Can you tell me your top 10 brands?
And for your top 3, why is it in your top 3 lists?
And for your top 3, why is it in your top 3 lists?
What is your top 10 Mountain Bike brands?
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gat3keeper
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What is the purpose of the list? You're looking for a bike? Well then look for a bike, not a brand. Brands are marketing exercises, they are the image the company is selling you so that you will buy products from them rather than their competitors. Bikes are actual things people ride. The two can be, but are not necessarily related. Salsa for example promotes themselves as an "adventure" biking company. Their pics show people bike packing in groups out in the wilderness, not hucking huge air, and their bikes are oriented that way. But that doesn't mean the Horsethief won't shred a trail. Banshee markets towards riding somepretty gnarly trails, but it is not like you couldn't ride them on the same trails as the Salsa pics and have fun.
If it is about reliability, customer service, the only thing you are going to get is the vaguest of ideas based on what people on the internet say. You'll have to filter all of the responses trying to weed out the people who are totally out of wack (the ones who think company x sucks because their frame broke after 8 years of riding it off 12' drops when it was designed for XC), those who have bought into marketing and will defend their chosen brand to the death. I doubt most riders have experience (say 6+ months riding) beyond three or four brands so have no real way to comment of reliability. I have ridden that amount of time on only two bikes, Jamis and Devinci, and both have worked very well for their intended purpose. Are they good brands? I have no idea. Now if companies published fail rates for frames and components we might have something to go on, but that will never happen.
So you are going to end up with a list that is based largely on perception not founded on anything, first on personal perception of limited experience that is biased by the time the person rode the bikes (models and skills change over time), and then perception based on what someone thinks other people think about a brand. I think Yeti make great bikes, even though I didn't like the ones I test rode (SB-75 and SB-95), because I think other people think they make great bikes (look at the lists above). What kind use is that?
What I did when I decided to put some money into this past time, was to really think about what type of riding I was likely to do most and at what my skill set would most benefit from having. I like going up technical climbs quite a bit, but I really love techy, twisty, chunky, descents. I probably am never going to catch big air (at 43 I feel too brittle to risk it) but I love tall steep rollovers and will hit 4' drops to flat at speed. So I settled on the class of bike being AM/Trail with more emphasis on trail. And then I thought about what was most important to me about that type of bike. I am not willing to pay a ton for low weight components. I don't race. I am chasing fun, not seconds. Nor do I really care about crisp shifting, super smooth pedaling, or high engagement hubs. But carbon frames felt great in terms of ride quality, front suspension needed to be really good, with rear good enough, but very good at pedaling.
So then I went to the brands forums and wrote down all the brands that made bikes that were targeted to my type of riding. I also scoured the brands that LBSs stocked and cross referenced them. Then I started going to those bike shops and parking lot rode as many of those bikes as I could getting a feel for the LBS at the same time by talking to the people who worked there. I made notes about how I liked each bike based on the parking lot ride (some of which included short trails) and found an LBS that carried a couple of those models (around here 24 hour demos cost about $75-$80, but they credit it to the bike if you buy from them) and going to demo days when brands rolled through town. I arranged demos so I could test my top two bikes back to back on the same 10 mile loop. From all of this I made a rank order list of bikes (turns out the top three were neck and neck in terms of performance) and started looking for deals. I ended up with a Devinci Troy largely because I got a good deal from the dealer and it got me a carbon frame with a Pike. The process only took me six months.
So anyway, my top brands are (really just a list of how much I liked the individual bikes I rode)
Devinci
Rocky Mountain
Kona
Salsa
Specialized
Intense
Yeti
Santa Cruz
If it is about reliability, customer service, the only thing you are going to get is the vaguest of ideas based on what people on the internet say. You'll have to filter all of the responses trying to weed out the people who are totally out of wack (the ones who think company x sucks because their frame broke after 8 years of riding it off 12' drops when it was designed for XC), those who have bought into marketing and will defend their chosen brand to the death. I doubt most riders have experience (say 6+ months riding) beyond three or four brands so have no real way to comment of reliability. I have ridden that amount of time on only two bikes, Jamis and Devinci, and both have worked very well for their intended purpose. Are they good brands? I have no idea. Now if companies published fail rates for frames and components we might have something to go on, but that will never happen.
So you are going to end up with a list that is based largely on perception not founded on anything, first on personal perception of limited experience that is biased by the time the person rode the bikes (models and skills change over time), and then perception based on what someone thinks other people think about a brand. I think Yeti make great bikes, even though I didn't like the ones I test rode (SB-75 and SB-95), because I think other people think they make great bikes (look at the lists above). What kind use is that?
What I did when I decided to put some money into this past time, was to really think about what type of riding I was likely to do most and at what my skill set would most benefit from having. I like going up technical climbs quite a bit, but I really love techy, twisty, chunky, descents. I probably am never going to catch big air (at 43 I feel too brittle to risk it) but I love tall steep rollovers and will hit 4' drops to flat at speed. So I settled on the class of bike being AM/Trail with more emphasis on trail. And then I thought about what was most important to me about that type of bike. I am not willing to pay a ton for low weight components. I don't race. I am chasing fun, not seconds. Nor do I really care about crisp shifting, super smooth pedaling, or high engagement hubs. But carbon frames felt great in terms of ride quality, front suspension needed to be really good, with rear good enough, but very good at pedaling.
