[Closed] Which bike brand would you never, ever buy?

Overpriced niche (often uk) brands

It’s a bit like buying overpriced niche uk trousers

Having said that - I will demo a windy milla road bike soon

Nobeerinthefridge, I just saw that comment, I did a little clap 🙂

I never thought I'd be defending SC, but I bought one off the back of a demo as it's the first time I've ever ridden a bike that I gelled with straight away.

Missus bought a very high spec Roubion CC after test riding it 6 months ago, then having an op, then saving the money up to buy it.

I'm actually glad we upset the inverse-snobby people as we cruise round on them at sub-bimbling speeds. They'll soon be going in the back of a £1000 van, because we've no money left! 😆

I'd probably never by anything 'boutique' or 'niche' as I just can't justify spending silly (£5k etc) money on bikes. So basically stuff from SC, Yeti, Nicolai and a lot of other brands are out. I'm fairly price sensitive.

Even though the current models aren't too garish, I still don't like the look of Ellsworth.

I thought for a while that I'd never buy a Trek due to my memories of the brand (being mostly XC orientated with a token freeride rig chucked in for good measure) but they seem to have completely changed over the past 5-10 years - recent bikes are seriously impressive bits of kit and I just bought one which I'm really happy with.

[b]Pb2 - I seriously thought Chris King hubs were the best you could get bar none...?[i][/b]

They were a pain, to start with the Shimano cassette would not tighten down, got loads of flack on here from people who had never used them saying I must doing something wrong etc. Then I got confirmation from CK that I required a special spacer 🙄 Then they needed servicing more than other high quality brands and you had to find a bike shop that had a bunch of special CK tools which bumps up the hassle factor and cost.

DT Swiss, American Classic and Hadley were all excellent and far better value and the Hadley looked and sounded better and never required servicing in two years.

Surly.
Shit frame design and quality. Plus pretty much every Surly owner is a dull idiotic bore.
Ironically. I quite liked the owners of the company when we met.

Anything that has propriety parts. Got a Cannondale that took that to extreme and having not learned my lesson bought a Scott with a DT Swiss pull shock. That got sold PDQ after the fourth rebuild in 18 months.

So now nothing is off the table as long as there are no propriety standards/non replaceable items.

I'd not buy Specialized. Don't like the way they treat other firms who pose no threat to them.

Cannondale. Managed to snap three of their frames (was being paid to ride them). Don't like the logo being plastered all over the frame and don't like the ride of a Lefty.

Ellsworth because their designer was Isambard Kingdom Brunel

If Brunel designed bikes they would likely be the most stupendous things and you could pass them on to your grandchildren in perfect working order.

The brand I have fallen most out of love with is Planet X/On One, which is a shame because I used to hold them in such high regard. Looking back now I'm wondering if they have always been a bit crap, but I'm still loving riding my Inbred so maybe not!

Plus I'm still using a pair of surprisingly good and ridiculously cheap track wheels, which they don't do any more (obvs)

I don't think I've got an irrational hatred of any marque. If I don't like them it's for a reason whether valid or otherwise.

Ellsworth - just look ridiculous along with poor customer service reports and dubious suspension tech claims.
Yeti - too many dodgy suspension designs which are just trying to be different and meaning the basic design and qc go out the window. Oh and the stupid turquoise thing. I quite like the logo kind so never say never.
Merida - it's an own brand
Specialized - no to cables routed under the bb
Haibike - stupid name
Saracen - distributors own brand

That's not exhaustive and I may consider any of them if they'd make something incredible. I reserve the right to Change my mind at any point.

Is there a brand that hasn't appeared here yet?

Can't see any mention of Whyte, Salsa or Lapierre

You people sheesh ... Just get out and ride your bikes

gwurk - Member
Surly.
Shit frame design and quality. Plus pretty much every Surly owner is a dull idiotic bore.

There's nothing shit about their frame designs. Conservative geometry maybe, but that's a plus for people who are riding natural trails with a loaded bike.

They are built to last, and last they do. I'm still riding my 1998 1x1, and because they designed all their mtb frames with plenty tyre room it's perfect for UK mud, and also has the capacity for plus size tyres.

Ditto my Pugsley. When it comes to tough conditions and the ability to carry a load it's hard to beat, and I tend to pick it over my no-weight plastic fantastic.

Both are extremely versatile bikes. I can't speak for their road range, but the guys I know who have them all tend to hold on to their Surlys even though other bikes pass through their hands.

The only negative is that their prices on this side of the pond are high, but in both cases when I bought them there was no other similar bike being made.

Their warranty service is pretty good too.

