Originally Posted by
CCrew
Any idea who actually makes MEC's bikes? I see them mentioned here from the northerners, but don't recall actually seeing a manufacturer.
Not that making a decent bike is really the black art that some manufacturers would have you believe, but it would be nice to know that they're sourced to a decent manufacturer than The Hong Fu Bicycle Company or someplace no ones ever heard of.
The MEC website states that the bikes are developed in-house, but that they're manufactured in Taiwan. I emailed their
PR dept. to ask who manufactures the bikes. I will post that info when I find out.
Originally Posted by
TRUMPHENT
The Trek Soho is a very compelling item. I love the drive train. For all weather, it should be less troublesome than a chain driven bike.
If the various bike shops all offer good service, that round trip to MEC would give me pause.
I would need to know the life expectancy and cost of th belt for the Soho. That could be an unwanted surprise.
I also like the belt drive on the Soho. It's manufactured by Gates, who make drive belts for Harleys, so I would hope that they know what they're doing. There is another belt-driven bike by Norco called the
Ceres. It's got a cromo frameset, too, which is very attractive. I like to support local, or at least national businesses when possible, so going with MEC or Norco would be great. As far as travelling goes, I just discovered that the bikes are only being sold in select MEC stores, Toronto being one of them. That means an even further trip; two hours - and that's if the traffic is light (we're talking downtown Toronto.) That being said, I've developed a rapport with the owner of my LBS and I'm sure he'd gladly service any bike I own. In any case, I'd like to see these MEC bikes in person.