| They say brand name doesn't matter, but in the real | | | | only advantage, however. Trek is a manufacturer of |
| world, it clearly does. Brand names are like a | | | | high-end bikes that perform excellently in many ways. |
| summary of the virtues of the products being sold, | | | | Giant bikes are true to their name: they are big on |
| and more often than not, the more famous brands | | | | the market, and big on the trail. They don't make any |
| are the ones that have proven themselves to be | | | | bones about being one of the more established |
| most worth the public attention and clamor; their | | | | brands in the market, and it shows on the bold, |
| performance is well worth the buzz. This is how you | | | | streamlined designs of their bikes. One disadvantage |
| know you can't go wrong with brand names. Your | | | | though is that some of their more high-end bikes |
| riding experience can be greatly enhanced with brand | | | | may be heavier. And why? It is all about the fear. |
| name bikes like Trek, Giant, and Specialized mountain | | | | Higher-end Giant bikes are fitted with the Maestro |
| bikes. | | | | suspension system - and as experts know, |
| Each brand comes with its unique set of virtues. | | | | suspension makes the bike. Maestro is a dual |
| Consumers rank these bikes among themselves for | | | | suspension system formulated by the manufacturer |
| ease of use, speed, design, and other factors, often | | | | of Giant bikes, and as dual suspension systems go, |
| in combination. Specialized mountain bikes, for | | | | they also tend to be a bit on the heavy side. Not too |
| example, are known for their superior | | | | heavy for a good run through the trail, though! |
| maneuverability. The first production mountain bike | | | | If you're looking for good bikes, branded bikes are |
| ever made was the Stumpjumper from this | | | | the first you should look into. However, if you're |
| manufacturer, and since then it has only ever grown | | | | looking for cheap bikes, you may wish to look |
| stronger in the market. The Specialized | | | | elsewhere. But be warned - you will be getting what |
| Stumpjumper's agility and ease of handling continues | | | | you pay for. The more famous a brand is, the more |
| to improve through the years. | | | | expensive it usually is, and that means more work |
| Trek mountain bikes, on the other hand, are known | | | | and effort is put into creating a bike that is |
| for their lightness. Lightness gives a mountain bike a | | | | one-of-a-kind and uniquely enjoyable. The way people |
| remarkable advantage, as lightness also defines | | | | create a "buzz" around the most popular bikes in the |
| speed and ease of use. Also, lightness is one thing | | | | market is proof not only of the prominence of these |
| you would want from something you're going to be | | | | bikes, but also of their high standards. Specialized |
| carrying, when you're not riding it! Weight is not its | | | | mountain bikes stand as evidence. |