LOL looks like one of my kids handed that to you!
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If Spesh taking more control over their retail experience leads to better mechanics then Iām all for it. Finding a wrench that wonāt screw your bike is annoying. I donāt really like having to be on a first name basis with someone to get service done.
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Concept store like trek would be good for them
The same is happening in the US. If you are an LBS now, you canāt get deliveries of Specialized bikes, unless you drop all other brands and become a Spec partner shop. But by doing that, you basically kill your shop because they canāt deliver bikes.
Iām not certain that is an accurate statementā¦.I have been in a number of shops in different areas across the country and have seen Specialized bikes in them,even though they are not dedicated Specialized dealersā¦ā¦but they were also very large dealers overall.
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That is a direct statement from my LBS, for which Specialized recently cancelled their entire order. They then told them they would not deliver any bikes unless they dropped Trek. It is a smaller-ish shop, so maybe that is the case. The owner did tell me it was the same for other LBS in the area too.
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It seems rare that a shop would have both Trek and Specialized. I used to live in the SF Bay Area and the big brand was always the only big brand. The stores would carry 2nd level brands or some higher end boutique stuff to round out the line. Last year I lived in a small town (100K) in NM and there were exactly two shops in town, a Trek shop and a Specialized shop.
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We have both of them. Our shopās history with both brands goes back a LONG time (late '70ās to very early '80ās), which is why it is even a thing for us. It also likely helps that I am in a sparsely populated state, and our shop is one of (if not THE) best retailer for both brands within hundreds of miles. -
You couldnāt likely get it to happen today, but I suspect some shops with a legacy like ours have been able to keep both brands. I am far removed from the big deal info, but I know there is always a ādanceā with each brand to try and keep both happy.
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Yeah, size does matterā¦and in this case, my guess would be that Specialized is trying to leverage the situation to force your LBS into a dedicated dealership.
But when you see shops like University Bikes, Wheat Ridge Cyclery and Erikās all with Specialized bikes on their floor, and not being 100% Specialized dealers, you see how size works the other way, too.
Thereās a shop near me (opened 76) which sells both Spec and Trek, and thereās another shop that sells Spec and Cervelo, BMC, Pinarello, and itās been around for a good while too (since 77). And these are metro Boston
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I suspect this strategy Specialized is following is going to backfire badly in fairly short order.
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Thought it would backfire with $1000 balance bikes
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There is surprisingly a market for those: balance bike race parents in Japanā¦ Iāve seen multiple balance bikes with carbon parts and even bike computers (for the parent to review the data, not for the kid).
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Hmmm, I havenāt noticed that yet, but I donāt go to LBSes very often thanks to Covid. I should ask them, though. But I reckon it does make sense. Trek is doing mostly the same, it seems, they finally opened a store here in Sendai. And my quasi-LBS in Fukuoka was a Trek store, too.
This is disturbing, and I havenāt seen that yet ā fortunately.
Specialized has been doing this for a long time.
Not sure how much it has backfired.
They get a lot of deserved flack, but also seem to do very well.
A few years ago a pretty good sized local shop shed all other brands and just kept trek. Then a couple years later it got bought out and became a trek banded shop. Fired all the long time employees and brought in a bunch of kids. I canāt say anything bad about the treatment Iāve received there since the switch, but it just feels a little boring in there now, very corporate.
I admit to only knowing one side of this story, from talking to some of the career bike shop employees that now work at other local shops.
Just got an email from Mikeās Bikes:
Dear customer,
For over 20 years, Mikeās Bikes maintained a close partnership with Specialized Bicycles. Weāve built a strong business here in NorCal and beyond, as both of our companies have grown together.
A few weeks ago, Mikeās Bikes was acquired by an amazing family-owned company in Amsterdam, and we couldnāt be happier. Upon learning of this, however, Specialized abruptly terminated their relationship with Mikeās. They later notified us that they would also be canceling the orders of over 400 customers who had bought and paid for their bikes in advance. They further informed us that as of October 31, they will no longer provide manufacturer warranty support through Mikeās Bikes for the many thousands of Specialized bikes that weāve sold.
It is unfortunate and extremely disappointing that our Specialized customers are being affected in this way. This is definitely not a situation that we wanted or expected.
Our Wheelsmith Tech Departments will still be able to provide the same professional service on Specialized bikes that we offer on every other major bike brand, but for Specialized customers who need support through the manufacturerās warranty, we encourage you to contact your closest authorized Specialized dealer, or to reach out to Specialized rider care directly at (877) 808-8154 or www.specialized.com/us/en/ridercareform
To our customers impacted by Specializedās cancellation of your order, we are reaching out to each of you directly to help find an alternative bike from other excellent bike brands that support us. We will work our tails off to help you find a replacement bike. If you decide to cancel your order at Mikeās and order a Specialized bike elsewhere, we totally understand, and we will issue prompt full refunds.
Looking forward, weāre excited to be able to offer a broader selection of brands in both equipment and bikes. Over the next few weeks, we will announce new partnerships with some of the best brands in the business, and weāll be offering you more options and more selection than ever before. In the end, nothing has changed at Mikeās Bikes. We continue to be fully dedicated to helping you get the most out of your ride.
We really appreciate the support of our loyal customers, over the years and today in times of change.
-The Mikeās Bikes Team
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Normally Iād be bummed about having my order cancelled, but I actually might take them up on that. Iād probably be up to jump ship if a manufacturer did that to my LBS.
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Wowā¦Mikeās wasnāt afraid to toss Specialized under the busā¦good for them.
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As well they should. This is exactly what I thought would happen - and Specialized is leaving me without an advocate if warranty work is required.
Several Wed night regulars had pre-paid for new Tarmacs and are now screwed.
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