Originally Posted by
3bikes
That Specialized "S" is a sticker I picked up at a bike race, you know, one of those tents showing off the Specialized top end racing bikes. It's never peeled or faded. I liked the added colour to the top tube and it looks like it came from the factory that way. The steering tube has a similar size white "S".
Everyone finds a way to make their bike unique. That's part of the fun. In my case: replaced rear wheel with Sun rim, Alfine 8spd hub... Shimano 324 pedals... Ergon (Nexus Style) handgrips... Incredibell XL... and I removed the spring loaded section of the rear rack. The Brooks Flyer saddle replaces the original Sonoma 155 saddle. The right side rail gave way one night (after 4,600 miles). So I decided on a really nice replacement.
---3bikes
Oh, I thought perhaps it (the red "S") was painted on by Specialized -- it looks "authentic" (if that makes sense).
Your rear wheel looks like the one included with the bike, and the bicycle is factory-fitted with a Nexus 8 hub; perhaps I've misunderstood which alterations you've made, here. Yes, I noticed your replaced grips and pedals. About the rack's spring, I've found it less useful than I'd initially expected I should, but, nonetheless, I feel it's handy, now and then.
Sorry to hear about your original saddle. Not because there's something wrong with replacing it, but because it sounds as if the demise of the existing one might have happened in a dangerous way. Were you OK?