As a reminder, you can sort models by brand and other selection criteria in our general profile catalog. Additionally, we recommend you to read the material “How to choose a bike”.

Why is choosing a good bike brand important?

There are plenty of differences between the really cool bike manufacturers and those that are clearly worse. Therefore, knowledgeable buyers want models from good brands. TOP brands are often more expensive, and the price includes an additional payment for the name and impeccable reputation. But relying on a good bike manufacturer usually provides the following advantages:

  1. Perfect quality. It is produced on the best equipment (including in industry leading countries — the USA, Germany, Taiwan), with strict quality control, using robotics and other innovative technologies.
  2. First class attachments. Good brands use attachments (cassettes, chain, carriages, shifters, brakes, etc.) only from proven manufacturers, including Shimano, SRAM, Tektro, Campagnolo etc. And not the simplest attachments of these companies, but their top and semi-professional product lines. They ensure durability and postpone necessary repairs.
  3. Wide range. (or at least variability in frame sizes). This feature allows you to choose both the desired type of bike (mountain, city, road, BMX) and a comfortable model from an ergonomic point of view.
  4. Convenient and simple communications. A good brand, as a rule, has an informative website, instructions and sizes for selecting models, prompt and competent support service, etc.
  5. Recognizable in the street, stylish design, status. In this aspect, the world of bikes is almost the same as among cars.
  6. Wide distributor network. The best brands sell their bikes in different countries around the world. This is also an indirect factor of trust.
A good brand is a guarantee of cool equipment.

What brands of bikes are best to buy? Below we will provide an extensive list divided into three groups: the most expensive (world leaders), mid-budget and affordable, but good. Please note that the division by price segments is very arbitrary, because many brands with a wide range have both relatively simple and premium models.

Note! The bike brands listed below are not a ranking from best to worst or vice versa, but simply a general list of well-known and noteworthy manufacturers. It cannot be ruled out that some good brand was missed, because it is physically impossible to mention all the worthy ones.

TOP global brands — leaders of the cycling industry

These manufacturers are worth paying attention to if you want everything at once, including being ready to pay for the coolest bike. In addition, they are benchmarks and role models if your budget is limited.

Bianchi

One of Bianchi's features is the characteristic frame color.

Country: Italy.
Production facilities: Italy, Taiwan.
Brand year: 1885.
Pros: the oldest bike manufacturer, technical innovations in manufacturing, exquisite design.
Suitable for: connoisseurs of road cycling and cycling traditions.

Bianchi is the oldest bike company in the world and still exists today. An authoritative specialist in the segment of road models, but also produces mountain models. One of the signature features is emerald-colored frames. Prices are high.

Bianchi bikes

Cannondale

Country: USA.
Production facilities: USA, Taiwan, China, the Netherlands.
Brand year: 1971.
Pros: wide range, pioneers in the manufacture of carbon frames, lifetime warranty on the frame, proprietary designs — connecting rods, forks, carriages, etc.
Suitable for: everyone, including those who want the most reliable model.

Cannondale is a reputable American manufacturer with a good range of models and a very high price tag. They produce bikes of different types with aluminium and carbon frames, which are guaranteed for life.

Cannondale bikes

GHOST

Country: Germany.
Production facilities: Germany
Brand year: 1993.
Pros: excellent equipment.
Suitable for: those looking for a mountain model.

GHOST is a fairly new, but already well-established brand from Germany. The bikes are manufactured in the small town of Waldsassen (Bavaria). The range is not very wide, but offers various mountain and road models.

GHOST bikes

Giant

Country: Taiwan.
Production facilities: Taiwan, China, Netherlands, Hungary.
Brand year: 1972.
Pros: wide range, proprietary frame technologies, Giant Maestro’s own suspension system.
Suitable for: everyone from beginners and amateurs to demanding professionals.

Giant is the largest bike manufacturer today that produces bikes under its own brand name. In addition, the company factories serve other TOP brands (Trek, Scott, Colnago, etc.). The range includes models of different types, for men, women and teenagers.

Giant bikes

GT

Country: USA.
Production facilities: Taiwan, possibly China.
Brand year: 1972.
Pros: recognizable frame geometry (triple triangle) + lifetime warranty on it, proprietary designs — suspension, carriage unit, etc.
Suitable for: fans of mountain and road bikes.

The American company GT first produced BMX frames, but later became a complete bike manufacturer. The bikes' recognizable frame shape and distinctive fit are as much a part of the brand's identity as the overall high quality of its products.

The GT bike can be identified by the three frame triangles.

