Bike brands market placement

[Dogtrousers]

As manufacturers will put the best groupset on their best bike, cheaper ones on entry level, this may be a shortcut to what you want. Just line up the various manufacturers groupsets (Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, etc) in order of blinginess. Then see a bike, and refer to your list of groupsets. Low end groupset=entry level. Super electronic thought-actuated groupset=High end.

Also means that you won't end up comparing apples with oranges. There's not really one category called "road bikes".

 

[vickster]

I currently ride an Apollo bike. I was trying to figure out if I want to upgrade in near future, which brands I'll be considering.

The one that fits, appeals aesthetically and is in budget. Look for an older model. From a good retailer. I actually think brand is irrelevant although some do offer lifetime frame warranties like specialized. Still wouldn't buy one though

From Apollo I should think the only way is up

 

[AndyRM]

The big boys have got a wide range of bicycles, some which are premium priced with top end components whilst at the other end of the scale potentially no better than a lowly Apollo.

Some folk will suggest you buy the best frame you can afford and upgrade components over time, and others will look at the group and wheelset with a frame upgrade as the main consideration. Some folks are completely obsessed by a particular brand and will always recommend it, regardless of any advice.

A better approach would be to draw up a short list of candidates to get advice on, otherwise you're essentially comparing marketing budgets which won't get you very far. You'll get good advice on here if you give that a go I reckon.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

As manufacturers will put the best groupset on their best bike, cheaper ones on entry level, this may be a shortcut to what you want. Just line up the various manufacturers groupsets (Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, etc) in order of blinginess. Then see a bike, and refer to your list of groupsets. Low end groupset=entry level. Super electronic thought-actuated groupset=High end.

Also means that you won't end up comparing apples with oranges. There's not really one category called "road bikes".

What about Specialised who often put 'low-end' groupsets on bikes that are priced way beyond entry level?

 

[vickster]

That'll be because of the size of the marketing budget!

 

[Gravity Aided]

I've looked at our Specialized dealer's showroom. Very nice, very expensive. Trek and Giant seem to offer more across a spectrum of prices. That being said, my mountain bike is a Specialized Hardrock (Because some one gave it to me because they couldn't get it to work.).

 

[Fab Foodie]

The problem here is that there is no definition of 'quality'...

 

[Cycleops]

Surely it depends on the financial wherewithal of said beginner. My first roadbike was a carbon jobbie

I think it's more a case of terminology. Beginner is maybe the wrong word, I would have thought "entry level" is better.

 

[morrisman]

The problem here is that there is no definition of 'quality'...

Yes there is, in fact there are loads and loads of conflicting definitions.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yes there is, in fact there are loads and loads of conflicting definitions.

Exactly.

 

[Cyclist33]

Price is absolute but quality is often perceived as well.

Price may be absolute (I'm not certain on that point) but willingness to pay is perceptual so cost is effectively perceptual too.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Price may be absolute (I'm not certain on that point) but willingness to pay is perceptual so cost is effectively perceptual too.

Price is certainly not absolute, there are all kinds of ways to price a product for market not just cost plus ....

 

[JoeyB]

I told my Mum's neighbour about a cracking 'beginners' bike - the Triban 3, but he nearly choked on his tea when I told him it was 'only' £300. His idea of beginner and mine were obviously worlds apart! I thought it best not to tell him how much my bike cost!

 

[Downward]

How long are you a Beginner for and how would you perceive being a beginner ? Would you be a beginner to a particular bike type - If I bought a carbon roadie at £2k then I would having never owned a carbon bike before a beginner. The same goes for when you make that transition from hybrid to road bike. A hybrid may cost £1k and the roadbike £2k so would this be classed as a "beginners" road bike ?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Not a fan of Trek. I think the brand is rubbish. The quality of components is just not there IMHO.