Road Bike Racing - American Frames

Speaking of American, has
anyone noticed how many stage wins
in the GIRO are being won on US made
bikes? and how many teams are
using american frames?
Lotto on Litespeed.
Aqua & Sapone (soap and water) on Specialized
Saeco on Cannondale
Gerolsteiner of Klein
those are the main ones I can think of
for now.

Marty

American companies not necessarily American made.

Most teams use custom frames and then painted and decaled to match.

Once does this with many riders on the Giant frames.

Scott for Phonak--probably the coolest bikes in the peloton with those CNC'd pieces.

yes, many bikes are custom fitted to the rider but they are the same tubes and manufacturer. In essence, the same bike you and I can buy with a custom top tube length or something like that.
Litespeed are almost completely stock bikes for the Lotto team. mario aerts has a slightly longer top tube but otherwise completely stock. Except for Cipo, the Specialized bikes are pretty much stock.

fassa bortolo's Pinarellos (not usa!) are just like the ones you can buy in the store except the pros get to have them custom fitted.

the days of a Colnago painted to look like a Trek (or whatever) are very rare as manufacturers and sponsors know how savvy eagle-eyed fans are.

for the pro teams:
Litespeeds are made in the usa
cannondales are made in the usa
specialized are made in the usa

Phonak is riding a Swiss brand called BMC (http://www.phonak-cycling.com/e/rennvelo/rennvelo.asp) this year.

I thought specialized was designed in USA, made in Taiwan? Maybe im wrong?:confused:

Lots of companies, US and otherwise, have their low-end frames built in the "far east," and build the high-end frames locally. Don't know specifically about Specialized, tho.

You guys are right. But Specialized builds all the S-Works bikes (including the pro team bikes) in the usa.

That was foolish of me to post. Who in their right mind would be riding a Taiwanese made frame in the Giro?

Someone from Taiwan?
:beer:

Is there something inherently bad about a frame made in Taiwan? I just bought one.

Originally posted by RoAdRaGeR
That was foolish of me to post. Who in their right mind would be riding a Taiwanese made frame in the Giro?


Every ONCE rider :D not sure if they did ride the Giro though...

The ONCE Giants are handmade for each rider. They are not made in Taiwan.

Maybe some of their secondary bikes are factory stock so there might be some Taiwan stuff in there.

Originally posted by RacerX
The ONCE Giants are handmade for each rider. They are not made in Taiwan.
Are they not handmade in taiwan? Giant is a Taiwanese company, after all.

Jean Delawho are riding Scott frames. A beauty too. A polished Scandium frame that weighs just 940grams.

As I understand it, however, Scott USA bikes are actually made by/for Scott USA Europe [now there's an awkward name!]. The frames are made in Asia, sourced by the Swiss branch of the company and assembled in France. They really are "American" only in name.