What are your metrics for how a bike rates?

[adub]

Nothing beats rolling up to a popular cycling coffee stop on a $20k+ road bike.
Really, this is all that matters.

[ssb94]

Originally Posted by echelon_john

5. Crankset aesthetics
5. Everything else.

You can't just leave this hanging. I need your top 3!

[tv_vt]

A good question one should have a clear answer to when thinking about a new purchase.

Obviously starts with the fit. If the frame doesn't fit, move on. So that would include lots of geometry metrics from the get-go.

Then a lot of stuff:
materials (carbon, ti, aluminum, steel, mixed materials and how they're mixed, etc),
design intent (road, mtb, gravel, etc),
component options (wireless only, internal cables, disc/rim brake, etc),
condition (mostly applies to used bikes),
price,
perceived ride characteristics (vs what buyer is looking to get),
design features (carbon/steel fork, oversized chainstays, tapered ht and fork, stuff like that),
paint and other finish features, reputation of builder/manufacturer
for a new order bike, maybe the wait time to receive it

All of those and more would play into a go/no-go decision on a purchase, I'd think.

[jamesdak]

Simple stuff:

9- How it feels under me on the road
1- Everything else.

I play around with a whole lot of different bikes and go through a lot of different bikes. I lose a lot of money doing thing. But, it I don't like how it feels on the road than it's pretty worthless to me.

[bironi]

Might as well ask what makes a great song.
Break it down to 10 points assigned to?...
What you got Baron?

[maleman]

Assuming that the bike already fits me...
4 pts - Geometry/handling
3 pts - Ride feel (Weight, stiffness, and compliance)
2 pts - Looks
1 pt - Clout

Coming from the mtb side, geometry can easily make or break a bike for me and I find it more important than marginal (possibly imperceivable) differences in vertical compliance and lateral stiffness.

I lumped weight in with ride feel bc I agree w/ yall that a lightweight bike can feel better, though this isn't aaalways the case.

Looks and clout are self-explanatory. I'd love to somehow achieve enlightenment and be above caring about these things, but I do care about the brand name and how my bike may be perceived by others. This may be more of a personal thing and less about the bike though.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

It's no secret that most bike companies primary selling point and metric for rating their bike against other bikes is speed.
I don't think there's a doubt that most riders want a bike that feels efficient --sluggishness is just not a fun feeling-- but how much does 'saves 10 minutes on a 4 hour ride' really matter to *you?*

For that matter, what other factors are important for you when quantifying the value of a bike? (I'm using the word 'value' in a holistic way, not purely a dollars and cents way, although that may well factor into your considerations.)

Let's make this a little interesting. Say you have 10 points to distribute across your chosen list of criteria.

There is only 2 things you can measure on a bike....dimensions(including weight) and cost.
All else is subjective.

[charliedid]

If I like it I buy it. No spreadsheets or check-lists.

[nmrt]

If I do not like it, I do not buy it.

Originally Posted by charliedid

If I like it I buy it. No spreadsheets or check-lists.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by nmrt

If I do not like it, I do not buy it.

Brother

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by charliedid

If I like it I buy it. No spreadsheets or check-lists.

that's too easy of an answer from you..

I get that answer, but what draws you to a bike might be a better answer.. I agree that if I see a bike I like, I might guy it, but the things I listed in my answer were some things I take into consideration when "seeing if I like it".. I attributed the points like an episode of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" where the rules are made up and the points don't matter..

[vespasianus]

Originally Posted by nmrt

If I do not like it, I do not buy it.

Yeah, lots of talk here about ride but most buy a bike or bike frame without ever riding it...

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by fourflys

that's too easy of an answer from you..

I get that answer, but what draws you to a bike might be a better answer.. I agree that if I see a bike I like, I might guy it, but the things I listed in my answer were some things I take into consideration when "seeing if I like it".. I attributed the points like an episode of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" where the rules are made up and the points don't matter..

Dopamine

[nmrt]

Really though, sometimes I just buy a bike because I like the way it looks. If it is "known" a have a decent ride, that's cherry on the top. If not much is known about the bike's ride quality or not many reviews out there, I'll still buy it because it looks just stunning.

Later, I might sell it if it rode like crap.

Originally Posted by charliedid

Dopamine

[xcandrew]

How long have I had the bike: +10 pts.
Road bike: -10 pts, I don't ride on the road any more due to existence of cell phones.