Specialized Brand?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 53
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Specialized Brand?
Is the "Specialized" bike brand any good or at least half decent? I'm relatively new to cycling and I've never heard of that brand before. I'm in the market for a new bike and a LBS carries that brand.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Francisco!
Posts: 909
Bikes: 2010 Surly LHT (main rider and do-everything bike), 2011 Bike Friday NWT (back-up bike and multi-modal)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Specialized is good brand, yes. We have plenty of members here who own bikes made by them. Just wait for their responses...
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
A quality brand, well known and popular. Mostly manufactured by Merida in Taiwan, one of the big five factories. Their top end stuff is 1st rate. Entry level is a bit under-specced for the price but well made frames. Without a decal its hard to tell from Trek, Giant or anyone else.
#4
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,858
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2930 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times
in
1,491 Posts
I would say they are OK nothing special.....
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1470 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
Specialized is about on par with Trek, BMC, Giant. The Tarmac S works is a hot rod and can be ready to ride at 15.6 pounds depending on wheels. It is a match for the Trek Madone 6.9 and ther Giant TCR-0.
#6
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 819
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times
in
34 Posts
Kind of like a Trek, but without the resale value.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,788
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I am not a fan of the brand, but I have to admit that they produce quality. They have also introduced some innovations that I think should be more widely available. (The Stout hub/QR, the large flat flange on the front hub for a stiffer fork interface, the co-operative effort with Fox to produce the Brain shock)
They are known also for rather fiercely litigating THEIR PERCEPTIONS of copyright infringement.
They are known also for rather fiercely litigating THEIR PERCEPTIONS of copyright infringement.
#9
Banned
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 5,804
Bikes: Raleigh Grand Prix, Giant Innova, Nishiki Sebring, Trek 7.5FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
They make decent bicycles but their customer service sucks!
#10
Senior Member
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 477
Bikes: 2010 Trek FX 7.5, 2011 Trek 2.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You'd be surprised. I was selling a Trek and a guy asked if it was not as good as a Huffy, since he'd never heard of Trek before.
Personally, I haven't seen a bad brand sold at an LBS, though I'm not very familiar with the cruiser market, like Globe and Electra.
If the shop has friendly knowledgable employees and the bike works for you, go for it.
Personally, I haven't seen a bad brand sold at an LBS, though I'm not very familiar with the cruiser market, like Globe and Electra.
If the shop has friendly knowledgable employees and the bike works for you, go for it.
#12
Human Powered Vehiclist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 255
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Specialized and Trek are like the Chevys and Fords of the bicycle world. Yeah, there are more exotic brands out there but Specialized accomodates to various rider budgets pretty well and offer some quality bikes. I would always remember my first "real bike" I purchased from an actual LBS which was a Specialized Hardrock Sport. I was barely a teenager so I was putting up some hard earned money from mowing my parents and neighbors yards countless times. Even though it had some very entry level components the bike was very solid and I rode it all the time through out my teens till I eventually sold it at a garage sale while I was in college. I still miss that bike so when it came time to purchase a commuter I was partial to Specialized as the "S" logo envoked fond memories of my childhood.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Costa Mesa CA
Posts: 2,636
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
I broke the frame of my Rockhopper after 12 years of hard use. Specialized gave me a new Hardrock frame, no questions or hassles. Sold the Hardrock frame because the top tube was too long. Even though the frame was a smaller size, I never could get comfortable on it.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
37 Posts
When I first heard of them, I was confused as all get out until the dealer finally stopped to explain that he was using the word "specialized" as a brand and not as an adjective.
#16
Really Old Senior Member
Both my bikes are Specialized.
1986 RockHopper & 2008 Globe.
I expect them to last longer than me.
1986 RockHopper & 2008 Globe.
I expect them to last longer than me.
#17
2 Fat 2 Furious
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: England
Posts: 3,996
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc, 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport RIP
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I don't know enough about other brands to specifically say whether Specialized is better than Trek, Giant, Genesis etc but they're certainly a good name.
__________________
"For a list of ways technology has failed to improve quality of life, press three"
"For a list of ways technology has failed to improve quality of life, press three"
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1470 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
Mark Cavendish and HTC Highroad were able to do pretty well in the TDF with Specialized. But any company that can make bikes that can race in the TDF today might be considered worthy of the designation, good bike. https://annyas.com/tour-de-france-bicycle-logos/
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
You've been a member since May 2010 and you are not familiar with Specialized? That is very interesting!
Last edited by tagaproject6; 03-20-12 at 02:56 PM.
#20
Novice rider Under 2000 m
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 1
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Secteur Sport Compact double
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Answer imho
I have owned a Specialized Secteur Sport since 2012 (2013 model) and have put just under 2000 miles on it. I bought it to commute to work during nice weather (8 miles a day) and put most my miles on by doing just that. I have recently started riding for more performance and fitness, I am keeping up with guys with full carbon bikes (for the most part) and my bike has an aluminum frame with carbon fork. It's been great so far! The on board Shimano Sora STI (18 speed) is not that bad, I was thinking to upgrade drive-train to at least the 105, or Ultegra but it's just not cost effective. I will upgrade when I out perform the bike...long ways off.
Last edited by Jahe123; 04-28-18 at 03:35 PM. Reason: Miss spelling
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18376 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
You can buy a Chevy Corvette, or a Ford Mustang.
Or you can buy a Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto.
Oops
Specialized and Trek sell a full lineup of bikes from rock bottom to some of the best available.
Just a name doesn't mean much without knowing the model and components.
Or you can buy a Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto.
Oops
Specialized and Trek sell a full lineup of bikes from rock bottom to some of the best available.
Just a name doesn't mean much without knowing the model and components.
#22
Senior Member
#23
Senior Member
Whenever I see a query like this I think about a question I asked 10 years buying am intermediate drum kit having not played since I was a kid and I asked someone at a dealers which is the best out of the "known" names.
His response hit the nail on the head .... there's so much competition between them for your money if one of them wasn't any good it'd spread like wildfire and they'd be gone as they lost sales to their competitors with better products at the same price.
Ride a couple of different bikes and see which "feels" best and buy that one .. that said I have a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp and it's been a brilliant bike and was recommended by someone I know who used to own a bike shop.
His response hit the nail on the head .... there's so much competition between them for your money if one of them wasn't any good it'd spread like wildfire and they'd be gone as they lost sales to their competitors with better products at the same price.
Ride a couple of different bikes and see which "feels" best and buy that one .. that said I have a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp and it's been a brilliant bike and was recommended by someone I know who used to own a bike shop.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Shop for a bike shop first. When you find a shop with people that you like and feel good about, buy a brand and style of bike they carry at a price point you are comfortable with and you'll never go wrong.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#25
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4356 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
Specialized like many manufacturers makes a lot of crap at the low end but mid range and higher end tends to be better.