Specialized Mountain Bikes: Passion in Performance
If you've been asking around for the most popular bikes in the market, it is highly likely that you have heard of Specialized mountain bikes. Specialized is a brand that has been around for over 30 years, and has become famous for its affordable high-end models.
Specialized mountain bikes have a rich and colorful history. 1974 was the year its founder Mike Sinyard sold his VW to start up a business for importing bike parts from Italy. He assembled these parts in his California headquarters, and sold the finished products to various recreation shops in his state. This system allowed him to build cheaper bicycles with custom parts, and this worked out well when the demand for custom and rebuilt bikes boomed locally. After years of experience in bicycle assembly, Specialized released its first blockbuster model, the Stumpjumper, in the early 1980's. It is still a favorite of many biking enthusiasts today.
The 1982 Stumpjumper is a highly customized model made up of parts from different corners of the world. It has French brakes and cranks, hubs and shifters from Japan, and a BMX stern and pedals. It was definitely not an easy make, back in the day, with top of the line parts coming from so many different sources! But the end result is the first "production" bike in the United States, and a true blue classic.
One who stumbles across the online Urban Dictionary will encounter another meaning for "stumpjumper" - an unsavory one that is probably not best elaborated on. But the Stumpjumper remains untouched by the negative connotations that have become attached to its name.
This firm is also unique in its advocacy efforts. Few recreational gear manufacturers would go the extra mile to help other biking enthusiasts make a difference. The company has made donations to different organizations, such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. It has also started up its own programs, such as the Adopt a Marine Project. You can learn more about these endeavors on the official website: Specialized.com. By buying Specialized mountain bikes, you aren't just buying quality bikes - you are supporting several worthy causes!
