看了一篇老文章.舊聞新知 !
2021年中單車市場還是這樣嗎,台灣應該還是單車生產王國?
的自行車是在那裏製造的？或應問，我的自行車實際是誰製造的？
(2010-1-25) 原文作者 Kerry Roberts 為美國 “全國單車經銷商協會” (National Bicycle Dealers Association)的前任主席。他目前在田納西州的幾個城市擁有幾家單車部品零售商。
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部份單車公司有些秘密，其中的一個不能說的秘密就是: 這些單車品牌公司的單車到底是那裏製造的 ? 這些公司之所以保守這個秘密，
就是因為製造他們公司的單車的製造商根本有可能是同一家。
很明顯的一件事是，大約95%的在美國銷售的單車，是在中國大陸或台灣製造的，且這些製造商屈指可數，其中最大的製造商是捷安特。
一般來說，中低階單車是在中國大陸製造的, 中高階的單車則是在台灣製造的. 但有一種情況例外，碳纖車架. 很多車商的碳纖車架是在大陸製造的，即便是很高階的跑車車架。
問題來了, 當我們要知道單車是那裏製造的時候，不是很簡單地看一下單車上的標籤或是看一下單車外箱上印的字就知道了嗎？畢竟，一個寫著 “美國製造” 或 “法國製造” 或 “義大利製造” 的標籤, 不是很清楚明白嗎? 有何令人費解之處呢？
但事實上卻非如此簡單. 因為, 我們一般人對於 “製造地” 的定義，跟單車產業的定義是不一樣的。 一個典型的簡單的區分規則就是, 在整個單車的製程中，那一個國家對單車的最終成品價值(最終賣給消費者的售價)，貢獻了60%以上的價值(非成本, 乃指附加價值)，那這個國家就是此單車的製造地。
舉例來說, 我們可以進口(到美國)一個尚未塗裝的碳纖維跑車車架，這車架是從中國大陸先進口到西班牙的。 它最終在美國的售價，因為配備了Shimano的零件系統，可能是美金四千元。 這台單車的車架與前/後叉, 在中國可能只花了美金200元, 之後, 在西班牙塗裝組裝等，並最後裝箱運到美國銷售。
其在西班牙的組裝成本可能只有美金300元，零件系統的成本可能只有美金800元 (亦即, 單車在西班牙完成成車裝箱後，成本僅有美金 1,300元)。 那麼這台車是西班牙製還是中國製? 依據單車產業的定義，它是西班牙製的。單車上的標籤會寫著 “西班牙製” , 而運到美國的外箱上也會寫西班牙製. 因為超過60%的單車價值是在西班牙加上去的 ( (4,000-1,300) /4,000 )。
假設在中國製造的同一個車架，是在中國烤漆組裝成車裝箱，並運至西班牙的，那麼當它被運到美國的時候，單車上的標籤必須寫著 “中國製”. 或許消瀰此類混淆不清的情況的最好方式，是參考汽車業的作法，告訴消費者全部製造資訊。
畢竟，如果你因為聽信了一堆行銷專家的話, 說這台單車是西班牙手工製的, 而買了這台單車，但當你知道這台單車其實大部份的製程都是在中國完成，那你還會買這台單車嗎? 也許會, 但不會用那麼多錢買。
有了上述這些背景說明在腦海後，我們就可以來看看在美國銷售的主要單車品牌的一些資訊了。
Bianchi
Bianchi 與另一品牌 Schwinn有非常相似的歷史. 兩者都是20世紀初創立的家族企業，製造自有品牌自行車，在其國家都是有名的品牌。
而後，都遇到經營困難, 最後賣掉企業. 此外, 其生產後來都移轉至亞洲. 然後, 在新的業主經營下, 最近這些年的營運都有顯著的成長。
1996年，Bianchi 被一個瑞典的集團， 叫作 Cycleurope 的公司買去.
而Schwinn在經歷了幾任買主後， 於2001年被Pacific 買去。
在擁有11個單車品牌的Cycleurope的經營下，Bianchi大部份的生產都從義大利移轉到亞洲。唯二的例外為單車的最終組裝(亞洲來的車架組成成車)，以及少數的高階車種。
在此先介紹一下 Reparto Corse 車廠, 因為其 “義大利製造” 標籤就是造成製造地混淆的來源之一。這個位於義大利北方Treviglio 歷史古城的工廠，曾經是在Bianchi移轉其生產至亞洲之前專門負責Bianchi車子的製造之巨人。這工廠有個部門叫作 Reparto Corse. 曾經，Reparto Corse (RC) 意謂著製造高階單車的跑車部門。
現在, 它被拿來當作一種行銷上的品牌識別，掛上RC即意指經由RC設計與行銷的高階單車。很多RC單車都貼有 “義大利製造” 的標籤，它其實是亞洲來的車架在義大利組裝成車。例如, 其碳纖RC車架是 “Advanced International Multitech” 所製造 (一個台灣製造商. 製造單車部品, 棒球棒, 高爾夫球桿. 釣魚用具…等) (譯者註: 此家公司叫作 “明安國際”，於高雄起家)，而其鋁合金車架是台灣的 Taiwan Hodaka (台灣穗高) 所製造。
仍有一些車架在是在 Treviglio 焊接完成的. 我的理解是, 碳纖後叉的鋁合金車架. 仍是在Treviglio 焊接或組合完成的。此外, 泡沫射出(foam injection )的車架，其射出製程也是在Treviglio 完成的. 即使其車架來自亞洲。雖然Hodaka(台灣穗高)製造了很多Bianchi 的美國車款, “Fairly” 及捷安特在過去也為Bianchi代工過。
Cannondale
這品牌的鋁合金車是美國Cannondale所製造. 美國Cannondale 是由Joe Montgomery 所創立。但在經歷財務困難後, 公司目前由其創投基金所擁有。
Cannondale的市占率(應指美國的)似乎減少了一些, 但有穩定下來.
