Back when I was growing up, I remember so many marketing campaigns where a cola company would have people do a taste test the included their own brand as well as the competitors. Of course the commercial would always show one brand being preferred by the subjects more than the other.
So here’s why I bring this up. If you had seen Frame A (offered by a well recognized brand), and you see Frame B (offered by a lesser known brand), then you see Frame C (offered by an Internet bike company), would you be more willing to buy Frame A based on the name?
If you had said yes to that question, here’s something you may not already know. All three frames would most likely be made by the same manufacturer in either Taiwan or China.
From what I’ve seen, Frame A would be more expensive due to the fact that the brand/company is bigger and they are relying on their name to sell the bike. Plus you also have to consider that they have a larger cost of operations than Frame B or C. In fact Frame C wouldn’t really have much overhead and can most likely offer the bike to you at a lower cost.
Anyhow, given that you’ve just read some info that states that the name brand bikes are made in the same factory as the Internet/not so popular brands, would you consider getting the lesser name brand in order to save money? Or would you stick with the bigger company based on its name?
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Show CommentsI don’t know much about mountain biking and looking to replace my old Schwinn Moab. What are some of those Frame B and C companies because I am fine with getting lesser known brands?
You can try KHS Bicycles, and Ibex Bikes. Shoot even BikesDirect dot Com has some good Motobecanes.
I would say that in my experience, the frame B types are actually more expensive than A or C, my thoughts are they are the more boutique types, especially in the single speed world. But I guess theres other lesser known B types at a good price too. Besides a bigger marketing budget and engineering costs, the main reason brand A types cost more is that they have an LBS behind them and there is obviously a cost there. You get to actually try the bike out that you are gonna buy, its totally put together and dialed in, there is somebody you can go back to with questions/issues etc. Im not saying everybody needs that, but for almost anybody buying their first real mountain bike its almost pure necessity. There is also warranty issues, not that one of the A companies can’t go outta business but they have a much longer track record in general than the B & C. And again, you have a LBS that can deal with it for you. The other issue, and im not saying its true in every case, but just because all the frames are made in Taiwan, they don’t all use the same engineering or tubing etc. heck big box store bikes are made there too. to compare with your soda example, I like coke products, not because i want to be seen with the red label in my hands, i just like the fizzier taste than pepsi, an obviously quality product as well. Ive had RC before and frankly it just doesn’t taste as good as coke. I have nothing against buying bikes on line if you understand what you are giving up and i certainly buy plenty of parts on line but its not just an image thing
K-berg hit a few key points there on why ‘branded’ frames would cost more and certainly agree with it.
I still would buy a branded frame as long as its not ridiculously more expensive as the ‘generic’ frame. Re-sale value would be significantly higher as well.
KHS IS FAT KID APPROVED! ha-ha well mine holds together well,and as someone who has worked in the industry for a while now as a mechanic, big brands are better in specific areas,such as availability,weight,sizing is a little more true, and the make a larger range of bikes, from $359 entry hard tail bikes to full xc carbon race bikes or DH race bikes.Smaller companies such as KHS will offer a good bike if your on a budget, better customer service, and a good riding bike, ALL KHS full suspension MTB have a 4-bar horst link swing arm that is patented by specialized, its a good but dated design.
SIDE NOTE:
RL i was thinking about stripping my frame to RAW , what do you think?
OH! also lower end bike companies you will not have the same quality welding than a big bike manufactures have
I would probably go for B, A is probably priced Way to high and from some Special company I dislike very much, The problem with C is that 1- tube spec are hard to find, 2- you cannot test ride the bike to be sure you like it, 3- the frames may be good, but the component Spec is way off, like an Alivio drivetrain on a commuter or a mountain bike with a XT drivetrain and a RS Tora on it.
Excellent comment k-berg. Not only did he hit a lot of points as DT mentioned but the big point is this: Because the frames were made at the same factory doesn’t mean that they will be the same.
Its kind of like making babies. They all come from the same factory (mama) but what goes in: material used, r & d… (father 1, father 2 or father 3 genes…) will make a big difference in the product (baby). Was that a little too weird?
If I had the money, maybe A for the technology that a big brand brand’s r & d can bring to the bike. B (lesser known, not boutique): probably this route as it is a good value. B* (lesser known boutique brand): not usually worth it unless I can get a great deal on the frame or if I had the money. C: sometimes. It’s usually too much of a tradeoff (see Quinn’s thoughts) but sometimes the parts spec alone is worth the money for the bike.
It all depends on whether you know enough to know what you want. I bought a road bike from supergo back in the day, and didn’t regret it once. I saved a ton of money, and the ride worked out well. Now, if I knew that I was fickle about comfort and fit, I wouldn’t have done that. Thing is, I’ve ridden enough bikes to know that I’m fairly flexible in that department. I also knew what each and every component was, noted that in addition to Ultegra parts, the other bits and pieces were all name brand and well reviewed. Last but not least, I know my way around a bike, and could and can take care of any issues that crop up mechanically.
If that sounds like you, then I strongly encourage you to go option C. Just like a free meal tastes better, a cheap (but quality) bike is more fun to ride.