Passion is a wonderful thing and I'm positive that it drives a lot of companies large and small to do whatever it is they do. I also know that without profit or the protection of your ideas that you would not get big enough to overcome your local area with the use of advertising before someone decided to do something "similar" at a competitive price.

Is there that much difference between Kona, Jamis, Salsa ? Do their components interchange? Do they not look at each others products and trends when deciding on their next move in the industry? I just don't buy the idea that Specialized is riding a wave and isn't putting a ton of money into R&D of carbon, engineering, and building of bikes that are going to appeal to the masses. They have the money to pay for leading edge folks in the business to make their product better, as well as new and desireable. When those folks then step out on their own I understand Spec.'s concern.

The other brands are great and a terrific example of the choices and options we can celebrate because of capitalism, I'm glad they're there and will probably buy there some day, but I'm not going to go into punk rock mode and say I will only buy from the "little" guy or be a sell out. I drive Ford products too and aren't one bit ashamed about that either, who knows what kind of nasty business they've undertaken to climb to where they're at.

Slamming the big dogs is easy and not hard to get a mob to roll along with, but they all started somewhere just like Starbucks. Just as long as you don't look down at me for making decisions based on my own research, knowledge or lack of, and monetary status.