I hate specialized bikes - Page 3

I ride a Specialized Sequoia Comp and my face looks like this -> every time I mount up. I don't know Specialized from Trek, but I do know that at my age and at my skill level it responds like a rocket for me. OK, maybe a bottle rocket, but it feels like sports car compared to the 1975 Nishiki Olympic I used to ride. I really don't hate many things, and don't have the personal energy to waste on hating bicycles.

And now I know. Plus I did some more reading as I'm a mewbie myself and I initially thought the discussion was on cranks. I ride a standard frame with a compact crank.duh

I read posts like this and just have to smile or laugh. What foolishness. You certainly are entitled to your opinion but why do some people feel the necessity to bash something that someone else might be perfectly content with. I agree with one of the replier's who stated why not focus on the positive.

I have an older 1991 Specialized Sirrus that was my first road bike and although it is by far, and that is a very big far, not the best bicycle out there, it worked just fine for the 13+ years of service it provided. It now is mounted on my wind trainer but I have taken it out occasionally to look back at what I bought then and how much I have learned and changed in regards to the sport of cycling. I now own a very nice hand crafted bicycle that I am sure some people would say I spent way too much money for but I don't care - it is my money and I love my bike. Which brings me back to your original post - only you can know why you hate Specialized bikes so much. Why do you have to ask us? Figure it out for yourself and be content with whatever decisions you make in the world of cycling (or life for that matter) - just like I am sure thousands of owners of Specialized bikes have done.

And one more thing, don't ever take me too seriously, because I am 1/2 crazy!

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Like each bike ride, life is a journey.

specialized puts alot of R+D into there products. If you look at the frame tests (bb stiffness, lateral stiffness, vertical compliance) Most of there s-works bikes beat everything out there.

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BMC Streetfire SSX +Record/Chorus +Eurus wheels
WeThePeople KHO1 (BMX)

Don't hate me because I ride specialized..... hate me because I'm faster and stronger than you.

Didn't Specialized start out as an MTB company?

I rode a steel Stumpjumper Team for a couple of years (many, many moons ago)- the nicest off the peg MTB I've ever had. I didn't ever have any problems with it, unless you count it being so attractive that some bastard nicked it.

And I've just bought a Stumpy WS for my good lady - she loves it - and the bike is a stunning piece of kit.(That offset wishbone seatstay is one of the prettiest pieces of frame design I've seen)

My old 70's Raleigh 531 is still functioning perfectly well on the road. (You can't beat steel )

One point I should make: Get your bike fitted and take it for a test ride BEFORE you part with cash. If you're not happy don't buy it. Complaining afterwards serves little purpose.

Nicole probably has a custom frame badged as Raleigh. But then Nicole is probably Lance with a different paint job.

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www.wheelism.co.uk - Keeping it wheel, every single day.

"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, January 18, 1896, Scientific American Magazine

I like their logo. That whooshy "S" is kewl!

Funny how we respond to certain trolls. Guess I got suckered too. I currently and happily ride a Specialized Allez Sport A1, certainly a bike on the cheap side. I got it for $699. I find that it rides well and comfortably, after a bit of tweaking. It is on the ugly side, but then my favorite bikes have "standard" diameter tubes. I rode an Alan Record Aluminio until a head tube lug cracked.

There are many good bikes, and your favorite is your personal choice. Why trash someone's personal choice?

Leland Yee
North Sandwich, NH

I didn't particulary want to return to this thread. But, in my case, because I bought one in good faith and;

1. It had a seat pin that resisted all attempts to sit in the one place in the frame.
2. Then the seat pin collar eventually snapped.
3. The wheels spun as if the axles were made from sandpaper and balsa wood.
4. The geometry just stank.
5. Back to the seat pin, it was supposed to be 'carbon'. It was actually aluminium with a layer of carbon that looked thinner than some paints I've seen.
6. The saddle, well it was the worst made thing out of about 15 bikes I have ever bought. It's shouldn't have graced a child's extra low budget bicycle.

In short, it was simply bad. Perhaps someone else found there's to be better, which is great for them, well done! But the one I parted with my money for, was crap.

At least Kelly, you had actual experience with a Specialized bike, unlike the OP. Sorry it wa such a bad experience.

Leland

Why do the latest S bikes have those silicone rubber blocks in the seat stay? Looked way too gimmicky to me.

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

I wouldn't say "latest." My 2005 Roubaix has them. They're called "Zertz Inserts" and are advertised as vibration dampening. Wouldn't be able to tell you for sure if they dampen anything as I've only ever ridden the Roubaix I own.

With some recent struggles accomplishing any support from their customer service on a warranty issue, it's likely that the Roubaix I own now will be the last road bike I purchase from them.

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Cycling Blog - Training with Power

It seems to be quite a popular idea (or becoming so). The Roubaix has the zertz inserts in the stays and forks and the Klein range has, similar elastomer inserts just above the seat stays. Obviously designed to soak up some road shock. The Trek's in the Pari Roubaix used the Klein elastomer inserts this year as well.

The only part that leaves me totally cold, is that for the elastomer to function relies on the rest of the frame flexing to provide the amount of movement that the shock absorption is soaking up. So it's ultimately intentionally transferring a fatiguing movement toward where the chainstays join the bottom bracket. It might well make it comfy, but something says it's not going to make the frame last as long as it could. 25, or 28, tyres seems like a MUCH better idea.

My LBS stopped selling all Treks about 4 years ago. Now, they primarily sell Specialized. I don't have anything against them, though. Really, when you look at the broad range of products available from them, they kind of remind me, anyway, of a Nike type company. The Robaix looks a lot like the Orbea, Orca.
Treks new madone looks like both of them.

I ride an Allez. Nothing wrong with it at all. I'll probably only get rid of it if Orange ever starts making road bikes.