At the time, Specialized was looking east for their products.

and

Ernie had no problems selling his products with his name on them. I have a hard time seeing him make a frame for someone else.

After all, he famously destroyed a friendship with Cino Cinelli for not allowing Colnago's name to be printed on a saddle, resulting with never using a Cinelii product again and only using 3ttt.

Had he said "3 Rensho," I would have thought, "that tracks."