Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Do you care where your bike was manufactured?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Do you care where your bike was manufactured?

Old 08-11-14, 02:54 PM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 64
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
if i'm buying a road bike in excess of $500, it will be made in USA, or i'm not buying. I can't keep a straight face paying a premium for a product the worker making it was making $0.70 an hour.
torque cyclist is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:02 PM
  #27  
Banned
 
BoSoxYacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Posts: 7,281

Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by hueyhoolihan
don't try to tell me that that guy doesn't creep you out just a little.
Rousseau? Maybe a little.
BoSoxYacht is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:06 PM
  #28  
Banned
 
BoSoxYacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Posts: 7,281

Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by torque cyclist
if i'm buying a road bike in excess of $500, it will be made in USA, or i'm not buying. I can't keep a straight face paying a premium for a product the worker making it was making $0.70 an hour.
If you are buying a road bike made in the USA, it will cost a hell of a lot more than $500
BoSoxYacht is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:15 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
 
tagaproject6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550

Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times in 144 Posts
We can has your bicycles! Nuff sed!
tagaproject6 is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:27 PM
  #30  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
If you are buying a road bike made in the USA, it will cost a hell of a lot more than $500
And good luck finding a groupset at any price...
achoo is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:28 PM
  #31  
Banned
 
BoSoxYacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: take your time, enjoy the scenery, it will be there when you get to it
Posts: 7,281

Bikes: 07 IRO BFGB fixed-gear, 07 Pedal Force RS

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by torque cyclist
if i'm buying a road bike in excess of $500, it will be made in USA, or i'm not buying. I can't keep a straight face paying a premium for a product the worker making it was making $0.70 an hour.
I am curious to hear where your cellphone, TV, and computer is made.
BoSoxYacht is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:34 PM
  #32  
Senior Member
 
tagaproject6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550

Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times in 144 Posts
Originally Posted by torque cyclist
if i'm buying a road bike in excess of $500, it will be made in USA, or i'm not buying. I can't keep a straight face paying a premium for a product the worker making it was making $0.70 an hour.
Can anyone keep a straight face reading that?
tagaproject6 is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 03:47 PM
  #33  
VFL For Life
 
Velo Vol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 51,057

Bikes: Velo Volmobile

Mentioned: 780 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28444 Post(s)
Liked 1,832 Times in 1,300 Posts
Not anymore.
__________________
Originally Posted by Velo Vol
People here don't get it.
Velo Vol is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 04:07 PM
  #34  
ka maté ka maté ka ora
 
pdedes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: wessex
Posts: 4,423

Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
no to the original question. my smartphone was made in mexico btw. i almost bought an american frame but the value proposition wasn't there.
pdedes is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 04:26 PM
  #35  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 87
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I don't understand why some people have this elitist/arrogant attitude that if something is made in the USA that automatically means it's better; it doesn't... I currently own a Chevy Equinox and will never buy another Chevy again due to all the problems we've had with it. It's not like laziness & poor workmanship are culturally exclusive.
Dryvlyne is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 05:18 PM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 497

Bikes: 2013 Lynskey R340, 2014 Specialized Tricross

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I place a lot of value on my Lynskey because of it being made by an American company.
thelazywon is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 05:33 PM
  #37  
RJM
I'm doing it wrong.
 
RJM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,875

Bikes: Rivendell Appaloosa, Rivendell Frank Jones Sr., Trek Fuel EX9, Kona Jake the Snake CR, Niner Sir9

Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9742 Post(s)
Liked 2,812 Times in 1,664 Posts
Originally Posted by Dryvlyne
I don't understand why some people have this elitist/arrogant attitude that if something is made in the USA that automatically means it's better; it doesn't... I currently own a Chevy Equinox and will never buy another Chevy again due to all the problems we've had with it. It's not like laziness & poor workmanship are culturally exclusive.
that wasn't made in the usa.
RJM is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 05:35 PM
  #38  
Passista
 
Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,586

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 392 Posts
As said above, quality is quality regardless where it's made, but I like my Pinarello being Italian because I like Italian racing tradition.
Reynolds is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:06 PM
  #39  
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Do you care where your bike was manufactured?


Nope.


