In your opinion, what manufacturer is currenlty the Toyota of the bicycle world ?

Popular Hardback · 14-05-2013 05:19PM #1

Hi all,

I was wondering, in your opinion, what bicycle manufacturer is currently the Toyota of the cycling world ?

i.e. popular, mid range, and reliable, though perhaps a little boring and predicable ?

Wishbone Ash · 14-05-2013 05:25PM

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Hi all,

I was wondering, in your opinion, what bicycle manufacturer is currently the Toyota of the cycling world ?

i.e. popular, mid range, and reliable, though perhaps a little boring and predicable ?

Reliability would tend to depend on the components fitted rather than the bike as a whole.

You can't really make the comparison with motor vehicles as one can generally only order 'extras' rather than components.

Popular Hardback · 14-05-2013 05:26PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Reliability would tend to depend on the components fitted rather than the bike as a whole.

You can't really make the comparison with motor vehicles as one can generally only order 'extras' rather than components.

Toyota's come with components from other manufactures such as Bosch etc. but they select reliable competent suppliers.

ok it's not a perfect analogy, but can anyone make a stab at it ?

Wishbone Ash · 14-05-2013 05:28PM

Giant

Wishbone Ash · 14-05-2013 05:32PM

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Toyota's come with components from other manufactures such as Bosch etc

Perhaps but the customer can't generally choose the components or retrofit them which would be financially prohibitive.

Popular Hardback · 14-05-2013 05:35PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Perhaps but the customer can't generally choose the components or retrofit them which would be financially prohibitive.

As I said, its not meant to be a perfect analogy, just asking for people to make a stab at it, e.g. Giant as you suggested, any others ?

Darkglasses · 14-05-2013 05:43PM

Maybe Trek, but mainly Giant.

happytramp · 14-05-2013 05:47PM

'Giant' has to take that crown but I'd also have to say that 'Specialized' kind of fits that bill. Yes they make some nice bikes but half of the pro peloton seem to ride them (well 3 or 4 anyway) and I'm just not into that curvy top tube thing they do.

Idleater · 14-05-2013 06:06PM

Going by the Toyota looks I'd propose rose or planet x as their designs imo are plain, safe but a bit unimaginative design wise. Paired with shimano and mavic and you have a perfectly reliable bike. You can up the budget and get a deluxe strata model, but it looks the same.

To be honest, you can say the same about many entry level manufacturers, but giant tcr / canyon aero are different from the defy/cf.

Brian? · 14-05-2013 06:13PM

Idleater wrote: »

Going by the Toyota looks I'd propose rose or planet x as their designs imo are plain, safe but a bit unimaginative design wise. Paired with shimano and mavic and you have a perfectly reliable bike. You can up the budget and get a deluxe strata model, but it looks the same.

To be honest, you can say the same about many entry level manufacturers, but giant tcr / canyon aero are different from the defy/cf.

Planet x would be Hyundai for me. Ugly enough but functional.

Mcofferon · 14-05-2013 06:22PM

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Hi all,

I was wondering, in your opinion, what bicycle manufacturer is currently the Toyota of the cycling world ?

Hi OP

Not sure I've seen any of the main brands plagued with recalls:D

Popular Hardback · 14-05-2013 08:58PM

So the consensus seems to be Grant, with Trek, Rose and Planet X being seen as possible contenders.

Ok, thanks folks.

Mcofferon · 14-05-2013 09:16PM

Hi OP

On a less glib note, and answering your original question I too would probably say your analogy fits Giant quite well. Especially when viewed as a global brand.

Trek or Felt might also bare comparison, depending on how you view Toyota as a brand.

I don't see any votes yet for specialized and they wouldn't be on my list either as somehow - and this is probably down to clever marketing - I'd put them down as more a BMW of bikes.

kumate_champ07 · 14-05-2013 10:12PM

Shimano= Honda
Campagnolo= Volkswagen

Cyclewizard · 14-05-2013 10:14PM

yeah maybe giant, wide range from cheaper bikes to higher end stuff and they seem to be everywere over here. Wouldnt say i see as many treks or specializeds here as I do in the UK but otherwise id throw them in aswell. As someone said earlier though its the components that really make up the 'reliability' aspect. shimano 105 and some mid range mavics to complement the look and your away!

Cyclewizard · 14-05-2013 10:17PM

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

Shimano= Honda
Campagnolo= Volkswagen

id say that Campagnolo have a bit more prestige and are far less prevalent than VW's to be fair! Even comparing them to Audi would be selling them short in my opinion

happytramp · 14-05-2013 10:39PM

Cyclewizard wrote: »

id say that Campagnolo have a bit more prestige and are far less prevalent than VW's to be fair! Even comparing them to Audi would be selling them short in my opinion

SRAM = VW

Cyclewizard · 15-05-2013 07:05AM

Mcofferon wrote: »

Hi OP

On a less glib note, and answering your original question I too would probably say your analogy fits Giant quite well. Especially when viewed as a global brand.

Trek or Felt might also bare comparison, depending on how you view Toyota as a brand.

I don't see any votes yet for specialized and they wouldn't be on my list either as somehow - and this is probably down to clever marketing - I'd put them down as more a BMW of bikes.

The marketing can't be that good if they compare to bmw's! Crap cars, dodgy image! (And I'v had two, never again!)

Seems cycling plus magazine have been getting in on the comparisons too - in the bike of the year edition it compares the the giant defy to a vw golf or a bosch dishwasher! A logical choice with the head! So there you have it!

Also I think the prestigious traditional Italian brands stack up well to the old Italian super cars in terms of looks, price and not too many around!

