Help me choose a Taiwanese bike
#1
Beausage is Beautiful
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Help me choose a Taiwanese bike
About 3 months ago back before I left Korea I got t-boned by a taxi running a red light. The Erba is dead. Now, bikeless, I weigh my options.
I have since moved to Taiwan. I love Taiwan. Taiwan is awesome.
And I want a replacement bike that is manufactured here. Yes, that's right, I specifically want a bike that is made in Taiwan.
The options vary quite a bit, however. Of the Taiwan offerings, what does the forum like most?
I have since moved to Taiwan. I love Taiwan. Taiwan is awesome.
And I want a replacement bike that is manufactured here. Yes, that's right, I specifically want a bike that is made in Taiwan.
The options vary quite a bit, however. Of the Taiwan offerings, what does the forum like most?
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Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
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#5
my bike Owns me+my wallet
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if you're in Taiwan you should really go check out the giant factory, it's the single largest frame factory in the world, not sure if they give public tours, but you should check it out, it's production season.
Also i bet you could get yourself a custom welded frame, or unbranded carbon frame Cheap cheap.
Also i bet you could get yourself a custom welded frame, or unbranded carbon frame Cheap cheap.
#6
Beausage is Beautiful
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I'm actually quite interested in Giant and would like to see the factory, and maybe try to do some photography, but so far have basically found it nearly impossible to get in touch with them.
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#9
モㄥ工匕モ 爪モ爪乃モ尺
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#10
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
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#13
my bike Owns me+my wallet
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This can be a problem Giant's PR team is pretty hit and miss, they'll ignore you for months on end, then come through better than you where hoping for, I'd say get in touch with them through the Taiwanese division of the company if you can. Or really just show up, the address for the factory is on the back of their sales catalog if my memory servers me right. And i wouldn't expect to take any pictures or even go through the whole factory, i heard from a rep their not allowed to show any non-giant staff any non-giant bikes being produced in their factories, which seeing as how 80% of their business is making OEM frames i would that would be pretty hard, guess the other manufacturers don't want to word to get out that after all the marketing hype all their bikes come from the same factory, which they don't even own.
Last edited by Kol.klink; 12-21-10 at 01:31 PM.
#14
Oh, you know...
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Daamn that funky squigly-triple-triangle business is only $269...
https://airwalkfixed.blogspot.com/201...k-details.html
...and only comes in 53cm.
https://airwalkfixed.blogspot.com/201...k-details.html
...and only comes in 53cm.
#15
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
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did someone say 'salmon fade'?
i like the airwalk 2011 but it's mighty uggo with that gusset. i'd buy it, chop off the tt/dt gusset and ride it till it broke.
#16
my bike Owns me+my wallet
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that's not bad really, it is aluminum but still that looks much better than a leader.
#17
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
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i'd definitely rather have an airwalk than a leader. and i might even want one of these 'favor' bikes more than an affinity.
#20
Oh, you know...
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Too bad a "large" is 54cm c2c.
#22
Constant tinkerer
Who needs different sizes when you've got
HEAT
TREATED
CR-MO
4130
DOUBLE
BUTTED
TUBE
?
That sticker is a bit much.. To the OP, if you are ever able to get a hold of Giant, I'd say tour the factory and pick out your favorite bike made in that factory. Then you can say you saw where it was made. Which I think would be pretty cool.
HEAT
TREATED
CR-MO
4130
DOUBLE
BUTTED
TUBE
?
That sticker is a bit much.. To the OP, if you are ever able to get a hold of Giant, I'd say tour the factory and pick out your favorite bike made in that factory. Then you can say you saw where it was made. Which I think would be pretty cool.
#23
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
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basically, what you have is the option to spend 300 or so plus 40 on a dremel plus 50-200 on paint or powdercoat or other finishes on a frame to have it look awesome and maybe break, or spend 500 (or more) on a nice frame everyone has, or 1000+ for a custom frame.
****, i'd get colassi to make a custom frame if you were looking in china. they do the traitor bikes and they're awesome. i'm sure taiwan has similar custom shops with heritage and varied specializations.
if i was you i'd look at an omnium frameset, or just customize the **** out of one of these curvy seattube bikes, or find a custom builder. i wouldn't be surprised if you could find a smaller shop that would custom build you a bike for what may seem like very little money here.
****, i'd get colassi to make a custom frame if you were looking in china. they do the traitor bikes and they're awesome. i'm sure taiwan has similar custom shops with heritage and varied specializations.
if i was you i'd look at an omnium frameset, or just customize the **** out of one of these curvy seattube bikes, or find a custom builder. i wouldn't be surprised if you could find a smaller shop that would custom build you a bike for what may seem like very little money here.
#24
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maxway does some pretty nice work in steel, mostly TIG but some lugged i believe, nice cast track ends. they build the sputnik for jamis (among other things), and i believe they market house-brand frames as well. not artisan stuff, but damn nice for the price.