Brand loyalty - what would make you change?

[Shebeen]

admit it you miss the santa cruz the most,,,,or the goose

so I actually still have the Santa cruz frame - superlight 26. did loads of miles on it, and will go up on the wall.

 

The Mongoose I picked up in Whistler for a bargain at the annual bike club sale. First week in vancouver and I learnt a quick lesson in bikelock sizing.

[SCD]

Price is the strangest argument. Most top brands carbon frames are costing more or less the same. Test and choose the model/brand bike that you love. And then buy the components that you can afford, low end, high end, new or 2nd hand, hunting offers where you can. 

I ride a Rocky Element since a while now and had the chance to test bikes from Trek, Scott, Cannondale, Specialized, Pyga and Cube...all great rides, but not great enough for me to want to change. 

 

My components are changing all the time. The latest carbon wheel upgrade was well worth the investment. But that will stay dynamic since most parts are wear and tear anyway... Get the best you can at the crazy-offer-days...

Bottom line: If you don't buy the bike because you are in crazy love with the way it rides you are not investing well I think...

 

PS: I paid R20k for my frame, new, because it was an odd size and standing 2y on the showfloor... So yes, great bikes are very expensive but if you look sharply you will find opportunities. Know what you want and then be patient.

[Shebeen]

So, if, hypothetically, it was Jacob Zuma's company, funded by the Guptas and paid for by Rhino horn, you wouldn't care, as long as it was cheap and effective? 

or even a Zuma helmet

 

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/bikes-and-gear/protection/helmet-standard/CYP208.helmets.rudy1_prev-945-80.jpg

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/helmets-and-protection/helmet-standard/product/review-rudy-project-zuma-31027/

?

[Chris_]

Surely price will always dictate disloyalty, new bikes just like new cars are crazy priced!

 

Saying that it blows my mind at the cash riding around on our roads. 

 

I've always just wanted a bike that I wouldn't see 50 of at a race.

[Madone69]

not brand loyal...anything, but that thing with an  s

 

there , i said it.

[cat-i]

Dont think of myself as brand-loyal.

 

Happen to have 4 Giants - but at the time each of them was the best value and fit for my needs. If the next bike is better value and a better fit elsewhere, then I'll go there.

 

Switched from Suunto to Garmin due to (lack of) customer service - and as long as NavWorld is Randburg keeps doing what they're doing, I'll stay with Garmin.

[Pieter1]

Frame wise; On One all the way for me. They have this rebel without a cause kind of feel for me, and I like that. And wrt components; whatever I can get for a good price.

[Ttocs]

You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy a Bianchi Specialisma, and that quite similar.

[Patchelicious]

So, The question was around brand loyalty and I was just (humorously hopefully) measuring your boundary i.r.o. loyalty or otherwise. 

 

I have always sort of wondered about measuring companies on what they contribute and, more and more, I am starting to believe that, if we don't start to hold companies more to account for their behaviors, then we will continue the global downward spiral. 

 

Before you, quite rightly, point out my failings in this area, I am by no means claiming the moral high ground, just raising a point. It is not easy to be a consumer in this day and age and maintain any type of high ground, but perhaps we should all try a bit.

Dude, its not easy just being a human in this day and age or subjective and selective morality, micro aggressions, undertones..... But hopefully we all try and do our bit to contribute positively to society.

[Patchelicious]

You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy a Bianchi Specialisma C60, and that quite similar.

[Cyclewizz]

Not too brand loyal when it comes to frames but when it comes to a groupset it's Campagnolo all the way.

Have used Shimano & SRAM. SRAM for me is the worst.

But I like SRAM brakes though, they really slow you down.

Also a fan of Campy wheels. Have 3 sets.

And a fan of Garmin. 

 

If the product/s works properly for me, I'll tent to get that brand again.

(done this with cars as well).

[ChrisF]

No brand loyalty whatsoever.... Comes down to price vs performance, personally. 

 

I often start by looking "my" brands when looking for a new bike.

 

GOOD memories of my rigid Giant ATX780 .... so I always stop at the Giant outlets ....

 

Of late, the Merida brand has served me well, so I started looking there when I wanted a full frame (well after the Giant shop).

 

 

Then carried on to look at Specialized and the other brands ... ended up buying my first TREK.

 

 

Exact same with my cars.

[Patchelicious]

Not too brand loyal when it comes to frames but when it comes to a groupset it's Campagnolo all the way.

Have used Shimano & SRAM. SRAM for me is the worst.

But I like SRAM brakes though, they really slow you down.

Also a fan of Campy wheels. Have 3 sets.

And a fan of Garmin. 

 

If the product/s works properly for me, I'll tent to get that brand again.

(done this with cars as well).

Don't buy them!! The point is to go faster!

[JCVenter]

Went from Trek to Spez (my dream bike...), just took delivery of a new Trek again yesterday, why ?

 

Something to do with life time warranty on a carbon frame that cracked (only had the bike for 18mnths) and I have to pay for the replacement. Enough said.

[Ozzie NL]

Brands are strange things. I am not specificalle loyal ( have a Trek, Giant, Spez and Giant in our stable) but there are brands which I find attractive as well as a bunch which leave me cold. Interesting thing is that I know that some of the brands in the latter category make great bikes. Just not for me.

 

My lists:

Attractive: Giant, Spez, Pina. Bianchi (road only), Cervelo, Pyga

Leave me cold: Cannondale, Scott,

[sirmoun10goat]

142+ axles

suspension linkage yoke

rear shocks

My understanding on the axles is there is no difference between 142 and 142+

 

Suspension linkage yoke goes hand in hand with with rear shocks, so I am not sure if that counts.

 

Not trying to argue here, but I so often here people talk about Spez having too many proprietary parts, but the way i see their bikes is that forks, handle bars, stems, seat posts, drive trains, brakes, etc can readily changed.

 

Maybe some of their aero bikes require Spez specific items?