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