Branded/Unbranded frames and harshness?!

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mstrmind5

mstrmind5

Guest
Location
London
Who and/or what are branded/unbranded bike frames? What tends to be the main differences between branded/unbranded bike frames?

I ask because this does seem to influence possbile picks and with a set budget, ~£700, it means I may have to sacrifice elsewhere on the spec sheet.

I have also been reading quite a few bike reviews and I see that harshness is mentioned from time to time. In what context/usage is this judged and would I feel this effect if I was to use said bikes for commuting in and around London roads/cycle paths?
 
Hacienda71

Hacienda71

Mancunian in self imposed exile in leafy Cheshire
Location
Wilmslow, Cheshire
Why would an unbranded frame be noticeably harsher than a branded frame. A lot of mid range manufacturers buy frames the same factories as unbranded but get paint and or decals added. The benefit you get is UK backed warranty.
 
vickster

vickster

Squire
And get steel. Look for a used or reduced Genesis equilibrium or in London for flat path and road riding a SS charge plug?
Eastway aren't wiggle own brand. A separate uk company selling bikes through wiggle
 
mustang1

mustang1

Legendary Member
Location
London, UK
I was on a 2006 Allez and noticed skittishness over bumps. My 2012 supersix has far better bump absorpency.
 
Dogtrousers

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
"Harshness" is a word that only crops up in bike reviews, along with "road buzz".

For example "The frame does not have the harshness that I expected, and the carbon forks do a good job in soaking up the road buzz."

This translates as "I cannot think of anything better to write. Please find me and punch me in the face."
 
Smokin Joe

Smokin Joe

Squire
Location
Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
Dogtrousers said:
"Harshness" is a word that only crops up in bike reviews, along with "road buzz".

For example "The frame does not have the harshness that I expected, and the carbon forks do a good job in soaking up the road buzz."

This translates as "I cannot think of anything better to write. Please find me and punch me in the face."
Click to expand...
^^This^^

Written by a MAMIL whose technical knowledge come from the manufacturers advertising blurb.
 
Gravity Aided

Gravity Aided

Legendary Member
Location
Land of Lincoln
I do like steel bicycles, but I can't say my senses are so well tuned that I can differentiate between aluminum, carbon, and steel when riding, nor differences in quality. I'm quite happy with a 531 sport tourer frame, a Trek 600 from about 1985. It's light, durable, and comfortable. I also have an early 1990s Chinese made Schwinn cro-moly frame that I find great for commuting. From the high end bicycle to the low end, the main difference is weight. I see that as a more important deciding factor than "harshness" and "road buzz" I think "road buzz" has more to do with the surface being ridden upon than the characteristics of the frame. Maybe tires and pressure as well.
 
vickster

vickster

Squire
I ride carbon, steel/carbon and alu/carbon (x2) bikes and anecdotally for me at least the steel is more comfortable/less jarring on rough holey urban roads, followed by the carbon then the alu, some way behind. Lizard skins 3.2mm tape and gel padded gloves, padded shorts, clipped in on SPDs

All on slick 23mm tyres at 100psi. Being on the heavy sides don't really want to go lower so to avoid punch punctures

However, ymmv so testride any potential purchases if at all possible!
 
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