As for the owners being dull idiotic bores, I'm not so sure. It's quite exhilarating to be in the company of other Surly owners when we settle into a discussion on the best material for sintered differential compression chain tugs. However we totally fail to understand irony... 🙂

Seems to be a lot of hate for Santa Cruz. They usually make well made nice looking bikes (bar the new nomad imo) and well marketed, with sponsorship deals with the right people.

But.... I have looked long and hard in the past but didn’t press the button on one as I couldn’t get my head around the pricing.
I mean is a Nomad 3 [i]really[/i] any better than a Capra?? More or less identical geometry but a nomad frame cost the same as a fully loaded capra.

flashinthepan, I mentioned Whyte and Lapierre 🙂

Nothing against them, they just don't do anything for me.

This whole " I hate this brand because someone who owned one was mean to me" thing, is a little sad.

The only knob I've ever met on a bike was riding a Santa Cruz ironically. Didn't put me off 🙂

Brands don't really factor in the decision for me. It's more aesthetics, parts standards etc. I'll avoid pressfit BB if I can, unless I really like the bike.

Giant is a safe bet, not a lot of their bikes really float my boat. I'd love a new 29er Anthem for clocking some mileage up on flatter stuff.

Don't plan to not buy any brands, designs keep changing, the new Cubes look really neat but i'll put it like this:
What do I not see myself riding currently?
-Scott
-SC
-pretty much every direct consumer brand
-Niner
-Saracen
-Hardtails

Actually I would never buy a commencal, there just seems to be a dark side to them that I can't grasp.

Funny thing is i'm going from a Spesh to a Trek 😀
The companies may be dicks but they make great bikes.

No irrational dislikes, just a big bit dislike for what TREK did to Lemond. They kowtowed to Armstrong and did not back the brand, in fact they actively did not distribute it. It was not a business decision it was a political one that they have now had to do a lot of back tracking.

"Yeti - too many dodgy suspension designs which are just trying to be different and meaning the basic design and qc go out the window. Oh and the stupid turquoise thing. I quite like the logo kind so never say never."

Best suspension platform i've ridden to date (sb6c). Nicely made too and tough (enormous off a few weeks back; it survived and I'm still recovering). Plenty will disagree I'm sure and post back links to dead Yetis etc.

Anyway, nothing further to add to my list.

PS. why do people not like Audis ? Should we add cars I'd never buy to the lists as well ?

why do people not like Audis ?

PS. why do people not like Audis ? Should we add cars I'd never buy to the lists as well ?

I really like some of their stuff, they make some beautiful , fantastically well engineered cars and have an amazing history.

Unfortunately, as well as normal people they seem to attract throbbers, young ****s, tailgating Uber reps and blind supermums in Qubelwagens.

We're on a cycling forum, so I doubt any owners here fall into those categories, but it's amusing nonetheless.

Used to be BM's, before that?

Oh dear...

Oh shush, we enjoy it.
😀

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One/ PX (again!)

Only company where i have had on the employees message me personally with a load of abuse as i dared to point out on Facebook an issue with my frame...

-On One Fatty Trail - frame needed a Coke can shim as seat tube too big.
- There Holdsworth SS frame, weighed a ton, and the paint flaked off in big chunks
- Scandal 29er frame, nice bike to ride, but daft things like the mount for the hydro brake hose under top tub, being so close to the headtube, you couldn't physically kink the hose round enough to use it.
- Flat pedals where the bearings were so tightly packed with grease they didn't actually spin
- Helmet where the peak was so big, you lost the top half of your vision!

Could go on, but they quality control and customer service is just laughable

Please can we go back to hating on Evils........I'm trying to get a deal on an Insurgent frame and could do with the price coming down a bit more.

Thanks

PS. why do people not like Audis ? Should we add cars I'd never buy to the lists as well ?

They're now driven mostly by bellends. Traditionally these sorts of people would've driven Vauxhalls and Fords etc. but thanks to car leasing, finance and second hand prices, you'll now find them in Audis. They're the sort of people who think one of life's main goals is to own a flash car.

[u]

Stupidest comment ever!
If Brunel designed bikes they would likely be the most stupendous things and you could pass them on to your grandchildren in perfect working order.[/u]

Why thank you.

I can only assume you are not au fait with the look of Tony Elsworth 4 bar linkage (especially the earlier ones) ? My reference point was totally visual and had nothing to do with the function or the expected lifespan of any Elsworth bike.

Just in case you struggling to get your head round the link to the look of a bridge made from steel girders try the link below and then reflect on the question the stupidest comment ever 😉

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/Ellsworth-Method-Interbike-2011.html

 

I've no problems with most brands, but my heart does sink a little when I have to deal with either Crank Bros or Cane Creek though. As they seem to have given up making their products in any way usable or durable, there's only so far the whole "We don't have mud in So Cal" excuse can go, and it's wearing a bit thin now. (as do their bearing "seals" after the merest hint of moisture)

[b]Orange[/b]............dont get why you would, you can get much better German bike for half the price, and I don't care if the 5 is welded together by a polish man in Halifax.

