My LBS DUMPS Specialized....
 

Because the company was such a massive pain in the ass to deal with. Great products - that was never the issue. But for example: the local Specialized rep tells my LBS 'go ahead and give away $2k of Specialized products to the local race team you're sponsoring and then we'll reimburse your account'. Which is what Specialized had done in the past. And after that the factory actually RENEGED on that agreement, saying they weren't responsible for their own rep misrepresenting company policy. Um.. well, actually, yes you are dick heads. And there were other difficulties.

This is one of the most successful bicycle retailers on the planet with a great location and VERY reasonable, intelligent and good ownership. So take that for whatever it's worth. Speciailzed's loss in my opinion.

Their products are still great. But you can't buy them at my LBS anymore. They replaced them with Scott. Which is fine with me. I think Scott products are very cool. But I did like those Specialized saddles. Oh well...

Go figure why a company has to behave this way. Very strange.

Any good close-outs?;)

I'd take a Scott over a Specialized anyday FWIW.

My LBS recently dumped Bianchi for GMC.. only kidding. I hope.

But that's sad to hear. Specialized makes good stuff. Ah well.

No way man...not when you look at the whole line...from MTBs to Roadies...to general fitness bikes...don't even mention the accessories. You can't replace Specialized with Scott. Now if you are talking the CR1 and the Tarmac...I will listen to that argument but not the whole line.

Maybe this is a good time for you to open a shop and sign on with Specialized. They probably need another dealer in your area now. Most dealerships today need either Specialized or Trek (or both) to be real successful.

maybe where you live.

This place is the most successful LBS I've seen - they've been at it for 12 years or so - and the only major bicycle brand they currently carry is Cannodale. Trek is held by other LBS's and they dropped Specialized. But they do sell a ton of high end bikes like Litespeed, IF, etc.

So where is this, so we can get the closeouts?

Specialized Shill :)

I wasn't talking about the whole line, I was just referring to the quality of each brand's high-end road bikes.

LOL Well actually I am turing my fovor to Cannondale now...but I still love my Specialized saddles (have one on my Rush) and I am going to be getting their shoes some time later this year.

I knew you weren't specifically talking about the whole line but when a shop is dumping th eline you have to factor that stuff in IMO.

My LBS recently dropped Specialized too. The reason was something about both Trek and Specialized wanting a certain percentage of floor space, and both added together would be over 100% lol.

So the LBS dumped Specialized and kept Trek. It was a good choice. The next Trek dealer is like 13 miles away, while there's another Specialized dealer right down the road.

FWIW, one guy at performance told me that used to carry Specialized bikes and got dumped...

I'd say go with Selling Bianchi for road, Kona for mountain bikes....that should be a good solid shop.

I have no clue about accessories though....

Interesting thread. My LBS recently picked up Scott and expressed some concern with the relationship they'd maintain with Trek and Specialized. They were moving the Scotts to the back room at night so they wouldn't have to deal with the Trek rep if he popped by. They also said that Spec had made some threats of dropping dealers that picked up Scott. That was related to some bad blood over a patent dispute between the two companies. They didn't seem too worried about Spec because they do a large volume with them.

They have some great plans regarding the names they want to carry. I'm going to have to find some cash for a new bike in a few years if it all comes together!

For the record Specialized is putting pressure on their dealers not to carry other competing brands. My LBS dumped Scott when Specialized said us or them. The reason Specialzed gave was that the Scott compact geometry road bikes were too close to the Specialized bikes...so they dumped Scott but kept Cannondale (traditional geometry)...which I am fine with...I like my Dale.

Funny, one of our LBS's is dumping Specialized too.

one of the shops that i frequent seems to have also dumped specialized. i think thats too bad, because i really like those bikes.

There are no Specialized dealers here at all. You would have to travel 100 miles to find one. I guess the dealers here got the word early. :)

i was just trying to say that i've seen plenty of other shops do just fine without Trek or Specialized.

who dumped whom?

I like their seats, but was never particularly fond of their bikes.

Haven't seen any Specialized dealers locally. I also know that a couple of used-to-be Trek dealers were getting tired of their demands so they dumped 'em.

Are these companies making so much money that they can shrug it off? Sounds a bit pompous, but hey. What do I know?

Be assured, my LBS was the dump-ER not the dumpee.

My three LBSs carry the following:

Shop 1: Specialized & Bianchi
Shop 2: Kona & Cervelo
Shop 3: Trek & misc. (Lemond, Scott, Merlin, etc.)

Of the three, I'm closest to (and happiest with the service of) Shop 1, so I buy there. My first choice for road bikes would be the Specialized (yes, I'm pedestrian), and for mountain bikes would be the Kona. The shop trumps the brand, though, IMHO.