Specialized is one of the largest bicycle companies in the USA, with a market share of 9.5%. They create & design a wide range of different bikes for different riding disciplines. However, are there bikes any good?
Yes, what makes specialized bikes great are their innovative features & patented design processes. Their Features such as RIDER-FIRST ENGINEERED™, Brain Technology, & FACT CARBON FIBER provide high-performance benefits which are unique only to their brand.
Let’s take a look at how specialized bikes differ from other bike brands, & what sets their bikes apart from most bicycle manufacturers.
What Makes Specialized Bikes Good?
Specialized has a history of creating products & features that have changed the cycling industry for the better.
In 1981 Specialized released the first major production mountain bike in the world, known as the Stumpjumper. 1989, Specialized introduced the Epic, the world’s second mass-production carbon fiber mountain bike.
Ever since, specialized has been on a path to innovate & create features & design processes in order to provide the rider with the best possible experience possible. Let’s take a look at a few of the innovative tech & designs being used in specialized bikes right now.
FACT CARBON FIBER:
Proper construction is a crucial element when it comes to producing high-performing bikes.
Fact Carbon Fiber is Specialized’s approach to carbon composite construction. Short for Functional Advanced Composite Technology, FACT allows carbon fibers to run continuously from tube to tube. This offers several performance benefits in weight, stiffness, and strength.
THE ALL-NEW BRAIN:
Brain is Specialized’s technology that manages your suspension, immediately & automatically adjusting suspension from firm to active to enhance efficiency and control. Since Brain technology is an automatic feature this allows you to focus completely on riding.
RIDER-FIRST ENGINEERED™:
Specialized focuses on data-driven design, inspired by their relationship with McLaren. With an immense supply of data specialized recognized that
bikes of different sizes perform better when they are using a tube size & carbon layup which is specifically selected based on the collected data.
This allows riders of different heights to experience the best rides tailored specifically for them.
Allez line (D’Aluisio Smartweld Technology):
The Allez line features Specialized’s aluminum frame collection. Specialized uses their own innovative design when manufacturing aluminum bikes which allow for a balance of strength, weight, rigidity, this allows for a high-performance bike at an entry-level price.
FSR SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY:
The FSR suspension technology is designed to enhance comfort, control, and efficiency to your suspension by isolation the chain & the brake load.
Bikes For Every Rider
Specialized designs bikes for every type of rider, whether your a beginner looking for your first bike or an expert ready to hit the tracks. Additionally, specialized designs bikes for different riding disciplines, their range feature road bikes, mountain bikes, commuting focused bikes, hybrid bikes, gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, BMX bikes, as well as fat bikes.
So no matter your skill level or preferred riding type specialized has a bike for you.
Specialized’s Research Department
Specialized’s Research & Development department is one of the main reasons for their success, their ability to test & develop innovative features rapidly is what allows them to be pioneers in the cycling space. When Specialized first developed the Stumpy, there was a lot of doubt if that was even possible to create a frame with a giant hole in the down tube. However, their lab was able to quickly come up with a prototype from the mold as proof of concept.
This ability of research & rapid testing is what sets Specialized apart from their competition and provides users with features that are not available anywhere else.
Popular Specialized Bikes:
Tarmac SL7 – Road Bike
The Tarmac is a specialized’s racing road bike, popular for its wins in three Grand Tours. The Tarmac is known for its aero capabilities & lightweight features. The frame weighs in at just 800 grams with no compromise in aero, stiffness, or ride quality.
Additionally, the Tamrac utilizes Specialised’s r Rider-First Engineered™ Technology, this allows for customized performance based on the rider’s height, utilizing a large dataset of performance Specialized developed a system which offers the best tube sizes customized for riders of varying heights, so no matter your height you will experience similar high-performance benefits.
Allez – Budget Road Bike
Allez is Specialized’s line of budget bikes with high-performance features. This utilizes Specialized’s innovative aluminum manufacturing & design process, which allows for a lighter, stiffer & better bike.
The Allez line feature short chainstays for overall stiffness & rigidity. In addition, the tube shapes have also been aerodynamically optimized for reduced drag and increased performance.
Epic – XC Bike
Next is Specialized’s most popular xc bike, this bike has won various Editors’ Choice awards for its exceptional performance.
It features Specialized’s brain technology that manages your suspension, & automatically adjusting suspension from firm to active for enhanced performance based on the terrain.
Fuse Comp 29 – Great Value MTB
The Fuse comp is a mid-fat hardtail, featuring 29×2.6 tires for additional traction, floatation, as well as control. The geometry is perfectly designed for performance. Featuring a long reach for even weight distribution, a steep seat angle for efficient climbs, & a slack head angle.
Turbo Vado 3.0 – Best For Transportation (E-Bike)
The Turbo Vado 3.0 was designed for people who are constantly busy and need to get to places in a rush. It’s an e-bike that offers enhanced capabilities for transportation.
Equipped with a lightweight alloy frame that’s been optimized with specialized’s Fitness/Transportation Geometry. Equipped with a 1.2 E motor which has been custom-tuned for city riding & to offer greater efficiency.
It’s designed to intuitively react to the force of pedaling, so the harder you pedal the more power it will deliver.
Final Thoughts
It’s safe to say that specialized are pioneers of the cycling industry, continually being the first to create revolutionary products & designs.
What makes this company design great bicycles is simply their innovative features & design processes, this allows specialized to produce bikes with a different feel than most bikes in the market, appealing to rider’s wants & needs through innovation.
Additionally, Specialized offers a wide variety of different bikes for different riding disciplines, as well as different skill levels. This makes it a perfect option for all types of riders, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate rider, or pro.