Marmite bike industry brands people either love or love to hate

Specialized people want to hate the big corporate brand, the Ford of bikes.

But they make bloody good bikes

Agreed, I have owned a few and they are very good bikes. The biggest issue for me is my local dealer for bikes or parts is a Specialized concept store. It is shiny, has bikes hanging from the ceiling and looks very sleek. The problem is they don’t seem to have anything in stock and everything is too much trouble for the staff. Trying to get them to order a shock bolt or similar is like trying to get past my local GP’s receptionist in order to see the doc, you sort of get there in the end but its hard work and involves a lot of effort on my part.

To answer the question – Hope, I know I am in the minority but I really dislike anodised tat. Yes, not all of their stuff is colured but I cant see the logo without my mind picturing faded purple/orange/red bling ruining an otherwise nice bike.

Forget Chris Porter, those drop ear helmets are definitely marmite.

Oh god yes. for people who must protect their ears but are fine with bashing their face and teeth into the scenery.

Or conversely, almost all the protection of a full face but without any of the drawbacks :-s

Endura, local company, want to love it but almost every thing I’ve bought over the last 20 years hasn’t been good enough.

Agreed. Their durability just isn’t up there. Gore are (slightly) more expensive, but IMV last much longer.