General Cycling Discussion - Bicycles In China--A Question

Off the top of my head, I would guess there are probably more bicycles in China than there are people in the USA and I got to wondering about them. I would guess that the average Chinese rider is "NOT" riding a Trek or Cannondale 21 speed model that costs $1,000+.

I'm thinking the average Chinese bicycle is more likely to be a single speed bike closer to Walmart quality and relatively inexpensive by American standards. I tried to find some information on the Internet and was not successful so I am taking a shot here.

Anyone here know anything about what the Chinese ride??

Thanks!!:)

Not sure of the accuracy, but this should get you started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Pigeon

Very different from WalMart bikes - far fewer features, but much more durable and repairable.

Off the top of my head, I would guess there are probably more bicycles in China than there are people in the USA and I got to wondering about them. I would guess that the average Chinese rider is "NOT" riding a Trek or Cannondale 21 speed model that costs $1,000+.


That's because unlike North America, cycling is not a 'sport' but considered as another mode of transportation. Sometimes the main mode of transportation. :)

Cannondale makes a 21 speed bike that is OVER $1000? :lol:

Anywho, yes, the traditional Chinese bike is a 50# one-speed, steel utility bike with rod brakes. That's probably changing somewhat. Ask the touring forum -- lots of people have toured China.

That's because unlike North America, cycling is not a 'sport' but considered as another mode of transportation. Sometimes the main mode of transportation. :) What's your point? A car is the main mode of transportation for most North Americans. But most cars cost way over $1000.

Look here.. (http://flyingpigeon-la.com/).

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/thumbnails/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=1313&v=s0

Very interesting.

The Chinese are nuts for Buicks, though.

Yeah, they saved the brand.

The Chinese are nuts for Buicks, though.

I would say you're right.it's a status symbol for a while now, reason is it's an American car,to the Chinese, it represents freedom...BMW,Benz and the like means nothing to them,freedom is more important but sadly to say, they ain't getting much ,they were lied to.

You are talking about the car right?

From the photos I have seen the Flying Pigeon type bikes are the commonest used in China. These, as well as Indian utility bikes, are all direct copies of the old Raleigh rod brake roadsters that they exported worldwide from the early 1900s up until at least the 1960s or so.

Lots of bike types almost never seen here are common in countries where bikes are used as daily transportation, shopping and even freight vehicles. Many Japanese ones are shown in the following thread by Sancycles.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=484425

Per a recent article in the local newspaper the Chinese are also producing millions of electric motor powered bikes per year, mostly for local consumption. Such electric bikes are also becoming very popular in Holland too. I have only seen a couple so far locally.

... Such electric bikes are also becoming very popular in Holland too.
Among septuagenarians, that is.

Hey:

You guys have been great. Thanks for all of the replies. This is an impressive forum. I was especially pleased to see the link to the thread by Sancycles on the bicycles of the Philippines. Great stuff!!

I'm surprised that people in China aren't riding TREK bicycles. Although TREK is a company that is headquartered in the United States, it's bikes are manufactured in China. However TREK bicycles are shipped to the USA as parts and are assembled at your local TREK dealer. Strange, huh?

^ uhh... then why not Cannondale or Giant or Specialized etc? Pretty much all bikes these days are either from China or Taiwan. Just like them motherboards and video cards.

I'm surprised that people in China aren't riding TREK bicycles. Although TREK is a company that is headquartered in the United States, it's bikes are manufactured in China. However TREK bicycles are shipped to the USA as parts and are assembled at your local TREK dealer. Strange, huh?

Many of the Chinese bikes sold domestically in China are used as cargo bikes and I am not sure that Trek offers such a bike.

Virtually every bike sold in the U.S. currently, except true customs and the high end Trek CF frames, is made in China or Taiwan. Normally shipped to dealers mostly assembled but with some dealer assembly required in order to reduce shipping box size. Normally not shipped as completely unassembled kits unless possibly a dealer orders a custom paint job Trek CF frame.

You name any normal LBS carried brand under $5000 and it is likely made in one of the two noted countries. Probably 100% of Walmart grade bikes are made in China as per my understanding Taiwan no longer allows export of total junk bikes. Also Taiwanese labor rates are much higher than in China.

There are a few exceptions.

Serotta frames still made here.
Worksman bikes made here.
Many full custom frames made here.
Some TI frames made here.
High end CF Trek frames still made here.

There may be others I am not aware of too.

Maybe the TREK bikes are sold exclusively outside of China even though they are made there or maybe it is a simple matter of dollars and yen. I don't think the average Chinese bike rider can afford to spend $600 to $1000 on a sport bike like a TREK??

I would say you're right.it's a status symbol for a while now, reason is it's an American car,to the Chinese, it represents freedom...BMW,Benz and the like means nothing to them,freedom is more important but sadly to say, they ain't getting much ,they were lied to.

You are talking about the car right?

Almost all the Chinese people around these parts drive BMW, Benz, etc. My friend from China says it's because they are much more expensive in China, and so when they come here, it's like a "good deal" to them.

