GoldenEraMTB
Old School Grand Master
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Some bikes are bigger than others. Some bikes' makers are bigger than other bikes' makers.
How much does the brand name actually matter?
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As GoldeneraMTB said to Cleopatra as he opened a crate of ale
'Oh I say'
Some bikes are better than others.
I have never owned or riden a Cunningham so cannot comment on how they ride, but i suspect the reason they are lusted after is due to how they were so innovative. When you look at one compared to the other bikes that were available at the time they look so modern and just about every bike that followed for the next 25 years was influenced by it in some way. I don't think it has anything to do with 'brand' to be honest.
I also think if you buy bikes for the brand then you are always going to be dissapointed at some point. You should buy bikes because they ride well. If you cannot tell the difference in ride quality between a Specialized and a Fat or a On One and an Independent Fab for example then you should buy the cheaper one, forget the label, spend the saving elsewhere and just enjoy the ride.
Si (a non bike snob)
'Oh I say'
Some bikes are better than others.
I have never owned or riden a Cunningham so cannot comment on how they ride, but i suspect the reason they are lusted after is due to how they were so innovative. When you look at one compared to the other bikes that were available at the time they look so modern and just about every bike that followed for the next 25 years was influenced by it in some way. I don't think it has anything to do with 'brand' to be honest.
I also think if you buy bikes for the brand then you are always going to be dissapointed at some point. You should buy bikes because they ride well. If you cannot tell the difference in ride quality between a Specialized and a Fat or a On One and an Independent Fab for example then you should buy the cheaper one, forget the label, spend the saving elsewhere and just enjoy the ride.
Si (a non bike snob)
heartbreaker
Retro Guru
Snob is the wrong choice of word and shouldn't have used it.
I just think the brand has a big part to play in the bikes we choose to buy and ride whether we like to admit it or not.
The name written on the side of the frame can make it feel better because you are led to believe it is....thats what brands are surely.
Cunninghams are way before my time but I agree that they are lovely bikes with great innovation from the little I have learned about them. It seems they were custom built to each individual requirements, so to buy a second hand one kind of defeats the point, as it will not be made to how you would want it, the unique part about them...am I right in thinking that? So I can only assume its the cunningham brand that attracts people.
Having a bike with his name on the side even if it doesnt suit you
maybe i'm completely wrong about that.
I do buy a bike for Its brand and find out if i like it or not after, as 20 year old bike can not be test ridden in the local evans store.
I just think the brand has a big part to play in the bikes we choose to buy and ride whether we like to admit it or not.
The name written on the side of the frame can make it feel better because you are led to believe it is....thats what brands are surely.
Cunninghams are way before my time but I agree that they are lovely bikes with great innovation from the little I have learned about them. It seems they were custom built to each individual requirements, so to buy a second hand one kind of defeats the point, as it will not be made to how you would want it, the unique part about them...am I right in thinking that? So I can only assume its the cunningham brand that attracts people.
Having a bike with his name on the side even if it doesnt suit you
maybe i'm completely wrong about that.
I do buy a bike for Its brand and find out if i like it or not after, as 20 year old bike can not be test ridden in the local evans store.
I don't think it matters. You don't spend ten grand on a Cunningham just to thrash it around the woods and then decide it doesn't ride as well as your two year old Boardman.
Some people do ride them of course but i doubt thats the reason for owning one. To me, they were the biggest leap forward in mtb design and that is why i would own one if one ever came up for sale.
Some people do ride them of course but i doubt thats the reason for owning one. To me, they were the biggest leap forward in mtb design and that is why i would own one if one ever came up for sale.
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The problem with brand names is that they start out well intentioned then get diluted as business takes over - Saracen being the perfect example, I still picture god awful cheap full sus bikes and not the fillet brazed bikes from earlier.
I now only buy brand names that nobody's ever heard of.
I now only buy brand names that nobody's ever heard of.
My childhood upbringing started me out in the world with an enormous illusion of grandeur that I still yearn for but will never be able to achieve. But my chosen bike collection is slightly different to that.
Pace, I wanted a Pace as a youngster, spent many an afternoon in Stiff in Leeds drooling over the things. Years later I find myself working as an engineer and getting back into cycling. The old Pace stood out due to the innovation and engineering that went into them, I also appreciate the fact they were made in Yorkshire.
Roberts, I appreciate the thought and the dedication and tradition that is behind each and every frame produced. The craftsmanship that is involved.
Also I like having my name on the bike.
Of course there are other brands that offer the same or greater level of engineering innovation or hard worked craftsmanship, but it is the little details like the home grown Yorkshire roots of the Pace and the simplistic sharing a name with the Roberts that made these stand out for me.
I find it more difficult to appreciate the mass produced models as I find the larger organisations producing them a little faceless and often cannot see any back story to the bike/frames production. I also simply like to be a little different, whatever that means. Heck I bought my self a VW Bora simply because my friends had Golfs (same car different shape).
Pace, I wanted a Pace as a youngster, spent many an afternoon in Stiff in Leeds drooling over the things. Years later I find myself working as an engineer and getting back into cycling. The old Pace stood out due to the innovation and engineering that went into them, I also appreciate the fact they were made in Yorkshire.
Roberts, I appreciate the thought and the dedication and tradition that is behind each and every frame produced. The craftsmanship that is involved.
Also I like having my name on the bike.
Of course there are other brands that offer the same or greater level of engineering innovation or hard worked craftsmanship, but it is the little details like the home grown Yorkshire roots of the Pace and the simplistic sharing a name with the Roberts that made these stand out for me.
I find it more difficult to appreciate the mass produced models as I find the larger organisations producing them a little faceless and often cannot see any back story to the bike/frames production. I also simply like to be a little different, whatever that means. Heck I bought my self a VW Bora simply because my friends had Golfs (same car different shape).
marin man":3syra9o1 said:tintin40":3syra9o1 said:
Yes.....bet you peel the trimble stickers off for that reason before selling
because they are really X bikes
Who cares about brand names as long as you like the bike your riding that's what counts .
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