I support the global economy.
Machka is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:08 PM
  #40  
Senior Member
 
rpenmanparker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by RJM
that wasn't made in the usa.
Count yourself lucky. It could have been a Fiat or Peugeot.
__________________
Robert

Originally Posted by LAJ
No matter where I go, here I am...
rpenmanparker is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:32 PM
  #41  
Senior Member
 
Space Pope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Santa Clarita
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RJM
Not really, but it just so happens that my two bikes were made in America.


Well, I don't want a chinese frame.
I,for one, welcome our new Chinese overlords
Space Pope is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:34 PM
  #42  
Senior Member
 
Garfield Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,079

Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times in 67 Posts
I would be sad if I found out that my Sapim C Xray spokes were made from steel in somewhere other than Belgium.
Garfield Cat is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:43 PM
  #43  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,739
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Learn to braze and question becomes somewhat moot...

/k
ksisler is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:44 PM
  #44  
well hello there
 
Nachoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 334 Times in 206 Posts
In general, no. But in my particular case I'm happy that I was able to help support my local frame maker by buying one of his bikes.
__________________
.
.

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Nachoman is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:49 PM
  #45  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,812
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,015 Times in 570 Posts
When I was a kid, European bikes had the cachet of quality. Asian bikes were cheap crap. American bikes were tanks. There was probably some truth to that in a broad sense. But the quality of Asian imports improved and America began making some better machines. Some of the Euro manufacturers suffered a decline in quality at the same time as they increased production to meet demand in a growing US market, so it all evened out. Now you can buy a very nice machine or a POS manufactured all over the globe so there's little practical reason the care specifically about the origin. I can appreciate the sentiment of those who want to 'shop locally' on a global scale, but I wouldn't personally make that a prime consideration for a purchase such as a bike.
jon c. is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:50 PM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 314

Bikes: early 80's steel 12speed, CAAD10-3 2013

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The same arguments happen on the guitar forums

For the record US>JPN>Korea/Mexico>China>Indonesia because apparently only US Luthiers can make guitars

So BF will be having the Indonesian discussion soon

And no I don't care and no I don't have any MIA guitars...but I do have a MIA amp
nuke_diver is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:57 PM
  #47  
Senior Member
 
rpenmanparker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682

Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build

Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by Garfield Cat
I would be sad if I found out that my Sapim C Xray spokes were made from steel in somewhere other than Belgium.
A common misconception. The Sapim spokes made in Asia are steel. The ones made in Belgium are chocolate.
__________________
Robert

Originally Posted by LAJ
No matter where I go, here I am...
rpenmanparker is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 06:59 PM
  #48  
Senior Member
 
2702's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 830

Bikes: 16 Haibike Sdruo Cross SM

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
The poorer the country the more interesting it is to visit. Europe was boring in a way. But poor parts of China and Mexico- WoW! thats why I travel.
2702 is offline  
Old 08-11-14, 07:06 PM
  #49  
cowboy, steel horse, etc
 
LesterOfPuppets's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,804

Bikes: everywhere

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12637 Post(s)
Liked 7,529 Times in 3,990 Posts
I care but since i buy used i can't be that picky. In a perfect world all my mtb frames would be American and all my road frames would be Italian but:

Roadies:
Lemond - USA
Scapin - Italia
Free Spirit - Korea

Mtbs:
Mongoose - Taiwan
KHS - Taiwan
Park Pre - Taiwan
Free Spirit - Taiwan

Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 08-11-14 at 07:19 PM.
LesterOfPuppets is online now  
Old 08-11-14, 07:14 PM
  #50  
Still can't climb
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Limey in Taiwan
Posts: 23,024
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by ColnagoC40
Yes I do care where it is made!!!!

This is why:

1.) Some weeks I spend 17 hours in the seat, riding, so I can afford to reward myself and throw money at this healthy lifestyle, consuming my precious time.

2.) Technically, the engineering difference between a $4,000 bike and a $12,000 bike is very small, the biggest difference is "Fashion."

3.) "Fashion" comes at a high Dollar price.

4.) Hard to be in "Fashion" with stuff made in China, or Taiwan.

There you have my story, and I am sticking to it.

PS. Sometimes it is impossible, but where possible I try not to support economic growth in Asia, first prize is the good o'l US, second is Europe. In 2009, I had to tell 2,000 employees we are shutting down the company, they no longer have a job, as the business went to where they pay $0.7 an hour. Part of the reason for my current values.
this is purely racist.

defending your own economy to keep jobs for your own compatriots is understandable. but this is not the same. why do you like europeans more than asians?
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer

No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.