The "I hate Specialized" Bandwagon...... what's the deal?

[Shebeen]

In my opinion Specialized manufacture great quality products and the demo Stumpjumper FSR I rode during an open day was fantastic. I still prefer my current bikes, but that is not part of this discussion.

 

I have one problem with the brand:

 

There are many bike shops who have been Specialized dealers for years. These guys have spent considerable resources on training themselves and their staff to be able to service and repair Specialized products such as their Brain suspension. A large part of the client base of these shops were also closely linked with the brand. With the opening of some of their concept and elite stores, some of these local bike shops have lost their Specialized dealerships. Whether these dealers were given a choice, I don't know.

 

I just feel that these above mentioned shops helped to make the brand popular in SA, and then headquarters stepped in with a "Thanks, we'll take it from here" attitude.

 

Just my opinion.

i agree. Previous distributer Le Peleton took the brand locally to the top and got dumped. 6/7 years ago the epic bike park was dominated by giant anthems, Kevin Evans inspired Raleighs and not much else. You can't deny hoe successful they've been.

 

They're riding a big wave and need to be careful in how they stay on it.

[NicoBoshoff]

In my opinion Specialized manufacture great quality products and the demo Stumpjumper FSR I rode during an open day was fantastic.  I still prefer my current bikes, but that is not part of this discussion.

 

I have one problem with the brand:

 

There are many bike shops who have been Specialized dealers for years.  These guys have spent considerable resources on training themselves and their staff to be able to service and repair Specialized products such as their Brain suspension. A large part of the client base of these shops were also closely linked with the brand. With the opening of some of their concept and elite stores, some of these local bike shops have lost their Specialized dealerships.  Whether these dealers were given a choice, I don't know.

 

I just feel that these above mentioned shops helped to make the brand popular in SA, and then headquarters stepped in with a "Thanks, we'll take it from here" attitude.

 

Just my opinion.

What shops are you referring to? Because if it's the one that was the subject of a thread on here I heard a very different story from the scenario you sketch. 

[Fitter]

In my opinion Specialized manufacture great quality products and the demo Stumpjumper FSR I rode during an open day was fantastic.  I still prefer my current bikes, but that is not part of this discussion.

 

I have one problem with the brand:

 

There are many bike shops who have been Specialized dealers for years.  These guys have spent considerable resources on training themselves and their staff to be able to service and repair Specialized products such as their Brain suspension. A large part of the client base of these shops were also closely linked with the brand. With the opening of some of their concept and elite stores, some of these local bike shops have lost their Specialized dealerships.  Whether these dealers were given a choice, I don't know.

 

I just feel that these above mentioned shops helped to make the brand popular in SA, and then headquarters stepped in with a "Thanks, we'll take it from here" attitude.

 

Just my opinion.

Totally correct. Wyatt was one of those .....

[Wyatt Earp]

You make very valid points. And I agree with almost all of them. I cannot think of another company with their range of bikes. From kiddies bikes, jump bikes, fat bikes, xc, downhill etc etc. All available from cheap spec to top spec. Some of their bikes are more expensive than the competition, agreed. Some are about equal to other offerings. No one ever complains how expensive a Santa Cruz is, or how ridiculous a Pyga frame is priced. 

 

Some brands offer better value, for sure. But you cannot really go buy a dual sus 29er with carbon rims and bits etc etc from silverback, or even Giant for that matter.

 

They offer many choices and I like that. 

Most of those companies are pretty sensible.

They understand that not everyone wants a carbon MTB rim, I certainly don't

They also build their bikes to a price point and not to a statement .

You can of course get an off the shelf bike from many brands and up-spec it for much less money.

To be very honest, South Africans love riding products for show and image as opposed to their practicality.

Most bikes are way over specced by people for their intended purpose and as a result of that many forget what they got the bike for in the first place .

[NicoBoshoff]

It just amazes me how the same people that ooooh and aaaaaah at all the bikeporn on here are the same one's that shout how overpriced Specilized bikes are.

 

So, it's cool for Evil to sell The Following for $6800 (R80k) or Banshee to sell Aliminium framesets for R25k or whenever someone here builds up a R100k SC NOmad the backslapping is deafening,  but when someone decides to drop R40k, R60k or R80k or hell, even R130k on a Spez the accusations of snobbery come flying.

 

You guys are the cycling equivalent of Russel Brand standing outside a rich person's house complaining about how much they paid for that house.

