Manufacturers ranked in terms of quality
Discussion
Good evening, could I ask some advice. I'm quite new to cycling but have really enjoyed my rides so far this year and would like to look out in the sales for a good fast road bike for 30-50mile rides. Budget £1500 or less.
What I'm looking for is a bike if correctly maintained will last a minimum of 10 years it hopefully more.
Looking around there is a staggering amount of choice of manufacturers and my question is , which manufacturers are producing a real quality product, the sort of bike that will grow old with you?
Not to single out a manufacturer but I popped into a Giant store and looked at their carbon bikes and they just looked really cheap (no offence if you own one). Equally, my local bike shop stocks cannondale, their CAAD12 aluminium frames looked like a quality product. But away from the main stream, is there a gem of a manufacturer out there who I should be looking at? Maybe a steel framed Holdsworth or the equal?
What I'm looking for is a bike if correctly maintained will last a minimum of 10 years it hopefully more.
Looking around there is a staggering amount of choice of manufacturers and my question is , which manufacturers are producing a real quality product, the sort of bike that will grow old with you?
Not to single out a manufacturer but I popped into a Giant store and looked at their carbon bikes and they just looked really cheap (no offence if you own one). Equally, my local bike shop stocks cannondale, their CAAD12 aluminium frames looked like a quality product. But away from the main stream, is there a gem of a manufacturer out there who I should be looking at? Maybe a steel framed Holdsworth or the equal?
The way the cycle industry is behaving at present any new bike will be obsolete in a few years, however almost any new bike from any manufacturer in the £1000 region with basic maintenance should easily last 10 years. I'd probably to be sure avoid very light weight aluminium if really serious about keeping a bike that long.
P.s. Giant make most bikes for most other manufacturers, the are a giant producer. Merida make Specialized - in a shop you make think Merida is el cheapo. Don't judge by paint scheme.
P.s. Giant make most bikes for most other manufacturers, the are a giant producer. Merida make Specialized - in a shop you make think Merida is el cheapo. Don't judge by paint scheme.
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 14th June 21:44
Herman Toothrot said:
I'd probably to be sure avoid very light weight aluminium if really serious about keeping a bike that long.
Why do you say that? I'm in a similar quandary to the OP and was thinking to go high end alu over carbon.Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 14th June 21:44
I think most bikes off the shelf from the mainstream manufacturers are built down to a price so you get the headline rear mech with the all important ultegra or 105 stamp but the cranks, calipers and things you can't see like bearings etc. are possibly cheese grade. Wheels are another thing altogether. The bikes I own all seem to be a bit like that.
To get real long lasting quality I think you should think about the bits you want to prioritise. I've not done the maths and I doubt it stacks up, unless you are cunning with how you buy, but I would imagine the best way is to build the thing up yourself from scratch. Perhaps for the money you can get good quality from Dolan, Merlin or Ribble, but then are you getting a slightly iffy no-name Chinese frame.
You can spec a Condor Italia RC with 105 for under £1500, maybe that's what I'd do if I had to buy new. I never do though, buy higher end but secondhand is a good option and perhaps leave something in the kitty for a bike fit and swapping out some pieces.
To get real long lasting quality I think you should think about the bits you want to prioritise. I've not done the maths and I doubt it stacks up, unless you are cunning with how you buy, but I would imagine the best way is to build the thing up yourself from scratch. Perhaps for the money you can get good quality from Dolan, Merlin or Ribble, but then are you getting a slightly iffy no-name Chinese frame.
You can spec a Condor Italia RC with 105 for under £1500, maybe that's what I'd do if I had to buy new. I never do though, buy higher end but secondhand is a good option and perhaps leave something in the kitty for a bike fit and swapping out some pieces.
