Specialized Bicycle Components
Encyclopedia
Specialized Bicycle Components, more commonly known simply as Specialized, is a major American brand
of bicycle
s and related products. It was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard
and is based in Morgan Hill, California
Volkswagen Bus
for $1,500 to fund a cycle tour of Europe
, where he bought handlebars
and stems
made by Campagnolo
and Cinelli
to take back to the US. Sinyard started out importing Italian
bike components that were difficult to find in the United States
, but the company began to produce its own bike parts by 1976, starting with the Specialized Touring Tire. In 1979, the company started to produce the Allez, a road bike
, in Japan
. Specialized introduced the first major production mountain bike in the world, the Stumpjumper
, in 1981. Specialized continue to produce the Stumpjumper, which, like mountain bikes in general, has evolved significantly since 1981 and now comes in full suspension
and hardtail options. An original Stumpjumper is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, D.C.
In 1989, Specialized introduced the Epic, the world's first production carbon fibre mountain bike.
In the early 1990s, Specialized introduced the Globe line of urban bikes. The line was the subject of a major relaunch in 2009, which sees Globe become its own distinct brand.
In 1995, Specialized launched the Full Force brand. Full Force was a lower-end mountain bike brand sold through sports stores and discount retailers such as Costco
. The move angered some Specialized dealers. In 1996, Specialized withdrew the Full Force line and Mike Sinyard wrote a letter of apology to dealers. By the end of 1996, Specialized had lost 30% of its bike shop sales and, according to Sinyard, "came within a few hundred dollars of declaring bankruptcy".
In 2001, Merida Bikes
of Taiwan
bought 19 per cent of Specialized for a reported US$30 million. Mike Sinyard remained majority owner and CEO of the company. Specialized is now one of the largest bicycle brands alongside Trek Bicycle Corporation
and Giant Bicycles.
In 2010, Specialized is the bike supplier to Team Saxo Bank and Team Astana on the UCI ProTour
, the latter deal being announced in January 2010 as a result of team leader Alberto Contador
's demands. Specialized has previously supplied teams including Quick Step and Festina
. Until 2008 the disbanded Team Gerolsteiner
was using Specialized. Specialized bikes also sponsors the University of Georgia
and Colorado State University
Collegiate Cycling. Three-time world downhill champion, Sam Hill
, Australian rider rides for Monster Energy Specialized.
On October 17, 2010 Specialized announced a tie up with Team Columbia-HTC for 2011 and beyond. Specialized will supply the team‘s frames, forks, and helmets. The men will race the S-Works Tarmac for most road races, the S-Works Roubaix for cobbled classics, as well as the new Venge and the Shiv TT in time trials. The all-new S-Works Prevail and TT3 helmets will protect the riders in road and TT applications, respectively. The women will race on Amira road bikes and Shiv TT bikes for the time trials.
Specialized also has various athletes in various disciplines of cycling utilizing their equipment. Martin Sörderström, a Swedish professional mountain biker and winner of the 2010 Eurobike
Dirt Jump Contest, utilizes the less traditional P.Bike series from Specialized in free ride mountain bike events.
Specialized sponsor the following riders:
Mountain bikes: Epic, Era, Stumpjumper
, Safire, Fate, Camber, Myka, Enduro, Demo, Status, Carve, Rockhopper, Hardrock, Jett
Road bikes: Tarmac, Venge, Amira, Shiv, Roubaik, Ruby, Secteur, Allez, Dolce, Langster
Cyclocross: Crux, Tricross
Hybrid/commuter/touring: Crossroads, Crosstrail, Expedition, Sirrus, Vita, Source
Dirt/street: P series
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
of bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
s and related products. It was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard
Mike Sinyard
Mike Sinyard is the founder and chairman of Specialized Bicycle Components, an American manufacturer of bicycles and cycling components.Sinyard's passion for bicycles developed at San Jose State University, where he cycled to class. After graduating in 1974, at the age of 24, Sinyard began...
and is based in Morgan Hill, California
Morgan Hill, California
Morgan Hill is a city located in the southern part of Santa Clara County, California, United States. Founded on November 10, 1906, the city was named after Hiram Morgan Hill, a San Franciscan who built a country retreat home there in 1884...
History
Specialized was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard, a cycling enthusiast who sold hisVolkswagen Bus
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
for $1,500 to fund a cycle tour of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, where he bought handlebars
Bicycle handlebar
Bicycle handlebar or often bicycle handlebars refers to the steering mechanism for bicycles; the equivalent of a steering wheel. Besides steering, handlebars also often support a portion of the rider's weight, depending on their riding position, and provide a convenient mounting place for brake...
and stems
Stem (bicycle part)
The stem is the component on a bicycle that connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the bicycle fork. Sometimes called a goose neck, a stem's design belongs to either a quill or threadless system, and each system is compatible with respective headset and fork designs:-Quill vs...
made by Campagnolo
Campagnolo
Campagnolo is an Italian manufacturer of high-end bicycle components with headquarters in Vicenza, Italy. The components are organised as groupsets and are a near-complete collection of a bicycle's mechanical parts. Campagnolo's flagship components are the Super Record, Record, and Chorus...
and Cinelli
Cinelli
Cinelli is an Italian bicycle manufacturing company based in Milan, Italy, producing mostly road bicycles and components; production is estimated at 80 percent components, 20 percent bicycles.- History :...
to take back to the US. Sinyard started out importing Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
bike components that were difficult to find in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but the company began to produce its own bike parts by 1976, starting with the Specialized Touring Tire. In 1979, the company started to produce the Allez, a road bike
Road bicycle
The term road bicycle is used to describe bicycles built for traveling at speed on paved roads. Some sources use the term to mean racing bicycle...