依據2007年六月的Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (單車零售商與產業新聞) , 低階Cannondale是在台灣製造的。可能是Fritz-jou (台中順捷)。
其他則是在台灣焊裝噴漆後送至美國組裝. Synapse系列公路車是TOPKEY 製造.
在2008年2月, Dorel 公司宣布以接近美金兩億購併Cannondale 及 Sugoi (運動服飾公司)。
Dorel 公司之前在2004年即購買了 Pacific Cycle (Pacific 擁有 Schwinn, Mongoose, GT等品牌)
Cervelo
Cervelo 是個加拿大公司. 其單車是在亞洲製造而後在加拿大組裝成車.
Colnago
1944年, 當Ernesto Colnago 還只是個在Dante Fumaglli 單車坊當學徒的12歲小孩時, 他會想到有朝一日他會成為義大利最有名的車架製造者嗎?
Colnago, 也許是最讓人夢寐以求的專業單車品牌. 只要看 “VeloNews” 或 “Pro Cycling” 的內容就知道有多少專業車手是騎著Colnago了。
Colnago車架仍然是在義大利手工打造. 但有三個入門級的鋁合金車款是在台灣製造(可能是捷安特)。
另外, 其碳纖 CLX車款, 也是在台灣製造的。
De Rosa
De Rosa 是義大利公司, 為義大利三大單車廠之一. 義大利的 “三大” 為 Colnago, De Rosa 及 Pinarello。
Ugo De Rosa 與他的兒子們, 已經製造單車超過50年了. 據了解, 其所有單車都是義大利製造。
Ducati
Bianchi 已宣佈與Ducati 簽訂合約製造以Ducati為品牌名的單車.
我的了解是其車架會從亞洲過來, 最終組裝在義大利的 Treviglio。
Felt
Felt 是由越野摩托車大師Jim Felt 創立. 所有的生產都在亞洲。
Fisher
Gary Fisher 是登山車的教父級人物. 在其單車品牌經營困難後, 他將此品牌賣給Trek 公司。
Gary仍然參與其品牌的設計與行銷, 他是美國單車活動界的名人。他有點像是個異教徒, 對時尚有無以倫比的見識。
Fisher的單車都是在亞洲製造. 例外情形為全避震器具, 是在Wisconsin州製造。
Fuji
Fuji 現在由Ideal (愛地雅工業, 台中)公司擁有. 愛地雅製造大多數Fuji的車.
愛地雅與捷安特及美利達，是台灣的主要單車製造商.
愛地雅也為其他品牌製造單車. 中國的Topkey 製造Fuji的碳纖車架。
Giant
你也許正騎著捷安特製造的單車卻不知道它是捷安特製造的。
捷安特是全世界最大的單車製造商. 它有工廠在台灣, 中國大陸以及歐洲。
捷安特是個台灣公司, 發源於1972年. 它製造他們自己品牌的單車，
包含碳纖車種。
自己製造碳纖車種, 在業界是個蠻特殊的狀況。因為其他大多數品牌的碳纖車都是外包給其他製造者例如Advanced 或是Martec(都是製造Composite車架的公司)。
除了製造自有品牌的單車, 捷安特也為很多著名品牌製造(或製造過)單車, 例如 Trek, Specialized, Schwinn, 及Bianchi。
捷安特夙享盛名的是，它擁有業界最先進精密與效率最佳的生產設施。此外, 捷安特其實擁有Hodaka(台灣穗高) 30%的股權。台灣穗高是很多品牌例如Bianchi的主要供應商。捷安特也贊助T-Mobile 專業自行車隊。
Haro
Haro是個加州的BMX公司, 由Bob Haro於1977年成立. 所有的製造都在亞洲。
Haro擁有Masi這個品牌。在台灣與中國都有工廠的Kenstone (世同金屬，台中)是Haro主要供應商。
Jamis
Jamis是 G. Joannou Cycle的自有品牌. G. Joannou Cycle 是個歷史悠久的單車配銷商。Jamis 的單車是在美國設計亞洲製造。
