Absolutely they're great bikes, but there are lots of bikes out there that give a great ride. Specialized has no exclusivity on that. I'd much rather find the same performance in another package. Think of how many great brands never make a good dent in the market because of the mass appeal and economies of scale with Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, and Giant.

I won't buy a specialized because of their abusive legal department, what they tried doing to that bike shop owner in Canada, Volagi thing, Epic thing, and I think there are better bikes out there.

They make good bikes. I think they're generally priced to a slightly higher price point than comparable bikes, which draws a lot of buyers who just want the most expensive thing they can find so they can puff their chest out and huff "I ride a Specialized". OK. Not sure if buying one of their bikes turns you into a ******bag or their company persona just tends to draw them out. Everyone I know who rides one is at least just a little ******y. Is that a word?

Are you calling me just a little bit ******y?!

"Guys just DOGGING them. Pure streams of undiluted HATE. Snarky couplets of unbridled sarcasm. Immature outbursts. Derogatory comments. Negative energy. Dark thoughts. Rabid frothing. Grim prophesies. A dead eye cast. Rage. Bile."

And, that's the good stuff. You should hear the hate!

S

I'll just use this quote, so I won't be called a "hater". Was given a team discount a few years ago, so I test ride a Tarmac -- not impressed by the ride either. That's enough for me not to like Specialized.

But... I'm not at all aware of what makes them such an evil corporate entity. I'm sure I could google it, but can someone summarize?

Just came back from a 35 mile ride on mine. Just fantastic. Felt at one with rhythms of the universe. :)
Why the hating? Why the hating of anything?
1. Jealously
2. products are mainstream

Oh Tom, there is plenty of hate to go around. Consider Trek. Lots of hate there. Cervelo? Cervelo riders are all snobs haven't you heard?

Just a sad commentary on society. Nothing more. One thing is for sure. We like ours. :)

#1 is how the self loathing Specialized riders justify #2 but I can assure them, we aren't jealous of your bikes.

Just having a little fun with the topic. Not all Specialized owners are ******s, but the ratio does seem a little skewed. But what do i know? I'm a Trek owner, and that's definitely the bottom of the totem pole on the 41! HTFU!

Specialized is the new Trek.

You went riding? I'm jealous. Got freezing rain on top of 10" of snow at the rural Casa de Tom; I can say I categorically will NOT be riding for the next few days. Ugh.

You know what's funny? I started the thread in jest. Compared to all the hatin' on Trek, Cervelo, Giant, Felt, et al it seems like Spesh gets off easy around here!

I attribute that to the higher class of people that ride them. We are like... what's the right word.... we are like the acknowledged upper class of bikedom. The royalty. The little people know better than to mess with us. We'd just squash them like the bugs that they are.

Rhetorically, of course.

How dare you say I'm a little bit ******y.

I, sir, am a LOT bit ******y!

When I am King, you will be first against the wall.

Mike Synyard is too full of himself ..

But if you had a Trek, you could have done 50 miles in the same time.

This.

Most folks don't like bullies throwing their weight (legal team) around.

Yep. The company is doing everything right except having Sinyard around.

He's like the neighbor that doesn't get along with others and constantly sues.

yeah.........like this.....

I buy used, so company models/service don't affect me as much. I like a lot of specialized bikes, as long as it's built well I don't care who made it.

I've been riding a lot. I moved to Florida this winter for a variety of reasons but mostly to indulge my passion for cycling.
I got sick of waiting 4-5 months to ride. All my friends in the great white north are pissed off at me because it has been the most brutal winter in 30 years. Let's call it, a good roll. :) This morning was a bit overcast and slightly cool at 65 degrees and no wind...quite rare for Florida.. Getting my cycling legs under me now and today was my best ride yet.

Not necessary, as one BF member recently pointed out that he used silly putty, cellophane wrap and a tape measure.

I appreciate what Sinyard did for MTB back in the day, Stumpjumpers pretty much revolutionized MTBing.
Doesn't change my views regarding the way he chooses to do business.
I still own my Stumpy, matter of fact most of my bikes are Spesh now, followed by Kona (3-2), & the rest all have their roles.


Big thanks to Giant!!! :thumb:

It's the ******* corporate behavior.

Oh, and the stupid curved top tubes. Ugly.

What part of Florida?
Pretty dreary in Tampa the last few days. Last weekend was awesome.


S

I've heard there's some real harsh winter riding down there. Like the low 70's! Eek!




J/K :)

They're overly hyper litigious and sue anyone who has a name remotely similar to one they claim ownership of (even if it's not a related product). The thing is, they're super hypocritical in the process given that they got their start when Mike Sinyard (the owner who'd been around for a decade or so selling parts he'd imported from Italy out of the trunk of his car) got Tom Ritchey to make him a custom mtb frame. Sinyard then flew with the frame to Taiwan, got some guys there to make a bunch of frames with the exact same angles and specs, slap the name stumpjumper on them and, boom, specialized was born as an mtb company out of "a lot of research" (or stealing someone else's intellectual property).

Too bad he straight up stole the design for stumpys from Tom Ritchey after he'd asked Tom to build him a custom mtb.

My bike is better that yours!!!!!!! and my Chevy is better than your Ford!!!!!!! blahblahblah waste of time....and energy jajaja

This is why Sinyard is quick with the Trademarks/patents.
:lol:

I find it interesting how so many people get caught up in business politics...as if there is some Lilly white large company.

LOL@that.com

When it comes to my LBS scene, I have three main local dealers:

1- Specialized/Felt

2- Trek/Cervelo

3- Giant/Specialized

My choice? Simple...shops 2 & 3 are out of thier F'ing minds and tack on 10-15% on top of listed MSRP and actually will make you work to get back to base line. 1 on the other hand knocked a new from Specialized (aka not floor model) $2750 MSRP '12 Tarmac down to $2099. I could get the Tarmac or drive 3 hrs either north or south to try other bikes.

I bought the Tarmac and love the thing.

I got a bike brand new on discount direct from Specialized for 25% off...and the bike is lively and a blast to ride. This what I care about...how they conduct thier other business is not my concern. If many of you currently casting rocks in this thread dug into 90% of the companies you purchase products from...you'd probably be shocked at what goes on behind their closed doors...

Hope he didn't give the silly putty back to his kids to play with