Here's my shot at ranking the brands, based on family experience:
Specialized (never owned, but based on mates' bikes)
Canyon (about to own)
Cannondale (own 4, 2 of which are leftys. You can't go wrong with cannondale)
Brompton (bullet proof workhorse, brilliant design)
Trek (currently own 1, had another in the past)
Giant (own 4. Again, you can't go wrong with Giant. Completely trust worthy brand)
Islabike (own 1, previously owned another 2, which suffered virtually no depreciation over 8 years)
Planet X (own 5. Entry level carbon. Very good value).
Commencal (own 2)
All IMHO of course. Others will have their own views. If I had more time, it might be fun to compare each brand against equivalent car brands, to give a true PH flavour to the exercise.
Specialized (never owned, but based on mates' bikes)
Canyon (about to own)
Cannondale (own 4, 2 of which are leftys. You can't go wrong with cannondale)
Brompton (bullet proof workhorse, brilliant design)
Trek (currently own 1, had another in the past)
Giant (own 4. Again, you can't go wrong with Giant. Completely trust worthy brand)
Islabike (own 1, previously owned another 2, which suffered virtually no depreciation over 8 years)
Planet X (own 5. Entry level carbon. Very good value).
Commencal (own 2)
All IMHO of course. Others will have their own views. If I had more time, it might be fun to compare each brand against equivalent car brands, to give a true PH flavour to the exercise.
Giant are the biggest bike manufacturer in the world - they're the only ones to have a plant smelting their own aluminium for the alloys! Their carbon and high end aluminium frames are about the best quality you'll find; and as has been said, they make bikes for a vast array of other companies.
simonpieman said:
Here's my shot at ranking the brands, based on family experience:
Specialized (never owned, but based on mates' bikes)
Canyon (about to own)
Cannondale (own 4, 2 of which are leftys. You can't go wrong with cannondale)
Brompton (bullet proof workhorse, brilliant design)
Trek (currently own 1, had another in the past)
Giant (own 4. Again, you can't go wrong with Giant. Completely trust worthy brand)
Islabike (own 1, previously owned another 2, which suffered virtually no depreciation over 8 years)
Planet X (own 5. Entry level carbon. Very good value).
Commencal (own 2)
All IMHO of course. Others will have their own views. If I had more time, it might be fun to compare each brand against equivalent car brands, to give a true PH flavour to the exercise.
You must have been very lucky to consider planet x in any list of quality manufacturers. Not quality related but canyons history with lead and delivery times isn't great either.Specialized (never owned, but based on mates' bikes)
Canyon (about to own)
Cannondale (own 4, 2 of which are leftys. You can't go wrong with cannondale)
Brompton (bullet proof workhorse, brilliant design)
Trek (currently own 1, had another in the past)
Giant (own 4. Again, you can't go wrong with Giant. Completely trust worthy brand)
Islabike (own 1, previously owned another 2, which suffered virtually no depreciation over 8 years)
Planet X (own 5. Entry level carbon. Very good value).
Commencal (own 2)
All IMHO of course. Others will have their own views. If I had more time, it might be fun to compare each brand against equivalent car brands, to give a true PH flavour to the exercise.
Google London Road seat post for more on planet x
shouldbworking said:
You must have been very lucky to consider planet x in any list of quality manufacturers. Not quality related but canyons history with lead and delivery times isn't great either.
Google London Road seat post for more on planet x
My Canyon bike turned up within a week of placing the order. I've had a few bits from them since with no delivery issues.Google London Road seat post for more on planet x
Do they still have issues or is it something that they had at one time but is now resolved?
They reason it was down to the construction of a new factory at the same time as migration to a new IT system. I got in there before those issues and was impressed with the quick delivery. And they've been solid with replacement parts recently, so hopefully those troubles are behind them.
It depends on your definition of basic maintenance really and how often you do these 30 - 50 mile rides in the 10 year period
50 miles 6 days a week in all weathers with a couple of squirts of GT85 every couple of weeks and an expectation that the chain and brake pads will still look like new on it's 10th birthday... no chance
50 miles 6 days a week in all weathers with a couple of squirts of GT85 every couple of weeks and an expectation that the chain and brake pads will still look like new on it's 10th birthday... no chance
Bike s at 1.5k will all be pretty similar, probably all built in the similar factories in the same area and then different pretty stickers put on the end
I'm not saying there is no difference in bikes, but in terms of quality most are on par, thing is everyone wants something light, looks good, has the best spec for the least money, you can then compare them like for like on the internet .
