I’ve been a critic of some early Specialized triathlon bike designs I didn’t feel were optimal. Their recent designs are a significant improvement. Some of the new features are industry leading and their triathlon geometry has improved significantly.
Bike design aside Specialized has a business model that is systematic and benefits many dealers. I’ll suggest it benefits many more dealers than it frustrates. Ultimately, dealers can walk away if they choose.
Specialized has done a tremendous amount for our industry and our sport. Mike Sinyard, Specialized’s founder, is one of the original Marin innovators of the mountain bike, a product category that revived the industry when it was doing poorly. Specialized was an early contributor to pro cycling in the US. Look at the old photos of the Specialized neutral support vehicles in the Coors Classic and other early races. Specialized also took an early initiative with bike fit training and shouldered a fair share of the burden of bringing a partially (largely?) unsophisticated dealer network up to speed on fit, buying, merchandising and other sales and business modalities.
Good for them, and their dealers. Ultimately their mutual customers have benefitted.
It’s unfair to view a brand through one case history or even a few. Especially a brand with a deep history and a long legacy in a challenging marketplace. Has Specialized frustrated some dealers? Name a bike brand that hasn’t. While every dealer, and every dealer concern, is important to the industry I’ll suggest the good Specialized has done in this industry grossly outweighs any frustration some dealers may voice.