Can we ask what sort of bike you have? I have a garage full of carbon, aluminum and steel bikes. The only one that has ever failed was a carbon fiber fork. The carbon bikes I've seen that failed were from major manufacturers who are now double and triple reinforcing the areas that fail. But you wouldn't buy them because they weigh 16 grams more than the competition.OK, so it's not due to overweight, but they are not well made? That's strange because the lighter the materials the more fragile they are, but breaking a bike makes no sense!
There are no "best" brands, but they're are worst brands!
You gave no indication of how much money you want to spend nor any indication if this is a new sport for you? and if so do you do anything physical fitness related now like running or is new as well? If you're new to the sport and new to physical fitness I suggest you start out under $250 and get a decent used bike from Craigslist. Why under $250 you scream when you want to spend $1,200 for example? Because most people who come into this sport and the world of physical fitness discontinue it about 3 to 6 months after they start and then they have expensive garage art!! If you're not new to the sport and or physical fitness then come back and post how much you have budgeted for a new bike and let us take you from there.
While I agree with you in general terms $250 won't get you a bike that has good enough equipment on it to keep you riding. I would set an upper limit more like $500 or $600. Shimano or Campagnolo shift/brake levers and at least 9 speeds. 10 are better since most good spare parts for 8 or 9 speeds is rapidly disappearing off of the marketplace.
Steel bikes like DeRosa, Merckx, Colnago or Basso would fall into that range. And actually could last you the rest of your life.
There is no "best brand" just good quality and components. I am biased towards a bike that I can ride in comfort with speed and safety as high priorities. There are some comments about Carbon bikes here and the only advice I have about carbon is make sure the front forks are aluminium. Have you ever seen a broken carbon fork? I have seen far to many and yes they are strong and yes most do not break, but between the time they are strong and the time they snap can be a second or two. Being on the front end of your bike guess where that puts you when it snaps? Yes it sure is nice to have a nice light bike and glossy name attached but lets get real here , you are not being sponsored by the bike manufacturer . Take the decals off any bike on the market and you will find they basically look the same. So what you need to find out is what you want the bike for . Then do a Google search for a bike to fit your needs. I am amazed when I have gone to a bike store to find that the hybrid bike has the same gears , crank length, seat, and handlebars as the touring bike . All that seems to change is the name. Buy used ,as now that Christmas has passed there will be more newish bikes on the market bought by people who like the latest fad and there previous "wow bike" is now relegated to the Craigslist ad at substantial savings.I want to buy a bike but i don't understand which brand is best ?
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