Specialized Bikes - Innovate Or Kick The Bucket

By Valentino Mossi


The Specialized Bicycle Components' forefather Mike Sinyard has a quick though profound quote: "We started off Specific for dual major aims: First: We worship the sport. Number two: We desire to make products which assist folks e.g. you bliss the game as we do. Final."

Thus, he established the company in 1974 and two years after that sold its first self-produced product, a tire conceived for the travelling market. 1981: arrived the StumpJumper - the first mountain cycle to be sold to the general public.

Specialized Bikes happens to be the 4th biggest manufacturer of high end bicycles in the US. Specialized is always striving to produce enhanced bicycle models. It has set a record when they ushered in the Mountain Bike to the common man. The initial version, a trailblazing product now being displayed at the Smithsonian Museum.

Throughout the past twenty nine years, Specialized and Mike did not back away from its motto of the company, as seen in the headline: "Innovate Or Die."

Specialized creates and brings out revolutionary mechanisms e.g. the racers' dream - the three spoke wheel - the physician-designed time cutter bicycle seats, light helmets, among others.

A devotee of biking, Mike met a lady who knew with Italy's classic touring and racing bicycle manufacturers. These manufacturers were willing to authorize Mike sell their goods back in America.

He observed that high-end bike spares were not easily obtainable in the US and might be valued by the real cycling enthusiasts. He used what was left of of the $1500 to acquire spares, came up with a catalog and sold the complete stock to area bicycle shop owners, a dual-way collaboration which went on for decades.

Ready startup money was still tricky but Mike overcame that and forged ahead to establish a most prosperous company.

Specialized still innovates and sells, and for the 'fair dinkum' genuinely dedicated; bike devotee; Specialized is your specialist.




About the Author: