IS Specialized going to be the next Trek? What I've seen and heard of them lately is very similar to how Trek was in the mid 90's up until the last couple of years. Innovative, efficient, top notch customer service which includes warranty issues, etc. It seems like Specialized is picking off disgruntled Trek dealers left and right. And from what I'm hearing, Trek is shrinking their dealer base, not maintaining it. This might be a good thing for Trek to do, but some decisions and positions that they have made in the recent past makes me wonder... But hey, I'm not the one in Waterloo getting payed the big iron to make these decisions. Only time will tell if they're the right ones. I can say this at least, I have since taken off my Trek oclv Blinders and put down my Trek mug of kool aid... They still do make a damn good bike though...
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I just built up a Specialized Tricross for a client. Nice frameset with good specs. There's something to be said about buying a mainstream bike...It's not all bad. Thanks for writing!
Posted by: John Satory | December 13, 2005 at 11:27 AM
I just bought a new Specialized
had my hesitations
as I am not above the attraction to the esoteric
but
the bike seemed sweet and the price was right
so I went mainstream
I dislocated my shoulder on the innagural off road ride
nothing to do with the equipment
just me being stupid
it seems like a sweet ride
even if it is just sitting in my basement right now
but
I am stoked to have it for future cross races
rain or shine
snow or ice
sure I may complain
but that is my nature
Posted by: gwadzilla | December 13, 2005 at 11:07 AM
Thanks for your comment Divine. I think that they are purposefully "thinning the dealerbase herd" so to speak while moving towards a new level of bicycle retailing (i.e. Apple, The Gap, etc.). This is all fine and good in my opinion, but they need to realize that there's going to be a substancial amount of bad blood out there at the dealer level. And we all know that this industry in particular doesn't do well in the face of changes. We'll see if they can weather the storm of change.
Specialized is already opening their own stores.... I think they to can pull it off because of the strength in their brand.
Posted by: John Satory | December 09, 2005 at 04:34 PM
is trek not maintaining their dealer base, because they are opening their own stores? is this the next step for the dealer? if this is the case why broaden a dealer base, and just stick to putting up their own stores? then are we to expect to see a specialized store soon? they do have good stuff.
Posted by: divine gear | December 09, 2005 at 03:24 PM