Long Tom

I see so much hatin' of Spesh around here. 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. At times I am quite frankly appalled and must turn away lest I git burnt.

But why? Are they not................ wonderful?

Let's air this mutha out.

gc3

Bikes are fine. The company is what sux. It's like rooting for Alex Rodriguez.

znomit

Specy are better than Trek.

There.

Happy now?

Ghost Ryder

More so the owner...

Tycho Brahe 

I had a pair of Specialized shoes that failed because of a faulty design. The company would not honor their warranty. When I posted my problem on their forum, they deleted the post. Never again. Fool me once, shame on you, ...

dralways

From what I've seen, they've become the next Microsoft-ish, monopoly-ish bike/accessory manufacturer after Trek and this alone generates hatred and despise in any realm. Think about that for a minute. On top of that, "Big S" (expect any noun that is nicknamed beginning with the word Big and followed by an abbreviation of the first letter of its first name to attract tons of hate.. really just boils down to $ and success.. evil!) underwent some major negative publicity recently when they attempted to file suit against a tiny LBS for using the name *YOUR BIKE* in its name. I'm surprised you're not aware, you heathen!

All said and done, I probably won't ride Big S and am a little ashamed to find immense comfort in their saddles. (Extremely limited exposure, mind you.)

cbr9927

I ride a Honda motorcycle and probably will always. Something about them just goes in a easier and smoother way than any other bike maker. Is Specialized like a Honda? Too common to be a boutique brand or is it like buying a Nordstrom brand suit and you feel like a suburban house dad? I happen to love my Sirrus LTD, I started this hobby in December so clue in me on this Trek/Spec dislike. I don't sense Giant or Cannondale have this kind of attention.

3alarmer 

.
.
...if the Antichrist started up a bike company, it would follow the Specialized corporate model. Otherwise, they're cool.

BigJeff

I heard that they are "vertically stiff and laterally compliant"...

Someone said that they got it backward and Sinyard's lawyers sued EVERYONE.

(the following apology was swift and sincere, and accompanied with a heartfelt "you aren't a threat anyway")

Buzzatronic

I like their seats.

Long Tom

See? The Antichrist of bikes. Sheesh.

It is enough to discomfit a guy.

kelsodeez

maybe their bikes have become.....................over-specialized

zvez

and the haters miss out on riding some great bikes.......... secretly lusting after them when passed(often) by them.

rpenmanparker 

Best reasonably priced cycling shoes I have ever owned.
Best all around line of saddles in the market place.
Best idea for an über-ugly, über-functional seat post (you know the one I mean).
Great high technology bicycle frames.
On and on.

Nut bag for an owner. "Nut" in every sense of the word.

Remember the old SAT analogies. Here's one with the correct answer already filled in:

Sinyard is to Specialized as Christie is to New Jersey.

a77impala

They are not and never have been a manufacturer, they just put their name on the bikes. At least Trek started by making their own bikes and still make some.
Spec is the Nike of bikes, just a reseller.

rpenmanparker 

Yeah, but I don't see anything wrong with that. Designing and specifying the products is where the improvements come from. Manufacturing can easily be outsourced. Think about the three functions in companies that sell products: technology, manufacturing and marketing. Now think about one or another of those functions being dominant in every company. Some companies are manufacturing companies, some are technology driven, some are just marketeers. Which one would you want dominant at your bike supplier. And if a function is not best being dominant, maybe it should be performed by someone else for whom it is dominant. I pick technology. Not marketing, which just amounts to so much BS. And not manufacturing. When you can buy manufacturing capability from folks as good as Giant, why have it in house. But you can't buy technology nearly as easily. That is where most of the secrets lie. Sure also in manufacturing, but mainly in technology. Give me a bike supplier that is always improving its designs. I will be happy for them to lean on a good outside source for manufacturing. And you can bet that Specialized is a very demanding customer.

dmcdam

I don't find the lack of their own production detracts at all. Look at Apple - they don't manufacture but it hasn't hurt their brand at all. For me their bikes are just waaaay too common. Same with Trek.

gc3

point missed...

anyhow...riders pass other riders, bikes don't pass bikes....

StanSeven

You people aren't grateful. Who else comes out with an ass-o-meter to help you?

rpenmanparker 

Right, like Yogi Berra said about a restaurant (forgive the lack of total accuracy): "That place is way too crowded, nobody goes there anymore." The fact that they are common speaks to how good they are.

eja_ bottecchia

Substitute Cannondale, or Trek, or Giant for Specialized and you will have your answer.

Looigi

Hating and riding are not mutually exclusive. I happen to hate Specialized and own and ride one of their great bikes.

a77impala

I guess I am in the minority believing it is better to support American workers than Asian. Our desire to have the most for the least is what makes outsourcing attractive to manufacturers.
I notice Specs best bikes cost about the same as Treks, even though made by cheap labor in Taiwan!

jeffpoulin

Maybe they shouldn't force small business owners in Canada to change the name of their business simply because they both want to use the name of a town in France.

SirHustlerEsq

I buy their bib-shorts and saddles, but would pay more for an alternative with the same quality level. They spend too much time in court for me to buy a bicycle from them.