Originally Posted by RandyMcD
If their bike has "Specialized" all over it, they're advertising for Specialized...regardless of the actual componentry.
I don't think Grant Hill drinks that much Sprite, I don't think Shaq buys all his electronics at Radio Shack (or eats a lot of candy bars), and if a cyclist wants to use X-brand equipment and label it Specialized, that's just another sponsor endorsement to me.
True on the Shaq and GH refference but I doubt that you'll find B&O stereo equipment at Shaq's pad rebadged as Radio Shack. My point is that by putting Specialized covering over a Selle San Marcos seat is deceptive. You are leading someone to believe that team Domino Vincenza rides a Specialized seat while in fact they are not. This is different than Jeff Gordon having DuPont on his car as an advertisement.
As I said before a savey cyclist would be able to tell the difference but a newbie going to his LBS and being told that "this is the exact same bike that Mario road in Tour" is just disshonest.