[Wyatt Earp]

It just amazes me how the same people that ooooh and aaaaaah at all the bikeporn on here are the same one's that shout how overpriced Specilized bikes are.

 

So, it's cool for Evil to sell The Following for $6800 (R80k) or Banshee to sell Aliminium framesets for R25k or whenever someone here builds up a R100k SC NOmad the backslapping is deafening,  but when someone decides to drop R40k, R60k or R80k or hell, even R130k on a Spez the accusations of snobbery come flying.

 

You guys are the cycling equivalent of Russel Brand standing outside a rich person's house complaining about how much they paid for that house.

Pick any bike in their stable and compare it to other brands on the market.

Look at the rand for some and if it happens to be some greedy local distributor, look at the $ pricing.

[NotSoBigBen]

Totally correct. Wyatt was one of those .....

 

That is fact, when I was first involved with their bikes he was amongst only 2 if I am correct in the greater Johannesburg area that could even help when I had a problem.

 

Over the years I have gone from an almost Specialized only quiver of bikes down to very few now (roadbikes excluded since I don't really change those often)

 

Now that I think about it the last 3 bikes that I have cobbled together have been from different brands ......

[Johny Bravo]

Most of those companies are pretty sensible.

They understand that not everyone wants a carbon MTB rim, I certainly don't

They also build their bikes to a price point and not to a statement .

You can of course get an off the shelf bike from many brands and up-spec it for much less money.

To be very honest, South Africans love riding products for show and image as opposed to their practicality.

Most bikes are way over specced by people for their intended purpose and as a result of that many forget what they got the bike for in the first place .

Thats not the point. I dont care what YOU want or if YOU think I have too much bike for my skills. I love carbon rims, I can buy a spez with them. Spez give me a choice, I can buy almost all of their models from modest builds and spec, to ridiculous S-works spec. 

[GoLefty!!]

The list of stores being stabbed in the back by specialized is growing.

 

Some people don't care about business ethics and salivate over the product. I'm not one of them. I want to buy products from people who care about the industry and not people who are trying to monopolize it.

 

How they diversified their product line is a great mba case study, but everything else stinks.

 

You either buy into their lack if ethics or you don't and that's what polarizes the market wrt the brand.

[NicoBoshoff]

Pick any bike in their stable and compare it to other brands on the market.

Look at the rand for some and if it happens to be some greedy local distributor, look at the $ pricing.

Ok.

 

Let's go:

 

Camber Expert Evo frameset which is a Carbon front triangle, with a Fox Factory CTD with Kashima and Boostvalve tech, and an internally routed dropper post and headset - R27k retail so arguably you should get that for R25k after discount.

 

That gets you a Banshee alu frameset. No extras.  Or a Pyga alu, which after adding the extras comes to more.  And it's not carbon.

 

Enduro Comp - Retails for R37k, will sell at R34k or for full price you can get a dropper post included.  Includes a Pike, decent Fox shock, Roval Fattie rims, great tyres, a R1000+ seat, and a high-spec drivetrain.

 

R37k get's you a Santa Cruz frameset.  Or a Evil frameset (maybe...).  Or a second-hand Ibis with a Fork.  Good luck riding those without wheels.

 

Yes R37k also get's you a top-spec Giant.  Hurray for Giant.  Boo for Santa Cruz and Ibis??? 

 

Same goes for the Epic Comp. For sure, you can get a similarly specced Anthem or Merida for less money.  You can also pay double that for a Santa Cruz Tallboy.

 

Everyone hates on Spez because they're the big bad corporate monsters out to kill the mom and pop shops.  Yet the same people are happy to pay R40 a coffee as long as it's "fair trade" and organic.

 

Pretentious is the word that comes to mind.

[Wyatt Earp]

Thats not the point. I dont care what YOU want or if YOU think I have too much bike for my skills. I love carbon rims, I can buy a spez with them. Spez give me a choice, I can buy almost all of their models from modest builds and spec, to ridiculous S-works spec. 

Calm down JB, you are getting a little too worked up and becoming a little too defensive.

No need to take everything so personal .

We all now know you are wealthy, well done .

[Patchelicious]

This whole thread is a perfect example of our love for negativity. We love telling people why we DON'T like something. Yet we spend so little time telling people why we like something else.

 

Then there is this apparent moral high horse position because of their business model?Lol

 

Well in my business it is unethical to tell potential clients why our competitors are rubbish, my guys are instructed to tell them why we are better!

 

You judge them on your perception of their business? Well I judge you for your relentless brand bashing of them.

