Which is a better bike, a Trek or a Specialized?

Or Cannondale or Orbea or Scott or Schwinn or Cervelo. We're asked "Which brand is better?" almost daily. While each brand has its diehard fans, we can't answer the question. It's not because of any political reason, but because it's not the right question to ask--you're buying a bicycle, not a brand. If you shop by brand first, then you're making a style decision, not a performance one.

When deciding which bike is better suited to you, it's the model that counts. To find the best bike, pick your price range, identify the ride feel and features you're after, and then look for models from various brands that meet those criteria. From there, a winner will emerge.