Merida

Country: Taiwan.
Production facilities: Taiwan, China, Germany.
Brand year: 1972.
Pros: wide range, co-owner of the Specialized American brand, robotic production.
Suitable for: everyone without exception, including beginners.

Merida is the second largest bike manufacturer in the world after Giant. It offers a wide range of models, and on average they are slightly more affordable than their main competitors.

Merida bikes

Orbea

Country: Spain.
Production facilities: Spain, Portugal, China.
Brand year: 1840, but bikes have been made since the 1930s.
Pros: wide range, not only adult, but also kid's models, manual coloring, production of sports equipment (including bike helmets).
Suitable for: everyone without exception.

Orbea is a Spanish manufacturer that produces mountain, road, city models, as well as kid's bikes. Collaborates with professional cycling teams. It is stated that the frames are painted by hand — in order to take care of the environment.

ORBEA bikes

Scott

Some Scott bikes (such as the Contessa series) have a characteristic frame bend.

Country: Switzerland.
Production facilities: Taiwan.
Brand year: 1958.
Pros: creator of an aerodynamic bike handlebar, wide selection of mountain models.
Suitable for: professionals and those who want a cool mountain bike.

Scott is a reputable European manufacturer of bikes and winter sports products. The brand has a special place in the niche of mountain models, but the price corresponds to its premium status.

Specialized

Country: USA.
Production facilities: USA, Taiwan.
Brand year: 1974.
Pros: abundance of innovation, manufacturing of cycling equipment, including tires, saddles, accessories, etc.
Suitable for: first of all, those who are looking for a mountain or road bike.

Specialized is a company from California (USA) that focuses on innovation in cycling. Popular among professionals, one of the leaders in the niche of mountain and road bikes.

Specialized bikes

Trek

The design of Trek bikes is often very aggressive or with an emphasis on dynamics.

Country: USA.
Production facilities: the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, China.
Brand year: 1975.
Pros: one of the pioneers of 29-inch wheels, focus on environmental friendliness.
Suitable for: those who want a mountain bike or a hybrid bike.

Trek is a successful American manufacturer. It produces different bikes, but the most popular are mountain and hybrid models. Prices are not always high, however, relatively inexpensive models sometimes use non-top-end attachments.

Among the most reputable brands are Colnago and Pinarello (both from Italy and specialize in road models), Cube (Germany, mountain bikes) and Haibike (Germany, profile - electric bikes with Bosch batteries). But these manufacturers have a limited range in general and/or are poorly represented in Eastern Europe.

Trek bikes

Middle class brands — balance of price and quality

If you need a good bike, but without paying a lot extra for name and status, these brands are worth considering:

Apollo

Country: Australia.
Brand year: 1978.
Pros: affordable price, original design.
Suitable for: women and children.

Apollo is a leading Australian brand with quite a rich history, signature designs and very affordable bike prices. We offer primarily universal road models.

Cyclone

Country: Ukraine.
Production facilities: assembling in Ukraine, frame manufacturing in Taiwan, China.
Pros: a good range of mountain and road models, high-quality attachments.
Suitable for: those who want to support the Ukrainian manufacturer and Kharkiv.

Cyclone is a brand of the Pro Bicycle Group company from Kharkiv. In the line of this Ukrainian manufacturer, the Cyclone brand can be considered the top and most expensive. The range includes many mountain models, including bikes with a carbon frame.

Cyclone bikes

Felt

Country: USA.
Production facilities: Asia.
Brand year: 1991
Pros: signature innovations including bayonet fork, Equilink suspension, etc.
Suitable for: primarily fans of recreational bikes.

Felt is an American brand from California. Designs models in the USA, produces in Asia. Offers a good range of cruisers, triathlon and racing bikes.

Fuji

Country: Japan.
Production facilities: Taiwan, China, Poland.
Brand year: 1899.
Pros: were the first to create a bike with a titanium frame, excellent in assembly and overall quality like the more expensive market leaders.
Suitable for: those who want a good mountain or a tourist model.

Fuji is probably the best Japanese bike brand.

Fuji is one of the oldest bike manufacturers in the world, dating back to the 19th century. It offers a good selection of bike types, but its main specialization can be considered mountain models.

Kellys

Country: Slovakia.
Production facilities: Slovakia (assembly).
Brand year: 1991.
Pros: original design, lack of models with low-quality attachments, availability of electric bikes in the range.

Suitable for: fans of classic or electric bikes made in Europe.

Kellys is a successful Slovenian manufacturer with not the widest, but high-quality range. The assembly process is carried out directly in Slovakia. In addition to traditional models, there are bikes with electric drive.

