California-based Specialized is one of the biggest bike brands in the World. 

It’s a cycling household name, consistently winning magazine tests for both its bikes and equipment. Specialized bikes and it’s wide range of equipment are sold through independent dealers and the company’s own website.

Specialized was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard, who remains with the company today. After a cycle tour of Europe, Sinyard began importing Italian cycle components. A couple of years later, Specialized’s first own-brand product was launched: a touring tyre, and 1981, the company started selling its own bikes. The Allez and Sequoia were the first but it was another bike launched that year that really put Specialized on the map: the Stumpjumper. 

It was the world’s first mass-production mountain bike. “It’s not just a new bicycle,” said the adverts at the time, “it’s a whole new sport.” Mountain biking had arrived. 

Off-road riding isn’t the only focus, however. Specialized has always built bikes for tarmac; it even has a road bike of that name- and it’s won the most races out of all the world tour bikes. Specialized’s race bikes are tested for aerodynamics in the company’s own wind tunnel and are ridden by some of the best riders in the world, including 2-timeWorld Champion, Julian Allaphilippe.  

Specialized has been a leader in the e-bike market too, even creating its own motor system for the best rider experience. Their goal, to innovate and inspire to improve riders’ lives remains true of their ‘Turbo’ ebikes. When they developed their first electric bike over 10 years ago,it had to ride and feel like a great bike first and foremost. Their aim? For you to feel like you were on a “regular” bike, but that somehow, you’d grown superhero legs. It’s You, Only Faster. 

As well as bikes, Specializedalso creates some of the most desirable equipment in cycling- everything from shoes, helmets and saddles, to its wheel and component brand, Roval. Their Body Geometry ethos is industry-leading, using research and development to innovate the way in which riders connect with their bike- leading to more comfortable rides.   

Here are five Specialized bikes that would work well for the weekday commute. 

A summer blockbuster with an eye for adventure, the Rockhopper Comp lives for high action and fast-paced plot twists and features an all-new, Premium A1 Aluminum frame making its singletrack debut.This butted aluminum frame features hydroformed top and downtubesin order to keep weight low and strength high, all while providing increased standover clearance, slick internal cable routing and dropper-post compatibility. 

It also incorporatesaSR SunTour XCM fork with a custom two-way damping circuit, Stout wheelset, SRAM Level hydraulic stoppers and MicroSHIFT’swide-range 1x9 drivetrain giving you the backup provided by a supporting cast that’s all thriller and no filler, but will never leave you hanging. 

The Turbo Tero is an electric mountain bike equipped for everyday rides. A mountain bike that you can commute on. A commuter you can take touring. A touring bike that you can tow a trailer with. A true do-it-all superhero, Tero combines adaptable utility with World Champion mountain bike DNA and category-leading electric pedal assist. 

Tero’s strengths are the fusion of power, confidence, and versatility. Developed in concert together, these attributes result in a strong, efficient, adaptable bike that is a joy to ride everywhere, from city streets to backcountry trails.