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Specialized Celebrates 50 Years by Getting All Kinds of Bikes Back on the Road!

Specialized Bikes Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized store(Photos / Specialized Bicycles)
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Founded in 1974, Specialized has been rolling for 50 years now. To celebrate, they’ve set a global goal of getting 1 million bikes back on the road by the end of 2025. And not just Specialized bikes – any bike. To do so, Specialized has launched its Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized Program. On October 26th (and only on October, 26th), Specialized will celebrate its 50th anniversary by offering free repairs, tune-ups, and bike discounts in hopes of getting any brand of bike back in riding shape and back on the road.

The Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized Program is a global effort. It offers free minor tune-ups, helmets, and discounted repairs at participating retail locations. The program applies to any rider, with any bike, from any brand.

Specialized Bikes Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized service
(Photos / Specialized Bicycles)

Specialized states the Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized Program is the first of its kind. It underlines their mission to move the planet forward, by using the bicycle as a powerful way to deliver mental, physical, and environmental benefits.

It’s important to point out that the scope of the free service is limited. Don’t expect a major overhaul for free, but if your bike has been hanging for years and was in good shape before it took an extended vacation, that should qualify. You also have to pay for any parts needed. If your bike does need a big repair, it seems that Specialized will be offering discount coupons to help offset the cost. Check out the fine print section below for more details.

What does Mr. Sinyard have to Say About It?

For 50 years, we’ve been motivated by the pure love of riding and spotlighting the benefits bikes provide for our communities and health,” says Specialized Founder Mike Sinyard. “For example, we formed Outride, a non-profit committed to using cycling to support the cognitive and physical well-being of youth to underline the power of two wheels – as we look toward the future, we don’t care what kind of bike you ride, we just want you riding it. By getting one million bikes back on the road and inspiring more to ride, we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint, help our bodies, and steer toward a better future“.

Specialized Bikes Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized hero

What is the Impact?

To give you an idea of the impact the Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized program can have: according to Specialized, if the program were to get 1 million new riders on bikes in the next year, pedaling an average of only 12 miles a week it could…

  • Reduce global carbon emissions by 438 million kilograms of CO2
  • Burn 25 billion calories
  • Reduce screen time by 66.6 million hours
  • equal the C02 reduction of planting 7,242,368 million new trees

That’s pretty amazing. I guess bicycles really could save the world… if we let them.

For more information about Reduce, Reuse, and ReSpecialized events including repair info, participating U.S. retail partner locations, and what will happen on October 26th, visit here.

The Fine Print: Terms and Conditions

The Reduce, Reuse, ReSpecialized program (ReSpecializedProgram) is available at participating Specialized Retailers and will take place October 26, 2024, only. The ReSpecialized Program is limited to select services, which may or may not include flat tire repair, minor brake and shifting adjustment and repair, component and lubrication, and other similar minor repairs required to service the bicycle and as determined by the participating Specialized Retailer. While there is no cost to the owner of the bicycle (the rider) for the select services offered under the ReSpecialized Program, the Rider is responsible for the cost of parts, which can be purchased at the participating Specialized Retailer. For services and repairs not covered under the ReSpecialized Program, such as minor and major tune-ups and replacement of cables or other componentry, the Rider is able to schedule the service with the participating Specialized Retailer. The Rider agrees to pay for the services and repairs rendered, as well as any parts required for the service and repair provided. Each participating Specialized Retailer reserves the right to determine what services and repairs are offered under the ReSpecialized Program, as well as services and repairs that are beyond the scope of the ReSpecialized program.

Specialized.com

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18 Comments
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seraph
seraph
25 days ago

I’m so glad I don’t work in a customer-facing role anymore. While well-intended, programs like this seem to always cause friction between customers and service departments. Even though the article clearly states that it’s up to the participating retailer what is and isn’t included in the promotion, you’ll get entitled customers demanding that all labor is free and that Specialized said so.

