Specialized Bicycle Components

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc., styled SPECIALIZED, is an American company that designs, manufactures and markets bicycles, components and related products, with the S-Works badge for its premium, professional line and the Roval name for high-end components. Mike Sinyard founded it in 1974 after selling his Volkswagen bus to fund a cycling trip to Europe, and it began as an importer of Italian parts before making its own, starting with the Touring Tire in 1976. In 1981 it introduced the Sequoia, the Allez and the Stumpjumper, the first major production mountain bike. The Epic line followed, and the company moved to Morgan Hill, California, in 1984. Merida Bikes of Taiwan bought a 49 percent stake in 2001, while Sinyard stayed majority owner and chief executive. The company has also been involved in several trademark disputes and a 2012 recall of about 12,000 bicycles with faulty forks.