Which road bike should I get? Trek, Specialized, Giant?

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Though, really, there aren't that many different makers...ALOT of big name brand bikes come from the same identical factory really... Trek and Specialized are supposed to come from the same line, supposedly (I forgot). But you'd be surprised.

Trek & Specialized does not come from the same factory. Their egos are so big those brands can not even be sold in the same shop.

I love my 2003 Specialized S-works. But for a more resonable priced bike you should check out Jamis and even Fuji.

Would like to stick to those three brands since my local shop (which I actually like) carries them. I know there are other brands like Fisher, Cannondale, Bianchi, etc.

 

[LS20]

i ride a fuji mountain bike.. .when i bought it i went and test rode a bunch of specialized..they all felt cheap and poorly made...maybe it was the shop that did a bad job of putting them together but that was my opinion. lots of frames come in lots of sizes... so unless you are a dwarf or a giant dont think there isnt a Giant that wont fit you. cannondale is definately made in USA... trek is too, i think... those 2 companies use that as a selling point and alot of people say its why they're priced slightly higher than they should be. all of the webpages should have their weights...but go ride the darn things

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Trek & Specialized does not come from the same factory. Their egos are so big those brands can not even be sold in the same shop.

Pure BS...........many shops sell Trek and Specialized in the same shop.

There are a lot of good brands of road bikes in your price range......best suggestion is try the models you are interested in. Take each for a good ride.......the fit of each bike will be different. One will definitely feel better than the others. As you probably can tell, I do like Cannondale, but Trek, Specialized, Giant, and others are all good lines. For your viewing pleasure, my current road bike.

As to why the lower line Giants (Giant, btw, is the largest bicycle company in terms of worldwide sales) are more expensive than the comparable Treks.......the vast majority of Giants are welded up in China, not Taiwan. In fact, the vast majority of frames (over 80%) imported into the U.S. these days come from China. Taiwan has moved their focus toward higher end framesets.......as their labor rates have climbed, manufacturers looked to the next "cheap" labor market, and China was that at the time. Vietnam is the next "market" looming for becoming the major exporter of bike frames to the U.S.

Another reason the Giants are cheaper is their philosophy of three frame sizes and fitting you to the bike with long seat posts and adjustable stems. Some people like the fit, some hate it. The adjustable stems, unfortunately, have a bad habit of becoming loose over time and sometimes stripping the bolts that hold the stem's rise angle. It's much more expensive to build 8 or more sizes of frame than just 3.

All the roadbike Treks, except for the Trek 1000----a very entry level bike---are welded up in the U.S. This is partly why the Trek line is a tad more expensive compared to the Giants. Interestingly, the lowest-end Treks ARE welded up in the same factories that Giant uses.

But, fit is most important. Try on each model and ride, ride, ride. Don't concern yourself too much about derailleurs being slightly different between lines of bike unless there is a substantial difference, such as Tiagra vs. Ultegra. The cost difference between, say Tiagra and 105, is so small that you could upgrade the components when you buy the bike for a few $$$. Since the components are new, just have the shop upgrade the selected component when they assemble the bike. The shop should give you a good allowance on the new part, probably their cost new, and probably give you a break on the retail cost of the new part.

Upgrades on bikes are tricky.......there are good places to spend money upgrading a bike and many people spend $$ in the wrong places. First, the frame you buy is the one you're stuck with until you spend another few hundred $$ for a new one, so make sure you're getting the best one you can afford. Next, the best places to upgrade, the most effective for performance, are the bottom bracket ( a component a LOT of manufacturers use a very low-end part to save money at the cost of weight and longevity) and the wheelset (again, more expensive wheels tend to be lighter, stronger, and longer lived.) I personally don't like any of the STI shifters from Shimano below the 105 line and prefer Ultegra or DuraAce (the DA's have a much shorter throw and smoother action). I'd be hesitant from buying from a garage welder/bike builder.......who knows how long he'll be in business and I've seen 10 year-old Treks, Cannondales, Specialized, and others get frame warranty replacements due to cracks or other failures. How can you be sure that neat guy in FL will be able to ship you a replacement frame in 5 days when it fails at the bottom bracket/chainstay weld, or the seat tube fractures, or the down tube buckles?

Enjoy picking out your bike....it can be a very rewarding hobby and if you let it become one, a lifestyle.

 

[Blieb]

your'e posting on a computer forum!

go to a road cycling group's forum 🙂 ...

I use ridemonkey.com for my mtb questions!

 

[oboeguy]

I have a '98 Lemond Reno. I know a lot of people don't like Lemond bikes because of the long top tube, but I love it. I get great position from just about anywhere on the handlebars, and it's so nice for sitting on long hills. If there's another local shop which sells Lemond bikes, check it out. If it seems a stretch to the bars, the shop could put in a shorter stem.

Components? Like someone said above, bottom bracket quality is important, and, if you are concerned about weight, focus on the wheels and you won't regret it. Weight that spins is more important on bike.

 

[sygyzy]

s to why the lower line Giants (Giant, btw, is the largest bicycle company in terms of worldwide sales) are more expensive than the comparable Treks

Don't you mean *less* expensive? I pointed out earlier how for the same price, Giant offers slightly better components (ie front derailers (sp?))

Another reason the Giants are cheaper is their philosophy of three frame sizes and fitting you to the bike with long seat posts and adjustable stems. Some people like the fit, some hate it. The adjustable stems, unfortunately, have a bad habit of becoming loose over time and sometimes stripping the bolts that hold the stem's rise angle. It's much more expensive to build 8 or more sizes of frame than just 3.

This is something that the bike shop guy pointed out. I am really worried about their S,M,L fits all philisophy.

Try on each model and ride, ride, ride. Don't concern yourself too much about derailleurs being slightly different between lines of bike unless there is a substantial difference, such as Tiagra vs. Ultegra.

Trek - Tiagra
Giant - 105
Specialized - 105

Next, the best places to upgrade, the most effective for performance, are the bottom bracket ( a component a LOT of manufacturers use a very low-end part to save money at the cost of weight and longevity)

Bottom bracket is that long cylinder that spins, in the center of the wheel? I don't mind upgrading that, quick look on Performance Bike shows it's pretty inexpensive.

Thank for your help.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: jonmullen
all I can say is I love my Specialized mountain bike

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Bottom bracket is that long cylinder that spins, in the center of the wheel? I don't mind upgrading that, quick look on Performance Bike shows it's pretty inexpensive.

Thank for your help.

those are the Hubs... bottom bracket is at the very bottom of the frame...where all the tubes (chainstay, seatstay, etc) meet... its what the crank is attached to

 

[wjones]

Originally posted by: LS20

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Bottom bracket is that long cylinder that spins, in the center of the wheel? I don't mind upgrading that, quick look on Performance Bike shows it's pretty inexpensive.

Thank for your help.

those are the Hubs... bottom bracket is at the very bottom of the frame...where all the tubes (chainstay, seatstay, etc) meet... its what the crank is attached to

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