John
John
25 days ago
Reply to  seraph

My first thoughts exactly when I read the headline. So glad I got out of this toxic industry.

tertius_decimus
tertius_decimus
22 days ago
Reply to  seraph

Indeed. I’m working in the industry behind the line, hiding in the shadows. Even in this position I feel resentment to most things I see in the bike biz. Would absolutely hate to be at the customer-facing position in the biz.

It’ll sooner than later become a no-mans land where it’s all heading…

Tom
Tom
25 days ago

One day only. Lol. I gave away free standard tune up cards at our 10 year anniversary good for whenever. Specialized isn’t special.

BLL
BLL
25 days ago
Reply to  Tom

Tom puts the Special in specialized!

Tom
Tom
17 days ago
Reply to  BLL

We do good in the community every day and we’re not special. You don’t need a corporate event to be a force for good. You just have to be a good person, realize when someone needs a hand up, and set limits so nobody takes advantage of you.

Kevin
Kevin
25 days ago

Just checked the Specialized site for a participating retailer near me. I have a choice of 3 shops about 4 hours away across the Canadian border, or 2 shops about 6 hours away across a mountain range prone to dangerous snowstorms. I’m pretty sure I can get a local shop to do it for less than the cost of travel for any of those options.

rodeo
rodeo
25 days ago

@kevin. you must be from around seattle. i just checked myself and recieved the same answer. seems really odd. there are a LOT of bike shops between tacoma and the canadian border. wtf why no participation here? seattle sucks!

Don
Don
24 days ago

No nz are limiting it to only new novice riders. Anyone who rides over 20ks is excluded. What a have. Why are they foing this or do we tske our budiness to another bike shop?

Polk
Polk
24 days ago

Geez, can’t anyone say anything positive? I work at a shop that is associated with a competing brand, and I am no fan of Specialized, but this is a solid move on their part. Specialized did not have to do anything like this, but they did. Will there be entitled customers making life harder for the shop employees? Sure. But those customers are going to be difficult with or without this deal. Will most customers simply be appreciative of the offer? You bet! Will this create some good will with customers at the participating shops? Yep.

Mike
Mike
24 days ago
Reply to  Polk

Absolutely, being in business now for almost 40 years, Kudos to Specialized for putting this together. Yeah, we all have those customers and like Polk said, they’re not going to change.
I happen to like Specialized so I’m glad to see it. I hope this effort draws in a lot of people and continues to increase the number of riders.

rodeo jennings
rodeo jennings
22 days ago
Reply to  Mike

talk it up however you like. but an entire half of a state left out is not good business.

nooner
nooner
24 days ago
Reply to  Polk

Also, will bring more people in the door at a time when most bike shops are slow. Then the Spesh employees can start the upselling.

tertius_decimus
tertius_decimus
22 days ago
Reply to  Polk

The problem is: bike brands (Spesh included) are very good at magneting new customers. But they do absolutely bodge job at retention of existing loyal customers. A new one goes in, an old one goes out. Once lost, an unhappy customer will never return. And the market contains only so much…

I buy some accessories made by Spesh, because these are good. But I will never buy a bicycle from them.

seraph
seraph
22 days ago
Reply to  Polk

@Polk: sounds like you’re new to the bike industry. I used to see things through rose-colored glasses when I was new.

The program is good in theory, but bad in execution for service department employees (the messengers). After all, no good deed goes unpunished.

Damien
Damien
23 days ago

I equate this with how the car dealership offers you “free” oil changes to get you into the service department after you purchase a car. The oil change is free but you will pay for all the other service that you’ll inevitably be sold. Whatever.

Papi
Papi
22 days ago

I’m curious how Specialized is compensating the participating dealers for this? Anything less than full retail value for service hours in the shop will be a net negative for the retailer. Anyone out there work at a Specialized shop that can shed a little light on this?

Al NYC
Al NYC
19 days ago

So is specialized reimbursing dealers for the work they perform?

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