Idleater · 15-05-2013 08:17AM

Cyclewizard wrote: »

Also I think the prestigious traditional Italian brands stack up well to the old Italian super cars in terms of looks, price and not too many around!

Hardly. I'd equate campagnolo to alfa romeo all right. They probably exist on a 1:1 ratio on the road too. Leave the supercar marques to the small exotic component makers.

el tel · 15-05-2013 08:20AM

Parlee. They have developed a Toyota-branded bike already

Wishbone Ash · 15-05-2013 08:28AM

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Rose and Planet X being seen as possible contenders

I cover a fair bit of ground on the bike and I don't recall ever seeing a Rose or Planet X. Every second bike seems to be a Giant.

Mcofferon wrote: »

I don't see any votes yet for specialized

See post 8.

Popular Hardback · 15-05-2013 12:11PM

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

Shimano= Honda
Campagnolo= Volkswagen

VW, as in still trading on their old reputation for reliability but in fact not that reliable but still overpriced ?

Harrybelafonte · 15-05-2013 12:13PM

What bike brand is like Toyota? Maybe the one with the most recalls?

seamus · 15-05-2013 12:19PM

Popular & reliable but fairly plain and predictable, kind of has to be a tie between Trek and Giant. I think Specialized not so much; they make nicer-looking bikes and probably aren't as popular as the other two. Trek's upper range is nice, but the popular entry to mid level stuff (of which I am an owner) is fairly plain.

Cyclewizard · 15-05-2013 03:36PM

seamus wrote: »

Popular & reliable but fairly plain and predictable, kind of has to be a tie between Trek and Giant. I think Specialized not so much; they make nicer-looking bikes and probably aren't as popular as the other two. Trek's upper range is nice, but the popular entry to mid level stuff (of which I am an owner) is fairly plain.

Well Toyota have Lexus so maybe specialized and the s works division is a similar theme?! I also think the paint jobs year to year have an effect too on how nice the bike looks. Same bike can be transformed with a good/bad paint theme

Cyclewizard · 15-05-2013 03:37PM

Idleater wrote: »

Hardly. I'd equate campagnolo to alfa romeo all right. They probably exist on a 1:1 ratio on the road too. Leave the supercar marques to the small exotic component makers.

I was thinking more of the frame makers to be honest

AstraMonti · 15-05-2013 03:39PM

This does not make sense, at all.

Chartsengrafs · 15-05-2013 03:42PM

Not sure how Rose and Planet X got mentioned, far too obscure. Giant for definite (if a comparison has to be made).

Idleater · 15-05-2013 04:10PM

Basster wrote: »

Not sure how Rose and Planet X got mentioned, far too obscure. Giant for definite (if a comparison has to be made).

Bland styling, plain looking.

The op doesn't specify what Toyota traits we are to transpose to the cycling world.

Tbh, without clarification the topic is pointless and apparently the op had already decided that the question has been answered.

Popular Hardback · 15-05-2013 04:16PM

I thought I was fairly clear in my OP

i.e. "popular, mid range, and reliable, though perhaps a little boring and predicable ?"

I also said it wasn't meant to be a perfect analogy.

Most people have answered Giant / Trek, that's good enough for me, unless a different consensus emerges.

It was not meant to get people up tight. Strange pedantic reaction from some.
Cycling for me is meant to be fun.

Chartsengrafs · 15-05-2013 04:32PM

Idleater wrote: »

The op doesn't specify what Toyota traits we are to transpose to the cycling world.

Eh, yes he does. But sure what thread has a point either!

OP: Maybe you'd have more joy on a Friday with this sort of thread. 'Strange pedantic reactions' aren't that strange around here sometimes!

Idleater · 15-05-2013 06:52PM

Basster wrote: »

Eh, yes he does. But sure what thread has a point either!

OP: Maybe you'd have more joy on a Friday with this sort of thread. 'Strange pedantic reactions' aren't that strange around here sometimes!

I stand corrected :-). I do see a lot of giant hybrids so I'll vote for them.

I stand over my original rose and planet X for the most unimaginative difference across the range. Just like the gt86, I'm sure that they have something interesting.

Cyclewizard · 15-05-2013 07:03PM

Idleater wrote: »

I stand corrected :-). I do see a lot of giant hybrids so I'll vote for them.

I stand over my original rose and planet X for the most unimaginative difference across the range. Just like the gt86, I'm sure that they have something interesting.

I'd agree but maybe there just aren't too many about, I haven't seen a rose out on the roads for ages! I think giant and trek do have so many hybrids out there that it swells their ranks somewhat. Those two seem to have a grip on all sections of the market.

For the record I'v got a vw at the moment and I can't wait to get rid of it, they seem to be living off past reputation iv had nothing but trouble with it and I'd gladly swap it for a Toyota!

kavanagh_h · 15-05-2013 07:42PM

Id go with giant too. Popular, good value, reliable. What bike would equate to a volvo? Safe, reliable sturdy good resale value lol, i could go on unfavourably...

Idleater · 15-05-2013 07:55PM

Cyclewizard wrote: »

For the record I'v got a vw at the moment and I can't wait to get rid of it, they seem to be living off past reputation iv had nothing but trouble with it and I'd gladly swap it for a Toyota!

Had a Toyota, upgraded to an alfa :-)

Cyclewizard · 15-05-2013 07:58PM

kavanagh_h wrote: »

Id go with giant too. Popular, good value, reliable. What bike would equate to a volvo? Safe, reliable sturdy good resale value lol, i could go on unfavourably...

Focus?

In your opinion, what manufacturer is currenlty the Toyota of the bicycle world ?

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