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Made in Taiwan

Old 03-01-06, 09:37 PM
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Made in Taiwan

Just bought a '06 Gary Fisher HKEK (Hoo Koo E Koo). This is their top of the line trail bike. It is claimed to have the zr9000 alloy for the frame material and to handmade in the USA. All fine, except there is a sticker on the downtube that says "Made in Taiwan"
Can anyone explain this? Are the frames made here and assembled in Taiwan? or vice versa?
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Old 03-01-06, 10:09 PM
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not sure...does it really matter?
I have the same bike and am very pleased.
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Old 03-01-06, 10:50 PM
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The frame is made in Taiwan, and the bike is assembled, or even just "designed" in the USA. This sort of thing has been going on forever. It's OK. Your bike will not explode, and the NSA will not tag your file as "Unamerican".
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Old 03-01-06, 11:20 PM
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I thought Cake was their top trail bike. Mine was made in USA, according to under clearcoat decal. I don't see any engraved "made in..." anywhere on the frame. Where is yours stamped? I don't mean the sticker, I mean, is it engraved anywhere?
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Old 03-01-06, 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by hammer4
Just bought a '06 Gary Fisher HKEK (Hoo Koo E Koo). This is their top of the line trail bike. It is claimed to have the zr9000 alloy for the frame material and to handmade in the USA. All fine, except there is a sticker on the downtube that says "Made in Taiwan"
Can anyone explain this? Are the frames made here and assembled in Taiwan? or vice versa?

Same as unsuspended said. It merely means the frame was made overseas, and the bike was most likely assembled in the states.

Same as the majority of bikes sold in the U.S.; yes, even most higher end rides.
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Old 03-02-06, 03:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Siu Blue Wind
I thought Cake was their top trail bike. Mine was made in USA, according to under clearcoat decal. I don't see any engraved "made in..." anywhere on the frame. Where is yours stamped? I don't mean the sticker, I mean, is it engraved anywhere?

The latest MBA magazine has a 06 buyers guide which shows where the frames are made for all the models. All of the hard-tails including the HKEK are made in Taiwan, and the Cakes are made in USA...
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Old 03-02-06, 04:07 AM
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really? but i heard that the frames made in Taiwan were pretty good...

yeah, i know its different from the states though
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Old 03-02-06, 08:31 AM
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It doesn't really matter to me where it is made -- as long as it is quality. I like the HKEK, the components are decent and the ride is great. I was just curious to understand how they claim made in the usa, but it actually isn't. I suppose when the LBS puts the wheels and the handlebars on, it was "made" in the usa.
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Old 03-02-06, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by scrublover
Same as unsuspended said. It merely means the frame was made overseas, and the bike was most likely assembled in the states.

Same as the majority of bikes sold in the U.S.; yes, even most higher end rides.
Putting words in my mouth eh?

I do agree with what pinky tuscadero said. I am not sure about the NSA though.

I have a gary fisher made in america bike. It is a steel HKEK 97 frame. Made in 'merica from True temper OX tubing. I can't wait to rebuild it this spring. I am going to put a nice XC build on it. XT level ish.


To the OP - Like everyone else has said, It should be a great bike nonetheless.

If you want to make sure you have an american frame go to a independent builder and pay more money.
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Old 03-02-06, 08:51 AM
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Tag1, Thanks for the research and the info. Wonder why they do some here and some there?

Hammer4, I betcha the tubes probably were created "made" in America, shipped over to Taiwan where it was welded?
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Please dont outsmart the censor. That is a very expensive censor and every time one of you guys outsmart it it makes someone at the home office feel bad. We dont wanna do that. So dont cleverly disguise bad words.
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Old 03-02-06, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by unsuspended

If you want to make sure you have an american frame go to a independent builder and pay more money.
Or you could buy a cannondale.
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Old 03-02-06, 09:57 AM
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At least it wasn't made in China . My Giant NRS carbon was made in Taiwan, as are most carbon frames.
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Old 03-02-06, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by mcoine
Or you could buy a cannondale.
or a Rocky Mountain.
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Old 03-02-06, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by razr
At least it wasn't made in China . My Giant NRS carbon was made in Taiwan, as are most carbon frames.
Don't be too sure of anything anymore. A lot of the Taiwanese OEMs have plants on the mainland to save $. Corporate office might be in Taipei, but . . . .
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Old 03-02-06, 10:44 AM
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Handmade usually means it's painted and decalled there.
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Old 03-02-06, 02:16 PM
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Considering bike companies keep a close eye on how thier frames are made, i really dont think the fact that a Taiwanese guy welded it makes any difference compared to if an American guy welded it.

