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My issue these days is with the assertion by so many (mostly customers as a result of good marketing campaigns) that anything with a Specialized or Trek badge is somehow so much better than any other similarly priced bike.
Does anyone think that though? I think few are that blinkered, they're terrible value, particularly in the mid range stuff, compared to all the brands I mentioned. Anyone who thinks that is a moron, and truly a sucker of marketing. Not seen any evidence of that here.
I know quite a few "victims" of marketing who wouldn't dream of riding a Boardman etc.. I have Focus road bike and it's been flawless, I know own a Boardman 29er and for sheer value and ride quality, nothing touches it price wise. But that's me, I am not a marketing man's dream 😀
Does anyone think that though? I think few are that blinkered, they're terrible value, particularly in the mid range stuff, compared to all the brands I mentioned. Anyone who thinks that is a moron, and truly a sucker of marketing. Not seen any evidence of that here.
If by "here" you mean this forum, I'd largely agree. Most of us on here are passionate about bikes, and by and large, that's going to make us more savvy customers.
It's the guys that don't spend time on forums, or with their heads buried in each and every magazine, which is let's face it probably still 80-90% of the cycle buying public, that will walk past lesser known brands offering better VFM all too often, because Trek and Specialized are names they know through good marketing. Marketing isn't just advertising in Magazines, it's a whole number of things and both Trek and Specialized are exceptionally good at it. They build up Brand Loyalty like nobody else managed to.
Canyon, Rose, Focus, Cube, Boardman are all vastly superior, but I don't see how that makes the Emonda a triumph of marketing guff? Would I buy their entry level one? No, definitely not. Nor the entry level Madone, Tarmac, Foil, Venge etc.
You're not the target market though... And for their target market, being able to say that "it's just like the 4.6kg high end one only cheaper and a bit heavier" sells bikes! Those of us that know it's all just smoke and mirrors understand the score and will search out something better VFM, but a large proportion won't.
Oddly, it was marketing that won in the end, as KTM (FLi) were at the Welsh cycle show and Raleigh weren't, and I was so impressed with the overall quality of the Revelator range, I decided it was the bike for me... and, very importantly, will last me for many years and through many upgrades.
Raleigh are a real Frustration right now in my opinion. They're making some great bikes again after a while in the duldrums, their pricing is a bit haphazard though (some bikes are good VFM, some a lot less so), and they are doing a very poor job with their marketing IMO. Their Team wins races aboard the Militis road bikes (a bike that's had some rave reviews) but they don't capitalise on it. They're almost exclusively all in very boring colours too, and whilst they focus a lot on their presence at trade shows and selling to the trade, they're not selling well to the end user. KTM seem to be striking the balance a lot better IMO, as well as making some great bikes. There's tonnes of other brands too right now, but few seem to get the marketing right as well as the bikes, they're either exceptional VFM but poorly marketed or trading off a name a la Spesh and Trek largely.
Raleigh are a real Frustration right now in my opinion. They're making some great bikes again after a while in the duldrums, their pricing is a bit haphazard though (some bikes are good VFM, some a lot less so), and they are doing a very poor job with their marketing IMO. Their Team wins races aboard the Militis road bikes (a bike that's had some rave reviews) but they don't capitalise on it.
I spent a long time trying to find the 2013 Militis and eventually e-mailed Raleigh CS to try and find out who had one and where I could see it. Their answer was that they were selling better than anticipated and that the best thing I could do was order one "because we guarantee you'll really like it" I replied telling them I would not commit a retailer to buy in a £2.5k bike that I may or may not buy.
When the 2014 range was released, I started again, but was equally unsuccessful. Their no show at the Welsh show was enough to convince me that they REALLY don't want my money.
I spent a long time trying to find the 2013 Militis and eventually e-mailed Raleigh CS to try and find out who had one and where I could see it. Their answer was that they were selling better than anticipated and that the best thing I could do was order one "because we guarantee you'll really like it" I replied telling them I would not commit a retailer to buy in a £2.5k bike that I may or may not buy.
Rock and a hard place sadly. The Militis is a fantastic bike, and likelihood is you would have bought one, but... You're absolutely right. You want to see one before you buy. Raleigh dealers are, by and large, selling hybrids, town bikes and entry level mountain bikes, with the occasional entry level road bike thrown in. They're not likely to have stock of a Militis. I've seen a number of Militis in the flesh now, and one of my friends owns one (and says it's an awesome ride), but even though you're getting a pro level frame on a bike for little more than the frame only costs, you still want to see one first. I nearly ordered a 105 spec 2014 Militis for myself (would have put 11spd Ultegra on it), what stopped me was thinking about selling it 12 months on... Sad I know, but! I figured the KTM would just be that much easier to sell on at a later date. Bought a Revelator 3300 frameset on its own, and built it up with a mish mash of parts, and it's a great bike, and owes me quite a bit less than a Militis would have done too even if the frame doesn't have the pedigree.
It's sad, but a slight comfort to know I am not the only one frustrated by Raleigh's lack of ability to get their bikes in front of the public.
I completely understand the retailer not wanting to commit to stock they probably won't sell, and at one point I even had a brief e-mail back and forth with the local area sales manager, but his promise to let me know when the mid season restock was underway failed to materialise.
Like you, I am delighted with my Revelator, I took the opposite route and bought a complete 105 equipped bike with the plan to upgrade it as I go along, and it is already wearing Dura-Ace1380 wheels, for the summer.
I also picked up a NOS Ultrasport 29'er frame recently, but that's not yet built, it's just sitting in the workshop looking all black, orange and shiny.