Kestrel
Kestrel 是碳纖車架的早期先驅。1986年Kestrel 發表了第一款無柄碳纖車架。最初, 其車架是在加州製造的. 近幾年來, 其生產轉移至亞洲。
車架似乎是由台灣的Martec製造。
Kona
Kona是個加州的公司, 其生產都在亞洲. Kona在1988年創立，
如同Marin品牌一樣是個很小的公司。
台灣的Fairly 與Hodaka(台灣穗高)是其主要供應商。
Kuota
Kuota的車架都是由台灣的Martec所製造. 即製造Kestrel 車架的製造者。Kuota是由義大利的零件製造商Sintema所創立的。
基本上, 它們(在義大利)設計車架, 然後在台灣製造，再於美國, 西歐, 澳洲強力行銷此品牌。
Kuota可說在很短的時間內就建立起其品牌。
LeMond
Greg LeMond 是第一個贏得環法大賽的美國人. 他在1698, 1989及1990贏得環法大賽。LeMond也贏過三座世界杯(World Championships) 以及都朋大賽(Tour DuPont)。
他的生涯因一次狩獵意外的鉛中毒而短暫中止。
LeMond的早期單車是由義大利的 Roberto Bilatto 所製造, 並由一個現已不存在的公司Ten Speed Drive Imports 所行銷。
Bilatto所製造的車架是有些收藏價值的。在試圖擁有一個獨立的單車公司之後, LeMond將其品牌授予Trek Bicycle Company. 所以現在Trek設計與行銷LeMond品牌。
而其製造則是除了spine bikes的特殊車款外都在亞洲製造.
具有OCLV 碳纖的Spine bike是在威斯康辛州製造。
一個有關LeMond的小事是, 他曾協助Scott開發出第一個 “areobar” ，
並用之於令人驚嘆的, 後來居上的1989年環法大賽勝利。
Lifespeed
自1980年代起, Lifespeed即為鈦金車架製造的先驅。隨著其聲譽的成長, Lifespeed逐漸因其鈦金專業而成為傳奇性公司。
多年以來, Lifespeed為許多著名品牌代工車架, 例如 DeRosa, Merckx, Basso, LeMond, Tommassini, 及其他品牌。
Lifespeed 有段時間曾經是世界上最大的高階單車製造者. 所有單車，包含其所擁有的Marlin品牌都是在田納西州製造的.
例外情形為碳纖的Pavia車款(已停產) 以及 “Quintana Roo” 這在亞洲製造的牌子。
Look
Look 是個法國公司, 其車架是在法國以及亞洲製造。Look 也是踏板的領導品牌。
Marin
Marin 是個加州公司, 除了幾個高階車款之外, 其生產也是在亞洲.
Marin是個跟Kona一樣小的小公司。
主要亞洲供應商為 “A-Pro” (位於台灣台中之公司) , “Faily” (位於台灣土城之公司) 及 “Sunrise” (位於台灣台中之公司)。
Masi
在我的看法, Faliero Masi 是所有義大利車架製造者的教父，給予很多著名的車架製造者, 例如Ernesto Colnago, 很多啟發。
在70年代初期, Faliero 將其品牌賣給美國人，從那時候開始, MASI品牌已經歷了幾任買主, 包括Schwinn。 目前, MASI這品牌是由Haro (加州的BMX公司)所擁有。其單車是在亞洲製造的。
我最喜歡的車架之一是義大利 Nuovo Strada所製造, 我當時在80年代向Cumberland Transit 所買的. 很不幸的這台單車在90年代被偷了。
Alberto Masi, Faliero 的兒子, 至今仍在米蘭的 Vigorelli Velodrome 旗下以手工製造單車。但不幸地, 他手工製的這些單車, 由於MASI的品牌已讓渡予HARO，所以並位在美國以MASI的名字銷售. 而是以Milano的名字在美國銷售。
Merlin
- 請見Litespeed 文章.
