Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The 20 Most popular Bike Brands Sold in the Us

Well, this is genuinely a controversial, involved and constantly evolving topic. There are so many bicycle manufacturers, bicycle types and favorite brand names sold in the Us, that it can be difficult to find a total overview and to sort it all out.

The top 20 most favorite bike brand listing that I've compiled here is not based on the amount of bikes sold alone or on the ability or perceived ability of the bicycles. Most of the bike manufacturers listed here also sell dissimilar bike types (road, mountain, hybrid, etc.) and the list below is not broken down by bike type or category.

A Mountain Bike

This listing is intended to be a guide as to what bike brands are currently the most favorite in the Usa, at the time of this writing (since bike brands come and go and the sales of discrete bike types rise and fall).

The 20 Most popular Bike Brands Sold in the Us

The Top 20 Most favorite Bike Brands and the bike types that they sell

  1. Trek - Road, Triathlon , Mountain Hardtail , Mountain Full-Suspension , Urban , Bike Path, Cruiser , Women's , Kids
  2. Schwinn - Road, Commuter, Comfort, Cruisers, Electric, Mountain Bikes, Bmx, Kids
  3. Giant - Road, Mountain, Giant for Women, Lifestyle, Hybrid (Hct), Bmx, Kids
  4. Cannondale - Road, Mountain, Women's Recreation (many sub categories)
  5. Mongoose - Bmx Bikes (Team Bikes, Freestyle Bikes, Dirt street Bikes) Mountain / Pavement (Dual Suspension, Jumping, Hardtail Xc, Comfort, Commuter, Road Alternative, 
  6. Raleigh - Road, performance Hybrid, Hybrid, Comfort, Mountain, Cruiser, Women, Youth
  7. Specialized Road, Multi Street, Globe (commute, comfort), Dirt/Street/Vert (Bmx), Kids Atb
  8. Diamondback - Mtn Full Suspension , Mountain Hardtail , Devine Designs , comfort ,Cruiser , performance Hybrid , Hybrid , Youth , Bmx
  9. Fuji - Road, Mountain, Specialty, Women's, Lifestyle, Kids
  10. Haro -All Mountain-Freeride, Dirt Jump/ Urban, Xc Trail / Xc Sport, 650B, 29er, Metro, Comfort, Cruiser
  11. Shimano - Road, Mountain, Comfort, Bmx
  12. Huffy - since 1892 - Mountain, Bmx, Kids, Road
  13. Gary Fisher - 29ers, Full Suspension,  Genesisters, Hardtails, Kids, Pavement, Road
  14. Ellsworth - High end Mountain Bikes
  15. Klein - High end Mountain and Road Bikes
  16. Jamis - High end Full Suspension, Hardtail, Road, Street, Sport Comfort, Youth
  17. Bianchi - Hors Categorie (Hoc), Born for performance (B4P), Coast to Coast (C2C), Dama Bianca, D2, Special, Classica, Road Steel, Mtb Performance, Mtb Leisure, Sport, Cross-Terrain
  18. Gt - Mountain, Bmx, Road, Womens
  19. Rocky Mountain - Mountain, Road, Urban & Path, Ladies Only
  20. Scott - Mountain, Road, Women's Junior's

Some of the favorite bike brands listed here can only be purchased at specialty bike shops or independent dealers. Although this marketing technique makes these brands harder to find, in some cases this it improves the perceived ability of the bikes over brands that are distributed to the mass market or that can be genuinely found at sporting goods market or even online.

I have included the bike types or bike categories that each maker sells under the brand names listed. The bike type descriptions were, in most cases, taken directly from each bike manufacturers website in order to not only let you know what kind of bikes they make but also how the enterprise perceives the bike types that they make and how they market them to you.

The 20 Most popular Bike Brands Sold in the Us

What is a Hybrid Bicycle? How to pick One

All bicycles used to fall under 2 base categories - mountain bike and road bike. The mountain bicycle is meant for rough terrain riding, while the road bike is meant for smoother roads.

However, many riders are uncomfortable owning more than 1 bicycle. They ordinarily tour on a wide collection of terrain - both rough and flat. So the mountain bike alone or the roadie alone just won't meet the needs of such people very well.

A Mountain Bike

So bike manufacturers come up with the idea of hybrids - a cross between a mountain and road bike. What are some characteristics of a hybrid bike?

What is a Hybrid Bicycle? How to pick One

1) Flat handlebars with more than 1 hand position.

A primary mountain bike has flat handlebars. But the rider is forced to stay in the same hand position. On occasion, a hybrid rider can convert hand positions due to the improvements made on the handlebars. This will help perform a more aerodynamic posture, or contribute a more comfortable posture. Many riders prefer such handlebars as it makes it so much easier to navigate the bike through distinct types of terrain.

2) Thinner tires for less rolling resistance.

Hybrid bikes have thinner tires compared to mountain bikes. But these wheels are still thicker than those on road bikes. The size of the wheels is the exquisite size if you are seeing for a equilibrium between protection and speed. It's safe adequate to ride (even in wet conditions) and it provides less rolling resistance compared to primary mountain bike wheels. Over long distances, such wheels can save the rider lots of high-priced energy!

3) Middle weight frames for a equilibrium of stability and speed.

There are many types of bike frames in the market, and the frame on a hybrid can vary greatly. However, most hybrids are targeted at the "leisure riding" group. So prices are quite affordable. Most of the bicycles are built with aluminum. Aluminum is an affordable material that can be for real engineered into durable frames. Unfortunately, such frames are ordinarily heavier and less stiff, which leads to power loss.

If budget permits, take a look at hybrids that are made from carbon fiber frames. Such bikes can cost thousands of dollars, but once you own one, you won't want to own another hybrid bike.

The carbon hybrid is the cream of the crop. It's one of the lightest building material around, and it offers very good power transfer capabilities. That means every pedal and every ounce of power comes from you is put into good use.

Such bikes are exquisite for those who are protection conscious. Due to the rider cordial designs of hybrids, even beginners find it easy to ride one.

The next time you go communal riding with your friends, bring a hybrid along and zip past all those mountain bikes as if they are standing still!

What is a Hybrid Bicycle? How to pick One