, in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Specialized introduced the first major production mountain bike in the world, the Stumpjumper
Specialized Stumpjumper
The Specialized Stumpjumper is a mountain bike produced by Specialized Bicycle Components. When it was first produced in 1981, the Stumpjumper was the first mass-production mountain bike. The Stumpjumper is still in production, although its design has changed significantly since it was first sold...
, in 1981. Specialized continue to produce the Stumpjumper, which, like mountain bikes in general, has evolved significantly since 1981 and now comes in full suspension
Bicycle suspension
A bicycle suspension is the system or systems used to suspend the rider and all or part of the bicycle in order to protect them from the roughness of the terrain over which they travel...
and hardtail options. An original Stumpjumper is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 1989, Specialized introduced the Epic, the world's first production carbon fibre mountain bike.
In the early 1990s, Specialized introduced the Globe line of urban bikes. The line was the subject of a major relaunch in 2009, which sees Globe become its own distinct brand.
In 1995, Specialized launched the Full Force brand. Full Force was a lower-end mountain bike brand sold through sports stores and discount retailers such as Costco
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
. The move angered some Specialized dealers. In 1996, Specialized withdrew the Full Force line and Mike Sinyard wrote a letter of apology to dealers. By the end of 1996, Specialized had lost 30% of its bike shop sales and, according to Sinyard, "came within a few hundred dollars of declaring bankruptcy".
In 2001, Merida Bikes
Merida Bikes
Merida Industry Co., Ltd is a Taiwan based bicycle design, manufacture, and sales company. It was started in 1972 as a small contract shop under a Japanese bicycle parts brand, by current chairman D.H. Ike, Tseng. Merida has expanded to the US and Europe and is now a global player in bicycle...
of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
bought 19 per cent of Specialized for a reported US$30 million. Mike Sinyard remained majority owner and CEO of the company. Specialized is now one of the largest bicycle brands alongside Trek Bicycle Corporation
Trek Bicycle Corporation
Trek Bicycle Corporation is a major bicycle and cycling product manufacturer and distributor under brand names Trek, Gary Fisher, Bontrager, Klein and until recently, LeMond Racing Cycles...
and Giant Bicycles.
Use
Many riders in recent years have used Specialized bicycles in the North American and European professional cycling circuits.In 2010, Specialized is the bike supplier to Team Saxo Bank and Team Astana on the UCI ProTour
UCI ProTour
The UCI ProTour was a series of road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the UCI . Created by Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, it comprises a number of 'ProTour' cycling teams, each of whom are required to compete in every round of the series...
, the latter deal being announced in January 2010 as a result of team leader Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam . He was the winner of the 2007 Tour de France with the team. With the Astana team he has won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, the 2008 Vuelta a España, the 2009 Tour de France, the 2010 Tour de France and won 2011 Giro...
's demands. Specialized has previously supplied teams including Quick Step and Festina
Festina cycling team
Festina is a former professional cycling team that was active in the professional peloton from 1989 to 2001. The team was sponsored by the watch manufacturers Festina Lotus AV.-Beginnings:...
. Until 2008 the disbanded Team Gerolsteiner
Team Gerolsteiner
Gerolsteiner was a German road bicycle racing team in the UCI ProTour. It was sponsored by the mineral water company Gerolsteiner Brunnen and Specialized....
was using Specialized. Specialized bikes also sponsors the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
and Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
Collegiate Cycling. Three-time world downhill champion, Sam Hill
Sam Hill (mountain biker)
Sam Hill in Viveash, WA, is an Australian professional downhill mountain biker. He was two time consecutive UCI World Downhill Champion during years 2006-2007 for Iron Horse racing team. . He won the 2010 world championships in Mont Saint Anne, riding for the Monster Energy Specialized team on a...
, Australian rider rides for Monster Energy Specialized.
On October 17, 2010 Specialized announced a tie up with Team Columbia-HTC for 2011 and beyond. Specialized will supply the team‘s frames, forks, and helmets. The men will race the S-Works Tarmac for most road races, the S-Works Roubaix for cobbled classics, as well as the new Venge and the Shiv TT in time trials. The all-new S-Works Prevail and TT3 helmets will protect the riders in road and TT applications, respectively. The women will race on Amira road bikes and Shiv TT bikes for the time trials.
Specialized also has various athletes in various disciplines of cycling utilizing their equipment. Martin Sörderström, a Swedish professional mountain biker and winner of the 2010 Eurobike
Eurobike
Eurobike is an international exhibition around the bicycle and is held annually since 1991 in the first week of September, on the grounds of Messe Friedrichshafen, one of the largest and most modern exhibition centres in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. The bike show is from Wednesday to Saturday for...
Dirt Jump Contest, utilizes the less traditional P.Bike series from Specialized in free ride mountain bike events.
Sponsored teams and athletes
Specialized sponsor the following cycle teams:|GBR}}Specialized sponsor the following riders:
Bicycle lines
Major lines in production include:Mountain bikes: Epic, Era, Stumpjumper
Specialized Stumpjumper
The Specialized Stumpjumper is a mountain bike produced by Specialized Bicycle Components. When it was first produced in 1981, the Stumpjumper was the first mass-production mountain bike. The Stumpjumper is still in production, although its design has changed significantly since it was first sold...
, Safire, Fate, Camber, Myka, Enduro, Demo, Status, Carve, Rockhopper, Hardrock, Jett
Road bikes: Tarmac, Venge, Amira, Shiv, Roubaik, Ruby, Secteur, Allez, Dolce, Langster
Cyclocross: Crux, Tricross
Hybrid/commuter/touring: Crossroads, Crosstrail, Expedition, Sirrus, Vita, Source
Dirt/street: P series