Olmo
Olmo 是著名的義大利品牌. 傳統上, Olmo的車是在義大利製造的. 我沒有其任何款式是在亞洲製造的資訊。
Orbea
Orbea是兩大西班牙單車製造商之一。它有點像西班牙版的Trek 或 Schwinn. 其單車是在西班牙以及亞洲所製造。
高階碳纖車架是在亞洲製造並於西班牙完成塗裝。
由 “單車零售商與產業新聞” (Bicycle Retainer and Industry News) 摘錄:
Orbea 自製鋁合金車架。其碳纖車， 從三年前的佔其公路車20%至今日的佔公路車的一半數量，是外包至亞洲公司例如台灣的Martec製造的。
但不像許多單車製造者，Orbea自行設計研發單車原型. 它自己開模製造新車架, 並組裝過至少幾打的單車原型後, 才將製造導至亞洲。
Orbea的行銷經理Joseba Arizaga說到:“我們必須保有及發展我們自己對於碳纖混合的知識。然後再來找到能夠按照我們想要作出來單車的方式製造出來的公司來讓他們製造。我們自己製模，自己作出頭幾台車架, 全都在此(西班牙)完成。然後，當我們認為我們已經準備好量產，我們才會將製造指示送至亞洲”。
Pinarello
這家義大利公司自1950年代起就製造世界級的單車了。
Pinarello, 與Colnago 及DeRosa一樣, 屬於義大利三大車廠之一。各位可以造訪其網站 pinarello.com 來瞭解其公司歷史。
Penarello的有些車架是在台灣製造的, 包括鋁合金的 Galileo。雖然我無法確認，但顯然其碳纖車架是在亞洲製造, 再運至義大利烤漆與組裝。
Raleigh
數年前, 美國的一個經營團隊, 在前Murray經理人 Bill Austin 率領下, 從Raleigh的英國公司買下了這個品牌。總部在華盛頓州Kent市的Raleigh, 單車製造也是在亞洲。
主要供應商是Kinesis(台灣台中公司)及A-Pro(台灣台中公司)。
Schwinn
Schwinn很多年來一直是美國的最大品牌。所有單車在80年代後期以前都是美國國內製造。
1985年, Schwinn的經營階層稱登山車為 “一時的流行”。
在經歷了兩次破產後, Schwinn現在是由Pacific所擁有。 Pacific亦擁有GT, Mongoose, Pacific (及其他一些品牌)。
Pacific總部在威斯康辛州的Madison市。
在Pacific的經營之下, Schwinn這品牌又回復其名氣。
在北美, Pacific 比任何其他品牌賣了更多單車. 但這包含了在大賣場如Walmart, Target等所販賣的Pacific旗下品牌。
其在美國所賣單車是在亞洲製造, 很多是捷安特所製.
Scott
當Ed Scott 在1958年作出第一個鋁合金滑雪杖，也開啟了位於愛達荷州太陽谷的Scott品牌事業。
後來Scott 退出美國市場, 將總部設在歐洲，專注在歐洲市場。
經過幾年的沉寂後, Scott回到美國市場, 並歸於由Scott Montgomery領導的Cannondale 旗下。雖然總部設在瑞士， Scott的製造是在亞洲，主要供應商為Hodaka(穗高)及捷安特。
Serotta
Serotta是個美國的高階單車製造商。它的競爭對手為Seven及Waterford, 其公司規模與Waterford類似。
Seven
Seven是美國最大的客製化單車品牌。Seven Cycles 是由Rob Vandermark 於1997年成立。
Rob曾經是Merlin的研發主管, 決定要自己獨立出來，成立一家製造高階鈦合金與鋼管車架的公司。
他也希望提供車手客製化幾何之車架，但不需要額外付費與很長的前置期。
所以Rob組成了一個有經驗的工匠隊伍, 其目標為: 製造最高品質, 最創新車架，從而提供車手最佳騎乘經驗。
其單車全部都是在麻州的Watertown手工製造的。
Specialized
由Mike Sinyard於1974年成立的Specialized, 長年以來一直以其具領導地位的單車設計與行銷享譽於業界。
幾年前，台灣的美利買下Specialized相當程度的股權。
雖然Specialized總部仍在加州, 經營者也仍是創始人Mike Sinyard,
其所有單車都是在亞洲製造。
主要供應商為美利達, Ideal(愛地亞)及捷安特。
Time
Time製造或具爭議性的世界上最先進的碳纖車架。
所有車架都是在法國手工製造, 即便是入門車款也是一樣。
Trek
很難相信美國最大的單車公司是在一個穀倉寒酸起家。
1976年, Dick Burke以美金25,000的資金, 在其接近威斯康辛州Madison市的一個小小紅穀倉開始了它的車架製造。
1980年的時候，Trek在威斯康辛建立了第一座工廠, 至於其餘的, 如同他們所說，已是歷史。在許多年的自製單車之後，Trek移轉其初階及中階車款的製造至亞洲。
1992年，Trek發表其專利設計的OCLV(Optimum Compaction Low Void )碳纖製程。這技術仍使用於其手工製的碳纖車架. 所有OCLV車架, 包含公路車及登山車，都仍在威斯康辛州的滑鐵盧市製造。
其全碳纖5000系列(並非以OCLV製造)是在亞洲製造的。
以全世界來看，Trek是僅次於Giant的第二大單車公司(針對於通路為車行的單車公司來說)。
對經銷商來說, Trek是美國最受歡迎的品牌之一，因為他們堅持實體店面政策(亦即, 其品牌不能由郵購或網路訂購方式賣出)，以及其貼近經銷商需求的政策。 Trek擁有Fisher, LeMond, Klein及Bontrager品牌。
Tommasini
Tommasini是個位於義大利Grosseto的小型單車公司。其規模與Seven, Waterfor及Serotta類似。
Tommasini的產品大多出口, 其最大市場是在美國，德國與日本。
2006年九月, Irio Tommasini的姪子接管美國市場，在美國重新上市這個品牌。
Waterford
Waterford是美國的客製化鋼管單車的第一品牌。所有單車都是在威斯康辛州的Waterford市手工打製。
在70年代末期, 一個年輕的單車騎士, 同時也是單車設計與製造者的Marc Muller, 受僱於Schwinn單車公司。他帶著製造單車的經驗與創新精神，建立Paramounts這家公路賽車的美國領導品牌。
在80年代初期，Marc將Paramount工廠遷移至威斯康辛的Waterford,
持續製造精緻單車，同時也創立了一個單車設計實驗室。Marc 與其同仁開發了幾個關鍵創新技術，包含 超尺寸車管 (車架設計上最重大的革新之一)，26吋輪組, 澆鑄導引，及一個具有專利的全避震系統。
這些先進的革新讓他們得以設計與製造單車給予國家級與世界級冠軍選手們使用，這些選手們有Ned Overand, Marc Allen, Mike Engleman, Tom Prehn以及很多其他選手。
1993年, Marc Muller 及Ignaz Schwinn的曾孫Richard Schwinn 買下Paramount工廠, 並重新命名為Waterford Precision Cycles。
Marc 現在是整個自行車工業裏最受尊敬的單車設計者之一。
至於Waterford, 承襲著超過百年的單車製造歷史，繼續在製造世界級, 贏家級的單車。 Waterford在芝加哥北方90分鐘車程. 如果你造訪芝加哥，可以隨時打電話給Waterford安排個工廠巡禮。
”Where was my bike made?"
Or, who actually made my bike? (2010-1-25)
Kerry Roberts is the past president and chairperson of the National Bicycle Dealers Association and provides consulting services to the bicycle industry. He is also the owner of The Bicycle Company, which includes Bike Pedlar retail stores in Nashville, Brentwood, and Hermitage, Tennessee.
