In a move industry insiders are calling the most efficient consumer pipeline in history, Specialized has announced a three-way partnership with Klarna and Chapter 11 attorneys to sponsor free demo days for the new $20,000 S-Works Levo 4 LTD.
Here’s how it works: potential owners will take a spin on an S-Works Levo 4 LTD demo bike, immediately finance one at 69.69 percent through Klarna’s “Buy Now, Cry Later” program, and then get handed off seamlessly to a bankruptcy attorney six months down the proverbial trail.
“It’s a closed-loop ecosystem,” said bankruptcy lawyer Richard Dettman as he watched a line of dads in Fox jerseys sign up for test rides outside a suburban courthouse. “Specialized gets the sale, Klarna gets the payments, and we get the inevitable fallout. It just makes sense.”
Specialized insists the partnership benefits riders. “Historically, customers would max out three credit cards and wait years before hiring an attorney,” explained Specialized spokesperson Claire Proffetere . “By integrating Klarna and Chapter 11 services directly into the demo day experience, we’re helping riders shred sooner and collapse financially faster than ever.”
At recent events, tents featured rows of S-Works Levo 4 LTDs, QR codes linking straight to Klarna pre-approval, and a table staffed by local attorneys ready to pre-file bankruptcy paperwork. Each rider left with a fresh KOM attempt, a crippling monthly payment, and a complimentary tire lever that read: ‘Ride Now, File Later.’
Riders seem to believe buying a $20,000 bike increases their skill. “I finally cleared that blue line table top I’ve been eyeing,” said Dave Brokeman, wiping dust from his Club Ride shorts. “My family is going to have to move into a 1988 two-tone Ford Aerostar, but you can’t put a price on progression, except $19,999.99 plus interest.”
Consumer watchdogs called the partnership reckless and predatory. A Klarna spokesperson responded to the allegations saying, “We’ve done mountain bikers a solid, actually, by splitting the cost of the bike into 48 easy payments and only one extremely hard bankruptcy.”
A list of courthouse demo locations, along with Chapter 11 attorney recommendations can be found at specialized.com/MyBikeBrokeMe.
