Mike Sinyard founded Specialized in 1974, first selling components to bike shops, and began making tyres in 1976, according to BikeRadar. Its Stumpjumper of 1981 sold for $750 complete, and about 500 were built in the first year. The company moved to Morgan Hill, California, in 1984, and Merida bought 49% of it in 2001, according to Wikipedia.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1974
- Based
- Morgan Hill, California, from 1984
- Ownership
- Merida bought 49% in 2001
Specialized models
Years show the earliest and latest evidence found so far, not exact production dates.
Mountain bike
- StumpjumperThe Stumpjumper arrived in 1981, drawn up by Tim Neenan and sold for $750 complete or $395 as a frame; about 500 were built in the first year…1981–1982
- EpicSpecialized's Epic is dated 1988 by Wikipedia and 1989 by BikeRadar, which calls it the world's first production carbon-fibre mountain bike.1988–1989
- RockhopperThe Rockhopper was on sale by 1990: Wikipedia notes it was named in Specialized's lawsuit against RockShox that year.1990
- S-Works FSRThe S-Works FSR of 1993 was Specialized's first suspension bike, and its design became the basis of the company's later full-suspension bikes…1993
- S-Works FSR XCThe S-Works FSR XC of 1999 brought Specialized's full suspension to cross-country racing, according to BikeRadar.1999
Sources for this brand
Last updated 19 October 2026. Every fact on this page comes from one of these.