Shimano vs Specialized:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Shimano had more branded searches than Specialized among MTB shoes brands in New Zealand. Shimano had about 460 branded searches, while Specialized had 40. Shimano made up 22.4% of all MTB shoes brand searches we track, and Specialized accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MTB shoes brands, Shimano and Specialized each appeared in four of the five answers. Shimano was mentioned before Specialized in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Shimano, about 12 searches for every 1 for Specialized
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Shimano, named ahead of Specialized in 4 of 5 answers
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Top MTB shoes brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Shimano was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Specialized was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Shimano was listed before Specialized in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Five Ten1st- Shimano2nd
Giro3rd
Specialized4th
Fox Racing5th
Sidi–
Vans–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Shimano4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Five Ten4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Specialized4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Giro3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fox Racing3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sidi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Vans0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about MTB shoes brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which MTB shoes brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best MTB shoes brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best MTB shoes brand in New Zealand for trail grip?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mtb shoes nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mountain bike shoes”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Shimano or Specialized more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Shimano and Specialized by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven MTB shoes brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Shimano, Specialized. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Giro | Shimano | Sidi | Fox Racing | Vans | Five Ten | Specialized |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.4% | 22.3% | 7.2% | 6.6% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 3% |
| Nov 2025 | 56.3% | 19.4% | 4.4% | 7.8% | 5.3% | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 53.2% | 21.1% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 7.4% | 3.7% | 2.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 51.6% | 22.9% | 5.9% | 6.4% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 3.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.9% | 24% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 6.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.8% | 23.5% | 7.1% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 3.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 55.9% | 24% | 3.9% | 5% | 6.1% | 2.8% | 2.2% |
| May 2026 | 54% | 21% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 2.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 50.3% | 22.6% | 7.7% | 6.5% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 2.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 57% | 18.4% | 6.1% | 5.6% | 6.1% | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 60.4% | 15.2% | 7.1% | 6.1% | 7.1% | 2.5% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 55.6% | 22.4% | 6.3% | 5.9% | 4.4% | 3.4% | 2% |
How has the Shimano and Specialized comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Shimano was ahead of Specialized in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shimano’s share of searches among MTB shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 22.3% to 22.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 370 to 460.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Specialized’s share of searches among MTB shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 3% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 50 to 40.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand MTB shoes brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Shimano gained share of searches among MTB shoes brands in New Zealand, from 15.2% to 22.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Specialized in New Zealand fell 20% over 12 measured months, from 50 to 40 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Shimano’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.
Shimano
2 branded search terms
- shimano pedals
- shimano shoes
Specialized
1 branded search term
- specialized mtb shoes
Other head-to-heads among MTB shoes brands
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