all of a sudden Specialized bikes ?

[masking_agent]

i just don't like the look of the c59, compared to what I have chosen.

 

[LugHugger]

i just don't like the look of the c59, compared to what I have chosen.

Of course. That's the beauty of aesthetics (if you'll pardon the pun)

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Actually, the c40 is named after the year of Colnago's anniversary. The C40 was still in production as recently as 2004.

A good source of well-researched Colnago info may be found here

Probably the best of the lot..C-40, C-50, C-59...C-40 w/o the fish lip chainstays.

I remember hearing Ernesto himself at Interbike, I think late 90s, early 2000's, say 'I see no need for a 1 1/8 inch headtube and fork'...oh well.

 

[nowhereman]

Though it seems you've already made up your mind, I'm just going to put in a little of my own road review. Specialized S-Works SL3 absolutely sublime ride. The bike is light, but very sturdy. Responds like a drag racer when you get out of the saddle. And descends through the curves like a fighter jet in a dog fight, rock solid, yet quick to respond.
In the end I don't care where the carbon is manufactured, as most carbon bikes these days are made somewhere in the Far East(including Trek, whose only homemade carbon frames, are their top of the line Madones). What I care about is how the bike, I laid my $$$$ down for, performs when I'm risking my tail at speeds. So, I'd absolutely recommend Specialized.

 

[oldborn]

I am not so old in cycling like some of you guys, but mine first serius bike was S works E5 Zebra Acqua&Sapone team edition like this one http://www.step-hen.com/e_bike.htm.

I bought it because it was nice to have one of these, 1000 euros complete second hand bike. But it was to big for me, so i sell it, and i am still crying not because Specialized, more it was beautiful, and better than Carrera Nitro entry level carbon bike.

All i have from Zebra Cippolini are CX6 World Champion Rainbow pedals, and BB.

Here in Europe, Specialized are prety popular among younger riders, older preferes more Italian bikes (Colnago, Pinnarelo, Bianchi, Moser etc), but this is just my opinion.

First big commercial thing Specialized did was that Gorbachov bold head mole commercial for USSR team helmet, and that lounched them first in US.

The whole strategy based on me is that Specialized offer all kind of parts and accessoirs (saddles, shoes), Body geometry things, and Italians stuck in place with it. It is really marketing thing for me. They did greta job while Italians and others prefers old school approuch on that subject.

Best example is Cervelo rising, i will be happy with S2.

Stay well!

 

[masking_agent]

oldborn - thanks for the feedback. Actually my 2nd choice is the Cervelo R3.

 

[durianrider]

Specialized makes some of the best bikes in the business IMHO. How many euro frames offer lifetime warranty? Orbea/Time perhaps but thats about it. Specialized are world leaders like Trek and Cannondale. They didnt have 'prestige' to fall back on (WTF is prestige anyways!) so they had to get savvy and produce amazing products.

 

[**Uru**]

I have a Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL2 and love it. Do not get hung up on Specialized being made in Taiwan...most bikes are made in that part of the world --including those vaunted Italian brands. The reason they are made there is because the capacity, know-how, and raw materials all exist in a few far east countries. It would be cost prohibative to move the production to the US or Europe. Many of the "factories" outside of the far east are simply decal/paint shops where they put the finishing touches on the product that comes shipped from places like Taiwan.

 

[darkcloud]

There is capacity and know-how in the developed world. Raw materials are easily shipped to any destination on the planet. Cost prohibitive to move production to the US or Europe? I doubt it. I could be wrong.
Bottom line is that the decision to manufacture in that part of the world was made in order to make maximum profit for the corporation by paying workers pennies on the dollar. Big corporations feel they owe no allegiance to anyone other than shareholders. That is why so much production of quality goods has left the US and been replaced by imported JUNK. IMO.

 

[masking_agent]

wow you guys are behind actually specialized makes some of the best frames period based on independent testing regarding weight/stiffness cervelos and scotts are great to. treks are quite heavy compared and colnago pinerello etc heavy and outdated it amuses me that people still pay for names when buying frames.

i think for me its about racing pedigree and Specialized to me, have not yet developed that. I think we're in their "sweet period" but I think they are simply too new for me to invest that kind of dough.

 

[nowhereman]

There is capacity and know-how in the developed world. Raw materials are easily shipped to any destination on the planet. Cost prohibitive to move production to the US or Europe? I doubt it. I could be wrong.
Bottom line is that the decision to manufacture in that part of the world was made in order to make maximum profit for the corporation by paying workers pennies on the dollar. Big corporations feel they owe no allegiance to anyone other than shareholders. That is why so much production of quality goods has left the US and been replaced by imported JUNK. IMO.

