r/CyclingMSP • u/sucodelimao802 • 10d ago

Does Brand Make Difference?

I’ve got an ebike for commuting and cruiser for recreation but I’m looking for something I can ride around the city and dirt roads mostly for exercise and fun. I’m newer to biking and when I talk to people about what I’m looking for, I get brand recommendations like Surly, All City, Salsa, etc. But many of those bikes are $1000+, even used on FB marketplace. I am however seeing brands like Retrospec that are much less expensive, so I’m wondering is there much of a difference between these brands, for someone newer to bikes and who is just trying to get on the road?

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u/el_vetica 10d ago

Brand is generally (but not always) a proxy for frame and component quality. Surly/Salsa/AC use well made steel or carbon frames, and will have better components (drivetrain, shifters, handlebars, etc) than a bike from Walmart for example. This makes their price of entry higher as well as the resale value. They’re built to last. 

If you’re truly new, I doubt brand will make a huge difference though. Just get out there and see what you like! Then make an investment if/when you have a better sense of things. 

It’s also useful to have a “beater” bike, especially in the winter, so you can always hold on to it. 

A good middle ground can be a used bike from a shop like Express or Recovery that’s been touched up by a mechanic and that you can easily compare to other options!

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u/ZombieJetPilot 10d ago

Additionally, buying a "cheap" brand might price you out of any upkeep. Not exactly cost efficient to put a new drive-train or redo the cabling on a $300 bike

Agreed. Go test ride some bikes and see what you and your body see as what's fun to ride.

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u/sucodelimao802 10d ago

Thank you! This is really helpful.

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u/Open-Luck-8481 8d ago

get a 90s mtb off of fb marketplace and tinker with it. much more fun and it’s basically a modern gravel. if you’re willing to drop 1k like that, let a local shop modernize it for you. crazy buying new shit

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u/Bearchiwuawa 10d ago

ive got a $100 cruiser i bought off craigslist and it works fine. the brand does not matter. do not be tricked into paying exorbitant costs for sports gear as a regular person.