Cannondale, for being innovative and daring to try out new ideas, even if they didn't work. But some did, and they've created some amazing bikes.
But more romanticaly, Raleigh, because their bikes were the ones I learnt to ride on. 🙂
Dave Hinde, their own frames were great and they offered brilliant customer service....
😉
Bit boring, and I've not had hardly any bikes so it's not like I have a vast pool of experience to use in my decision, but I would say Specialized.
My current Stumpjumper FSR is a great bike & when I had an issue over the paint on the original alloy frame, the warranty service was amazing.
Even the shop I got the bike from were a bit 'sucky teeth' and 'you do realise this is a mountain bike and the paint isn't bomb-proof?'. But Specialized admitted there was a fault straight away & offered me the 2011 alloy frame with a couple of months wait (they didn't have any alloy medium frames left for the current year), or pay £50 and upgrade to the carbon frame with brain shock. Bit of a no-brainer & have been very pleased with it.
I'm going to be incredibly boring and say Specialized.
In thirteen years, I've owned four Specialized bikes and each of them has exceeded my original expectations in a way that bikes from other brands haven't quite managed. Each have been quantifiably "better" than the bikes they've replaced, culminating in my Stumpy 29er which is absolutely sublime. It's superbly balanced, there are no vices from the rear suspension to adjust your riding style for and the geometry is spot on for me. My only complaint is that the matt black paintwork ages quickly.
Then there's the warranty, Specialized sorted me out without issue when my Fox Float shocks went through a troublesome phase - not Specialized's fault per se. They respond to enquiries quickly and have been completely reasonable.
"upgrade to the carbon frame with brain shock. Bit of a no-brainer"
😯 So something was missing?
Kona.
My process has let me improve my riding soo much. When I bought it in 2014 it was ahead of the curve in terms of geometry.
They did have a few years out in the wilderness before the operator etc came out.
There's a few for me...
Another boring vote for Specialized - I started out on a '97 steel Rockhopper that I loved and since then I've had a Demo 9, Demo 8 and SX Trail. Currently have a carbon Demo 8 which is amazing. The SX sticks in my mind though - I really, really loved that bike. It climbed like a pig with a very slack seat tube but was so good on the fun stuff. Spesh bikes always feel 'right' to me. Palmer's DH bikes were great as well.
Cannondale - an uncle had a Beast of the East in the mid 90's covered in ano purple and it was just the coolest thing ever. They did some crazy things too like their crazy DH bikes. Missy was riding for them just as I got into bikes and she was cool as f*ck.
Kona - just because I loved the '97 range. I had a Koa after my Rockhopper was stolen which was a great bike. I loved the bright colours and decals. The first Stab was ace too.
Stanton - Dan is a top chap who makes some great bikes (I'm on my fourth now). He's always happy to chat about bikes and life in general. My Mk I Ti Switchback was a lovely looking and riding thing. So nice that some scumbag helped themselves to it.
Orange fan here. I always admired Steve and Lester's approach to problem solving and dealing with the company has always been good. Be interesting to see how they fare under the new management. The fact I've always liked how their bikes rode (guided on them for several years) is the icing on the cake.
COTIC, Despite the fact i've only sat on one once and never rideen or owned one. I just think their bikes look brilliant.
If it's for a bike i've owned, Salsa... For the Spearfish.
Another Trek, fan here when it comes to mtbs. Just blooming awesome bikes.
Road bikes I love my Focus, but really miss my Look and would love a Time.
Anyone saying On-One should go wash their mouth out, awful bikes run by the Mike Ashley of cycling. A stain on the UK cycling industry IMO.
Predictable but Orange.
Always liked them from in the early 90s when I got into riding and had a few through the years - a MsIsle back in the day, then an original Clockwork I used for a bit of commuting on and then a Five which I bought to see if the hype was warranted. I thought it was - a great bike. So much so I'm selling it at the minute as I've just bought another Orange and whilst looking around, there was nothing else really on my list.
Plus I live a mile down the road from them and its dead easy to pop by and get stuff.
Another couple are Pashley and Brooklyn Machine Works. Growing up around jump bikes, I loved the UK built Pashley TV Series. Owned a new 26MHz back when they first came out and since then have had 3 24MHzs. Dated by modern jump bike standards and the 24s weigh an absolute ton but I just think they're lovely bikes. Wish Pashley would bring out some more MTBs... Same with Brooklyn - having the Pashleys (and a Curtis) I always wanted a Brooklyn Park Bike. Ace company, handbuilt in New York etc. They were always out of reach though (although I do now have a Park Bike in my garage - only ever use it to whip around the local woods with my boys but heck, I have a Brooklyn Park Bike 🙂 ).
Is there such a thing as a bike manufacturer? Surely they are all "bike assemblers" or perhaps "frame designers" as all bar the frame (and even that in some cases) are bought in parts which are then combined to create the bike.