If you want something to last 10 years with minimal issues I would get an alu framed bike , wheels with a decent spoke count, 28c tyres, ultegra , and then replace the headset and BB with good quality ones like Hope or Chris King when they fail, non nonsense biking
Carbon is nice, but you've always got the risk of it cracking, steel is nice, but my 4 year old steel bike has bits of rust! my older alu bikes have been the best value for lasting and have just rolled on an on, a couple with a few dents that would have written off a carbon frame
I'm not saying there is no difference in bikes, but in terms of quality most are on par, thing is everyone wants something light, looks good, has the best spec for the least money, you can then compare them like for like on the internet .
If you want something to last 10 years with minimal issues I would get an alu framed bike , wheels with a decent spoke count, 28c tyres, ultegra , and then replace the headset and BB with good quality ones like Hope or Chris King when they fail, non nonsense biking
Carbon is nice, but you've always got the risk of it cracking, steel is nice, but my 4 year old steel bike has bits of rust! my older alu bikes have been the best value for lasting and have just rolled on an on, a couple with a few dents that would have written off a carbon frame
neil-935ql said:
I did not like the giant bikes either so I narrowed it down to a canyon and a trek , I bought the trek as I was able to try before I bought it , I am very happy with my emonda , would recommend , but I guess everyone will champion there own bike . Try a few bikes .
Isn't saying you don't like Giant so bought a Trek like saying you don't like Audi so bought VW? I'm not entirely convinced that a bike for life, or 10 years, should be aluminium.
I've got an early 00s Colnago Dream, regarded as one of the best aluminium frames at the time and whilst it's lovely, it's also corroding in quite a few places. Also, it's a nice racey bike with fat chainstays and oversized crimped tubes, making it stiff and responsive but also quite buzzy and unforgiving.
I appreciate that things may have moved on with the CAAD series, but ultimately you can't change the fundamental properties of the material.
Have you thought about Ti or stainless steel? Although you're unlikely to get a complete bike for around £1500 unless you look at second hand.
I've got an early 00s Colnago Dream, regarded as one of the best aluminium frames at the time and whilst it's lovely, it's also corroding in quite a few places. Also, it's a nice racey bike with fat chainstays and oversized crimped tubes, making it stiff and responsive but also quite buzzy and unforgiving.
I appreciate that things may have moved on with the CAAD series, but ultimately you can't change the fundamental properties of the material.
Have you thought about Ti or stainless steel? Although you're unlikely to get a complete bike for around £1500 unless you look at second hand.
Matt_N said:
I'm not entirely convinced that a bike for life, or 10 years, should be aluminium.
I've got an early 00s Colnago Dream, regarded as one of the best aluminium frames at the time and whilst it's lovely, it's also corroding in quite a few places. Also, it's a nice racey bike with fat chainstays and oversized crimped tubes, making it stiff and responsive but also quite buzzy and unforgiving.
I appreciate that things may have moved on with the CAAD series, but ultimately you can't change the fundamental properties of the material.
Have you thought about Ti or stainless steel? Although you're unlikely to get a complete bike for around £1500 unless you look at second hand.
thanks for the response...happy to buy second hand but what manufacturers make road bikes are available in Titanium or Stainless steel?I've got an early 00s Colnago Dream, regarded as one of the best aluminium frames at the time and whilst it's lovely, it's also corroding in quite a few places. Also, it's a nice racey bike with fat chainstays and oversized crimped tubes, making it stiff and responsive but also quite buzzy and unforgiving.
I appreciate that things may have moved on with the CAAD series, but ultimately you can't change the fundamental properties of the material.
Have you thought about Ti or stainless steel? Although you're unlikely to get a complete bike for around £1500 unless you look at second hand.
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