The information contained in this report comes primarily from Bicycle Retailer and Industry News' Factory and Suppliers Guide, published annually in October. Bicycle Retailer and Industry News is the definitive trade publication in the bicycle industry. Other sources of information include trade show and factory visits, technical writers in the cycling media, and bicycle company employees who wish to remain anonymous.
Some bike companies have a few secrets. And one of those secrets is where your bike is made or who actually made it. The bike companies like it that way because many of them rely upon the same factories to build their bikes!
The big picture is pretty clear: around 95% of the bikes sold in the U.S. are made in China or Taiwan by a handful of manufacturers of which Giant is the largest.
Generally speaking, low to mid level bikes are made in China and mid to high level bikes are made in Taiwan. The exception is carbon; many manufacturers use Chinese manufacturers to make their carbon frames – even their high-end racing frames.
When it comes to knowing where your bike is made, shouldn’t it be as easy as looking at the sticker on your bike or what is printed on the box in which your bike came? After all, how confusing can a label that says “Made in the USA” or “Made in France” or “Made in Italy” be?
Well – in a word – very. It is very confusing because your definition of “made in” is different from the bike industry’s definition.
A typical rule of thumb is that the country claiming origin has to add 60% or more of the value of the final product.
For example, you and I can import an unpainted carbon fiber racing frame from China to Spain which will ultimately retail for $4,000 with Shimano components in the United States.
The frame and fork may only cost $200 from the Chinese manufacturer. In Spain, we will paint, decal, assemble, and box the bike for shipping to the U.S. Our cost to paint, decal, assemble, and box might be $300 and the cost of the components might be another $800.
So is this bike “Made in China” or “Made in Spain?” According to the bike industry's definition, the bike is made in Spain. The sticker will say
“Made in Spain” as will the shipping box to the United States because over 60% of the value will be added in Spain.
Let’s say we take the same frame and have the Chinese manufacturer paint it, decal it, assemble it into a bicycle, and ship it to Spain. When we ship it to the United States, the label will have to say “Made in China.”
Perhaps the best way to eliminate the confusion is for the bicycle industry to follow the lead of the automobile industry and tell the end consumer the countries of origin of all aspects of the bicycle.
After all, if you are led to believe by a bunch of marketing people that your bike was handmade in Spain when it was actually mass-produced in a Chinese factory, would you buy that bike? Maybe – but you wouldn’t pay a premium for it.
With these things in mind, here is an alphabetical brand by brand run down of some key bike brands sold in the U.S. along with a few bits of trivia.
Bianchi - As I was writing this, it occurred to me that Bianchi and Schwinn have remarkably similar histories. Both were turn-of-the-century family-owned companies, manufactured their own bicycles, were popular brands in their respective countries, fell upon hard times, were eventually sold, moved
substantially all of their production to Asia, and have seen a resurgence in the
past few years under new owners!
In 1996, Bianchi was sold to a Swedish conglomerate (now known as Cycleurope1) whereas Schwinn went through several owners before winding up with Pacific in 2001.2
Under Cycleurope, which owns 11 bicycle brands,3 much of the bicycle production shifted from Italy to Asia, with the exception of some final bicycle assembly (i.e., Asian frames assembled into complete bicycles) and limited high-end production.