Kona

Country: Canada / USA.
Brand year: 1988.
Pros: own designs (fork, suspension systems, etc.), great sports background.
Suitable for: those who want a cool sports bike.

Kona is a North American brand that produces a full range of bikes — mountain, city, road, travel, etc. It uses a wide range of frame materials, including carbon fiber, aluminium and titanium. Kona models are sold in more than 60 countries.

KONA bikes

Kross

The Polish brand Kross offers an impressive range of models.

Country: Poland.
Production facilities: Poland.
Brand year: 1990.
Pros: very wide range, produces frames independently, produces bike accessories and clothing.
Suitable for: anyone looking for a good bike at a reasonable price.

Kross is the largest bike manufacturer in Europe with a large range of models balanced in terms of price and quality. One of the few brands in the EU that provides a full production cycle — production and assembly.

KTM

Country: Austria.
Brand year: 1964.
Pros: good range, especially of mountain bikes.
Suitable for: those looking for a mountain model, fans of the brand, also known for KTM motorcycles.

KTM is an Austrian brand that produces motorcycles, bikes and other motorsports products. The production of bikes is carried out by the KTM Fahrrad AG division. It offers a solid range of models, especially mountain ones.

KTM bikes

Marin

Country: USA.
Production facilities: Taiwan, Indonesia.
Brand year: 1986.
Pros: own developments and innovations in suspension design, a decent range of trail and mountain models.
Suitable for: those who want a good trail bike, including a dual suspension bike.

Marin is an American brand originally from California. Initially, the company created only mountain bikes, so it was called Marin Mountain Bikes, but soon expanded its range. Today it offers some of the best trail models, including dual suspension bikes.

Marin bikes

Norco

Country: Canada.
Brand year: 1964.
Pros: innovations, including the introduction of the first 10-speed bike.
Suitable for: fans of extreme sports, including mountain trails and downhills.

Norco is a Canadian manufacturer that initially focused on producing various extreme bikes and popularizing BMX. Today it offers mainly mountain and universal models.

Schwinn

Country: USA.
Production facilities: Taiwan, China
Brand year: 1895.
Pros: affordable and reliable bikes, recognizable cruiser design.
Suitable for: those looking for a city or universal model.

Schwinn is the oldest bike manufacturer in the United States. The company has had its ups and downs, including bankruptcy, but despite this, it still maintains its status as a proven middle class bike manufacturer with high reliability and reasonably priced models.

Schwinn is a legendary brand with recognizable city models (and more).

Other noteworthy representatives of the middle class include the brands Strida (produces original city foldable models), FOCUS (German brand of road bikes), Corratec and Bergamont (Germany, mountain bikes) and Jamis (Taiwan, also mountain bikes).

Good inexpensive brands — great without overpayments

If you have a limited purchasing budget, but want to spend your money wisely, then you should consider bikes from these manufacturers:

Author

Country: Czech Republic.
Production facilities: Asia.
Brand year: 1990.
Pros: wide range, good value for money.
Suitable for: those looking for an affordable mountain or road bike.

Initially, the Author brand only imported bikes; they were cheap, but not impressive in terms of the selection of components or design. Closer to the 2000s, the company evolved into a manufacturer and became a solid European mid-class company with reliable models for every preference.

Author bikes

Comanche

Comanche are popular Ukrainian bikes, including the Tomahawk model among MTB.

Country: Ukraine.
Production facilities: Asia.
Brand year: 1998.
Pros: attachments from leading brands including Shimano and SRAM, stylish design.
Suitable for: mountain bike buyers on a tight budget.

Comanche is a popular Ukrainian manufacturer representing Lviv. It is one of the sponsors of the Ukrainian national cycling track team. The brand's bikes are equipped with high-quality equipment, in most cases provide a light but reliable aluminium frame.

Comanche bikes

Cronus

Country: France.
Production facilities: China.
Brand year: 2008.
Pros: the appearance is designed by famous designers, attachments from leading brands (Shimano, Tektro).
Suitable for: those who are focused on a nice design + reliability.

Cronus is a relatively new brand with French roots. Its bikes stand out for their interesting design, which is created by ateliers such as Jonny Mole, among others. The assembly is carried out in China under strict control of the brand's representatives.

Indiana

Country: Poland.
Pros: high-quality components (Shimano, Tektro, Schwalbe, RockShox, etc.), quite bright design.
Suitable for: those who want a stylish and reliable bike without overpayments.