Anything new.

Turner.

I loved my DW 5-spot & regretted selling it. Silverfish had no Burners in stock so I looked on the Turner US website & saw they had a number of Burner frames in my size & heavily discounted. Awesome..!

However, it stated only available to customers in the US. Mmmm I contacted them & the reply was from the man himself, Dave Turner - I asked “what will you do to get me back on your bike?” His reply was words to the effect of “nothing - order one through Silverfish when they get a new batch in”. I asked “oh, can I order on of your less than half price frames?” To which he replied no, they’re for US citizens only - UK customers have to pay the top whack retail price, and no I don’t know when we’ll be sending any more over.”

I asked if he’d send me one as a one off if I cover shipping, taxes etc. Was told it would be too much hassle and would undermine relationship with importer (again, words to that effect).

Price fixing toss pot.

Epicyclo wrote:

They (Surly) are built to last, and last they do.

They should do, they're made out of the same steel as AK47s. Probably why mine keeps going through mud and crap and is in about its 4th or 5th combination of components.

Traditionally these sorts of people would've driven Vauxhalls and Fords etc.

So most drivers in the country then as they are two of the most popular brands. Good point, well presented.

Surly.
Shit frame design and quality.

This is the opposite of my experience

I asked if he’d send me one as a one off if I cover shipping, taxes etc. Was told it would be too much hassle and would undermine relationship with importer (again, words to that effect).

Price fixing toss pot.

Merida - I own one. It's quite nice. Plus I never see anyone else riding one so that's cool. I don't own a Hyundai though.

Audi's - seem to be desirable to my age group of the mid thirties. Need to own a white or black one on tic to show the rest of the estate that even though you are in a starter home you have well and truly arrived.

My brands of dislike;

Trek - Don't know why. Don't like the word.
Cotic - watching people on here going on and on and on about them makes me never want to own one.
Santa Cruz. - overpriced.

I asked if he’d send me one as a one off if I cover shipping, taxes etc. Was told it would be too much hassle and would undermine relationship with importer (again, words to that effect).

Price fixing toss pot.

When was this?
DT was only to happy to send a frame to me when I asked not to deal with Silverfish.

Love my Santa Cruz and Cdale bikes

Hated and Sold: Orange/Trek/Gary fisher/Pace/

GT. Because back in the day I was Kona, and therefore it's tribal.

The "brand name" they stick onto the frames.

The frames the companies design and then order them in Asia. Aluminium hardtail frames for 80 bucks a piece (when you order a "container") and a full suspension aluminium frame for 150 bucks a piece.

From Shimano, SRAM, FOX, DT and others the "big brands" receive 80 percent rebate (compared to what we see as price tag in the www).

Huge investments into marketing, nice paint, social media crap - and sales and warranty.

Frame welding companies in Asia: maybe three or four? They crank out 90 percent of all aluminium frames?

Very strange business. The happy guys are Shimano, SRAM, Fox, DT, Formula and so on.
The guys sticking the "brand names" on are the idiots which we - indirectly - force to "bluff" us. Selling a dream or a feel or or..

Only way for the bike brands to make the big bucks: being able to sell 3k or 4k or 5k bikes. Due to the "brand name".
On a 1k bike they earn maybe 150 bucks. On a 5 k bike they earn 2k...
The whole marketing industry pushes for the 5k bike then!

Hate this marketing shit.
Hate paying these extra "2k" for being fooled...

Just jumped in at the end of this about bike brands you wouldn't own. Err, a lot of hate for Audi. Don't they make nice cars? I quite like my A4 anyway. Almost certainly buy another Audi next.

Back to topic. I'd always said I'd never buy a trek after Armstrong and how they shafted lemond's business, but the speed concept is really nice and I'm really tempted. Ive never really liked specialized, and after trying to sue the roubaix cycle shop in Canada or some some place made them look pathetic, but I find their shoes fit me really well.

Planet X don't seem to have much love, but I've been happy enough with my pro carbon for a few years which I bought as a frame and built up. Given the price I'd say it's hard to complain. Not sure I'd buy another though. They are just basic Chinese frames that are available cheaper elsewhere.

I'd never buy somethin like a Merida though. A bit like buying a proton car or one them new rovers that are made in China. Actually I suppose like Planet X, which I own. At least it was cheap.

mildred - Member
Turner.

