What is really better, Trek or Specialized?
05-17-20, 08:33 AM
#77
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I've owned four different Specialized bikes over the years. Two of the three bikes I currently own are Specialized bikes. I've never owned a Trek. You'd think Specialized would be my easy answer, but I I'm not stupid and I know all the major manufacturers make great bikes. I'd have no hesitation buying a Trek.
05-17-20, 11:10 AM
#78
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I had a choice between four different LBS/IBS in my area. There are more but they catered to different riding styles. The one that made me feel most welcome carried Specialized. The one I disliked the most carried Trek. The one I disliked the most is now a Trek company store. I hated that store so much.
05-17-20, 02:48 PM
#79
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N+1 so buy one of each.
AND I need MORE COWBELL!!
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05-17-20, 03:09 PM
#80
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Pffffff, everyone knows Specialized is the best, even though some won't admit it.
05-17-20, 06:37 PM
#81
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05-17-20, 06:45 PM
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the masculine Bud Light Seltzer?
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05-18-20, 07:01 AM
#83
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Who’s better at offering you a color matched warranty frame replacement when the CF frame cracks?
05-18-20, 07:20 AM
#85
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indyfabz is not posting a picture of his bike for some reason despite requests, so I'm taking the liberty of posting it for him:
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05-18-20, 07:53 AM
#86
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That GMC looks professional grade.
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05-18-20, 08:09 AM
#87
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A frame is just welded up tubes, and they are dressed with components from 4 or 5 component companies. One better than the other, not really since they are actually all the same.
05-18-20, 08:11 AM
#88
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A frame is just welded up tubes, and they are dressed with components from 4 or 5 component companies. One better than the other, not really since they are actually all the same.
05-18-20, 10:02 AM
#89
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Outta business. Kind of a moot answer. In terms of mountain bikes (mid80s to early 90s), I’d say no. My first mountain bike was a Miyata Ridge Runner. Fork broke at the steer tube...not covered by warranty even though I was told by the local rep that all of them needed to be replaced because they were breaking. Frame broke at the welds for the bottom bracket brace...not covered by warranty because I rode it off-road. After I got it repaired, the dropout broke when the axle sheered...obviously not covered by warranty because of the repair. Frame finally trashed when more cracks developed around the bottom bracket brace.
Trek has good older bikes and wide selection and pretty good service and web site. Specialized is literally as generic as possible. Components are the same pretty much and you probably won't care much between one set and another anyway. But really there is just not a lot to say.
Personally, I think Specialized had an edge in dual suspension mountain bikes for a number of years with their Epic FSR series. By far a better dually due to the “Brain” technology on the rear suspension. It’s the only dual suspension bike I’ve ever ridden that doesn’t “inchworm” as I ride it. The rear is stiff under compression and compliant when impacted. I have 2 of them and a third frame.
This is kind of a moot question, Except for a few high end bikes from both mfg, most of their bikes are probably built in the far East by the same frame mfg companies. they weld up the same frame, then paint them with which ever company that ordered them.
A frame is just welded up tubes, and they are dressed with components from 4 or 5 component companies. One better than the other, not really since they are actually all the same.
A frame is just welded up tubes, and they are dressed with components from 4 or 5 component companies. One better than the other, not really since they are actually all the same.
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05-18-20, 11:12 AM
#90
Junior Member
Specialized of course.....especially since I put my favorite Brooks B17 on it......jus sayin.....and I use Boeshiled T9.........
05-18-20, 11:17 AM
#91
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‘Better’ is a tricky word
A month or two ago I was perusing some bike forum on a different site, and this same question popped up. There were a number of bicycle dealers piping in on the topic, and the consensus was that Trek was in a class by itself when it came to remedying problems with their bikes.
Now, nobody said that specialized was terrible or even bad in backing up their products, but my sense was that they weren’t particularly enthusiastic about always doing the right thing for the customer. That said, I would still buy a Specialized if they had a model that I wanted that Trek or another company couldn’t quite match or if it just fit me better.
For that matter, there are a lot of other quality manufacturers that make interesting bikes that offer a good value. Salsa, Giant, Cannondale, Ritchley, Canyon are just a few of those. They all use the same componentry – Shimano, SRAM or Campy- And their frames are often made to spec in the same Taiwanese factory as the others.
So pick the style of bike that you want: road, gravel, cross, hybrid, touring,etc. Decide on your price point. Compare the componentry packages of each model on your short list. Then take a test ride on each of the finalists and pick the bike that feels the best. Don’t overthink the manufacturer.
Now, nobody said that specialized was terrible or even bad in backing up their products, but my sense was that they weren’t particularly enthusiastic about always doing the right thing for the customer. That said, I would still buy a Specialized if they had a model that I wanted that Trek or another company couldn’t quite match or if it just fit me better.
For that matter, there are a lot of other quality manufacturers that make interesting bikes that offer a good value. Salsa, Giant, Cannondale, Ritchley, Canyon are just a few of those. They all use the same componentry – Shimano, SRAM or Campy- And their frames are often made to spec in the same Taiwanese factory as the others.
So pick the style of bike that you want: road, gravel, cross, hybrid, touring,etc. Decide on your price point. Compare the componentry packages of each model on your short list. Then take a test ride on each of the finalists and pick the bike that feels the best. Don’t overthink the manufacturer.
Last edited by amazer98; 05-18-20 at 11:24 AM.
05-18-20, 11:23 AM
#92
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This is kind of a moot question, Except for a few high end bikes from both mfg, most of their bikes are probably built in the far East by the same frame mfg companies. they weld up the same frame, then paint them with which ever company that ordered them.
A frame is just welded up tubes, and they are dressed with components from 4 or 5 component companies. One better than the other, not really since they are actually all the same.
A frame is just welded up tubes, and they are dressed with components from 4 or 5 component companies. One better than the other, not really since they are actually all the same.
And as long as you’re buying on the higher end of the spectrum I would guess you could say the same for all manufacturers including Specialized. All will be producing a unique high quality product, good enough for professional race teams.
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05-18-20, 12:53 PM
#94
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05-18-20, 01:09 PM
#95
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05-18-20, 01:10 PM
#96
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Better? I've been riding my TREK 770 Pro for over 20 years. That is best for me.
Currently running all D-A 7402, Carbon fork and MAVIC Cosmic wheels.
I like my old steel ride, but TREK's customer service stinks, I called them with some
simple questions and they were of no help.
I have also only driven M-B autos for decades,
going back to my 62 220 D and M-B's customer service is great.
Chuck
Currently running all D-A 7402, Carbon fork and MAVIC Cosmic wheels.
I like my old steel ride, but TREK's customer service stinks, I called them with some
simple questions and they were of no help.
I have also only driven M-B autos for decades,
going back to my 62 220 D and M-B's customer service is great.
Chuck
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05-18-20, 01:28 PM
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Trek for road bikes, Specialized for mountain bikes
As I own a Specialized: 1990 Stumpjumper, 2000 Stumpjumper M2 Comp, 2017 RockHopper Comp 29, and a 2020 Epic Hardtail 29 Comp, vs
a Trek 1992 1400, 1997 5000, 2008 FX 7.5, 2016 Emonda ALR 6; and - oops - one "crossover", a 2017 Specialized Sirrus Elite...
a Trek 1992 1400, 1997 5000, 2008 FX 7.5, 2016 Emonda ALR 6; and - oops - one "crossover", a 2017 Specialized Sirrus Elite...