Indiana is a Polish brand that offers bikes with lightweight aluminium frames, quality tires, brakes, forks and other attachments.

Indiana bikes

Leon

Country: Ukraine.
Pros: 10-year frame warranty (for models after 2020).
Suitable for: those who want a good bike from a Ukrainian manufacturer.

Leon is one of the flagship brands of the Velotrade company from Kharkiv. The bikes are equipped with high-quality and reliable frames, which are guaranteed by the manufacturer for 10 years. For other components, the warranty is valid for 1.5 years.

Leon bikes

Pride

Country: Ukraine.
Brand year: 2006.
Pros: balance of price and quality, mostly positive reviews, kid's models in the range.
Suitable for: those who want a Ukrainian city, mountain or road bike of decent quality.

Pride is one of the most popular and successful Ukrainian bike brands. The manufacturer offers good attachments (and, accordingly, balanced performance) for a reasonable price. The range includes road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel, trail and city models.

Pride bikes

Romet

Country: Poland.
Production facilities: Poland.
Brand year: 1991.
Pros: robotic production and strict quality control, models with electric drive in the range.
Suitable for: primarily those who want a good travel or city bike.

Romet is a Polish manufacturer with its own factories in Podkarpackie (southeast of the country). The company produces about 400 thousand bikes annually, and its frames are also used by other European brands.

In addition, we can highlight the relatively inexpensive but high-quality Czech brands Leader Fox and Rock Machine, as well as the Mongoose brand (USA, BMX specialist).

Budget Ukrainian bike brands

Ukraine has rich traditions in the design and manufacture of bikes. For example, the Kharkiv bike factory was the center of bike engineering in the USSR and Eastern Europe in general. And although it is no longer working, the specialized industry in Ukraine remains quite productive today. There are successful assembly and distribution companies in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Lviv.

Pride is a brand with quality components and modern design.

In addition to the brands Cyclone, Comanche, Leon and Pride, which we have already listed above, we would like to highlight other Ukrainian brands. They represent predominantly the budget segment, but not only the low price is often an advantage of these bikes:

  • Discovery. This is a budget brand from Velotrade. Models after 2020 come with a 10-year frame warranty. The components are quite simple;
  • Formula. A middle-class brand in the Velotrade line, the same 10-year warranty on the frame, spare parts from famous brands, but at an entry level;
  • Dorozhnik. This is a brand of city bikes from Velotrade. Almost always there is a carrier, sometimes a basket on the handlebar. The most budget models may not have the best quality equipment;
You can find any bike from Ukrainian brands, including a city model from Dorozhnik.
  • Winner. This is a brand of the Pro Bicycle Group. Frame warranty is 3 years. The brand's top-end bikes are comparable to the best Pride models;
  • Kinetic. It is also a Pro Bicycle Group brand, its bikes come with a 3-year frame warranty. The quality and price are lower than Winner, and can be considered for teenagers;
  • Ardis. Kyiv brand with a one-year warranty on bikes. TOP models use good equipment. It also offers a good range of kid's models;
  • CROSS (it is important not to be confused with the Polish Kross) and TITAN. Two related brands that appeared in Kharkiv in 2012. CROSS bikes offer a 1-year frame warranty, and TITAN — 2. More expensive bikes from these brands use high-quality components.

If you are looking for a model without overpayments, you need an adult bike for a teenager or a model for city rides, then you can and should consider the Ukrainian brands listed above. Besides, don’t forget that if you buy a bike from these manufacturers, you are demonstrating support for the companies and economy of Ukraine.

Conclusions

The most famous brands, as a rule, guarantee not only visibility, but also a good resource in terms of durability and reliability. In addition, the extra payment for the name and reputation can justify itself at resale. The analogies with the car industry, where the best brands lose less in price and quickly find buyers on the secondary market, are apt.

Models that are balanced in price and quality are brands from the mid-range and slightly below middle category. Here you can get almost the same performance qualities as when buying a bike from flagship manufacturers. However, it is extremely important to look carefully at the proposed attachments. The quality of the attachments will directly affect how often you'll need to visit a bike shop (or service and replace parts yourself).

The most budget brands — we are talking about the “no name” category (with a minimum of publicly available information about the brand) — should be considered with the utmost caution. And it’s better to abandon them altogether. With a high degree of probability, they have a Chinese steel frame, low-quality tires and tubes, questionable brakes and other spare parts in the cheap price segment. All these components come to the country disassembled and are assembled by local craftsmen. There is no quality control as such, meaning the result of the assembly will be from the category of how lucky you are.

We hope our material will help you make the right choice!