Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Specialized vs S-Works

Could someone please explain the relationship between Specialized and S-Works? I understand the sub-brands like Tarmac, Roubaix etc. but would love to know exactly where S-Works fits into the line-up.

TIA.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
iDavid | 12 years ago
0 likes

That's really helpful. Thanks guys.

Avatar
NickInBath | 12 years ago
0 likes

There are a lot of car and motorcycle racing fans at Specialized. It was - is - a tradition for US car and motorcycle companies to run a 'Skunk Works' - a development and manufacturing facility off to the side of the mainstream production so that racing specials and one-offs could be worked on without distracting the serious commercial part of the business. S-Works at Specialized serves the same purpose - special products can be worked on, tried and shipped in smaller numbers than usual but with the added marketing twist that by only selling the resultant S-Works products through the best, most enthusiastic and qualified dealers there is a certain added cachet all around. Plus, they can better control which trained mechanics get to tweak the really high-end products for theoretically fussier customers. A concept that's successful in the S-Works line will invariably make into mainstream production eventually. Expect the 2015 Allez to feature Venge-like features, for example, if the Venge continues its good start.

Avatar
simondbarnes | 12 years ago
0 likes

Tarmac, Roubaix etc aren't sub-brands, they are models.

S-Works are the top end Specialized frames/bikes, fairly limited in numbers and only available through Specialized S-Works dealers. Many models have S-Works versions... Tarmac, Roubaix, Shiv, Transition, Ruby, Epic, Enduro, Stumpjumper (both FSR & Hardtail), Enduro...

Latest Comments