Specialized was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard, who initially imported Italian bike components before developing their own products. Specialized emphasizes understanding rider needs and incorporating that feedback into their designs, striving to create bikes that offer both performance and a great riding experience.

S-Works models exclusively use the highest level of available carbon fiber. They also receive a more careful elaboration, with a precise placement of their fiber layers or the use of the minimum necessary amount of resins to avoid any unnecessary material.