Let me take a minute and address Reparto Corse bicycles, because their "Made in Italy" sticker is a source of confusion.
The historic Treviglio factory - a monstrosity of a thing which used to house much of Bianchi's manufacturing before it shifted to Asia - has a section dedicated to Reparto Corse. It used to be that Reparto Corse (RC) meant the race department where high-end bikes were made. Now it is used as sort of a branding logo to identify the upper-end bikes that get the RC design and marketing treatment.
Many of the RC bikes have a "Made in Italy" sticker, which usually means assembled in Italy using a frame made in Asia. For example, the carbon RC frames are made by Advanced International Multitech (a Taiwanese carbon manufacturer of bike parts, baseball bats, golf shafts, arrows, fishing poles, etc.) and the aluminum frames are made by Taiwan Hodaka.
There are some frames still welded at Treviglio. My understanding is that the aluminum frames with carbon rears are either welded there or, at least, bonded there. I also understand that the frames with foam injection have the injection process completed there, even if the frames come from Asia. Although Taiwan Hodaka manufacturers many of Bianchi's U.S. models, Fairly and Giant have manufactured for Bianchi in the past.
Cannondale - Aluminum Cannondales are made in the U.S. Cannondale, which was owned by founder Joe Montgomery and his son Scott. Cannondale is now owned by its key investment fund after experiencing financial problems. Cannondale's market share appears to have diminished but stabilized.
According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News in June 2007, low-end Cannondales are made in Taiwan - probably by Fritz-jou. Others are welded and painted in Taiwan then sent to the US for assembly. The Synapse is made by Top Key.
In February 2008, Dorel Industries announced the acquisition of Cannondale and Sugoi clothing in an all-cash transaction of $190 million to $200 million. Dorel purchased Pacific Cycle (Schwinn, Mongoose, and GT Bicycle brands) in 2004.
Cervelo - Cervelo is a Canadian company. Bikes are made in Asia and
assembled in Canada.
Colnago - In 1944, when Ernesto Colnago served as a 12-year old apprentice in the shop of Dante Fumagalli, did he have any idea he would become the most famous of all Italian frame builders?
Colnago is, perhaps, the most coveted of all professional-quality bicycle brands - just look at the pages of VeloNews or Pro Cycling and see how
many professional riders race on Colnagos!
Frames are still hand-made in Italy, except for three entry level aluminum models made in Taiwan (probably by Giant) and the carbon CLX, which is also made in Taiwan.
De Rosa - De Rosa is an Italian company that is one of the Italian "big three" that includes Colnago and Pinarello. Ugo De Rosa, along with his sons, have been building bikes for over 50 years. As far as I know, all bikes are made in
Italy.
Ducati - Bianchi has announced a licensing agreement with Ducati
to produce a line of bikes with the Ducati name. It is my understanding that the frames will be sourced from Asia with the final assembly at
Treviglio.
Felt - Felt was started by motocross guru Jim Felt. All production comes from Asia.
Fisher - Gary Fisher is the "godfather" of mountain bikes. After struggling with his own bicycle company, he sold his brand to Trek Bicycle Company. Still involved in designing and marketing his brand, Gary is a popular figure at bicycle industry events. He's sort of a cult figure with an unmatched sense of fashion! Fisher bikes are made in Asia, except for the full-suspension rigs (which are made in Wisconsin).
Fuji - Fuji is now owned by Ideal, who manufacturers most of their bikes. Ideal is one of the key Taiwanese manufacturers along with Giant and Merida. Ideal also manufactures for other brands. Topkey of China manufacturers Fuji's carbon frames.
Giant - You may have ridden a bicycle made by Giant without knowing it!
Giant is the world's largest bicycle manufacturer with factories in Taiwan,
China, and Europe. Giant, a Taiwanese company started in 1972, manufacturers their own bikes - including the carbon bikes, which is unique in the industry (i.e., most other brands utilize other manufacturers such as Advanced or Martec).
In addition to making their own bikes, Giant also makes, or has made, bikes for many other prominent brands, including Trek, Specialized, Schwinn, and Bianchi. Giant's claim to fame is that they have the most sophisticated and efficient manufacturing facilities in the bicycle industry.
A bit of trivia is that Giant owns 30% of Hodaka, a key Taiwanese
supplier for many brands such as Bianchi.
Giant also sponsors the T-Mobile professional cycling team.
Haro - a California BMX company started in 1977 by Bob Haro. All production comes from Asia. Haro owns the Masi brand. Kenstone, with factories in Tawan and China, is a key supplier.
Jamis - Jamis is the house brand of G. Joannou Cycle, a long-time
distributor of bicycles and accessories. The bicycles are designed in the U.S.
and sourced from Asia.
Kestrel - Kestrel, an early pioneer in carbon frames, introduced the first production non-lugged carbon frame in 1986.
Originally, frames were manufactured in California. In recent years, production shifted to Asia. The frames appear to be made by Martec.
