [i]very[/i] happily by another, but they ain't cheap. I would also very happily buy another Saracen.