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