Bicycle Brands: Specialized, BMC, 3T and More

When choosing a bike, it is worth considering more than just its type, size and components. The manufacturer's specialisation also matters. Some brands offer a broad range of performance and everyday bikes, while others focus on road, gravel or purpose-built children's bikes.

We introduce six bicycle brands available at Velonova – Specialized, BMC, 3T, Colnago, Bemoov and Early Rider. Find out what makes each brand different, which bikes they offer and what to consider before choosing.

Specialized – A Wide Range of Bikes and Advanced Technology

Specialized is an American bicycle manufacturer founded in California in 1974. Its range includes road, mountain, gravel, hybrid and electric bikes. Specialized places particular emphasis on frame design, ride characteristics and technologies developed for different cycling disciplines.

Some of the best-known Specialized model families include:

• Tarmac, Aethos and Roubaix – road bikes offering different balances of speed, low weight and comfort over longer distances.
• Diverge and Crux – gravel bikes. Diverge focuses on versatility across different surfaces, while Crux prioritises low weight and a performance-oriented ride.
• Epic, Chisel, Rockhopper and Stumpjumper – mountain bikes designed for different types of terrain and riding styles.
• Sirrus – hybrid bikes for fitness, leisure riding and everyday journeys.
• Turbo Levo, Turbo Vado and Turbo Creo – electric bike families developed for different riding conditions.

Specialized also offers the S-Works range. This is not a separate manufacturer but a designation used for top-tier Specialized bikes and components. Depending on the model, S-Works versions may feature a more advanced frame, lower weight or higher-spec components.

Specialized is worth considering if you want a bike designed for a particular cycling discipline, with a choice of price points and specifications. Explore Specialized bikes.

BMC – Swiss Performance Bikes

BMC is a Swiss bicycle manufacturer focused on performance bike design, frame geometry and riding efficiency. The brand is particularly well known in road cycling and mountain biking.

BMC's main model families cater to different riding needs:

• Teammachine SLR – performance road bikes designed for dynamic riding, training and racing.
• Roadmachine – road bikes with a greater emphasis on comfort and longer rides.
• Twostroke – hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension and a rigid rear triangle.
• Fourstroke – full-suspension mountain bikes designed for competitive riding on uneven terrain.

BMC may be a good choice for riders looking for a performance-focused road or mountain bike with handling characteristics suited to a particular discipline. Explore BMC bikes.

3T – Aerodynamic Italian Gravel Bikes

3T is an Italian cycling brand whose history began in 1961 with the production of bicycle components. Today, 3T is particularly well known for gravel bikes combining aerodynamics, responsive handling and performance on mixed surfaces.

Two well-known 3T model families are RaceMax and Ultra:

• RaceMax – gravel bikes focused on speed, aerodynamics and performance riding on tarmac and gravel roads.
• Ultra – models placing greater emphasis on wider tyre clearance and riding on more demanding mixed terrain.

3T also develops ranges of frames and bicycles manufactured in Italy. The manufacturing location, construction and specification may vary between individual models.

3T is worth considering if you frequently ride gravel roads, prefer a sporty riding position and want a bike designed for fast gravel riding. Explore 3T bikes.

Colnago – Italian Heritage and High-End Performance Bikes

Colnago is an Italian bicycle manufacturer founded by Ernesto Colnago in 1954, with strong ties to professional road cycling. The brand is recognised for its frame-building heritage, distinctive design and focus on high-end performance bicycles.

Colnago model families have different riding characteristics:

• V Series – racing road bikes where aerodynamics, low weight and performance handling are key priorities.
• C Series – high-end bicycles with particular attention to frame construction, finish and ride quality.
• G Series – performance gravel bikes designed for gravel roads and mixed-surface routes.

Colnago may appeal to cyclists looking for a high-end road or gravel bike who value both technical performance and the design heritage of an Italian brand. Explore Colnago bikes.

Bemoov – Lightweight Bikes Designed for Children

Bemoov is a Belgian children's bicycle brand focused on low weight, child-specific geometry and easy handling. These features are particularly important for children who are learning to ride or moving up to a larger bike.

Bemoov offers balance bikes and pedal bikes for children of different heights and ages. Depending on the model, the bikes are designed for first independent rides, everyday leisure cycling or more active, sporty riding.

When choosing a Bemoov bike, the key factors are the child's height, inside leg measurement, riding experience and the bike's weight. A correctly sized bike makes it easier for a child to reach the handlebars, operate the brakes and stay in control.

Bemoov is worth considering if you want a lightweight bicycle designed specifically for children, with sizing and handling suited to their abilities. Explore Bemoov bikes.

Early Rider – Children's Bikes for Active Riding

Early Rider is a British children's bicycle manufacturer known for its attention to frame design, components and low bike weight. The brand offers models for both developing early riding skills and more adventurous cycling on different surfaces.

The Early Rider range includes several types of children's bikes:

• Balance bikes – for younger children learning to balance and steer.
• Lightweight pedal bikes – for children ready to pedal independently on cycle paths and other easier routes.
• Sportier models – for active riding, including gravel roads and forest trails, depending on the bike's design.

Some Early Rider models use a belt drive, which does not require the regular chain lubrication associated with a conventional drivetrain. However, the drive system and other technical features depend on the specific model.

Early Rider may be a good choice if you are looking for a lightweight children's bike equipped with quality components, especially for a child who enjoys riding on both paved and more varied routes. Explore Early Rider bikes.

How to Choose the Right Bicycle Brand

A brand name alone cannot tell you which bike is the best fit. Start by considering where you ride most often, what riding position you prefer and which type of bike suits your needs.

Specialized offers a broad choice across cycling disciplines. BMC focuses strongly on performance road and mountain bikes. 3T stands out for its aerodynamic gravel models, while Colnago is known for high-end Italian performance bikes. When choosing a bike for a child, compare Bemoov and Early Rider according to the child's height, experience and intended riding conditions.

Once you have chosen a brand, compare the geometry, frame size, components and specification of individual models. Browse the full selection in the Velonova bike collection.