Kona - a California company with all production from Asia. Kona, founded in 1988, is a very small company similar in size to Marin. Fairly and Hodaka in Taiwan are key suppliers.
Kuota - Kuota frames are made in Taiwan by Martec, the same
manufacturer that makes Kestrel frames. Kuota is a creation of Sintema, an
Italian manufacturer of components. Basically, they designed the frames, had the frames manufactured in Taiwan, and marketed the brand heavily in the U.S., Western Europe, and Australia. Kuota has been a successful brand launch in a very short period of time.
LeMond - Greg LeMond is the first American to win the Tour de France, winning in 1986, 1989, and 1990. LeMond also won three World Championships and the Tour DuPont. His career was cut short by lead
poisoning from a hunting accident. LeMond's early bikes were made by Roberto Bilatto in Italy and distributed by a now-defunct company named Ten Speed Drive Imports. The Bilatto-made frames are somewhat collectible.
After an attempt to have an independent bike company, LeMond licensed his brand to Trek Bicycle Company.6 Trek now designs and markets his bikes, which are made in Asia except for the spine bikes featuring OCLV carbon (which are made in Wisconsin).
A bit of LeMond trivia is that he helped develop the first aerobar with Scott and used it in his amazing come-from-behind victory in the 1989 Tour de France.
Litespeed - Starting in the 1980's, Litespeed was a pioneer in titanium frame building. As their reputation grew, a steady stream of cycling legends came to Litespeed for their titanium expertise. For many years, Litespeed built frames for famous brands such as DeRosa, Merckx, Basso, LeMond, Tommassini, and others.
Litespeed was, for a period of time, the largest manufacturer of high-end bicycles in the world. All bikes, including the Merlin brand that they own, are made in Tennessee except for the carbon Pavia (which has been discontinued). The Quintana Roo brand is also owned by Litespeed but is
made in Asia.
Look - Look is a French company with frames made in France
and Asia. Look is also a leading pedal brand.
Marin - a California company with production from Asia, except for a handful of high-end models. Marin is a very small company similar in size to Kona. Key Asian suppliers are A-Pro, Fairly, and Sunrise.
Masi - Faliero Masi was, in my opinion, the "grandfather" of all Italian frame builders, serving as inspiration to famous frame builders like Ernesto Colnago. Faliero sold his company to Americans in the early 70's. Since then, the brand has had several owners including Schwinn!
At present, the Masi brand is owned by Haro (the California BMX company)9 and the bikes are made in Asia.
One of my favorite frames was a made-in-Italy Nuovo Strada that I bought from Cumberland Transit in the 80's. Unfortunately, it was stolen in the 90's!
Alberto Masi, Faliero's son, still hand-makes the traditional Masi frames in the shadow of the Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan. Unfortunately, these frames - due the licensing of the Masi name to Haro - are not sold in the U.S. under the Masi name. Instead, these frames are sold in the U.S. under the "Milano" name.
Merlin - see Litespeed.
Olmo - Olmo is a prominent brand in Italy. Traditionally, Olmo
has been made in Italy. I don't have any information on whether any models are made in Asia.
Orbea - Orbea is one of the two large Spanish bicycle manufacturers. It is sort of like Spain's version of Trek or Schwinn. Bikes are produced in Spain and Asia. High-end carbon frames are made in Asia and "finished" (i.e., painted) in Spain.
From Bicycle Retailer and Industry
News: Orbea builds aluminum frames in-house. Carbon fiber frame production, which accounts for half of its road bikes, up from 20 percent just three years ago, is outsourced to such Chinese specialists as Martec.
But unlike many bike makers who are content to tweak stock factory frames, Orbea does all of its carbon fiber frame design, engineering and prototyping in-house. It builds its own molds for new frames and assembles several dozen prototypes before handing off manufacturing instructions to China.
"We need to keep and develop our own knowledge of composites and carbon fiber, and then to find someone who can work with us to build what we want them to build," Joseba Arizaga (Orbea's marketing manager) said. "We make the molds, the first frames, everything here in Orbea. Then, when we are ready to do mass production, we send the instructions to Asia."
Pinarello - This Italian company has been producing world-class frames since the 1950's. Pinarello - along with Colnago and DeRosa - is one of the Italian "big three." You can visit their website, pinarello.com, for a nice history of the company.
Some frames are now made in Taiwan, including the aluminum Galileo. I haven't been able to confirm this, but apparently the carbon frames are made in Asia then shipped to Italy for painting and assembly.
Raleigh - A few years ago, the U.S. management team, headed by former Murray exec Bill Austin, bought Raleigh from its U.K. owners. Headquartered in Kent, Washington, production comes from Asia, with key suppliers being Kinesis and A-Pro.
Schwinn - Schwinn was for many years the largest American brand. All bicycles were made domestically until the late 80's.