Very emotional post, not very correct, but I'm sure very valid in your own mind.
I too would like it if manufacturing could make a comeback in the US but there is no motivation for that return unless some very fundamental things change, here in the States. All imported things are NOT Junk. US companies might outsource manufacturing to foreign country's and then ship them back home, but they are still responsible for quality controlling their products, and the American consumers have a responsibility to themselves to research products they want to purchase, to avoid JUNK.
Most Carbon frames are made somewhere in the Far East, and that covers some pretty fine products. Even Trek, now has all but it's Project One, Top of the Line, Madone frames made in the Far East.
I bought my Specialized S-Works SL3 after much research, and man, I couldn't be happier. It handles speed like a Formula one car, and is light and responsive. Their warranty is a plus. And as for the quality and materials, the bike is at the top of the heap, no matter how long they've been at the top of the Road game. They also have top notch Mountain Bike products too, and have been at the top for quite some time in that arena. So I'm not at all worried where the bike was ultimately manufactured, it's still an American Company, and I'm glad to have one of their quality bikes. It's given me a great ride , so far. And I'm looking forward to a whole lot more. I'm not playing politics(trade policy) when I mount my bike, I'm Riding. And for my money, the SL3 is worth every cent.
BTW this might help you understand where all the JUNK we ride comes from. Just so you don't make statements like you've made above.
http://allanti.com/articles/where-was-my-bike-made-pg328.htm

 

[darkcloud]

Nowhereman,
Not emotional at all. Re-reading my post I can see that I DID get off topic a bit, though.
I was speaking in terms of junk products that we purchase in everyday life simply because they are no longer manufactured in the USA. As I said, I went off topic.
I understand that most cf frames are manufactured overseas. I don't lose sleep over it and realize that there are some very high quality products coming from there. My Orbea frame that was made made in China and finished in Spain would be but one example. I believed that the "made in Spain" sticker meant just that. Hmm. I learn something new every day.
At some point, though, a conscious decision was made to not manufacture those products here or in Europe. $$$$$

Fact of the matter is: There is the know how to manufacture these products in the US or Europe. Think Boeing or Airbus, for example.
Raw materials can indeed be shipped. Happens all the time. Day in/day out.
Cost prohibitive to move manufacturing? Probably so. Especially when profit margins are taken into account. The corporate bottom line tends to look better when labor is cheap cheap cheap.
DC

 

[mikeNphilly]

I own a Scott CR-1 and rode a Trek 1400 for 10 years, before getting my Scott. I bought a Specialized Roubaix for my girlfriend with SRAM red on it. I love her bike, and it is a very well built machine. When I wear out my Scott or get tired of it(10 years from now probably, this Scott is nice as well..lol), I will be buying a Specialized. I'm kinda biased on them since the local shop that sells them is a great shop, I can't say that for the Scott, or Trek Dealer.

It was somewhat to much bike for my girl, as the bike she had was a heavy steal Shwinn. I met her last year and after riding around the streets with that heavy thing, having to adjust the brakes tons to get it even to roll. I had to get her something better/lighter/faster. Hopefully the fun she has riding it spawns someone that rides as much as I do, and enjoys it as much as me. She rode around 200-300 miles this year since July so that is a start.

 

[nowhereman]

Nowhereman,
Not emotional at all. Re-reading my post I can see that I DID get off topic a bit, though.
I was speaking in terms of junk products that we purchase in everyday life simply because they are no longer manufactured in the USA. As I said, I went off topic.
I understand that most cf frames are manufactured overseas. I don't lose sleep over it and realize that there are some very high quality products coming from there. My Orbea frame that was made made in China and finished in Spain would be but one example. I believed that the "made in Spain" sticker meant just that. Hmm. I learn something new every day.
At some point, though, a conscious decision was made to not manufacture those products here or in Europe. $$$$$

Fact of the matter is: There is the know how to manufacture these products in the US or Europe. Think Boeing or Airbus, for example.
Raw materials can indeed be shipped. Happens all the time. Day in/day out.
Cost prohibitive to move manufacturing? Probably so. Especially when profit margins are taken into account. The corporate bottom line tends to look better when labor is cheap cheap cheap.
DC

Hey DC, reading about Orbea, in the link I provided, showed that they are one of the companies that gets fully involved in the development of quality bikes right from their home base. From the design, to the initial molds, and then to the manufacturing instructions it demands from it's source. Not to mention that they are the most curvaceous eye candy on the road, next to Pinarello's. While not totally fabricated in Spain, I think that their hearts really are there, and not in Asia. Bottom line: Good Shopping.