We have learned about people's least favorite brands, but what are your favorite brands and why?

[Fatguyonabike]

I enjoyed reading through the companies folks try to avoid due to previous issues, but if I used that thread as a 'buying guide', I would be walking the trails! Yes, we know monster brands sell to the masses and profit outweighs long-term buyer satisfaction, but which companies provide good products with great customer service?

 

[ishaw]

I've got a nice pipedream Scion. Lovely 853 steel. I contacted them as the 853 decal was bubbly from new, they were great and sent me a full decal set, no questions.

Hope, customer service has always been excellent, whether asking for advice, help or sales.

Enigma. Never bought a frame from them but they took on a ti repair that had been bodged by colourtech (avoid like the plague please). Really helpful. I contacted them about another ti frame I wanted repairing. They were upfront and honest about the cost and it not really being economical and offered me an option on a discount frame instead.

Some people listed planet X as a bad option, but my experiences have only been good. They sell stuff pretty cheaply and any advice or help I've needed has been answered well and I've found them pretty helpful.

I own a couple of pinnacle bikes. A gravel and an MTB. Not had issues with either so on that score, no complaints.

WTB. Bought a used set of wheels the previous owner had removed the decals from. Contacted them about buying some replacements (sad I know) and they sent me a full set plus a load of others for free and from the states I think. Can't fault that.

Magura. Customer service is similar to hope. They seem to care and answer questions even if a sale isn't going to be the end result.

Too many companies rely on a franchise or regional hub providing service or in most cases, not. Nice that some actually provide service directly. I'd include specialized UK in this bracket, they were really helpful with an s-works enduro I had.

 

[synchronicity]

As for component manufacturers, in rough order of provenance:
Specialties TA, Stronglight, Time (althought the quality of their low-end spindles now sucks), Look, Mavic, Michelin (I can finally forgive them for one dodgey batch of tyres two decades ago),

ITM, 3TTT, Deda, Cinelli, Selle Italia (although I don't like them as much anymore as they churn out saddle models in prodigious quantities these days), Selle San Marco, Campagnolo, Castelli, Q36.5

Kestrel pre fuji takeover, Rolf, Spinergy, Easton, Rock Shox, FSA (now, not before), Giro.

Syncros, Blackspire

Magura, Syntace, continental (meh not my favourite brand but their tyres are good)

Even shimano is sometimes alright. Again, not my fav; doesn't deserve a capital letter.


I haven't tried that many bike frames, so ignoring most of those.

 

[W7Ford]

As you might guess from my signature, I like Kona. I like the frames, I like their designs, (particularly from the era that @jonnyboy666 doesnt ), their customer service have been good to me over the years, even now replying in detail about 20+yr old bikes.

There are a few other brands whose bits have a bit of a nostalgic appeal to me, X-Lite for one. I'm sure I'll think of others.

 

[Imlach]

Surly

Steel, designed with versatility in mind, accommodating various tyre and wheel sizes. They don't buy into proprietary standards and ensure that their frames can be used with a vast selection of componentry. Their geometries are typically not too extreme in any direction, allowing you to build the frames up to suit your type of riding. Singlespeed and hub gear friendly.

Relatively affordable, though a bit expensive considering tubesets.

 

[tintin40]

bikes with 26er wheels.

 

[Fatguyonabike]

Sorry, I had to add the old man yelling at the clouds after reading your "bikes with 26er wheels" post.

 

[Fatguyonabike]

Surly

Steel, designed with versatility in mind, accommodating various tyre and wheel sizes. They don't buy into proprietary standards and ensure that their frames can be used with a vast selection of componentry. Their geometries are typically not too extreme in any direction, allowing you to build the frames up to suit your type of riding. Singlespeed and hub gear friendly.

Relatively affordable, though a bit expensive considering tubesets.

Way back when, I was able to buy a Rat Ride 1x1 before Surly was Surly. It was a lot of fun to ride, and it's one of those bikes I regret selling. But, I think we all have those!

 

[Imlach]

Way back when, I was able to buy a Rat Ride 1x1 before Surly was Surly. It was a lot of fun to ride, and it's one of those bikes I regret selling. But, I think we all have those!

That's very neat. I've got an earlyish canti Surly 1x1 but certainly no pre-Surly stuff. I adore all of their framesets up to around 15ish, nowadays they're catering a little more to the modern end of things and as I'm a stickler for old standards I just cannot get myself to modernise.

 

[Deleted member 69416]

Nitto , Dia Compe and MKS for continuing to make the old standard stuff properly , finishing it well and not jacking the price {too much} .