chaadster

Anyone ever notice how virtually all the “need help/advice on new bike” threads are about Trek and Specialized?

There’s a huge diversity of bike brands out there, but even the biggest, e.g. Cannondale and Giant, don’t seem to generate anywhere near the numbers of “help/advice” posts Trek and Specialized do.

Why is that?

Do Trek and Specialized have inscrutable websites? Do they have too many bike models? Is it some thing else or a combination of things?

I dunno what’s going on, but it happens so much with those brands that it can’t be coincidental or random.

Cyclist0108

I think your assumption that it is disproportionate to the fraction of bikes sold to people subscribed to this website might be flawed. Giant doesn't dominate sales in the US (where most of the members reside), and Cannodale???

Outrider1

Think 'Scotch' tape or 'Google' search engine.

Reflector Guy

I haven't noticed this at all, but if you think about it, sure, someone's gotta be No. 1 and No. 2.

I see a ton of these brands every time I go out riding, and there are dealers for each within just a few miles of me in all directions. I am not surprised if the lion's share of internet chatter is about them. Nothing to worry about I do believe.

Iride01 

In my area, Giant, Trek and Specialized are the big three. There are others, but any where you go in the state, you'll find a dealer for those bikes.

I don't know which I see more of when riding, but those three are definitely the brands you see the most. So if any are messing up, it's the other brands that don't get talked about as much because they don't have a large percentage of the market in my area and perhaps the entire USA as a whole.

I wouldn't extrapolate the fact more people talk about them in praise or scorn anything other than more people have them.

indyfabz

‘Xactly.

Not only that, a lot of the questions/issues have nothing to do with the bike brands themselves, but such things as components. Those problems could happen to my Engin. Not exactly a common brand.

/thread

skidder

I can think of three Trek dealers, two Specialized dealers and a Giant dealer about 20 miles away (a Cannondale dealers closed about 5 years ago), but I've never paid close attention to what brand of bicycles folks are riding on the roads around here. But now that you mention brands, I'm wondering where all the Cervelo bicycles come from; I have no idea where (or if) there's a local dealer near me and I see those all the time.

Troul 

Just because someone has the money to buy the name brand "awe factor" product does not necessitate the person has the brains to operate, maintain, or understand what they have bought.

jaxgtr

in my area, we have 3 Trek, 1 Giant, 2 Specialized, Wiler, Raleigh, 3 Pinarello, Giant, Cervelo, and Felt all within 20 miles of my house.

Iride01 

And do they keep the Wilier, Pinarello and Cervelo and Felt bicycles in stock? The dealers here are also authorized dealers of those too and more. But if you want one of those brands, you have to have them order it.

I'm impressed if you have dealer's that actually stock those as even in the bigger cities of other states I've never found one on the display floor.

mstateglfr 

no

jaxgtr

Been a while since I been to a couple, but they did have some Pino's and Felt's the last time I was in there, that was in late 2020's. Not positive on the Wilier, have not been there since they became a dealer.

indyfabz

Data or it didn’t happen.

Koyote

OP’s premise is pretty funny...and pretty nonsensical.

The fact that (according to him, anyway) plenty of people are posting about Specialized and Trek suggests that those brands are doing things very well indeed. Especially since many of the posts are about things like fit and availability.

From a marketing perspective, the last thing you would want is for no one to be talking about your brand.

Atlas Shrugged

From general experience I disagree. Usually people with higher incomes and purchasing power are more successful through intellect and work ethic, they set goals and accomplish them. But successful people also have a tendency to value their time thus outsourcing such mundane tasks such as servicing or spend hours trying to research or resurrect some legacy 3x9 group set. Jump into the AMG and head down to the local premium bike shop ask the sales professional which bike would be appropriate for my riding objectives as well in the price range, done. Next step, start planning your guided trip to the Alps with a few friends and life is good. To each their own some people take great pride in finding an under appreciated thrift store frame set and spending months building it up with eclectic bargain basement goods. Others just want to ride a really nice bike with a few buddies and spend as little time as possible fussing about. This is one of the reasons why Velofix is an amazing service.

ARider2

Most likely because these are the number 1 and 2 biggest brands sold by local bike shops in the US in the last decade.

Koyote

As far as intelligence goes, the evidence does not support your assertion. Source and another source.

“Work ethic“ is hard to measure, but certainly is a factor. However, in the western world now, hard work alone will not lead to high income and wealth for a typical person unless he/she has a high level of education… Which is much more attainable if the person had the foresight to be born into an affluent household. (Success is even more attainable if the person had the good sense to be born white and male.) In other words, luck – – the birth lottery – – plays a significant role.

Given your username, I’m guessing you will not like this response… But the evidence supports it.

Troul 

I don't disregard your response as it does provide some insight to the missed observation. Although, some CEOs, big shots, & head cheeses that I've interacted with that partake in general fitness tend to do a lot of it in the comfort of there own establishment ie: Bowflex, Echelon, Keiser, MYX, Peloton.

The folks seeking assistance for add-ons to there name brand rig that have more money than brains tend to lack using the search function & want an information dump provided to them... trusting that the information is 100% accurate.

Troul 

a decent comparative are some of the people that are buying the WRX's, Hellcat's, Shelby GT500's using a cash advance for the down payment & working part time at hungry howies or potbelly. Premium vehicles acquired while starting using a poor decision to do make it happen. When something goes wrong (not an IF) they're seeking help how to rig it back together.

indyfabz

IKR. I’d give this attempt a C-, and that’s being generous.

CAT7RDR

I'm in the market for a high end steel crit bike. I am sure Trek, Giant or Specialized can satisfy that need?

Atlas Shrugged

My experience has been when traveling to many of the iconic bucket list cycling locations or events such as the Marmotte or L’Etape the riders I have encountered are mostly successful people of means. The people you describe might be disciplined and use indoor equipment as a supplement to outdoor activities.

When there are people who are professional in the business of bicycle sales and repair why bother searching the internet for unknown yokels opinions. Just look at the ludicrous opinions offered on this forum regarding equipment selection.


Again the people I know and encounter are buying S Works Diverges or SL 7 Tarmacs aren’t taking payday loans for the privilege. When they break or need service off to the shop it goes or a quick call the local Velofix guy.

My point is there is a common theme on this forum that people who spend premium dollars on high end bikes are somehow just judgmental posers rather than the welcoming common folks that ride a reconditioned Schwinn Varsity. It’s more likely the other way around, the “Steel is Real” crowd are the first ones to judge and look down on some guy with a new Pinarello struggling to change a flat on the side of the road. Envy is an emotion of weakness and needs to be called out once in a while.

Koyote

Another "ludicrous" thing that happens on this forum a lot is that some people treat their anecdotal experiences as facts.

70sSanO

No bicycle mfgs actually make their own components.

As far as I can recall, Specialized has never had a factory and actually made their own frames, but has contracted everything they have ever sold, there might be an exception.

Trek used to make all their own frames, I think they may still make a few, but not sure. They contract out nearly everything.

Giant makes their own frames but also makes something for almost everyone else. They mfg to another brands design and specs. I don’t know if any of the major bicycle mfg’s have their own brand specific factory overseas, but I could be wrong.

So when someone needs help or advice it is difficult to determine exactly who made what.

John

greysquirrel

On a recent road ride, out of the 30 bikes I saw ~25 were Specialized.