longbeachgary

Mine too.

intence

You have to keep in mind that everything built in Asia isn't equal. Giant does run some very nice factories from what i've read, and does manufacture for many others. I would prefer a USA made frame, but that's another story (eventually when everything is outsourced, nobody here will earn enough to buy luxury items such as high end bikes, and the poeple making them have so little disposable income that they won't be able to purchase them either).

In any case, in general, Taiwan is better than China. A reputable asian factory that's churning out carbon frames all day long is probably pretty good (and pretty efficient) at it. The manufacture may specify the geometry, along with the mould of the frame (perhaps thin seatstays, oversized headtube, etc.). They can also specify the carbon layup, where to use which types of carbon. When working with Carbon Fiber there are different types with varying weights, strengths, modulus, and tensile strength. How you lay these on the frame can impact the weight, ride quality, stiffness, or all of the above. I believe Cervelo has a model that uses 300 different pieces of carbon in a single frame.

As for non Taiwan-China frames:
2009 Cannondale CAAD9 (aluminum), this will be the last year these are US made
I believe Guru produces some of their frames in Canada
Look I believe produces in Tunisia and possibly France
Cervelo now has a model that's US built, and plans to build more models in the US and Canada
Trek's 6-Series Madone.

As for the eBay frames, there's a great thread over on Road Bike Review. While many have bought them, there are several smaller sellers on ebay and Alibaba, and what I haven't been able to figure out is if those frames are coming from one of the large factories which produces for several brand names, or are they coming from smaller factories with unknown quality. I'd ride an unbranded Giant, but i'm not riding a frame coming from some random factory in Asia.

You get a warranty and piece of mind with a branded frame, but you also hopefully get a proprietary frame as far as the layout, geometry and types of Carbon used. On the other hand, I believe it's also "leveled the playing field". While larger brands such as Trek used to heavily invest in R&D and have their own local factories enabling them to produce unique products, the new system allows smaller brands to order a run from a large asian factory and get great frames at a great price. I was looking at the new Scattante frame at performance (BB30, slim seatstays, published weight under 1000g, and relatively cheap). In the days where everyone was doing their own production, it would have been difficult for smaller brands to compete with larger ones, now through computer modeling and 3rd party production, you see many more smaller innovative brands flourishing.

Just remember that non everything made in Asia is made the same way, like anything else there will be good, bad, and everything in between.

umd

um, post a lot...

thinh_zipp93

i am proud with my colnago bike(still pretty entry level), their high range carbon frame or master light is made in Italia, i love them because the vinyls are GREAT, have to own one of those, i also love the older colnago frame, the vinyls is actually better than the new one, don't tell anyone in colnago that i said this alright.

MacCruiskeen

Yes, one of them is still a repressive Communist country with a poor track record with regard to human rights, the environment, and worker protections, though not quite as bad as it used to be.

Beyond frames, components are made all over the place, and clothing and other accessories. You can buy cycling clothes made here, and other stuff, too.

jrobe

Bottom line to the OP question.

If you buy a cheap Ebay no-name frame, it will be exactly the same as a Cervelo. The secret is now out.

wheelgrabber

There are plenty of smaller Ti, steel, carbon, & bamboo manufacturers in the States. Not many aluminum.

There is nothing wrong with stuff made in Asia as long as its designed and speced correctly. Specialized started having their frames made in Taiwan in the early 80's(?). Everyone eventually fell in line. Cannondale will be the last of the big US companies to outsource.

Cervelo's are made in China. Hard to argue that a Trek carbon made in the States is better.