Currently Santa Cruz.. my first serious bike is a couple year old 26er Superlight that prev owner had massively upgraded, which I've now improved even more. Absolutely loving it. I was looking at stumperjumper FSRs too, but this came up at the right price.
If I break something significant I'll get a another frame first to transfer the 26er kit over - another single pivot FS of some sort. I'd ideally like to get a 650b bike with a slightly slacker geometry then the SC. nothing too squishy.. I only need 100-120 mm travel..
Been toying with the idea of building up a Chameleon or another Superlight (or blur or heckler) as a backup/winter hack.
Hopefully by the time it needs replacing I'll have funds for a more modern secondhand SC of similar calibre. being a recently-ex skateboarder santa cruz bikes are just a little closer to my heart (even though not technically the same company..)
I used to be a Marin fan but Whyte has supplanted them and I'm jut not into it. I'd consider On One, Orange, Yeti, Specialized or a yt, canyon not into Trek, Kona..
Good point. Specialized get a few mentions here, but is in fact simply a brand under the umbrella of a massive corporation (Merida?). The two I've mentioned did at least used to actually manufacture their own bikes.
Ritchey. I can't really explain why but I wanted a Road Logic 2 frameset as soon as I clapped eyes on one. it took me a couple of years to justify one but now I have one I can't ever see me selling it.
I'd love a P-29 or a Timberwolf to go with it.
Is there such a thing as a bike manufacturer?
Arguably you could apply that to Orange. Nicolai certainly.
Good point. Specialized get a few mentions here, but is in fact simply a brand under the umbrella of a massive corporation (Merida?).
I thought Merida only owned a chunk of the company while Mike Sinyard remains the majority owner and CEO.
Me and Mrs Rapier have 3 Singulars between us, so it'd be hard to justify choosing anything else.
The ones I've tried all ride very nicely indeed and I love the style - both the looks and design ideals around versatility and simplicity - coincides perfectly with my idea of what a "bike" should be.
larkim - MemberIs there such a thing as a bike manufacturer? Surely they are all "bike assemblers" or perhaps "frame designers" as all bar the frame (and even that in some cases) are bought in parts which are then combined to create the bike.
You could say that about almost any 'manufacturer'; almost all will have suppliers who will provide various parts & they will all have had varying degrees of input from the 'manufacturer'.
You could argue that Specialized are one of the largest complete 'bike manufacturers' as they have their own finishing kit, tyres, cranksets, wheels, saddles, grips etc. - as well as stuff like that onboard tool storage kit on the newer bikes, that is fully integrated. They even dabbled with their own sus forks & shocks for a while didn't they, although I don't think that went very well.
It was fun when you could come on here and allow yourself to be sold to by @Brant (Planet-X Compo, Tinbred).
But also Kona, cos I've just had one delivered innit!
Big soft spots for Yeti and Rocky Mountain too, although RM not so much these days.
But, mainly, Roberts. Sad I'll never have the chance to get my "Roughstuff" made, now.
"I thought Merida only owned a chunk of the company while Mike Sinyard remains the majority owner and CEO."
But the Specialized frames are actually made by Merida in their Taiwan and Chinese factories. Specialized is still just the 'brand'. Merida also made Carrera bikes for Halfords, and the Boardman range. In fact, most 'mainstream' brands are owned by parent companies. And even some 'niche' brands are still made in massive far eastern factories owned by huge corporations.
I think Merida should get a mention, because through their various brands, they've provided a huge amount of bikes to people globally.
But the Specialized frames are actually made by Merida in their Taiwan and Chinese factories. Specialized is still just the 'brand'
I know that. But Spesh will still own all of the IR's, patents etc plus spend on the R&D, testing etc.
It seems like most frames are made elsewhere - normally by those with the knowledge, expertise etc. The likes of Orange are pretty unusual.
This thread is about the [i]manufacturer[/i]s though, not the [i]brands[/i]. I think people are confusing the distinction, and/or are unaware that their posh bike is in fact made in a massive factory in the far East alongside cheapo brands. 😉
Giant make 2/3rds of Colnago bikes. 😯
Another vote for Orange here too,have owned a fair few of their bikes and have never had any issues with their products.
This thread is about the manufacturers though, not the brands. I think people are confusing the distinction, and/or are unaware that their posh bike is in fact made in a massive factory in the far East alongside cheapo brands.Giant make 2/3rds of Colnago bikes.
But those far east factories are very very good. I remember when the bike industry was obsessed with US made frames, yet Intense were great at churning out wonky frames.
The number of carbon frames makes far east manufacture even more likely because they have the tooling / knowledge etc.
I'm pretty sure the OP meant brand rather than the place actually producing the frames.
clodhopper - Member
This thread is about the manufacturers though, not the brands....
