in praise of.....Specialized

[dellzeqq]

yeah, yeah....they're big and brash and multi-national and don't do lugs....

I've admired Specialized bikes since doing a LeJoG in the company of a couple of Speshistes in 2005. We were averaging 175 miles a day, and, each and every afternoon, I on my C40, they on their Roubaixs enjoyed an easier time than those riding Treks or steel frames or some of the more obscure carbon jobs. When Susie impulse-bought a road bike in 2009 I wasn't surprised that her Ruby Pro was a dream to ride.

But....when the bright young chap at Brixton Cycles spotted a bit of movement in her cranks, and, upon taking it apart, found a hairline crack in the BB shell, Specialized rose even higher in my estimation. No questions - replacement frame. And.....they picked up the tab for any parts that had to be re-supplied because they didn't fit the new bike - and that meant new Ultegra cranks and chainrings, new chain, new front changer. That's what I call service. That's what I call top-notch service.

So....if you're reading this Mr. Specialized - take a bow!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

they have a well deserved reputation in mtb circles for excellent warranty service provided, that is, the dealer doesn't mess the customer around. Of course brixton cycles would never do this, but some others of my acquaintance....

now a churl might argue that if they built the darned bikes right in the first place their warranty would not need to be quite so good but

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

i've had nothing but top notch service from specialized and it's the sole reason I will continue to buy their bikes. They seem to do the right thing by me. The fact they relaced a 2009 frame for you seem's typical of them. I have equally had shocking service from some so called premium itallian brands.

It's a shame some companies do not simply understand that if you treat me well, and value my custom, you will have a loyal customer for life.
Good on specialized.

 

[StuAff]

I have somewhat mixed feelings about Specialized- my LBS put me off them somewhat (they stopped being a dealer because they were having so many problems with Spesh UK) and the Volagi lawsuit struck me as purely bully-boy tactics, but the fact is I know quite a few happy owners, and though I probably wouldn't go for one if/when I bought a new bike, I'd be happy with a Roubaix. Certainly glad they did right for Susie.

As for premium Italian brands...I have nothing but praise for Viner and their UK distributors. When I had the first round of bother with my frame (for those who don't know, the BB shell somehow became unbonded from the frame), it might have taken a quite a few weeks to sort out (though a big part of the delay was me looking at other repair options which fell through), but the factory (yes, it went back to Italy!) did a good job for a price that was far less than I feared (it wasn't a warranty job as I'd got the bike second-hand and therefore wasn't covered). When the repair itself failed (!), Viner covered the costs of collecting and shipping the bike out of goodwill, as well as making good on the repair. Touch wood, sorted permanently now.

 

[ianrauk]

I think people on here who know me and have ridden with me know how much I love my Roubaix.
The frame is 3 years old now and has done many thousands of miles. It's got a few nicks and knocks but still rides as smooth as the day I bought it. Probably the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. And with the Spesh lifetime warranty, the amount it cost at the time proved that it's been worth every single penny.

 

[Andrew_P]

The same for me love my Roubaix, they repaired/replaced my bottle lugs FOC when they became wobbly and loose. Only a £20 job ut all the same.

 

[derrick]

Have had good service from them after having a couple of small probs on the mtb,
http://www.shorter-rochford.co.uk/ Reccomended.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I have always liked spesh.

I like them a bit more now!

 

[theclaud]

I think people on here who know me and have ridden with me know how much I love my Roubaix.

Yeah, right. If you really loved it, you'd take the trouble to clean it properly. State of that thing is a ****ing disgrace.

 

[ianrauk]

Yeah, right. If you really loved it, you'd take the trouble to clean it properly. State of that thing is a ****ing disgrace.

Holds head in shame.....

 

[PpPete]

Personally I'm less than impressed with the quality of the wheel build on the entry level Secteur a friend bought for a JoGLE.
One of the spokes on the rear came loose 20 miles in to the first ride. Tightened up by dealer. Same problem on next ride (not sure if same spoke). Tightened by dealer again. And then again before we set off.
Second day from JoG - a minor touch of wheels resulted in a major pringle. Trued as well as possible on the side of the road (enough to ride with brake QR open). Tried to do a better job that evening but found it impossible because some spokes already frantically tight and in danger of rounding nipples if further tightened. In frustration stripped wheel right down with the intention of a clean build. Found the rim had a natural bow that made it impossible to build a true wheel with anything like even tensions. Third day - went out of true on first significant pothole, so day was finished with QR open again. No Spesh dealer for miles around, had to buy a brand new wheel (£90)
On return original dealer offered replacement wheel - which was not needed, but would not refund cost (or even part of) for the wheel my friend had to buy.

Now - I'm no expert, but if I worked in a LBS and a customer brought a bike back three times in as many weeks - always with a loose spoke in the same wheel, I'd be highly suspicious of there being something fundamentally wrong. Maybe Brixton Cycles would have checked more thoroughly ? Maybe if the local dealer had replaced the wheel instead of just addressing the symptoms rather the cause I would be impressed as others up-thread.

 

[StuAff]

That sounds like a few errors on Spesh's part, Pete, but the bike shop that sold the thing definitely screwed up. I can't imagine my LBS letting a bike out of the door in that state. And they should have covered the cost of the repairs, no quibbling.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

out of curiousity Pete has your friend contacted specialized uk direct? as this action would directly show how Specialized respond with regards to the issue rather than the LBS.
My LBS would not let a bike out like that and would have given it a full check if spokes needed tightening, I would think Specialized would like the opportunity to inspect the failed wheel.

 

[Banjo]

I think people on here who know me and have ridden with me know how much I love my Roubaix.
The frame is 3 years old now and has done many thousands of miles. It's got a few nicks and knocks but still rides as smooth as the day I bought it. Probably the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. And with the Spesh lifetime warranty, the amount it cost at the time proved that it's been worth every single penny.

Is the lifetime warranty conditional on getting the bike dealer serviced or is it unconditional?

 

[ianrauk]

Is the lifetime warranty conditional on getting the bike dealer serviced or is it unconditional?

Unconditional as long as you are the original owner from new and it was bought & assembled by and from a recognised Spesh dealer.