"Made in the USA" does not automatically equate to better quality.
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Old 03-02-06, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Flak
"Made in the USA" does not automatically equate to better quality.
When did it ever?
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Old 03-02-06, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Siu Blue Wind
I thought Cake was their top trail bike. Mine was made in USA, according to under clearcoat decal. I don't see any engraved "made in..." anywhere on the frame. Where is yours stamped? I don't mean the sticker, I mean, is it engraved anywhere?

Right. The HKEK is their top hardtail-trail bike.
The "made in Taiwan" is only a sticker -- it is not engraved anywhere. Not sure what you are getting after. Does the sticker mean something different than if it were engraved? I guess if it were engraved it would be a lot worse ?? -- or at least not an accident
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Old 03-02-06, 08:28 PM
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Yo. Chill out. What I'm getting at is maybe you found a "stamp" somewhere on your bike and I was just wondering if I had it too. I didn't mean to "top" you if that is what you're thinking. You said your bike was the top bike. I must have not seen in your original post that you said HARDTAIL.

It really doesn't matter to me if yours is top or not, I just didn't want to get fooled by the LBS that sold it to me. I like my bike even if it wasn't, I just don't want to be lied to by someone that I'm giving $1600 to.

Congrats on owning the best bike that Gary has ever made.
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Originally Posted by making
Please dont outsmart the censor. That is a very expensive censor and every time one of you guys outsmart it it makes someone at the home office feel bad. We dont wanna do that. So dont cleverly disguise bad words.
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Old 03-02-06, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by hammer4
Right. The HKEK is their top hardtail-trail bike.
Its not even the top of the line hard tail...

Ziggurat...

Frame AC/DC ZR9000 internally and externally butted aluminum main frame w/carbon composite seat and chainstays | Disc Specific | Genesis Geometry

Wheels Bontrager Race Lite Disc wheelsystem | Bontrager Jones XR 26x2.25 folding tires

Suspension FOX F100RL fork | Rebound and Lock-out Adjust | Aluminum Steerer | 100mm travel

Componentry SRAM X.O rear derailleur + X.O Trigger shifters + Shimano M-760 XT front derailleur | Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon 44/32/22 crank | Avid Juicy 7 hydraulic disc brakes w/6" rotor | Shimano M520 ATB clipless pedals | (Full Specs)

MSRP $3299.99
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Old 03-02-06, 08:50 PM
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Thank you.

edit: Please allow a clarification. My bike was purchased in 05, if that makes any difference. I'm sure newer bikes have been upgraded or added since, and maybe his HKEK is bigger and better than my 05.
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Originally Posted by making
Please dont outsmart the censor. That is a very expensive censor and every time one of you guys outsmart it it makes someone at the home office feel bad. We dont wanna do that. So dont cleverly disguise bad words.

Last edited by Siu Blue Wind; 03-02-06 at 08:56 PM.
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Old 03-02-06, 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Flak
Considering bike companies keep a close eye on how thier frames are made, i really dont think the fact that a Taiwanese guy welded it makes any difference compared to if an American guy welded it.

"Made in the USA" does not automatically equate to better quality.
Thank you, I was hoping someone would point that out. Need I point to the stellar record of the mighty crack n fail ...
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Old 03-02-06, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelstrom
Need I point to the stellar record of the mighty crack n fail ...
Thank my lucky stars for a good warranty?
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Old 03-02-06, 10:06 PM
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I have an HKEK and it rides awesome, I agree with everyone...just ride it.
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Old 03-03-06, 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by unsuspended
Putting words in my mouth eh?
.

doh! thought it was you who had said that; obviously i got the name wrong, but whatever!
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