Originally Posted by Nachoman (Post 16486696)

Why do you hate America?

Originally Posted by gc3 (Post 16486736)

If you had to live in Charlotte, you would too...

Originally Posted by gc3 (Post 16486840)

hey, I'm not the one hating on America...

...and I've been to Charlotte enough to know I wouldn't want to live there...too many Specialized-dominated LBS....

Originally Posted by cthenn (Post 16486853)

This thread just keeps on giving.

Originally Posted by gc3 (Post 16486840)

...and I've been to Charlotte enough to know I wouldn't want to live there...too many Specialized-dominated LBS....

Originally Posted by WhyFi (Post 16486877)

via The Onion - Horrified Man Suddenly Realizes He’s Putting Down Roots In Charlotte

Originally Posted by mlander (Post 16486679)

Totally agree. OK, so no oil companies are angels, but after the BP spill in the gulf I stopped going to BP. If everyone did that, a foreign company that carelessly spills oil on US shores (with a CEO that publicly complains about all the stress it causes him), goes out of business overnight. Vote with your dollars. That way corporations might not be mindless marauding zombies. So, in the context of this thead, I really don't believe Specialized boycotters are "fahking idiots."

And, yes, people might find it "hard to live" by not eating shark fin soup, wearing fur coats, burning fossil fuels, or choosing to use fluorescent bulbs, forego A/C, recycle, keep a mulch pile, grow their own vegetables, buy local, or ride a bicycle instead or driving.

Originally Posted by zymphad (Post 16486959)

Was thinking about it. In the last month I've been stopping in at every LBS I ride by or walk by. Only TWO shops were not a Specialized dealer. One was a Bianchi/All City dealer, and run be a ******, constantly trying to sell you crap you don't want. The other is a Jamis/Bianchi dealer. Cool guy, wimpy looking bikes. If bikes could be drag queens, Bianchi would be them. And Jamis are just so generic looking....

Originally Posted by Nachoman (Post 16486696)

Why do you hate America?

Originally Posted by shaneh (Post 16486468)

I'll give a dissenting opinion based on my experience working for a company which has many trademarks. From a business standpoint, you have to protect your marks in this day and age. That's because not protecting them, from even a small company, leaves you open to contest. Not saying someone could contest a mark solely on that, but if you do not openly protect all of your marks, it sets precedent. And courts go many different ways today.

Robby Gordon was sued for trademark infringement a few years back because he used essentially the stylized S which is trademarked by Spec, on his Speed Energy energy drink. In the end, he changed his logo. Spec had to protect that mark, because even though Robby was in a different business altogether, to not protect would set a bad precedent. And also confuse consumers who might think Speed Energy was related to Spec, or vice versa.

Now, Spec's law firms might be cut throat when it comes to protection of the marks they represent, I'm not arguing that. But a company today has to protect the marks that represent their business. As you would.

Originally Posted by eja_ bottecchia (Post 16486937)

Someone...please, put this thread out of its misery. :crash:

Originally Posted by 3alarmer (Post 16487338)

...it's filled with a bunch of Americans.http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...images/usa.gif

For the record, I hate France for being primarily occupied by French people, too.

Originally Posted by Dudelsack (Post 16486943)

I loyally buy only Apple products even though I could get the equivalent for hundreds less, because I've been brainwashed.

I just typed this on a HP Compaq but I don't own it. I think I'm getting a rash right now.

Originally Posted by rjones28 (Post 16487390)

Even Lafayette?

Originally Posted by gc3 (Post 16487401)

Indiana or Louisiana?

Originally Posted by zymphad (Post 16486959)

If bikes could be drag queens, Bianchi would be them.

Originally Posted by rjones28 (Post 16487390)

Even Lafayette?

Originally Posted by rjones28 (Post 16487390)

Even Lafayette?

Originally Posted by 3alarmer;16487456

http://cyclingwellington.co.nz/blog/...ardot-Bike.jpg

...exception that proves the rule. I'm OK with Bardot, too.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer (Post 16487338)

...it's filled with a bunch of Americans.http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...images/usa.gif

For the record, I hate France for being primarily occupied by French people, too.

Originally Posted by gc3 (Post 16486840)

hey, I'm not the one hating on America...

...and I've been to Charlotte enough to know I wouldn't want to live there...too many Specialized-dominated LBS....

Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 16479088)

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.