In 1985, Schwinn management called mountain bikes a "fad" - oops. After two bankruptcies, Schwinn is now owned by Pacific, who also owns GT, Mongoose, and the Pacific (and some other brands). Pacific is headquartered
in Madison, Wisconsin.
Under Pacific's ownership, the Schwinn brand is returning to prominence. Pacific sells more bicycles than any other brand in North America. However, that includes Pacific brands sold at WalMart, Target, etc.
The bikes sold in the U.S. are made in Asia, many by Giant.
Scott USA - Scott got its start in Sun Valley, Idaho, when Ed Scott developed the first aluminum ski pole in 1958. In the 80's, Scott developed a bike line.
Eventually, Scott pulled out of the U.S. market and focused on Europe, where Scott is headquartered.
After an absence of several years, Scott has returned to the U.S. market under the direction of Scott Montgomery of Cannondale fame. Although the company is headquartered in Switzerland, production comes from Asia, with key suppliers being Hodaka and Giant.
Serotta - Serotta is a U.S. manufacturer of high-end bicycles. It competes with Seven and Waterford and is of similar size to Waterford.
Seven - Seven is America's number one custom bicycle brand.
Seven Cycles was founded by Rob Vandermark in early 1997.
Rob, previously head of R&D at Merlin Metalworks, decided to branch out on his own and develop a company to build high-end titanium and steel frames. He also wanted to offer the rider custom geometry, without extra charges and long lead times. So Rob assembled a team of experienced craftspeople who all shared a common goal:
To build the highest quality, most innovative frames, and therefore provide the cyclist with the best riding experience possible. All bikes are hand-made in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Specialized - Started in 1974 by Mike Sinyard, Specialized has enjoyed a long-standing reputation for being a leading bicycle design and marketing company.
Several years ago, Merida (a Taiwanese manufacturer) bought a substantial interest in Specialized. Although Specialized is still headquartered in California under the leadership of founder Mike Sinyard, all bikes are made in Asia. Key Asian suppliers are Merida, Ideal, and Giant.
Time - Time produces what is arguably the most advanced carbon frame in the world and all frames are hand-made in France, even the entry level frames.
Trek - It's hard to believe that America's largest bicycle brand had humble beginnings in a barn! Yet in 1976, Dick Burke - with an investment of $25,000 - started making bicycle frames in a little red barn near Madison, Wisconsin. By 1980, Trek built their first manufacturing plant in Wisconsin and the rest, as they say, is history!
After many years of making its own bicycles in the U.S., Trek moved entry and mid level bicycle manufacturing to Asia. In 1992, Trek introduced its proprietary OCLV carbon process (Optimum Compaction Low Void) which is still used in its handmade carbon frames. All OCLV carbon frames - road and mountain - are still made in Waterloo, Wisconsin. The all-carbon 5000 (which does not feature OCLV) is made in Asia.
Worldwide, Trek is the second largest bicycle company after Giant (of the brands sold only in bicycle stores). They are one of the most sought-after brands by U.S. dealers because of their strong commitment to brick and mortar bicycle stores (i.e., the brand cannot be sold mail order or over the Internet) and because of their dealer-friendly policies.
Trek owns (or licenses) Fisher, LeMond, Klein, and Bontrager.
Tommasini - Tommasini is a small Italian frame builder in Grosseto, Italy, of similar size to Seven, Waterford, and Serotta. Much of Tommasini's production is exported out of Italy, with their largest markets being the U.S., Germany, and Japan. In September 2006, Irio Tommasini's nieces took over U.S. distribution and are relaunching the brand in the U.S.16
Waterford - Waterford is America's number one steel custom bicycle brand. All bikes are hand-made in Waterford, Wisconsin.
In the late 1970's, a young rider, designer and builder named Marc Muller was hired by the Schwinn Bicycle Company. He brought the experience and innovation from his own framebuilding enterprise and took charge of building the Paramounts, the dominant brand of American-build racing bicycles.
In the early 1980's, Marc moved the Paramount factory to Waterford, Wisconsin and continued building elite bicycles and also created a cycling design laboratory.
Marc and his staff introduced a number of key innovations including oversized tubing (one of the most significant advances in frame design), 26" wheels, cast-in cable guides and a patented full suspension system. These advances allowed them to design and build bikes for National and World champions such as Ned Overand, Marc Allen, Mike Engleman, Tom Prehn and many others.
In 1993, Marc Muller and Richard Schwinn, great-grandson of Ignaz Schwinn, bought the Paramount factory and renamed it Waterford Precision Cycles. Marc is now one of the most respected bike designers in the entire bicycle industry. And Waterford, with a one hundred year heritage in bicycle manufacturing, continues to make a winning, world class frames one at a time.
Waterford is 90 minutes north of Chicago. If you visit Chicago, feel free to call for a factory tour. What have I missed? Let me know and I'll be happy to reply. Again, you may wish to consult Bicycle Retailer and Industry News' 2007 Factory and Suppliers Guide, published in their October 1, 2006, issue. The guide lists which factories the U.S. brands use for their manufacturing.
