Brandwave

KTM vs Specialized:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, KTM had more branded searches than Specialized among downhill bike brands in New Zealand. KTM had about 2,470 branded searches, while Specialized had 260. KTM made up 27% of all downhill bike brand searches we track, and Specialized accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about downhill bike brands, Specialized appeared in all five answers and KTM in none.

Among downhill bike brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

KTM, about 10 searches for every 1 for Specialized

KTM 2.5K searchesSpecialized 260 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Specialized, mentioned in every answer we collected

Specialized in 5 of 5KTM in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Specialized, the only one of the two named

Specialized first in 5KTM never named

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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. KTM did not appear in any of the five answers.

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.

Is KTM or Specialized more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for KTM and Specialized by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight downhill bike brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

KTM and Specialized among downhill bike brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for KTM, 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%

How has the KTM and Specialized comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • KTM was ahead of Specialized in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KTM’s share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand moved from 30.1% to 27%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.8K to 2.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Specialized’s share of searches among downhill bike brands in New Zealand held steady at 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 260.

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

1 change

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

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

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

KTM

4 branded search terms

  • ktm
  • ktm bow
  • ktm duke
  • ktm ebike

Specialized

1 branded search term

  • specialized mountain bike

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among downhill bike brands

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