Do you have a question for Specialized Women's Product Team?

[Tokie]

Susan - I agree with you. And I love the ongoing discussion about bottom brackets and compatibility too - this is just like a family holiday dinner, with multiple conversations going on at once. tokie

[BellaMTB]

This thread seems to have gone in several different directions, but I just wanted to add my comments about the color choices on WSD bikes - I agree with several of the previous posts about not liking the obviously "girly" color schemes (esp. pink) - probably a visceral reaction from childhood experiences. Aside from that, I think the practical consideration of resale value is also important (probably harder to sell a pink bike). I realize you can't please everyone, but my main complaint is that many of the bikes (especially higher-end) only come in one color. If I don't like that color, I won't buy it. I am very particular about the colors I will buy. I'd like to add that I do like the subtle monochromatic patterns (e.g. "Tribal") on some of the new Specialized 2010 WSD bikes.

Now for my last LBS bike color experience: I was shopping for a higher-end Specialized MTB a few years back and politely asked the sales manager if the model I was looking at came in any other color. He stared at me and replied: "Guys don't care." !!!?? Needless to say I bought my bike elsewhere.

(re. rlambert's participation - OK by me, though I am new here.)

[teigyr]

After looking at this all, I have to agree with Susan. While the powers that be here are very patient, I think we all forget what this website and forum are. I didn't realize that TE doesn't sell Specialized products (at least I don't think so?) and using this forum doesn't appear to be 100% ethical.

I have nothing against Rachel or Specialized and I understand why the TE message boards would be a prime group of people to contact. I also think it was pushing boundaries, a bit.

[spazzdog]

While I understand Susan's point, I think its a bit late to get the horses back in the barn. We all already know Rachel is with Specialized so she will be forever peppered with "why can't Specialized do..." type questions.

I don't believe she should be banned or anything - she's female and a cyclist for pete's sake.

Perhaps Rachel (sorry - didn't mean to speak as though you weren't in the room), you should simply come as a participant and leave the corporate out of it. You can still take things you observe back to your development team, but avoid those pesky lines of demarcation.

As for the rest of us, lets try to not get Rachel in any more hot water. If you have a Specialized specific question, PM it to her.

Remember - she like each of us, has something to share AS a cyclist - that's if she still wants to play with us.

my 2 cents - spazzdog

[Susan Otcenas]

I don't believe she should be banned or anything - she's female and a cyclist for pete's sake.

Just to be clear - I'm not suggesting this.

What we're trying to gain is some clarity on where to draw the line on the type of participation permitted by forum members who have a clear commercial interest at stake.

We are very grateful to all of you who are willing to share your thoughts here. Jeff & I have also been receiving PMs on the subject, and are carefully considering all of your comments. Thank you so much for letting us know what you think!

Susan

[gnat23]

PS, everyone who is poo-pooing the pink stuff, I will gladly take it off your hands.

-- gnat!

[rlambert]

In response to the growing concern that the administrator and others have for my participation on this forum, I will discontinue this thread and use of the forum. While it is true that I am participating in the forum as a Specialized employee, I believe that as an avid cyclist who works for a bicycle company I am always representing my company whether out on the trails or on a forum and thought that full disclosure of the company I represent would be more truthful.

I have read and gleaned a lot from these forums over the past year and have noticed a lot of questions about cycling/products/riding , but I was hesitant to jump in and participate as I am not normally an active forum user. However, I thought the opportunity to open a discussion with full disclosure about who I was would encourage a dialogue about what women want from a cycling company and what they aren’t getting. It is true that I have used this for research and to encourage people to participate in our Facebook page but mostly the research has been to benefit women’s products and development by learning what you truly want and need from cycling products and also for you to learn a little bit about the women behind the product.

In no posting on this thread have I pushed a product or our brand but wanted to participate in this dialogue with everybody knowing who I was and what I was trying to do. I apologize to any who have been offended by this or made uncomfortable, it was never my goal. On a side note, I have received many personal messages asking questions, looking for information and giving fantastic feedback. Thank you to all of you who sent those messages.

Thank you,
Rachael

[Geonz]

Being a commuter/touring/everything*but*mountain rider, Specialized isn't marketing to me, anyway ... if I were Rachel (or rather, if my psyche were absorbed into Rachel's being at this time) I'd lurk and read. *I* would probably yield to the temptation to post as an alias to participate as a cyclist

Personally, I didn't mind the post or the link, but then thought about "what if all the industry sites did that?" and then thought "hmmm.... and maybe that would be a good thing?" and then thought "welp, they could have their own forum section." I would, of course, *love* the chance to spew my opinions at People from the Industry.

[Tuckervill]

Dang, we ran off a good one!

Karen

[Becky]

Dang, we ran off a good one!

Karen

Yeah, and that sucks, IMO.

[Susan Otcenas]

The intent was not to "run her off" and I'm very sorry that Rachael chose to interpret it that way. I believe my posts have been quite clear about the question we are asking.

Big picture - we'd still like to have the discussion about how to handle commercial interests on the forum, and continue to collect your feedback. As always, thanks so much for your input!

Susan

[Tuckervill]

It was totally Rachel's decision not to participate anymore. We just didn't make it easy on her to transition to a regular gal. I'm just acknowledging our part in it.

Karen

[spazzdog]

A suggestion to toss into the community popcorn popper...

Perhaps TE could create a section on the forums for bike makers, equipment makers, etc and invite them to post research/development/consumer interest type threads. It's not "advertising" in the strictest sense of the word and it would put the manufacturers right here in the playpen... and put TE even more out there as a way fabulous site.

Just an idear...

spazz

[SadieKate]

Spazz, that's a possibility. Not bad.

However, what makes me uncomfortable is that Specialized does not allow mail order of their accessories. It doesn't seem fair for Susan to pay for market research for companies whose products she cannot sell.

Sidi wants to ask us how to make their shoes better? Go for it. Specialized? No. Tit for tat.

I know that leaves a gray area of companies whose products she may choose not to sell, but I haven't solved that one yet.

Specialized tends to take a heavyhanded approach with their dealers also. Maybe Rachel can read this part of the thread and take it back to management, not that they'll listen.

[Fredwina]

Actaully, you can mail-order specialized stuff. You just have to do it direct (no dealers)