Forum menu
Cannondale or Yeti
Hope
Excellent design
Exceptional build quality
Great looking
Product range just right
Prices are about right
Excellent compatibility (I'm thinking about hubs and headsets)
Customer service - unbelievable
SRAM have done more to change cycling equipment in the last two decades
b*****ks, what have they actually brought that has done anything? 1x11 is nothing more than an evolution of what already exists. Off road, Gripshift, which as can be seen by its widespread adoption has really had a lasting impact! and doubletap on road, they had to come up with something that didn't break Shimano or Campagnolo patents, after all Campagnolo weren't going to keep letting Sachs make ergo shifters for ever.
Specialized licensed the Horst link, so nothing new there, just good marketing. Even the Stumpjumper was a rip off of others designs, just marketed better.
If you want revolutionary, SIS, virtually every bike in every genre, from every manufacturer, made since Shimano introduced SIS has come with derailleur based indexed gears. I think that says how important a change that was. The only other change in bike design as anywhere near as fundamental was the Campagnolo QR, that is has taken almost 90 years to come up with a viable alternative says something.
Specialized for bikes as a whole, they've consistently produced good bikes, often class leading or simply out on their own and their geometry has always been way ahead of the industry as a whole. Look at all the fuss over the geometry of the new Kona Process. Have a look at the geometry of a 2011 Enduro. Look similar?
This even despite the irritation of things like the propitiatory shock mounts, headset fits and so on. It's a double edged sword, and some of it I disagree with, but it takes some nerve to move away from existing standards in order to get a substantial advantage, and they have done that a few times.
Other than that Shimano. Indexed shifting was a big change but freehubs may have changed MTBing more. Nobody made a hub that could stand up to hard use before that, bent rear hub axles were very common. Then Shimano produced the first freehubs and bingo, near enough indestructible rear hubs and much easier changing of cassettes.
mrmo - MemberThe only other change in bike design as anywhere near as fundamental was the Campagnolo QR, that is has taken almost 90 years to come up with a viable alternative says something.
A viable alternative to the QR is the nut and bolt. Not ideal for road racers needing to do quick wheel swaps but for everyone else it's probably better. Never really understood the obsession with QR.
Shimano's idea was to provide a cassette that could be easily changed and move the bearing close to the dropouts. Not revolutionary, but definitely progress.The freewheel was invented in the 1800s
no Cinelli had the m71 in 1970???Look had the first clipless
A viable alternative to the QR is the nut and bolt. Not ideal for road racers needing to do quick wheel swaps but for everyone else it's probably better. Never really understood the obsession with QR.
a nut is a pain in the arse, having to carry round an annoying spanner, another tool.
Shimano
Consistent, dependable, always been there and always will.
No fuss kit.
Thing is if someone else hadn't said Shimano ^ it'd never have occurred to me to answer Shimano in this. Its kit that keeps us going, well designed and minimal in the right areas.
Shimano because it is high quality, well priced and it works!
mrmo - Membera nut is a pain in the arse, having to carry round an annoying spanner, another tool.
Nah, no need, captive nut means just using an allen key. Halo hex skewer's the perfect example, a wee tab in the dropout hols the nut in place.
Nah, no need, captive nut means just using an allen key. Halo hex skewer's the perfect example, a wee tab in the dropout hols the nut in place.
but if I understand what you are describing, you still need a hollow axle, you still need to be carrying another tool, your not a long way from the QR all you have lost is the cam actuated lever.
From experience, tools are bad, you will always, when you most need them, discover you left them at home... much prefer as few tools as possible. Why do we need so many!!!! yes I know they keep on trying to rationalise, but that only lasts until someone has a bright idea!
mrmo - Memberbut if I understand what you are describing, you still need a hollow axle, you still need to be carrying another tool, your not a long way from the QR all you have lost is the cam actuated lever.
That's basically right- it does the exact same job as a QR for most people, just lighter and cheaper. It's not an extra tool though, it's just a 5mm allen key, so as a mountainbiker you'll likely be carrying one anyway (and there are options like the combined allen key/tyre levers topeak do, for roadies,though I'm talking here of mtb mainly- and if the QR hadn't weirdly become the default option there'd be tons of alternatives- pumps with a 5mm allen key head, etc). So it's certainly a viable alternative and in many cases the better option.
Tools are bad, sure, but you'll never want to take a wheel out unless you're using tools anyway. Or putting a bike in a car in which case it's no bother.
mrmo - Memberno Cinelli had the m71 in 1970???
So they did, I never knew that.
Geoff Apps
For frames I'd say Cannondale. At the forefront of Aluminium design and innovation for absolutely ages. As a result lighter, stiffer, cheaper, stronger frames for the masses. This applies to both roadbikes and mountainbikes.
From a component point of view I'd have to agree with Shimano.
As an outside thought, whatabout Schwinn? After all they were responsible for the original Klunkers that evolved into today's mountain bikes...
For frames I'd say Cannondale. At the forefront of Aluminium design and innovation for absolutely ages. As a result lighter, stiffer, cheaper, stronger frames for the masses. This applies to both roadbikes and mountainbikes.
who just ripped Klein off....
for me - it's got to be Spooky Cycles with their Metalhead. Changed the basic early mtb into bikes like we ride today ( i recon anyway )
Yeti. Over the long term they have innovated and inspired loyalty (racers and buyers).
This... and Chris the CEO is a thoroughly nice guy - dropped into the factory in Golden and joined him for a 2 hour lunch mtb ride on a factory 575 a few years ago.