So then I went to the brands forums and wrote down all the brands that made bikes that were targeted to my type of riding. I also scoured the brands that LBSs stocked and cross referenced them. Then I started going to those bike shops and parking lot rode as many of those bikes as I could getting a feel for the LBS at the same time by talking to the people who worked there. I made notes about how I liked each bike based on the parking lot ride (some of which included short trails) and found an LBS that carried a couple of those models (around here 24 hour demos cost about $75-$80, but they credit it to the bike if you buy from them) and going to demo days when brands rolled through town. I arranged demos so I could test my top two bikes back to back on the same 10 mile loop. From all of this I made a rank order list of bikes (turns out the top three were neck and neck in terms of performance) and started looking for deals. I ended up with a Devinci Troy largely because I got a good deal from the dealer and it got me a carbon frame with a Pike. The process only took me six months.
So anyway, my top brands are (really just a list of how much I liked the individual bikes I rode)
Devinci
Rocky Mountain
Kona
Salsa
Specialized
Intense
Yeti
Santa Cruz
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I think OP is more interested in our answers to his question than our (correct) explanations about why it's the wrong question. Fair enough.
If I were shopping for a new bike today, I'd be focusing on:
- Ibis
- Yeti
- Santa Cruz
- maybe Pivot, Transition, Evil, Kona, and local custom brand Engin
Of the bigger brands, I probably would consider Giant first.
If I were shopping for a new bike today, I'd be focusing on:
- Ibis
- Yeti
- Santa Cruz
- maybe Pivot, Transition, Evil, Kona, and local custom brand Engin
Of the bigger brands, I probably would consider Giant first.
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@Ipunch - point taken. What Im doing now is researching for reviews and opinions of fellow bikers specially the veteran ones. So when I go to LBS, i wont ask them to put out dozens of bike for me to try. Well at least, I will have a "shortlist".
I know in the US or most European countries, consumers have lots of power (consumer rights and benefits) and at most, are being pampered by the shops. You have a good return policy, superb warranty and aftersales support. You can rent and try for a certain period or amount that have a rebate, etc... You can return it if you don't want it after a while etc.. But here in the country where I am, its different. Its almost touched-move if you purchased a product. Its hard to explain but you really need a decent background of a brand, their support, reliability, durablility, etc... If you purchase something here and it broke after few weeks or months, it's really a pain in the *ss. hassle.
For me, brand name is really important. Their credibility, after sales, the people working behind those logos, history of producing reliable products, etc... Well thats just me.
Bike aside, I bet that most of us here are using smartphones... Whatever the brand it may be.. Im sure we did a research or background check first before buying...
I know in the US or most European countries, consumers have lots of power (consumer rights and benefits) and at most, are being pampered by the shops. You have a good return policy, superb warranty and aftersales support. You can rent and try for a certain period or amount that have a rebate, etc... You can return it if you don't want it after a while etc.. But here in the country where I am, its different. Its almost touched-move if you purchased a product. Its hard to explain but you really need a decent background of a brand, their support, reliability, durablility, etc... If you purchase something here and it broke after few weeks or months, it's really a pain in the *ss. hassle.
For me, brand name is really important. Their credibility, after sales, the people working behind those logos, history of producing reliable products, etc... Well thats just me.
Bike aside, I bet that most of us here are using smartphones... Whatever the brand it may be.. Im sure we did a research or background check first before buying...
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Exactly sir... It's more of a survey or poll question.
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Spot onIt's more of a survey or poll question.
Going by recommendations on mtbr i have to say cheap kitchens is one of my favourite brands
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When I shop for a bike I shop for features and value, not brand names.
Any more, I am pretty sure I know what I like for frame geometry - not that I wouldn't try any bike just to see how it feels.
I know what components I should be able to get in a price range.
If I am buying "off the rack", I know that certain things may not be to my liking like a saddle or grips or stem or tires, but those are not show stoppers. It does result in more expense later, though.
If I find a bike that is closest to what I think I want, then I check the mfr's reputation.
You are doing it backwards from me.
-F
PS - all of the bikes I've ever owned since I was a kid broke, except for 3, and one of those is a 32# cro-mo steel rigid, one is a tandem, and one barely gets used. They were all popular brands.
Any more, I am pretty sure I know what I like for frame geometry - not that I wouldn't try any bike just to see how it feels.
I know what components I should be able to get in a price range.
If I am buying "off the rack", I know that certain things may not be to my liking like a saddle or grips or stem or tires, but those are not show stoppers. It does result in more expense later, though.
If I find a bike that is closest to what I think I want, then I check the mfr's reputation.
You are doing it backwards from me.
-F
PS - all of the bikes I've ever owned since I was a kid broke, except for 3, and one of those is a 32# cro-mo steel rigid, one is a tandem, and one barely gets used. They were all popular brands.
