Big brands vs Own brands

[Hacienda71]

It looks like damage. The guy admitted there had been a number of times the bike had been outside his control. Planet X said that is damage.
You stated they pulled up the drawbridge. They did not, they said this is not a warranty issue but we will do this for you as a gesture of good will. Absolutely nothing wrong with what they have done, unless you are a materials engineer specialising in reinforced polymers and can tell us that the view of Planet X of the damage is wrong.

 

[vickster]

It was suggested that after 6 months the onus is on the buyer to prove the goods are defective not damaged. He couldn't do so as the bike had been away from him on at least 3 occasions at the two lbs, possibly twice on Eurostar. He says Planet X got arsey, perhaps he did too. We know not

Anyhow it's all settled now

 

[Drago]

"It looks like damage", yet the various commentators - the gent in the shop and yourself - give different account s for the cause of it. How can you be so sure its damage when the unqualified observers can't even agree How it was likely to have come about.

You have made an assumption, and it differs from the shops own assumption. That does not constitute evidence of any degree.

 

[vickster]

I note the OP doesn't mention Eurostar in the first post, just the reputable LBS. did he also omit to mention to Planet X?

 

[djb1971]

I've owned almost every brand under the sun, own brands give great vfm. The Verenti I just sold was a great bike ( it was too long for me and it created havoc with my duff elbow)

My current Pinnacle Arkose is an excellent ride, one of the least expensive bikes I've had. You can see the difference between it and a bike costing 5 times the amount. It's little things like the paint finish in certain areas etc. Once you're mounted and barrelling down singletrack, it's just as smooth. I'd recommend an in house brand without hesitation from a well known dealer.

 

[Roadrider48]

If you crash a car you don't expect the dealer to replace it under warranty. The bike frame was showing cracks consistent with damage not a defect and Planet X offered him a new frame at a substantially discounted rate. Pretty fair to the majority of the people commenting on the thread.
My experience of a warranty claim with Planet X was pretty smooth.

That was pretty much my experience too.

 

[Kestevan]

The in-house and mail-order places offer a perfectly decent alternative to main brands. Similar quality kit*, usually with better components at a cheaper price.
The savings are generated by buying in bulk, not having to pay dealers, and usually not having to pay a massive marketing budget.

Drawbacks are the fact that you usually can't swing a leg over one before parting with the cash. So unless you're pretty sure about fit then beware, and no local dealer to quickly handle any problems.

*I'll admit that if you're looking at the absolutely latest, top end kit, then you'll struggle to find a match from a box retailer, but then you're probably looking at dropping 4k or above so good luck to you.

With regards to warranties, the likes of Planet X/Ribble etc tend to offer 2 years, whilst Specialized/Trek etc often do a lifetime frame warranty. All well and good, but in both cases they exclude accidental/crash damage which I would guess accounts for the vast majority of the frame failures after a 2yr period... and based on personal experience of Treks warranty, getting them to admit to a manufacturing fault is a pain in the arse even within a 2yr period.

Oh and a minority of riders nobbers on 4k bikes will look down their noses at you for riding a Planet X/Ribble/Merlin whatever.... just remember to smile and wave.

 

[Rob3rt]

It doesn't matter.
What's important is that a bike fits you and suits you in every other sense.
Most frames are all designed and built by the same handful of manufacturers worldwide, then add Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM etc.
You pays yer money................

Trek bikes being made in the Giant factory for example.

Designed by and built by are very different things.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. An established, big brand name will have had the money and experience put into the research and development, and also better after sales support, longer/ lifetime frame warranties etc. But the downside is you will pay more for the name and the more desirable badge. And they are not necessarily better bikes. There are some fantastic value for money bikes out there with better group sets to be had for a lot less money from other brands.

 

[gbb]

My experience of both..
I was looking to replace my old C2C Via Nirone.
Quite fancied the Impulso, alloy frame, trusted design etc even though I'd had a previous Bianchi frame crack. The drawback was the mix of components, FSA bb, my experience of them was not good.
So looking further, I found i could buy a carbon Ribble, full Veloce groupset for less, and when I say carbon, that included full carbon fork, seatpost , bars and stem..really quite impressive spec.
The Ribble won and I love it. I did feel a tad rueful at not buying the Bianchi, I love them, bit common sense won over on the day.
Nothing wrong with either, another day I might have brought the Bianchi...but as said, love the Ribble.

 

[stoatsngroats]

I have experience of Carrera and Viking, both names which appear to be lower end, when compared to Felt, Bianchi, Cannondale et al. but my experience of both s very favourable. Whilst components might not be top-of-the-range, it's very probable I don't need TOTR!

Each is worth the time checking, and if price is a large part of the experience, consider the use which you will put it to. Less than 100 miles/week would imply to me, that I don't need anything close to TOTR, certainly not until I'd used something for a few months (at 100 miles/wk), had felt the deficiencies, and learned where a change could be worth the money.
The short answer then, horses for course, and the extra cost would HAVE to be judged against my use of it, prior to purchase!

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Yes (in particular Vitus)

 

[Justinslow]

I've got the Ventura CP50 carbon drop bar road bike from Argos as many on here will probably know. No issues whatsoever, most places I go people haven't got a clue what it is or where it's from, and are amazed when I tell them, ..............and how much I paid.
Downside is it's not the latest tech and probably uses an older frame design discarded by another branded manufacturer, does that matter to me, no.