 

Edit: This "anything but Spaz" attitude is childish. It's like that "anybody but ManU" attitude. Rather do what Wyatt is doing, an actual bike for bike comparison, that is way more objective.

[Wyatt Earp]

Ok.

 

Let's go:

 

Camber Expert Evo frameset which is a Carbon front triangle, with a Fox Factory CTD with Kashima and Boostvalve tech, and an internally routed dropper post and headset - R27k retail so arguably you should get that for R25k after discount.

 

That gets you a Banshee alu frameset. No extras.  Or a Pyga alu, which after adding the extras comes to more.  And it's not carbon.

 

Enduro Comp - Retails for R37k, will sell at R34k or for full price you can get a dropper post included.  Includes a Pike, decent Fox shock, Roval Fattie rims, great tyres, a R1000+ seat, and a high-spec drivetrain.

 

R37k get's you a Santa Cruz frameset.  Or a Evil frameset (maybe...).  Or a second-hand Ibis with a Fork.  Good luck riding those without wheels.

 

Yes R37k also get's you a top-spec Giant.  Hurray for Giant.  Boo for Santa Cruz and Ibis??? 

 

Same goes for the Epic Comp. For sure, you can get a similarly specced Anthem or Merida for less money.  You can also pay double that for a Santa Cruz Tallboy.

 

Everyone hates on Spez because they're the big bad corporate monsters out to kill the mom and pop shops.  Yet the same people are happy to pay R40 a coffee as long as it's "fair trade" and organic.

 

Pretentious is the word that comes to mind.

You are not comparing like for like.

Find a Specialized frame set to replace that SC frame set and see where you end up.

 

That last sentence, so much of funny, reminds me of all the vehement defenders in this thread .

[CAAD4]

Ok.

 

Let's go:

 

Camber Expert Evo frameset which is a Carbon front triangle, with a Fox Factory CTD with Kashima and Boostvalve tech, and an internally routed dropper post and headset - R27k retail so arguably you should get that for R25k after discount.

 

That gets you a Banshee alu frameset. No extras.  Or a Pyga alu, which after adding the extras comes to more.  And it's not carbon.

 

Enduro Comp - Retails for R37k, will sell at R34k or for full price you can get a dropper post included.  Includes a Pike, decent Fox shock, Roval Fattie rims, great tyres, a R1000+ seat, and a high-spec drivetrain.

 

R37k get's you a Santa Cruz frameset.  Or a Evil frameset (maybe...).  Or a second-hand Ibis with a Fork.  Good luck riding those without wheels.

 

Yes R37k also get's you a top-spec Giant.  Hurray for Giant.  Boo for Santa Cruz and Ibis??? 

 

Same goes for the Epic Comp. For sure, you can get a similarly specced Anthem or Merida for less money.  You can also pay double that for a Santa Cruz Tallboy.

 

Everyone hates on Spez because they're the big bad corporate monsters out to kill the mom and pop shops.  Yet the same people are happy to pay R40 a coffee as long as it's "fair trade" and organic.

 

Pretentious is the word that comes to mind.

 

R40 for a coffee? Do you ride an Epic?

[NicoBoshoff]

You are not comparing like for like.

Find a Specialized frame set to replace that SC frame set and see where you end up.

 

That last sentence, so much of funny, reminds me of all the vehement defenders in this thread .

Wyatt I think we're talking at cross purposes.

 

I was very specific to state that you can get "better value for money" from other brands e.g. Giant, Merida or Silverback. 

 

But you can also get royally taken to the cleaners by "niche brands" because of the preceived uniqueness of the bike you buy (when in actual fact cyclcin is a rich-man sport filled with people who can afford exactly what you thought was unique).

 

I'm trying to show that there is value in the Spez range even if you are on a R40k budget.

That is my counter to "SPEZ IS OVERPRICED AAAAAAAAARGHH!!!!!"

 

Yes an S-Works frame and build will also fetch R100k.  But that puts Spez in the company of many other bikebrands (SC, Ibis, Evil, Cannondale, Intense) and hardly singles them out as taking the mickey.

[NicoBoshoff]

R40 for a coffee? Do you ride an Epic?

No.  I ride a two year old Stumpy Comp.  Which is why I don't buy a R40 coffee just because "it says something about me".

 

I also drink Castle, which usually sends 60% of the people on this forum running with stains in their underwear shouting "BUT IT'S NOT CRAAAAAAAAFT!!!"