Specialized

Specialized mountain bikes are the riding enthusiast's dream come true. For too many years, the mountain biking enthusiast has been relegated to second-class status. As few as just a decade ago, if you wanted a truly personal experience with your mountain bike, you had to spend thousands of dollars to have it made by companies from Italy, and Germany. Some of the best bikes in the world were made by these companies, and it seemed as though companies based in the United States were always running a few years behind in style and technology. Thanks to Specialized Montain Bikes, however, this trend is officially over!

Specialized Mountain Bikes designs and manufactures their bikes to meet the exacting expectations of their very discerning clientele. This is a company whose bikes range from the affordable six to seven hundred dollar range, up to nearly ten grand for the some of the most technologically advanced bicycles to ever touch the pavement. In addition to their selection of over twenty different lines of bikes, Specialized Mountain Bikes also licenses a line of accessories as well. These accessories range from clothing and helmets, to actual parts to heavily mod their bikes after purchase. Many of the top riders on the international circuit modify their bikes themselves, in order to allow the bike to better meet their riding style. Losing weight from the bike, stiffening the suspension, or changing the amount of tire travel and pressure are all things that can be done to improve the performance of an already near-perfect ride, offered by one of the leaders in the international biking community, Specialized Mountain Bikes.

Morgan Hill, California-based Specialized Bicycle Components is now producing some of the best-reviewed, most versatile bikes on the international market. Their bikes are used from everyone ranging to weekend-warriors with extra cash burning a hole in their pockets, to professional racers such as Olympic medal-winner Christoph Sauser. Several international teams are currently racing on Specialized bikes, including members of the German and Belgian cycling teams. They'll be riding the Tarmac series, designed and manufactured by Specialized Mountain Bikes. These road bikes are composed entirely of a carbon-fiber composite, providing increased strength and rigidity, while decreasing weight over past metal designs.

Specialized Mountain Bikes have consistently received generally good reviews from around the world. One thing that generally seems to be accepted by the community at large, is that these bikes don't stand out in any specific way. There's no one, individual trait that makes these bikes exceptional. Bill Strickland, from http://www.bicycling.com says, when reviewing the Tarmac SL-SRAM, "This was not a bike that excelled at any single trait...each quality is as top-notch as the total." Mr. Strickland further says that, "...this bike...is fast. Period."

I have always believed that this is the hallmark of a good bike. Whether you're looking for a trail bike, or a road-bike, you don't want a one trick pony. One bike may have great tires, but leave you sitting on a substandard suspension, which means definite saddle sores at the end of a long ride. I have never thought you should have to compromise one trait, just to get another. It seems that newer, top-of-the-line manufacturers, such as Specialized Mountain Bikes are coming around to my way of thinking.

So whether you're looking to spend under a grand for a bike for your kids, or whether your kid happens to be a hard-core BMX rider who shreds the track every weekend, and chews dirt for breakfast, you should try the bikes manufactured right here in the US of A. You may have to sell your kidneys on the black-market to afford it...but oh, what a way to go!