Least Loved of the Big American Brands

[barry2017]

I have to say if you're talking about new bikes, I'd say all of them. A vast, homogenised procession of crap.

 

[dbmtb]

Keeping away from the well-known US brands was a necessity when I lived in Manchester - if you wanted to keep your bike at least.

Twek, Mawin, Cannondale,GT and Spesh'lized you risked getting robbed off you at knifepoint anywhere south of Rusholme.

And old habits/associations die hard.

Only brand I really would find it hard to see myself on is Klein. All the others have some bikes in their back catalogs that I'd have been happy to own. But not Klein. Sorry Klein lovers.

 

[mattbrown]

has to be specialized, i see way too many around here, something to do with Evans cycles i think, and then trek, kona, scott - they all gone alu as its cheap, i think bike manufactures lost it generally, when their steel models were transposed onto alu

 

[legrandefromage]

I don't recall Giant or On-One being American :?

well, whatever - still pants...

 

[al]

Specielized have always bored me rigid. A couple of others would be the very overated brands of Crackenfale and that Barry Fisher blokes bikes!!

Any other company that use gimicks and 'lifestyle' corporate bull to sell bikes to middle class numpties.

I don't usually dis' stuff. And this is not having a go at those who do like these things. Just one aging mans opinion!

Al.

ps. FIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGHHT !

 

[mtbfix]

Crikey! You've got it in for all of the founding fathers then?

 

[P20]

I owned a couple of Treks in the early 90's. They were good bikes. They just weren't as entertaining to ride as teh equivalent Specialised. They also seemed a bit corporate, bit faceless compared to other brands. I like Cannondales, but again found them a little less entertaining than say a Stumpjumper.

Just my thoughts

 

[rosstheboss]

has to be specialized, i see way too many around here, something to do with Evans cycles i think, and then trek, kona, scott - they all gone alu as its cheap, i think bike manufactures lost it generally, when their steel models were transposed onto alu

Totally agree, where have all the steel frames gone? All the big american companies are as dull as dishwater now, although Trek(?!) are going through a slight resurgance with new full sus designs, as have Marin although I couldn't tell you when I last found any of their hardtails even vaguely attractive... Specialized lost me when they started that hideous curvy downtube thing, bleaurgh!!!

 

[FSR-Si]

Love old GT's like the Bravado and Zaskar, But not the new stuff, But in saying that any make of new stuff doesn't interest me.

Specialized... Owned a pre 90 rockhopper once and i'm on my 2nd of the ugly FSR's which i think are brill, yes yes i know you think they're shite...

Always wanted a Kona, But when i bought a 99 Munimula new i thought it was pants even with the addition of some RC36 Evo's and Maguras. So Kona's are out for me.

My current favourite ride is a cheap as chips £220 GT Talera.

 

[al]

Some are 'founding fathers' and some are just that annoying uncle that thinks he knows everthing!!

Al.