Sauser's New Epic for the weekend

[TNT1]

 

Specialized is basically a brand managment company in that the real money is made by "clever" marketing.  An integral part of creating that brand would be warranty support.  Pricing is another area that is particularly important and is where Specialized falls down in SA.  The markups through the chain to the customer are too high and their retail pricing is not as competitive as it is in other parts of the world.

 

It would not surprise me if either Giant or Merida manufactured the carbon Specialized frames as by now both are pretty competent at producing high quality carbon frames.  They certainly spend enough on R&D and produce enough frames to make them experts.

 

Like Barloworld?

 

[linnega]

Specialized is basically a brand managment company in that the real money is made by "clever" marketing.  An integral part of creating that brand would be warranty support.  Pricing is another area that is particularly important and is where Specialized falls down in SA.  The markups through the chain to the customer are too high and their retail pricing is not as competitive as it is in other parts of the world.

 

It would not surprise me if either Giant or Merida manufactured the carbon Specialized frames as by now both are pretty competent at producing high quality carbon frames.  They certainly spend enough on R&D and produce enough frames to make them experts.

Like Barloworld?

Sort of, except Barloworld manage other brands (not particularly their own) in the markets in which they operate.  Which is why it is odd that Barloworld chose to sponsor the cycling team in their own name.  If I were them I would have chosen one of their marketed brands.  If the winners of the recent vets Tour were marketed as the Specialty Stores Cycling Team it would have little commercial value, but as the marketed brand of Mr Price there is a lot of value.

[TNT1]

 

Specialized is basically a brand managment company in that the real money is made by "clever" marketing.  An integral part of creating that brand would be warranty support.  Pricing is another area that is particularly important and is where Specialized falls down in SA.  The markups through the chain to the customer are too high and their retail pricing is not as competitive as it is in other parts of the world.

 

It would not surprise me if either Giant or Merida manufactured the carbon Specialized frames as by now both are pretty competent at producing high quality carbon frames.  They certainly spend enough on R&D and produce enough frames to make them experts.

 

Like Barloworld?

Sort of' date=' except Barloworld manage other brands (not particularly their own) in the markets in which they operate.  Which is why it is odd that Barloworld chose to sponsor the cycling team in their own name.  If I were them I would have chosen one of their marketed brands.  If the winners of the recent vets Tour were marketed as the Specialty Stores Cycling Team it would have little commercial value, but as the marketed brand of Mr Price there is a lot of value.

[/quote']

I think it was a calculated move by Barlo... they can register the team under one name, and then edit the kit depending on the market they are racing in... like they sometimes have those Avis flashes, and I've seen them with other brands as well...