| Honestly, even if you're new to biking - how do you | | | | intent to "give everyone the best ride of their life." |
| think you can go wrong with a name like "Specialized"? | | | | Since then the professional mountain bikes turned out |
| Mountain bikes under this label have been patronized | | | | by the company have made the top picks, and in the |
| by discriminating cycling enthusiasts - and not just | | | | past years the company's success in developng its |
| because the name is catchy, but because this brand | | | | mountain bike lines was driven by the presence of its |
| has a performance history that's no less than good | | | | independent suspension FSR frame. |
| and solid. | | | | Specialized is also known for producing quality "budget" |
| Specialized mountain bikes of the Rockhopper line, for | | | | bikes - and by this, we mean trail bicycles that are |
| example, have remained at the top of consumer | | | | slightly cheaper than industry standard, for their caliber. |
| rankings for a long time, contending with equally popular | | | | They're still more expensive than you could expect a |
| classics like the Trek 4500 and the Gary Fisher Marin. | | | | regular bike to be - for example, a "cheap" |
| These "hardtail" bikes are lightweight and perfect for | | | | competition-grade Specialized model could still cost a |
| use by cyclists with different body types, which makes | | | | little over $1000. Before you balk at this price, you must |
| it a favorite for most kinds of rugged trails. | | | | remember that Specialized bikes are known to |
| The average weight of a Specialized bike is 30 | | | | compete with big-name brands like Marin, Trek and |
| pounds. The aluminum frame helps greatly in reducing | | | | Giant, some of which definitely sell their "budget" |
| weight and increasing speed. And because aluminum is | | | | models at much higher costs! But you could look |
| tried and tested for its durability, it is also the material | | | | forward to top of the line service and performance |
| of choice by Specialized manufacturers. You can test | | | | from Specialized mountain bikes. You could save a little |
| the worth of a bike of this name by putting it through a | | | | more if you buy previous years' models, which almost |
| trail bike test; see how well it performs and how easily | | | | invariably drop in prices as new and shinier models |
| it is to transport during normally arduous uphill climbs. | | | | enter the market. If you're able to take advantage of |
| Mike Sinyard, creator of Specialized Bicycle | | | | special offers, you can grab a special deal on a |
| Components, founded his company in 1974, with the | | | | firsthand full suspension, cross-country trail bike. |