Brandwave

How popular isSpecialized?

In September 2026, people searched for Specialized by name about 3,940 times in New Zealand, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 2.8% of all New Zealand downhill bike brand searches, placing Specialized eighth out of eight brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about downhill bike brands, Specialized appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Specialized is the eighth most searched of 8 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. KTMShare of searches 27%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  2. CommencalShare of searches 26.2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  3. Santa CruzShare of searches 11.5%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. CanyonShare of searches 10.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  5. SpecializedShare of searches 2.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st

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Top downhill bike brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Specialized appeared in all five answers. Specialized is the most recommended of the eight.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Specialized1st
  2. Santa Cruz2nd
  3. Trek3rd
  4. Canyon4th
  5. Commencal5th
  6. Giant6th
  7. KTM–
  8. Cube–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Specialized5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Commencal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Santa Cruz4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Canyon4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Trek4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Giant2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • KTM0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Cube0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about downhill bike brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Which downhill bike brands compete with Specialized?

Specialized against downhill bike brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for KTM, Commencal, Santa Cruz, Canyon, Giant, Trek, Cube, Specialized. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKTMCommencalSanta CruzCanyonGiantTrekCubeSpecialized
Oct 202530.1%25.8%11.7%10.8%10.8%5.2%2.8%2.8%
Nov 202529.8%23.2%10.5%12.6%12.6%5.7%3.1%2.5%
Dec 202527.3%20.5%10%14%14%7.8%3.5%2.8%
Jan 202625.8%24%8.9%16%13%5.9%3.2%3.2%
Feb 202631.3%21.4%10.7%11.6%8.9%8.9%2.9%4.3%
Mar 202625%24.1%11%13.3%13.3%7.3%2.7%3.2%
Apr 202622.2%25.9%11.2%11.6%14.3%7.9%3.5%3.5%
May 202626%24.6%13.8%11%11%7.5%3.3%2.7%
Jun 202624%24.1%11.5%10.1%10.1%13.1%3.9%3.2%
Jul 202625.1%22.2%11.4%11.7%11.7%10.3%4.6%3%
Aug 202624%27.6%12.5%11.5%11.5%5.5%4.5%3%
Sep 202627%26.2%11.5%10.9%10.9%6.4%4.3%2.8%

  1. 1.KTM

    27%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 2.5K estimated branded searches, +18.2% vs prior month. Share +3 points.

  2. 2.Commencal

    26.2%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 2.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.4 points.

  3. 3.Santa Cruz

    11.5%

    Held 3rd. 1.1K estimated branded searches, -3.7% vs prior month. Share -1.1 points.

  4. 4.Canyon

    10.9%

    Held 4th. 1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.

  5. 5.Giant

    10.9%

    Held 5th. 1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.

  6. 6.Trek

    6.4%

    Held 6th. 590 estimated branded searches, +22.9% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.

  7. 7.Cube

    4.3%

    Held 7th. 390 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  8. 8.Specialized

    2.8%

    Held 8th. 260 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Specialized and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Specialized

33 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Specialized changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Specialized in New Zealand held steady, from 3.8K to 3.9K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Specialized’s share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand peaked at 4.3% in February 2026 and was lowest at 2.5% in November 2025.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand downhill bike brands in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, KTM overtook Commencal to become the leader among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, with 27% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Trek gained share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, from 5.5% to 6.4%.

  3. In September 2026, Commencal lost share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, from 27.6% to 26.2%.

  4. In September 2026, Santa Cruz lost share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, from 12.5% to 11.5%.

  5. In September 2026, Canyon lost share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, from 11.5% to 10.9%.

  6. In September 2026, Giant lost share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, from 11.5% to 10.9%.

How are Specialized’s branded searches counted?

18 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Specialized’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • specialized bib shorts
  • specialized bike
  • specialized bikes rockhopper
  • specialized dh bike
  • specialized e bike
  • specialized ebike
  • specialized enduro bike
  • specialized gravel bike
  • specialized gravel shoes
  • specialized helmet
  • specialized mountain bike
  • specialized mtb bikes
  • specialized mtb gloves
  • specialized mtb shoes
  • specialized road bikes
  • specialized saddle
  • specialized shoes
  • specialized youth bikes

Do you work for Specialized? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Specialized compete?

Specialized is ranked in 14 competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Bike brands2nd of 821.2%Show ranking
Downhill bike brands8th of 82.8%Shown above
Electric mountain bike brands2nd of 521.8%Show ranking
E-bike brands2nd of 1116.9%Show ranking
Gravel bike brands1st of 435.2%Show ranking
Cycling helmet brands6th of 73.6%Show ranking
Bib shorts brands7th of 70.35%Show ranking
Bike gloves brands1st of 658%Show ranking
Bike saddle brands6th of 62.4%Show ranking
MTB shoes brands7th of 72%Show ranking
Bike shoes brands1st of 676%Show ranking
MTB gloves brands7th of 70.66%Show ranking
Cycling shoe brands4th of 611.3%Show ranking
Gravel shoes brands4th of 55.7%Show ranking
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