777funk

I was always under the impression that Trek was a USA made bike but this morning I read that Giant makes Trek (or maybe some Treks).

If so for the money, should I just buy Giant to begin with?

Can a Taiwan made bike be decent?

tcs

Welcome to this side of 1987.

777funk

Looks like Taiwan and Giant started taking the USA manufacturers by storm in 1980 (Chicago Schwinn's strike). But I didn't expect Trek to be Taiwanese. I was surprised to see this. I guess I don't know very much about the bike industry. I know Farminton MO had a Huffy factory until the late 90s or early 00s. Those weren't great bikes. But still sad to see everything going to Asia.

guachi

I believe Trek still make some of their high-end wheels in the United States.

wolfchild

99% of all bikes are made in Taiwan, including those that cost $10 000 dollars or more.

ofajen

Both of the frames I’m using these days were made in Taiwan in the 80s: a road frame made for Schwinn and an MTB frame made for Specialized. Nothing fancy but perfectly solid.

99% is probably a tad high, but these days, a big share of the mid-level and high end frames and parts are made in Taiwan, along with some significant production from Japan. Production from China is mostly aimed at lower end markets.

Otto

Wildwood 

No, don't give your money to offshore builders.
Buy USA made frames.
There are scores of USA frame builders.

Components are Asian made mostly, but Campagnolo still makes most of their products in Italy.

American frame, Italian components. And you can have it in steel, carbon, or titanium. (Pardon the FSA crank on the Tallerico)




Or you can buy pre-owned bikes that are 100% European produced - except for perhaps some 'consumables' (tires, chain, etc).

Italian above.

Swiss above, Spanish below (with mostly Spanish components)

Bikes come from many places, one just has to take off their Trek, Specialized, Giant blinders. The World of bikes can be your oyster.

Wildwood 

100% misinformation.

Rolla

More than decent. Taiwan has been building high-quality bikes for a couple of decades now, including those for Black Mountain Cycles and Rivendell.

BTW, many bike brands were actually made in the Giant factory over the years. Schwinn, for one example.

Rolla

"70% of the global mid-to-high-end bicycle demand is fulfilled by Taiwan each year."

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...d-Bikes-Demand

mtbikerjohn 

There is nothing wrong with frames made in Taiwan. I think they have the quality part down by now. I've owned USA made frames,British made frames,Japanese frames,Italian frames,and one from Taiwan. My go-to bike is my Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross frame..made in Taiwan

Wildwood 

Entry level bikes make the percentage even lower.

Eric F 

The assumption that Taiwan does not make high-quality products is false. The current Taiwanese manufacturing capabilities are as high as anywhere else in the world.

wolfchild

All the major brands of bikes frames such as Trek, Specialized, Giant , KHS etc...and lesser brands such as Surly and Salsa are all made in Taiwan....and don't forget that the majority of the components are also made in Taiwan.

wolfchild

LOL such a contradiction...Please explain how you not giving your money to offshore builders when you purchase something made in Italy....and don't forget that all the electronics in your car and at your home are also made in Taiwan or China....You're giving your money to off-shore manufacturers whether you like it or not, that's just the reality of our present day economics.

wolfchild

70% is pretty high, that makes it a majority...and i bet that it will get even higher in the future.

indyfabz

Frame designed and built 12 miles from my house. Hubs, seatpost, bars and headset MUSA. Not sure where the Cerakote is made, but it was applied by someone in state.

Wildwood 

You are correct. Except about my car which is non-existent. And I like the 1 world economy. Good for the Earth's population.
I just dislike 'off th peg' bikes from the industry leaders; however, my dislike is not based on any quality issue, or animosity toward Asian suppliers. They just seem cookie-cutterish. Modern American made bike components (unfortunately) are rare. Frames can come from everywhere. The convention is to call a bike's identity by the frame. Maybe we should change that convention. Using tires as the identifying convention for my bikes = they are Italian, German and Thai - mostly. @wollfchild - I love my Wolfpack tires. Peace & Love.


Following on with the 'tire identifying' concept - maybe all bikes should be identified as either Tubed Clincher, Tubeless Clincher, Tubular, or Solid. I prefer tubular bikes.

mstateglfr 

Trek continued to push production overseas up until a handful of years ago when finally the last frames went overseas.

Quest Composites in China makes some stress frames too.
I am sure there are frame contracts with other companies as well.

As for your other questions- buy the Giant if you like the mix of price, features, and fit. Buy the Trek if you like the mix of price, features, and fit.
They will be different feeling bikes since no model is the same within the lineups of each company.


What bike. are you looking to buy? Add a link.

mtbikerjohn 

made in the land of cheese curds 42 years ago...

jaxgtr

I think some Trek are made in Thailand as well.

ThermionicScott 

Why "sad"?

The people voted with their pocketbooks.

unterhausen

I think at this point I might trust a carbon bike from Taiwan more than I trust one from the U.S.

Leinster

“The people” ultimately didn’t get much of a say. “The Industry” moved there in search of low-cost labour. Some companies have found ways to remain competitive while retaining their manufacturing in their home country, but now nearly all the global expertise and experience in bicycle manufacturing is located, almost entirely, in Taiwan and parts of China.

ThermionicScott 

Companies like Trek and Schwinn offered US-made bikes next to imported models, so I don't buy that people "didn't have a voice" in this. They voted, as surely as if a ballot card were attached to each model on the floor.

One can still get US-made bikes. If you care enough, pony up.