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767 Posts
I would ask the question, then, this way: I am looking for a XC/Trail/DH bike for around XXXX. I will be riding in XXXX type of terrain. I am especially interested in bikes from brands that have excellent customer service, a history of reliability, and doing the real work behind making a bike, not just catalog rebranders. If you have knowledge of those brands' customer service in the Philippines, that would be extra helpful. That might get you useful info rather than a bunch of unsubstantiated opinion based on rumour and hearsay. Just a suggestion.
I would read through the brand forums on here. They will give you a sense of the current positives and negatives for 20+ brands of bikes.
I didn't research my phone at all, beyond making sure it was spec'ed what I wanted and felt good in my hand
I would read through the brand forums on here. They will give you a sense of the current positives and negatives for 20+ brands of bikes.
I didn't research my phone at all, beyond making sure it was spec'ed what I wanted and felt good in my hand
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1) Kona (this last years remodeling is off the map)
2) Schwalbe
3) Maxxis
4) Race Face
5) Sram (Rockshox)
6) Shimano
7) Fox
8) Troy Lee
9) Giro
10) Transition (they seem like a pretty rad company)
2) Schwalbe
3) Maxxis
4) Race Face
5) Sram (Rockshox)
6) Shimano
7) Fox
8) Troy Lee
9) Giro
10) Transition (they seem like a pretty rad company)
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Been reading good reviews of Kona recently... Interesting.
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Santa cruz- the og hightower is my all time favorite bike and I have had many of their bikes. Also great customer service for myself.
Transition - I've owned a few and would do another. Their paint quality leaves something to be desired though.
Seven cycles - who doesn't like the look of a titanium bike. Great custom bikes.
Transition - I've owned a few and would do another. Their paint quality leaves something to be desired though.
Seven cycles - who doesn't like the look of a titanium bike. Great custom bikes.
Brand names are for brand whores. All I'm really interested in, is geometery, wheel size (diameter and tyre width) & fork travel. That's it. My last few bikes have been builds from a frame, I know the numbers I want, so it's just a matter of tracking them down. Brand doesn't register.
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For a first bike brand does not matter. As long as you don't buy junk brands there is little difference between brands, unless you are getting into the super high end.
How about a list of brands not to buy: Brands that are in and out of bankruptcy, horrible customer service (Niner), designs that are overly complicated with no clear benefit (Yeti), low value per dollar (Pivot), bikes with unmaintainable components, etc.
Mostly agree, but then I also want good support and a brand that will help you out if you need it.
Atherton are where I ended up for my current bike.
I look for a bike that fits me and doesn't shy away from being used in anger.
But my top 3
1. Atherton
2. Transition
3. Hope
Personally, I'm not worried at all about that. As bicycles parts are so interchangeable. Mostly. Slowly getting worse with more proprietary stuff making its way into bike world, but not a real show stopper. If a frame failed I'd be annoyed, but I'd just swap all the other parts over onto a new build. That's why I like basic bikes like my Hardtails. I think of them basically as disposable toys, yet I've only ever gotten rid of one (sold it to a mate for his son), I still own all the others, some 20+ years old & they all still function perfectly fine.
I can see that changing as more and more electronic cr@p makes its way into muscle powered and E bikes, but I really have no intention of going there. Well, until my body fails to proceed anyway. You can still mix and match tons of parts, calipers with rotors, seats, bars, cranks, wheels and so on and so forth.
Just how I look at it.
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I've liked all the brands I've owned I since I got back into MTBs in the early 2000s:
Trek (current, Roscoe 9)
Cube (current, 2018 NuRoad)
Nukeproof (2012 Mega)
Specialized (2005 Demo 8, 2007 SX Trail)
I'm not brand loyal though (other than to Shimano for drivetrain) so it's not high on the list of factors when choosing a new bike. I'd happily consider most brands if the bike fit the bill.
Trek (current, Roscoe 9)
Cube (current, 2018 NuRoad)
Nukeproof (2012 Mega)
Specialized (2005 Demo 8, 2007 SX Trail)
I'm not brand loyal though (other than to Shimano for drivetrain) so it's not high on the list of factors when choosing a new bike. I'd happily consider most brands if the bike fit the bill.
I meant frame only, of any parts failed I'd be looking at the manufacturer of those or the store I got them.
I broke the downtube protector on my Atherton on a big rock, they just sent me another and a spare for free. If my frame broke I know they'd just replace it, if it was my own fault they'd do you which ever parts of the grave you need at reduced cost and at the front of the build que.
LoL. I'm not immune to brand whoring myself. I bought this entirely due to the name on the frame decals LoL. Not because I thought it was better than anything else, simply due to the brand name.
Was shopping for tyres for my Jamis, walked into a shop, saw a traveling display/promotion when they were trying to break into the local market, had to have one. I knew a chick that bought a Kawasaki MTB for the same reason LoL
![Image]()
Was shopping for tyres for my Jamis, walked into a shop, saw a traveling display/promotion when they were trying to break into the local market, had to have one. I knew a chick that bought a Kawasaki MTB for the same reason LoL
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