I don't know where you're getting this "freedom" thing from... just sounds like nationalist tripe to me.

I don't know many Chinese people who drive American vehicles, let alone Buicks.

My friend from China says it's because they are much more expensive in China, and so when they come here, it's like a "good deal" to them.

I don't know many Chinese people who drive American vehicles, let alone Buicks.

I will keep my statement to a minimum , all you need to do is go after the facts, not from your friends from China,this is all i can say in here.

I was just in china for a month and Giant bicycles are very popular in china. there are flying pigeons and other off name bicycles, but Giant was the only recognizable brand there. They have Giant bicycle shops too. They're a lot cheaper than in the us, can't speak on if they're the same quality as US giant bikes.

I don't know many Chinese people who drive American vehicles, let alone Buicks.

Let me introduce myself. :) My name is Siu.

Here's me and my Chevy:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/me12.jpg


I usually use it when I'm not using my Chevy S-10

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/bluedawg2.jpg


my Pontiac Trans Am.....

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/car012.jpg


my Dodge Hemi.....

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/shorty4.jpg


my Pontiac Formula....

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/red4.jpg


or my Chevelle SS.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o286/Flycrow/car001.jpg


Nice to meet you. Now you can say that you know one more Chinese person that drives 'American'. :rolleyes:

I will keep my statement to a minimum , all you need to do is go after the facts, not from your friends from China,this is all i can say in here.

KungPao, when you talk to Chinese people around here and ask them what they think about American cars, you'll mostly get negative opinions - the stereotypes about American vehicles, basically. Not that I agree with them, but from my experience, very few Chinese respect American cars. Again, this is from my experience, which is influenced by the Chinese population that lives here in Vancouver, Canada.

Perhaps all the ones who associate American cars with "freedom," live in the states.



Let me introduce myself. :) My name is Siu.

Here's me and my Chevy:

I usually use it when I'm not using my Chevy S-10

my Pontiac Trans Am.....

my Dodge Hemi.....

my Pontiac Formula....

or my Chevelle SS.


Nice to meet you. Now you can say that you know one more Chinese person that drives 'American'. :rolleyes:

Well, around here, Japanese and European cars are de rigeur for Chinese car owners. That's all I'm saying.

Almost all the Chinese people around these parts drive BMW, Benz, etc. My friend from China says it's because they are much more expensive in China, and so when they come here, it's like a "good deal" to them.

I don't know where you're getting this "freedom" thing from... just sounds like nationalist tripe to me.

I don't know many Chinese people who drive American vehicles, let alone Buicks.

We were talking about the Chinese IN CHINA. Not Canada!

A lot of the Buicks in China are completely different from the ones sold here.

That was too funny Siu

KungPao, when you talk to Chinese people around here and ask them what they think about American cars, you'll mostly get negative opinions - the stereotypes about American vehicles, basically. Not that I agree with them, but from my experience, very few Chinese respect American cars. Again, this is from my experience, which is influenced by the Chinese population that lives here in Vancouver, Canada.

Perhaps all the ones who associate American cars with "freedom," live in the states.




Well, around here, Japanese and European cars are de rigeur for Chinese car owners. That's all I'm saying.

That is only for Chinese living in North America.
GM does fairly well in China. Buick and Caddilac are highly regarded there. I always wonder if that is the reason why those two brands seem to stay around for so long.
Alot of Chinese in China still do not like Japanese brand new to the Sino-Japan War back in the early 1900s. Euro cars like the VW is prolly the strongest car mfg in China right now.
Anyways there's alot more cyclists in China than the entire population of US. :)

GM does fairly well in China. Buick and Caddilac are highly regarded there. I always wonder if that is the reason why those two brands seem to stay around for so long.

Buicks and Cadillacs are also highly regarded by my 100% White-Bread America grandparents. Buick seems to be the official automobile of the AARP.

Buicks and Cadillacs are also highly regarded by my 100% White-Bread America grandparents. Buick seems to be the official automobile of the AARP.

Yeah. My grand pappy used to swear by Buicks. And kinda frown at my parents who drove only Japanese and Euro marques. Then one day grandpappy dropped his Buick in for a service and while waiting walked to the Lexus dealership next door.... how shall I put it.... He basically ended up coming home with a Lexus ES and has been a Lexus fan ever since. :roflmao2:

Don't know about mainland China, but in the Republic of China (Taiwan) Giants are everywhere as are many lesser quality domestic brands of every funny name you can think of. Giants, even for a simple, get to school bike, will start around NT$4000, or just over US$100. But recreational ans competitive cycling is growing rapidly here and many higher end bikes are showing up regularly on the road with prices of NT$30,000 (almost US$1000) and going way up from there. I live in a fairly small city and I've seen custom frames for sale for NT$90,000 (US$2700).

That was too funny Siu

Well I had to represent, you know? :p

I don't know of anyone who swears by Buicks anymore, but I know many who swear at them.