# Mike Sinyard

> Mike Sinyard founded Specialized Bicycle Components in 1974 after selling his VW van for $1,500 to bicycle around Europe. He brought back Cinelli parts in a duffel bag, ran the company from a trailer, and a few years later put the first mass-produced mountain bike, the Stumpjumper, on the floor of bike shops that initially called it a big kid's BMX. Today he is Founder, Chairman and self-titled Chief Rider Advocate at Specialized, headquartered in Morgan Hill, California.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman & Chief Rider Advocate at Specialized Bicycle Components
- **Organizations:** Specialized Bicycle Components, Outride (formerly Specialized Foundation), International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)
- **From:** California, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Business, San Jose State University
- **Known for:** Founded Specialized Bicycle Components (1974)., Built and shipped the first mass-produced mountain bike, the Stumpjumper (1981)., Stumpjumper inducted into the Smithsonian (1994).

## Career timeline

- **1973** — Sold his VW van for $1,500 and bicycled around Europe.
- **1974** — Founded Specialized Bicycle Components in San Jose, importing Cinelli parts.
- **1976** — Released the Specialized Touring Tire, the company's first own-brand product.
- **1981** — Launched the Stumpjumper, the first mass-produced mountain bike.
- **1984** — Relocated Specialized to Morgan Hill, California.
- **1988** — Inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
- **1994** — Stumpjumper added to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
- **2001** — Sold a 49% minority stake to Taiwan's Merida Industry Co.
- **2011** — Inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.
- **2015** — Launched the Specialized Foundation (now Outride) and the Riding for Focus program.
- **2022** — Stepped down as CEO after 48 years; appointed Scott Maguire (ex-Dyson) and took the title Founder, Chairman & Chief Rider Advocate.

## Achievements

- Founded Specialized Bicycle Components (1974).
- Built and shipped the first mass-produced mountain bike, the Stumpjumper (1981).
- Stumpjumper inducted into the Smithsonian (1994).
- Mountain Bike Hall of Fame (1988).
- U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame (2011).
- Co-founder of IMBA and NICA.
- Founded the Specialized Foundation / Outride and the Riding for Focus program.

## Latest updates

- **2022-03** — Stepped down as CEO of Specialized after 48 years; named Scott Maguire as successor and took the title Chief Rider Advocate.
- **2023-01** — Specialized laid off 8% of its global workforce as part of a 'shift for the future' restructuring.
- **2024** — Specialized celebrated its 50th anniversary; Sinyard remained active publicly as founder/chairman and brand advocate.

## Links

- Website: https://www.specialized.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-sinyard-b882326/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/iamspecialized
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamspecialized
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamspecialized/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specializedbicycles

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mike-sinyard
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-30