I loved my DW 5-spot & regretted selling it. Silverfish had no Burners in stock so I looked on the Turner US website & saw etc etc etc

Wierd though, I spoke to DT about replacing my Sultan and he let me buy in their Labor day sale, held it for two months, shipped it to a hardware store near the canadian border where I collected it from a couple of days later.

Haha so divided
Orange bikes are proper common my way, I wouldn’t not have one though
Got a cannondale I love and a SC and a cotic

Brands I have no interest GT, Kona and giant
Although the reign looks decent

Yeti still not sure about, not overly keen on frame look , although I can see why popular

I'd never buy somethin like a Merida though. A bit like buying a proton car or one them new rovers that are made in China.

I'm not keen on Trek - combination of LaLA, Lemond and their awful road bike handling
Specialized - just never inspired me, except for the original Ground Control tyres...
Pinarello - just no
Whyte - meh
Kona - meh
Colnago - except for the C59/60 series lugged frames
Giant - meh
Bikes with manufacturer specific standards, I tend to keep my bikes a long time so I like to be able to buy spares in the future.

Merida
Trek
Pinarello
Shand

I'd be unlikely to buy a Specialized but I wouldn't say never...

Not a brand as such, but could never see me buying anything carbon or Ti...Can't see the point, maybe if I was a lightweight pushing for podiums each week I'd think different though....

GT, I’ve had two now and the issues I had with the second and the customer service department put me right off, despite liking some of their bikes.

On the flip side always had a irrational dislike of giants, bought one recently full suss and love it!

rhayter - Member
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.

Boutique and/or Reverse, Snobbery.

If it has become common and no longer boutique, you reject it.

Don't get why a bike is no good to people just because loads of people ride them. Also SC were boutique once. (p.s. you should give a 5010 a go. Virtually perfect British bike for the vast majority of British riding people do. Shorter travel, agile, no nonsense and fun. Plus lifetime bearing and frame warranty).

But on the other hand, Specialized... 😉 😀

(at [url=

Time to bump this back up, so many brands to avoid, I keep remembering more to add!

Wahoo, stages, Castelli, Sram, Avid, crank bros, Specialized, kask, trek, canyon, one-one/planet x, altura.

Why the hate for Wahoo? Got to be better than Garmin shirley?

Knowing that I like bikes and guitars, my parents got me a Pinarello and a Fender.

Unfortunately, Pinarello guitars are rubbish and I didn't need a mudguard for my bike.

Sick bikes. Because...
.. well basically they are way more extreme than I am capable of handling.

Specialized bikes. Their clothing and accessories are great but I just don’t see the attraction of the bikes,
SRAM. Every part I’ve bought of theirs has either broken or just not been as good as the Shimano equivalent.
Conti tyres. Never found a pair I like.

emac65 - Member
Not a brand as such, but could never see me buying anything carbon or Ti...Can't see the point, maybe if I was a lightweight pushing for podiums each week I'd think different though....

Same, but only because I’m that unfortunate combination of Poor AND Tight.

I really don’t get Audi hatred, they seemed to be almost invisible for decades, then the ‘Anti-BMW’ in the 00’s really really suited the age and then one day the Knob Clarkson tears into them (probably in exchange for money) and suddenly they’re the 2010’s stereotypical dickheads car.

Other small white cars driven by too keen young people are available... I see as many 1 series driven badly as A3s, frankly the worst drivers I’ve ever seen have been in either Pickups or Transporters.

Actually that’s not true, Passat CC that was the worst.

Much talk about the Audi.

Is the Audi a 'Plus' bike?

I really don’t get Audi hatred, they seemed to be almost invisible for decades, then the ‘Anti-BMW’ in the 00’s really really suited the age and then one day the Knob Clarkson tears into them (probably in exchange for money) and suddenly they’re the 2010’s stereotypical dickheads car.

Erm, as you suggest they were the status symbol of choice for people who didn't want to have to think about what car to buy in the noughties.

This cluelessness seemed to extend to the way they were driven, often with a sense of entitlement and poor lane discipline.

Things have moved on now though. Range Rovers are where it's at for bellends these days.

Range Rover: single pivot suspension?

Marin, cos in my head they're still for old men with bushy beards and sandals. And because they're properly ugly.

Jones weirdo bikes, because they're for weirdos.

Shand Stoater, because the name is just crap.

Hope, i just don't like them.

Santa Cruz - great bikes, but they cost an arm and a leg and it seems like everyone and his dog rides them.

Surly - see Jones bikes above.

Evil, Planet X/On-One, Yeti.

Marin bikes, ugly? I won't hear it! 😆

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On One. Stood in their show room a few yrs back with a load of cash to buy me something new and the rude f*$kers customer service stunk so I spent my pennies elsewhere.