Quantcast

small brands

eeeee

Chimp
Dec 8, 2010
8
0
Hey,
Where do you guys rate the small brands like Chumba, Transition and Mondraker compared to the giant, spezalized, trek super massive brands. I mean if you were offered the choice between a small brand or a main stream one, what do you take? How much recept to do give the small companies? I think they should be given more support. They need more credit then they are given.s
 
Aug 4, 2008
328
4
I don't really care. There are only two criteria I care a bout:
1. Do i like the way a product is implemented, e.g. does it suit my preference.
2. Is it affordable.

No brand loyalty, no revolutionary tendencies. And I have owned Specialized, Kona, Fusion, Remec, Scott and Trek bikes.

Currently I am most stoked about: Turner, Santa Cruz, Zerode, Intense, GT and Kona.

Edit: Most probably I will own a GT, Santa Cruz, Giant or Kona as my next bike.
 

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,480
4,720
Australia
Only time i'm worried is if they seem unable to provide support for their gear in the long haul. Thats why I stick with reliable companies that will never fail like Iron Horse, RaceFace, GT and Mongoose
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
The small vs big comparison is a bit silly. Good customer support vs. bad is more important imho.


btw. Mondraker isnt that small.
 

captainspauldin

intrigued by a pole
May 14, 2007
1,263
177
Jersey Shore
I love my shocker. Luckily i haven't had to deal w/Cove yet, I've heard it can be challenging.. I'd love to replace my bike w/the '11 Shocker, but hard to justify when companies with better a reputation offer nice bikes for the same or a cheaper price ;)
 

Hesh To Steel

Monkey
Dec 12, 2007
661
1
Hell's Kitchen
At this point it feels like I've heard CS horror stories from both sides of the small company/large company divide, so it kind of seems like anything can happen. I do like the mystique of the smaller companies. Not for any practical reason, really. Sometimes with the smaller companies you can get a great feel by word of mouth for their CS philosophy. For example, everything I've ever heard about turner bikes seems to indicate that they have some of, if not the best CS out there.

I ride a Sinister now, and I'd love for my next frame to be a Jedi.

I suppose either way, when you're buying a DH product you're entering an extremely small niche market so you're supporting something positive. When you buy from a Giant or Spesh, you're essentially saying "attention large manufacturer: there is still a market for this product so please continue innovating and producing this type of item". When oh buy from a tiny operation like FTW or Canfield you're saying "I appreciate the work that you're doing and your love for your craft". Both statements help the industry as a whole, I think.
 

Inclag

Turbo Monkey
Sep 9, 2001
2,750
439
MA
Hey,
Where do you guys rate the small brands like Chumba, Transition and Mondraker compared to the giant, spezalized, trek super massive brands. I mean if you were offered the choice between a small brand or a main stream one, what do you take? How much recept to do give the small companies? I think they should be given more support. They need more credit then they are given.s
I'm not sure I'm following. What do you mean that small companies deserve respect? I think as an overwhelming majority most small manufacturers stay small for a reason, and I don't buy the romanticizing that they want to "remain small/niche/core". Transition has grown exponentially and Mondraker is a relatively large company over the pond. A company like Canfield Bros. are reinvesting every penny they make into new products and expanding their product line in the hopes of growing and becoming larger. In general, I think basing your purchasing decision like a hipster surfing Pitchfork.com for the new "it" music is silly.
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Serious answer though? I buy based on quality to price ratio. And with quality I am including design, build/mfg quality and support. I've owned a Schwinn before (a few of them) and a few Ironhorse's. But I've also had Santacruz (who is actually becoming a "big" brand now... I hear they are sold at Sport's Chalet), Intense and now Banshee.

I'm sort of a cheap-skate, but when I assess value, how long something will last also is an important factor.

Oh, and maybe I have some weid stigma but I don't think I'd ever consider Specialized or GT. Maybe for a DH frame, but (again, stigma playing in here) I dont want to be one of the lemings for their mass produced frames (XC or trail).
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
i dont mind buying from small companies if they have a good reputation, good CS and a good product. ive had bad experience with a small brand before and their good CS didnt mean squat in the end...hell people are still feeling the effects of their "awesome" product.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,573
24,191
media blackout
personally, when i buy new (RARELY) i prefer to buy from brands that are built more locally - IE in the US or Canada, instead of outsourced to AP. Nothing against bikes from there, they're very well made, I just personally prefer bikes from my continent.
 

Inclag

Turbo Monkey
Sep 9, 2001
2,750
439
MA
personally, when i buy new (RARELY) i prefer to buy from brands that are built more locally - IE in the US or Canada, instead of outsourced to AP. Nothing against bikes from there, they're very well made, I just personally prefer bikes from my continent.
I prefer bikes built within the Milky Way. F those Crab Nebula bikes!
 

Pegboy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 20, 2003
1,139
27
New Hamp-sha
i dont mind buying from small companies if they have a good reputation, good CS and a good product. ive had bad experience with a small brand before and their good CS didnt mean squat in the end...hell people are still feeling the effects of their "awesome" product.
Well if you feel that updating the name and promising a new and improved undeliverable product doesn't solve the problem...well, you just can't be helped.

I've owned 2 boutique frames from the same company in California (I did buy them used so I know I am not going to get equal CS) and while I loved having a non-mainstream bike, the support was inconsistent at best. On occasions they hooked me up, but only when I actually dropped by the shop, otherwise phone communication lacked and even trying to buy something as simple as frame decals became very frustrating. I think that is the biggest issue, the non-predictability. Either suck or don't...at least I'll know what to expect.
 

alpine slug

Monkey
Jun 10, 2011
190
0
I'm not sure I'm following. What do you mean that small companies deserve respect? I think as an overwhelming majority most small manufacturers stay small for a reason, and I don't buy the romanticizing that they want to "remain small/niche/core". Transition has grown exponentially and Mondraker is a relatively large company over the pond. A company like Canfield Bros. are reinvesting every penny they make into new products and expanding their product line in the hopes of growing and becoming larger. In general, I think basing your purchasing decision like a hipster surfing Pitchfork.com for the new "it" music is silly.
yes.

and :thumb: to toodles.