The cycling world buzzed recently when a piece questioning design similarities between the leaked 2024 Specialized Epic geometry and the Allied Cycle Works BC40 surfaced. The article, exploring whether Specialized might have taken cues from Allied, prompted direct outreach to both companies for comment. Seeking to cut through typical PR, the author contacted Allied Cycle Works’ general customer support and Specialized’s PR email.
Before delving into their responses, it’s crucial to acknowledge a fundamental aspect of bike design. Innovation often involves observing and learning from competitors. In a field with inherent physical constraints, completely diverging from successful designs is impractical, even counterproductive. While pioneering is commendable, fixating solely on being first overshadows the ultimate goal: creating the best possible bike. Continuous refinement and development, informed by the competitive landscape, are paramount.
Competitive analysis is standard practice across industries, and bicycle manufacturing is no exception. For companies striving to produce top-tier bikes, ignoring competitor offerings would be a critical oversight. Understanding how rivals approach design and engineering provides invaluable insights. In a market where marginal gains can translate to significant performance advantages, every piece of competitive intelligence matters.
So, what did Allied Cycle Works and Specialized have to say? Remarkably, within an hour of sending emails, responses arrived from both Allied Cycle Works’ CEO and Specialized’s PR team. Here are their statements:
Image alt text: Allied Cycle Works CEO Drew Medlock’s email response regarding Specialized Epic design similarities, highlighting industry-wide competitive analysis in bike development.
Response from CEO Drew Medlock (shared with permission)
Image alt text: Generic email response from Specialized Bikes PR team, reflecting standard public relations communication practices in the bicycle industry.
Specialized PR team email response, sourced from their website.
Reflecting on these responses, Specialized’s reply underscores the often impersonal nature of corporate PR. It highlights the challenge of reaching beyond pre-scripted communications. Conversely, Allied Cycle Works’ CEO’s prompt, personal response signals a different approach, indicative of a company deeply engaged and responsive.
Drew Medlock’s response, while concise, reinforces the open secret within the bike industry: brands meticulously study each other. This scrutiny aims to ensure every new product is competitive and incorporates the latest advancements. It’s highly probable that Specialized, like many major manufacturers, maintains an inventory of competitor frames for thorough testing and analysis. This practice of competitive benchmarking is fundamental to refining and elevating product design, especially in the competitive market of performance bikes.
However, beyond the immediate question of design similarities, a larger issue emerges concerning brand communication. The increasing reliance on marketing jargon and PR filters risks diluting the authentic voice of cycling brands. While Specialized’s PR response felt somewhat detached, it’s crucial to differentiate between corporate communication strategies and the passion of the engineers and designers behind the bikes. It’s unlikely that the individuals crafting Specialized bikes are as detached as a generic PR email might suggest. Reaching the pinnacle of bike design demands passion, dedication, and a genuine enthusiasm for cycling.
Consider Mike Sinyard, the founder of Specialized. His personality and vision shaped one of the most successful bike brands globally. Sinyard’s approach was characterized by bold initiatives and unconventional thinking, evidenced by his advocacy for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies through Project New Day. This level of impactful leadership and brand building isn’t achieved through cautious, personality-void PR strategies. It requires direct engagement and a willingness to express genuine perspectives.
For brands aspiring to lead, maintaining a competitive edge requires both product innovation and authentic communication. Allied Cycle Works’ proactive engagement, demonstrated by their CEO’s direct response, suggests a company driven and determined. Their BC40, launched in 2022, has demonstrably influenced the current XC bike landscape. The question remains: can larger brands like Specialized recapture a similar level of directness and authenticity in their communication?
The message to bike companies is clear: reconsider the reliance on PR intermediaries. Encourage direct communication between company representatives and the cycling community. Explain the passion, the engineering, and the vision behind your bikes, directly to the riders. The bike industry thrives on genuine enthusiasm and shared experiences, not manufactured narratives. Let’s bring back the soul to bike brand communication.