It's been like that for over 100 years. Bikes have been built out of outsourced parts for a long time. The frame is merely a component.
Raleigh UK were one of the last do it all in one spot manufacturers IMO, right down to owning the dynamo and hubgear company.
Nukeproof for me the workmanship and the handling are fantastic had a few and loved them all the mega TR is a belter although my first mtb was a Charge Duster and boy I loved that until I had ideas of grandeur it was a simple but beautiful ride ,customer care I would go for Dialled always found Mike extremely helpful and approachable.
Yes I know they are made in a factory in Asia so ok then I love the factory that make Nukeproof's.
Yeti... got 2 Yetis, but they're old ones. The new carbon-stupid-priced stuff has put me off them a bit. One of the reasons I bought my first 575 was because it was a decent price for a great frame. Not the case any longer. I think I just like the headbadges really 🙂
Soft spot for Rocky Mountain too, their Canadian-ness, their history and my first full-sus was a RM Instinct, which was awesome. Might buy another one. Full bike for the price of a Yeti frame!
Giant. Well-designed, understated, competent but not overly exciting, good back up.
Look, because they take a slightly different view of frame design.
Genesis, because I like simple steel mtbs.
Kona, because I like simple steel bikes in general.
Raleigh UK were one of the last do it all in one spot manufacturers IMO
Both Giant and Look weave their own carbon fibre 8) . Giant make their own hubs, rims and many other alloy components for their own and other brands.
I always liked the Jon White designed bikes, the madness of the JW full suspension bikes looked amazing. The Marin bikes of that era were pretty special. Loved my Steel 19 hard tail back in the day too.
Just found a picture of the White 46.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=whyte+46+mountain+bike&client=tablet-android-lenovo&prmd=smivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWhbqi0evNAhXLCcAKHVrtDlYQ_AUICSgD&biw=962&bih=601#imgrc=_pXLAbgtnaMRGM%3A
Fabulous.
UK: Cotic, Stooge, Whyte, Airdrop, Orange & Bird. Dealt with all of them and they have been great, plus you're supporting UK firms.
Other: Turner & Jones- strong emphasis on quality & CS.
Genesis, because I like simple steel mtbs.
+1.
That, and they also somehow made the frankenbike that I'd always yearned for. My trail came alive!
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This thread is about the manufacturers though, not the brands. I think people are confusing the distinction, and/or are unaware that their posh bike is in fact made in a massive factory in the far East alongside cheapo brands.
As said, question says "bike" not frame, it's a bit wooly already, so you can't nitpick people answering for brands rather than actual fabrication facilities, especially when the question is obviously about the company on the downtube:
Whether for ride quality, build quality, warranty or even company ethos?
Only one of those is in the the control of the actual metalworking shop. ride quality, company ethos and warranty are all in the hands of the brand and the designer, and after that it's then up to them to select a fabricator that can deliver the build quality they want.
I'm going with Singular. I have, err, [i]a few[/i] ... and they are all very much the kind of bike [frame] I'd have made [for that type of bike] if I made my own bike frames.
Saying that they are the kinds of [i]bikes[/i] I'd make, is a meta-arguement, as I do make (in the sense of assemble) all of my own bikes (so they *actually* are the kinds of bikes I'd make).
It was the Peregine that did it, based on nothing more than a few photos and a quick couple of e-mails, and it was on order (& my original 2008 MkI is sat happily behind me as I type this - last outing ... 8 days ago).
Anyway... 😉 it's Singular for me.
Giant
Specialized
Cannondale
the best
Cannondale
I have had a Gemini Prophet and Touring Ultra all well sorted and good quality.
the worst
One one / Planet x poor quality and poor finish crap customer service.
Transition for me. Loved the look of the covert, they were built in a place named the same as the village where I live, Ferndale. my lbs were selling so I bought one.
Also bought the bandit and a patrol.
They've now moved premises, so I've ordered a yt.
Have a soft spot for Kona, as I've had the same one for 19 years
Been a Spesh fanboi for 11 tears
Can't fault YT for selling £6k bikes for £3k (or actually selling £3k bikes for the right price)
Doubt I'll ever have lifetime brand loyalty
DP
.
Foes. Had the choice of a FXC or a superlight and didn't regret it for a moment, which leads neatly on to; Santa Cruz had a Chameleon for ages and it was capable of dealing with everything I threw at it
Nicolai.
Bombproof, amazing craftsmanship, plus Black Ano.
per post #2
Turner. Company ethos. And you can often talk to Dave Turner himself.
I've never owned nor even sat on one but they seem a very "decent" set-up
Orange
Charge
Stanton
Have one of each! I generally like smaller companies, not saying they are the best but just like the small scale ethos...there are many others I like but focus on the brands I have as there are a loads of great companies out there...BTR, Cotic, Chromag.
As great as the big boys are...Giant, Trek, etc I'm just not into the big corporates.
