What's in a Name?

[Bariton]

Today I visited a few local bike shops looking for a road/tourer as an alternative to my MTB. There were lots of great looking bikes from the big names such as Trek, Specialised, Raleigh, Cannondale, Dawes etc; but at each of the shops I was pointed to their "own brand" bike. They said that I could have a much better spec cycle for the same money as a lower spec "name" machine.

I'm wondering if it really does make sense to go for a Merlin, Carrera, Pinnacle etc, with the latest Shimano kit over one of the big name models? What are your thought on this?

 

[Slick]

Not sure it's got much to do with the name, more like anything else, only as good as the sum of its individual parts. I don't know a lot about bikes, but I've learned it's all about the quality of the components and big names don't always deliver.

 

[vickster]

Which company?

I have two Pearsons. My lbs, oldest bike shop in uk

 

[Bariton]

Which company?

Merlin Cycles do their own Merlin brand. Carrera was Halfords and Pinnacle was Evans Cycles. I also visited Wheelbase in Staveley, I walked out with my head spinning, never seen so many bikes; too many options!

 

[MistaDee]

Companies such as Specialized offer lifetime warranty on their frames, I would be curious to know what the warranty is on the 'own brand' bike.

Personally I think you should ride any bike your considering buying and see if the ride quality is up to much

 

[raleighnut]

Just buy a Ridgeback .

 

[midlife]

We have 2 Ridgebacks in the family

Shaun

 

[Tin Pot]

Today I visited a few local bike shops looking for a road/tourer as an alternative to my MTB. There were lots of great looking bikes from the big names such as Trek, Specialised, Raleigh, Cannondale, Dawes etc; but at each of the shops I was pointed to their "own brand" bike. They said that I could have a much better spec cycle for the same money as a lower spec "name" machine.

I'm wondering if it really does make sense to go for a Merlin, Carrera, Pinnacle etc, with the latest Shimano kit over one of the big name models? What are your thought on this?

Just buy a Cinelli in a colour you like and get on with cycling.

 

[NorthernDave]

I'm a big fan of Boardman bikes (you might have guessed), but I've got to say that Halfords range 13 range of bikes do seem to give a lot of kit for the money.

 

[Drago]

The answer isn't universal. You can get crap bikes from big name brands, and bikes that seriously punch above their weights from the 'own' brands. Suck it and see.

 

[vickster]

If I was looking for a tourer, spa cycles (Harrogate) would be high on the list

 

[EasyPeez]

What's your budget? And when you say road/tourer, what kind of mileage are you expecting to clock up and with what kind of baggage?

 

[Bariton]

What's your budget? And when you say road/tourer, what kind of mileage are you expecting to clock up and with what kind of baggage?

I'm thinking of 50 - 60 mile on a Sunday with a small bag on the back. Budget is under £1000.

 

[vickster]

Any road bike should do the trick, that's a jaunt rather than a tour

Budget should buy you 105 groupset, alu or steel frame rather than carbon if wanting a pannier rack, you can use p clips if no rack bosses on the frame. If you mean a seatpost saddle pack then any bike

Get some testrides at your local shop (Evans good for those if one locally)

 

[biggs682]

I'm thinking of 50 - 60 mile on a Sunday with a small bag on the back. Budget is under £1000.

i have bikes that do that with ease and none cost more than £200 and all are pre owned