Do others see regional biases toward certain brands in your region?
I have yet to see a Cannondale bike on the trail, and I’d love to test out the Scalpel, but no shops have them.
That got me to thinking that certain regions trend toward certain brands. Do others see this?
Hump
I think you are right, especially being in the PNW I see a lot of regional pride.
Although don’t tell @FatBoySlim , I bought a canadian bike and had it shipped here due to my canadian heritage
100%
Brands like Giant, Merida, even Scott, are hugely popular in many parts of the world, yet are seen as poor cousins on USA based discussions.
It used to be it was exceedingly rare to see a Cannondale or Santa Cruz or even Yeti around. Now they are relatively common. Though they are all very expensive bikes so it’s hard not to make other links there.
There are Canadian bikes ? 
Yep, very common around here. I think it’s down to what the local shops stock.
When I was stationed in southern Italy there was an on post bike shop that sold Bianchi. Every. Single. Person. had a celeste bianchi with the entire celeste kit to go with it including water bottles. I wanted a bianchi too, so I bought one but the dark grey color. Now, I regret not getting the celeste. I just didn’t want to be one more with the same bike, I wanted to be different!
More component based here in the Asheville area. Heaps of love for Cane Creek and Industry Nine
Yes,
Here it’s Santa Cruz, Specialized, Ibis, and Trek.
Speaking for XC mtb, Scott dealers don’t exist in the midwest USA so pretty much no one rides them. Seems like Scott must have no interest in the market here which is odd given how popular XC is. Lots of Trek and Specialized in the midwest.
I wonder if it’s chicken, or egg. i.e. LBS/Distributors don’t bring in Scott much because Americans in general don’t buy them. Preferring to buy USA brands.
Nothing wrong with that of course, especially when they provide pretty good alternatives.
Like here, there’s no “advantage” to buying a Trek. They aren’t cheaper than a Giant, or Scott, or Merida, or several other brands. Looking at US pricing I imagine it works out better too for some of the boutique brands on terms of price comparison.
I’m not too far away, down the mountain in upstate SC.
Hump
I can really only speak for the XC scene, but here in Utah I see lots of Trek, Santa Cruz, Specialized, and Scott.
I believe Merida is not sold in the US. There are a few Giant shops in my area, but I don’t see many people on them when I’m out riding… but it might be just that bikes like the Blur and the Supercaliber catch my eye whereas the Anthem doesn’t.
That matches my observation of different forum posts/discussions. The Giant bikes have been outstanding bikes, yet are completely disregarded.
I don’t begrudge it. If there were a New Zealand company making good XC bikes I’d feel compelled to buy them too.
I live in the Monterey Bay Area. We see lots of Santa Cruz. Most shops here are Specialized or Trek so we see quite a few of those around here as well.
Always thought Rob would make a decent XC weapon. Might have to press him for one next I catch up with him…