Heck, I'd love to go into it, but Specialized attorneys would prolly come after me.- Not kidding!
And no, it's not the reps.
Being in the biz now I see the behind the scene's stuff, and it's very cut throat.
Let's just say that I think of Specialized as the bike company equiv. of wal mart. Not the cheap goods/china thing, but the big fish trying to squash any and all competition at all costs. - Including the cost of their own dealers.

Currently it seems as if they are going after cannondale.I guess they see the acquisition by Dorel as a threat??

Of course Trek isn't innocent either. I just read an article in a trade rag about how upset some of the Austin Trek dealers are. Apparently Lance's new shop is going to be within 3 miles on either side of two different shops.

Bike shops work hard to fight for territory. Heck, I don't even HAVE competition and I had to go through a process with all my dealer agreements before I could carry their lines. And when you sign on the dotted line you agree to do a certain dollar figure a year with them. Imagine competing with LANCE??!! OY! My head spins just thinking about it.

BUt yeah, when we were opening up our shop I was determined that I wanted to be independant. I didn't want anyone to tell ME what to carry- or what NOT to carry. The two biggest fish are known in the industry to push their dealers around. If I decide I want to carry a certain brand I don't want to be worried that they will cancel my contract and demand payment in full immediately- or take me to court.

Yes, Specialized is a fine bike. Like I said, we have bought many over the years. I hear their saddle system is great. But for ME as a dealer, I'm just not going to drink their kool-aid.