Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Why do people hate Specialized

Jump to Latest
221 - 240 of 281 Posts
Discussion starter · #222 ·
Mountain Cycle Shawn said:
That's what most people do when they can no longer debate. Anyway, in that list they won a whopping one more then they lost. That's not even a complete list. And one of those they spent 2.5 million dollars and were awarded one dollar. Sounds like they lost that one.

Here's the thing, S doesn't make anything that's better than other products on the market. Why would anyone support a company the treats its own industry that way? That's why some people hate them. Because some people in this world still have some respect and integrity! This in an industry where some companies allow other companies to freely use their ideas and patents for the betterment of the industry as a whole.
Click to expand...
Each their own, as I have gotten wiser I have learned when to stop beating a dead horse. Specialized is a bike company, not a family business. They are in business to make money and stay in business. I started this thread a year ago and what I thought was the answer is the answer.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 
#225 ·
Mountain Cycle Shawn said:
The majority of big S owners are people who read Popular Mechanics and other men's magazines where S bikes are sometimes featured. They are people who aren't here at MTBR, they are not as much into mountain bikes like we are. But, they ride once in a while. They don't want to do a lot of research, but they want a bike that is pretty good from a big name company and price really isn't an object and they don't care how the company has treated other companies or people in the industry.
Click to expand...
I'm going to assume this is tongue-in-cheek, as you've just listed some random, unfounded generalities.
 
#227 ·
phlegm said:
I'm going to assume this is tongue-in-check, as you've just listed some random, unfounded generalities.
Click to expand...
We here at MTBR and the other popular forums are a very small segment of the cycling population. The majority of S bikes are not sold to hardcore bikers. Thats why they do so much marketing in the non-cycling world. A brand like Yeti for example is completely different.
 
#228 ·
Mountain Cycle Shawn said:
We here at MTBR and the other popular forums are a very small segment of the cycling population. The majority of S bikes are not sold to hardcore bikers. Thats why they do so much marketing in the non-cycling world. A brand like Yeti for example is completely different.
Click to expand...
Ah, OK. I will agree with you on the MTBR bit - we are more engaged than most in the sport.

However, I would challenge you that all the major bike makers: Trek, Giant, etc, are still selling the most volume in entry, entry-mid bikes. So if Specialized has chosen to grow their business by marketing to a broader audience, I don't see how that affects the quality of their mid-high to high end bikes.
 
#233 ·
phlegm said:
Indeed, I can read, and read the following from you earlier:

Seems that you have an issue with their marketing. Just above you said you don't. Which is it?
Click to expand...
Please let me know which post number you are referring to where I have a problem with their marketing? In fact S is one of those companies, like Go Pro and Red Bull, that are better at marketing than making their respective products. And, I'm not saying that's bad or I have a problem with it.
 
#237 ·
phlegm said:
Wow, seems like the list of Shawn-Disapproved (TM) brands is increasing.

It's OT, but I'd LOVE to hear your reasoning on Red Bull and Go Pro.

Please, indulge me.
Click to expand...
Yep, you're one of those S owners. Didn't say I disapproved. But, all three companies are great at marketing. Both Red bull and Go Pro make good products. But, not better as a whole then the competition. They do a much better job at marketing their products. These are companies that could be successful marketing phlegm, which you seem to be spewing a lot of.

Oh BTW, I'm waiting for an answer to post number 233.
 
#238 ·
No need for insults, veiled or otherwise. I'd like to think we can debate fairly.

Re 233, I'm still referring to your post of "Really! Do you know that they spend more money in marketing in non-cycling media outlets?" [originally #218] Seems like you had a beef or some sort. Maybe a compliment somehow?

And, while we're at it, I'm curious if you own anything from Microsoft, Apple, or Samsung. Be honest. Really.
 
#239 ·
Being big means Specialized is just as well served advertising the idea of 'RIDE A BICYCLE' to non-bike people as trying to maximize their already considerable market share in the existing bicycle market - so that's what they do.

I think what bugs a lot of people about the big three is that they make bikes for literally every budget, so there is no real brand cachet occurring, and the engineering work isn't used that disproportionately on the performance end of the spectrum - with those caveats applying the 'make it in China, QC it, and slap some brand sticker on' business model just feels more disingenuous than with some of the smaller firms that are running less overhead.

Coupled with the imposing size of their advertising dollars when viewed by a bicycle rag, they can produce great stuff and it'll still get looked at slightly through the lens of 'of course it's going to be reviewed well, and besides, who is going to hate on the full-bling version of the bike anyway', but my principal complaint is that instead of blowing a lot of companies out with delivered value through volume, they're relying on size to keep higher margins and focus on providing superior customer service to the mechanically incompetent or well-heeled.
 
#240 ·
phlegm said:
No need for insults, veiled or otherwise. I'd like to think we can debate fairly.

Re 233, I'm still referring to your post of "Really! Do you know that they spend more money in marketing in non-cycling media outlets?" [originally #218] Seems like you had a beef or some sort. Maybe a compliment somehow?

And, while we're at it, I'm curious if you own anything from Microsoft, Apple, or Samsung. Be honest. Really.
Click to expand...
Again you're putting words in my mouth and or interpreting what I write in a wrong manner. You also took what I said out of context. Where does it say that I dissaprove of their marketing strategy?

Yes, I happen to own all three. Thanks for further making my point that most S owners are not hardcore bikers. This is a good example of what I was getting at. I'm not a hardcore electronics purchaser. I don't get into researching these companies ethics. I buy based on other things. Believe it or not, most S purchasers are not hardcore bikers. So, they don't get into researching S ethics. They just want a good bike, that comes from a large bike company that they can ride once in a while. Some people out there, I'm gonna say mostly the hardcore bikers, research or learn of their ethics and some don't buy S because of that. That's why some people hate S. Hence, the birth of this thread.

If you're trying to back me into a corner because I bought something from a company that is not ethical, guess what? Everyone who spends money does that, even you. And, what is unethical for one person maybe just fine to another person. But, we each have the choice to buy or not buy from companies for whatever reason we choose.

I choose not to buy from them for many reasons. Ethics is only a part of those reasons.
 
221 - 240 of 281 Posts
About this Discussion
280 Replies
59 Participants
Last post:
man.cave
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion