Its interesting how bike snobs often deride the Asian brands (incl. Giant) compared to their Euro steed.until you point out where the actual manufacturing occurs. Channel to the Med cycle tour from one end of France to the other. Fully supported including accommodation, lunches, baggage transfer & back up. The performance (and fun) disparity between an entry-level road bike and pro-level race bike is wide. But for cyclists looking to get the most bang for their buck, a. ![]()
![]() Yes, the design and decals might have varied but there was only one manufacturer behind all three riders. Once upon a time an artisan would build a frame in their workshop and stick their name on the downtube, a practice that still goes on today but only in a niche of the racing bike market. Instead your Cannondale, Cerv. Depending on the client’s requirements, “finished product” can mean different things. ![]() It could be: – tubesets– a raw, unpainted, frame– a commercially- ready frameset, boxed in after- market packaging– a commercially- ready complete bicycle, boxed in after- market packaging. I’d really recommend the full Cycling. IQ article, indeed the whole collection of Vertical Limit pieces explain in detail how the industry works. Taking the quote above we can see how the OEM in Asia works to the specification of a more well- known brand. Here’s a quote that you’ve probably never read: 2. That means Carlos Sastre on his Cerv. It’s not alone, look closely at the pictures below: Many brands, one factory. All three photos come from a factory tour by Canadian. Cyclist. com, the same factory but we see a Giant frame, Bontrager rims destined for Trek bikes and a Scott box. This time the factory is run by Taiwan’s Giant Bicycle Corporation, the world’s largest cycle manufacturer. There wasn’t room to fit the picture on the page but Colnago frames are made there too. Globalisation. The process is relentless. First manufacturing started in Taiwan but in recent years this has moved to China because of cheaper operating costs, mainly labour. But Europe levies import duties on Chinese bicycles so production is now moving to other areas, notably Vietnam and Thailand. One issue specific to the cycle trade is the bulk of the product, unlike, say, Apple with its tiny phones which can be stacked in their thousands into a cardboard box, a bike or a frame takes up a single box and so shipping costs are an important element of the bike trade. This is not unique to cycling. For me the auto sector is a good example because the name on the outside isn’t that helpful. The design can be done in house but often consultancies are hired to provide advice on market trends or aerodynamics. Once production begins the car is made from thousands of pieces made by different companies. Ford and Subaru don’t have steel mills to make the body panels, Peugeot and Pontiac don’t make rubber tyres. Indeed, drive a Porsche then it might have been made in a factory in Finland belonging to a paper and packaging company. A global supply chain did. Fake plastic frames. There’s some talk of finding $4. Indeed the UCI President said frames are made in Asia for $3. But a cheaper carbon frame is like to be heavier, user cheaper raw materials and involve a less sophisticated manufacturing processes. Let’s spare the judgement of whether the price tag merits the performance increase, that’s subjective. I simply want to suggest that a high end frame typically involves more than the price tag. Some bargains can involve products rejected by the factory quality control, for example a frame that emerges with a defect should get crushed to dust but “entrepreneurial” workers could sneak these out of the factory gates and sell them online. Indeed there are stories of counterfeit frames. You can fake fashionable jeans and handbags out of denim and leather with relative ease in a sweatshop but a frame is something else, you still need the composite materials and the sophisticated machinery. My guess is that the fakes are being made in the same factory as the genuine products but on the sly, either by the factory owner for extra income or by employees when the boss isn’t looking; or using old molds no longer in use in the plant. Hot off the press. This isn’t to say you pay for quality alone. Indeed the price you pay in the shop or online for the finished goods are not the cost of the frame, you are paying several people along the length of the supply chain, you’re repaying the marketing budget used to fund the pro team and there’s a down- payment on future support in case something breaks when you’re “just riding along”. If you could buy a premium brand frame on the grey market from the factory gates then you would make substantial savings. From producer to designer? Of course many carbon frames are made in- house, for example Look or BMC. But increasingly the OEMs are branching out, look at Giant and Merida for obvious examples that make plenty of frames for others but also offer their own branded products and distribution channels. This puts them in an interesting position, able to see what potential competitors are up to and to survey massive sales. Summary. There’s a good chance your carbon frame was made by a company you’ve never heard of. Many companies still make their own frames but the majority of 2. Pro Tour team bikes are made by OEMs. Make no mistake, the frames used for the 2. Tour de France were premium products requiring sophisticated design, but still they were all made under the same roof by a company you probably hadn’t heard of. Perhaps we should not expect cycling goods to be any different to other consumer products that rely on OEMs for much of the manufacturing but few are aware of the actual companies and workers who made your bike. How to Pick the Best Bicycle for You. Purchasing a bike is not a decision that should be taken lightly. With so many bikes on the market, it’s important to know what you’re looking to get out of your investment — yes, investment, as many who purchase bikes quickly become lovers of cycling and don’t look back. Maybe you want to go for 2. So which bike is right for you? Here is all you need to know about the different types of bikes, what they can do, and who would want to ride them. Road Bike. Best for: Long rides on pavement. The first thing you will notice about a road bike is its skinnier tires and lack of tread on them. These tires are referred to as skinny and flicked. Road bikes also have dropped handlebars, which ram- horn- looking style serves a purpose. Generally when on a road bike, you’re riding for long periods of time in a static position, meaning you don’t have to make quick movements or adjustments because you’re on flat pavement. Road bikes have a harder seat, which, though uncomfortable at first, is ideal for skeletal support so you can go on long rides without feeling any discomfort. Mountain Bike. Best use: Off- road riding on dynamic terrain and single- track trails. Mountain bikes are tough. Their wider wheels and treaded tires are made for riding over rocks and roots, and they do well in the mud and water. The top of the head tube will also be closer to the rider. This allows for a more upright, aggressive sitting position, which lends itself to the dynamic terrain these bikes are designed for. Mountain bikes can either have front (fork) and rear (shock) suspension, front- only suspension called hard tail, or no suspension at all, which is referred to as rigid and not recommended for beginners. More advanced mountain bikers can create their own balance by standing, sitting or moving forward and back on the seat. Our recommendation: For women: Liv/giant Tempt 2; $1,1. For men: Liv/giant Talon 2. Cruiser Bike. Best use: Beach riding or other quick errands. Looking at the comfy seat on a cruiser will make you want to sit and stay a while. However, these bikes are not good for long rides. The head angle of the bike is really relaxed, meaning the handlebars sit closer to the rider, and cruiser handlebars are typically higher and wider than those on a road or mountain bike. Cruiser bikes also tend to be more stylistic, and the brakes common to cruisers are controlled with your feet as opposed to hands. They are perfect for riding at the beach, or running errands. Our recommendation: For men and women: Electra Coaster 3i Gold; $4. Commuter Bike. Best use: Riding to and from work, or around town all day. Hybrid, or multi- functional, bikes are popularly used as commuter bikes. The one you choose will have a lot to do with how many miles you’re commuting every day to work, and whether you’re also riding it out at night to the movies or dinner. Commuter bikes tend to have a more relaxed head tube angle, meaning it is closer to the rider so they can sit more upright. The tires are generally thinner than a mountain bike’s, but not as thin as a road bike. These bikes have a lower price point than road bikes, too, for the most part, which hopefully helps ease the fear of it being stolen when you lock it up outside. Many commuter bikes also feature dip brakes, which allow for more stopping power (ideal for parents towing around toddles in a trailer). You can expect to find fenders and panniers on these bikes, which are designed for carrying a purse, briefcase or other type of bag. Fixie. Best use: Fun! This bike is definitely not for beginners. Most don’t have a brake on the rear hub like other bikes, meaning that, yes, this bike has no brakes. Its name comes from its makeup of having only one gear, a fixed gear. It isn’t recommended to jump on one for the first time on busy city streets as the lack of brakes may take some getting used to. But when you’re ready, you’ve got options: from buying new to building your own fixed gear bike. Recreational Bike. Best use: Riding frequently around town, on pavement, paved paths or gravel. If you enjoy biking a lot frequently — but not always very far — on roads or paths in your city, this bike might be the choice for you. Recreational bikes, again, fall into the hybrid category due to their versatility. They generally have a wider, treaded tire, with flat handlebars that allow riders to sit more upright in an aggressive position.“Recreational bikes are great for riders who really want to make a commitment to riding, and would rather sit up straight, without having to throw their leg over the top tube,” says Sherman. It’s important to know what you want to do on this bike — ride on the gravel bike path, or bike through the paved mountain roads. Once you know this, you’ll be able to narrow down the options. Our recommendation: For women: Cannondale Women’s CAAD1. For men: Cannondale Men’s CAAD1. Tri. Best use: Riding fast, by yourself, for long distances“These bikes are solely aimed at triathletes, and the one you purchase depends on what type of triathlete you are,” says Sherman. Do you do sprint tris every now and then, or are you competing every weekend in different distances? There is a huge price difference based on the different geometry, or construction, of these bikes. However, they all have similar features. Tri bikes in general tend to have more aggressive geometry. The goal is for you to go as fast as you can so many have aero bars to help you remain in the most aerodynamic position for long periods of time. The bike’s frame also makes it easier to transition to the run. Our recommendation: For women: Specialized Alias Comp Tri; $3,3. For men: Specialized Shiv Elite; $3,2. If you want biking to become a part of your life, it might be time to invest in a bike that’s in line with your goals. While it may be pricey, it will be worth it for the enjoyment of your riding choice. And if you decide you want to try a different riding style, not to worry. Tell us in the comments below.
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