Big Brand rip off?

[MLC]

I may well be suffering from some inverted snobbery paranoid complex or something I am sure there is an entry in DSM V:

As an example Decathlon do a perfectly acceptable range in arm warmers and leg warmers for £ 8.95 and £ 9.95 respectively. I have had great use out of the Decathlon £ 7.95 cycling jersey and have also purchased a £ 30 Jersey but really could not tell much difference between the two if anything the £30 wicked sweat less effectively.

When searching for a new bike I wanted something other than a Trek or Specialized so I tailored my search between Bianchi or Cannondale just because I pereceived the brand more attractive - how snobby is that ?

My point is this, as Assos or Specialised Arm/Leg warmers cost 3-4 x more than the Decathlon equivalent, do they actually do a 3-4 x better job could the same actually be said for Jerseys, Shoes Shorts and taking the analogy further bikes !!

Is one's preference actually influenced by the Brand Make as opposed to actual quality for instance if you test rode three bikes back to back there were no brand markings anywhere on any bike or components. The outcome was you preferred Bike A to Bike B and Bike C was least favourite. Bike A was the top spec Carbon B twin offering from Decathlon Bike B was a Top Spec Carbon Merida and Bike C was a Mid spec Pinarello. Would you purchase Bike A, B or C if all were available for the same price?

For my money would I have actually got a better specced Bike by searching offerings from Claud Butler, Merida or Decathlon?

Don't get me wrong I don't mind paying for quality however is a brand name always synonymous with better quality? or are we all caught up in some great conspiracy or something and paying extra just for a pretty label?

Hope this in the right place and any thoughts would be most welcome

 

[Moodyman]

As a general rule, quality improves with price. But there comes a point, where the quality increases at a diminishing rate vs the price.

I find that in most walks of life, mid-level items offer the best value for money.

Re Decathlon, you're right about their quality vs price. It's superb. Just a shame that there isn't a store near me.

 

[dellzeqq]

yes and then again, no. I'm a real fan of Decathlon. We bought The Kid a Vitamin, and if anybody tells you that it's not 2010 bike of the year then they're having a laugh.....but their shorts are nowhere near as good as Pearl Izumi. It's all a question of taking care.

 

[zizou]

Alot of my riding gear is out of Decathlon and it is good value for money. However i'd say the stuff i have from Gore is a bit better quality, nicer fit, more features so dont feel ripped off having paid a bit extra. I dont know about the real high end stuff from Assos or Rapha, i'd like to try them out but cant really justify the prices. Apart from the minty arse lard, i prefer the Assos one to the alternatives.

As for the bikes - there is a good chance the mid spec carbon Pinarello and top spec carbon Btwin will be made in a plant operated by Merida. Personally i'd settle on a certain spec level or above and then choose the bike based on fit above all other considerations and if that was equal then manufacturers reputation for warranty etc. Not too bothered with "only" having XT as opposed to XTR or 105 as apposed to Ultegra.

 

[Kestevan]

As with most things in live quality usually gets better as you pay more.
However this is generally a case of diminishing returns.

The 40.00 bibshorts from Decathlon/DHB etc will be (and are) massively better made and more comfortable than the 15.00 offerings from Aldi.

The 120.00 Asos/Rapha jobbies will be better than the Decathlons - but not 3x better.

Personally I'd rather spend the 120.00 on 3 pairs of DHB stuff and have clean shorts everyday. YMMV

 

[Willo]

I've found some cheap clothing to be just as good as higher priced brands. I think it depends on what. For example, I spent more on some comfy Sidi shoes, but my cycling tops are from Lidl at 6 quid a go.

 

[yello]

Folk above pretty much cover my point of view too. You have to factor in another thing too; how much money do you have to spend on something?

Money no object, I reckon I'd buy Assos. No, it's not three times better than something a third the price but then, if I'm loaded, that doesn't bother me - I'd want the best and can pay for it. Equally, how many more bikes would I have if I was idle rich? I'd certainly buy a carbon fibre framed, and a titanium, plus a decent spec tourer... all because I could, no other reason.

Also, the 'big brands' are often investing quite heavily in r&d, looking to make those almost imperceivable 1% gains in performance, fit or comfort. That cost is obviously passed on. Yes, there is often some chic or kudos associated with brand names too but that doesn't necessarily make them a rip-off. They're just perhaps being bought by people who want and can afford, rather than necessarily 'need', the best. You know, the sort of thing that gets interpreted as 'all the gear, no idea'!

I guess we all have a price/quality trade-off when we buy something.

 

[edwardd67]

General rule being buy cheap buy twice?

But you must consider what you want, how much you want to pay and how often will you use it?

I also fish and know quite a few tackle tarts (all the gear no idea) they've got to have the latest equipment no matter the cost!
I'm sure we all know someone like that?

At this time I think most people have a limited budget and want the best value for money.

 

[reacher]

its a problem i had when looking for my first bike , everyone said buy a cheap bike to get started , where was the sense in that ?
when you know full well you will want a more exspensive one 3 months later , simply because yes , money buys quality ,

 

[Oldbloke]

I had a wildly expensive Assos Airblock jacket bought for me a while back which did not live up to expectations, didn't keep the wind & cold out but kept the sweat in!

Same with Specialized Element jacket & Sealskinz gloves. Bloke in LBS told me I'd only need a HH undershirt to stay warm in the jacket, tried that & froze my wotsits off, jacket is hopeless in cold winds.

However, Specialized shoes were the only brand that were comfy on my big mis-shapen fit though!

 

[screenman]

As a rule nobody ever regrets buying quality.

 

[yello]

I had a wildly expensive Assos Airblock jacket bought for me a while back which did not live up to expectations, didn't keep the wind & cold out but kept the sweat in!

That surprises me. It was a genuine Assos jacket wasn't it?

 

[mr Mag00]

as above really, i always buy good quality shoes and shorts. as to bikes it horses for courses what yuou do determines what you buy in my eyes.

 

[Jezston]

As a rule nobody ever regrets buying quality.

This.

I've bought some cheap tat from Sports Direct (2 jerseys and some padded shorts). One of the jerseys is alright, but the long sleeve one I bought is made of some weird material that feels horrible over a long ride. The padded shorts are utterly appalling.

I also have Rapha and PI jerseys and they are wonderful. The Pearl Izumi one cost £40 (reduced from £70-odd), the Rapha £130. The Rapha jersey is a little nicer than the PI, but not 3 times as nice!

 

[Hacienda71]

I bought a Sports Direct jersey and it is not good, but most of the stuff from Decathlon seems good even the lidl and aldi stuff is ok. I have used Aldi stuff over this winter riding in sub zero temperatures with no major complaints. The fit is probably not as good as some of the more pricey brands but hey it isn't that bad. I don't try to like a TDF rider though.