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Oh ffs, so for all you haters can you write the apology you would like to see published? Would everyone offended like free money from specialized? Get a grip and accept things for what they might be.
Everything since has been damage limitation, there was no sign of Specialized conceding any ground prior to that point.
Yes but you've got to remember that large companies have response times that makes glaciers look fast. PR/Marketing need to talk to Legal, Legal need to talk to the boss, it needs to go to the board, back to PR...
All this on a weekend when there's no-one around (the story went viral on Friday afternoon). Legal is basically outsourced so Specialized have a sub-contracted team of lawyers running round with more or less free rein to search and destroy anyone nicking names/brands - they probably didn't know the exact ins and outs of it, just that they thought "Roubaix" was a Specialized owned trademark and acted accordingly.
Mike has done the best job he can under the circumstances, everyone has expressed themselves happy with the outcome (apart obviously from some of the more moral creatures on STW who are still handwringing and/or looking to give someone a kicking from the comfort of their armchair).
Specialized will have learnt some lessons about marketing and consumer engagement, Cafe Roubaix will be having the busiest Christmas of all time - all good!
At least genuine Specialized stuff never breaks like that counterfeit stuff.
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Specialized-Bicycle-Components-Recalls-Bicycles-Due-to-Fall-Hazard/
Anyone seen much counterfeit Specialized stuff?
The most interesting point in that recall notice is that you might want to avoid "topkey" forks if you see them on ebay. At least you can see who made the frames and forks. Merida make Boardmans and a few others too. Not heard of topkey.
I like that, I like the honesty of the bloke and for putting his hand up and apologising and making amends, good lad I salute you Sir.
Now. Why can't this be levied at the dull corporate heads of failed Banks... 💡
In these days of corporate blandness that sounded like a pretty genuine apology to me. The cycling world is still a relatively small one and it's nice to see what looks like good will all round, especially at this time of year.
When faced with losing the name for one of their best selling bikes in their best selling market, they really had no choice but to grovel! Fuji and Cafe Roubaix are the winners here. Big corporations acting reasonably (Fuji) come out looking even better. But having said that, I think his apology is actually genuine.