Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
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It's my understand that there are certain construction methods and techniques that can only be done in Taiwan, simply because they invested in and geared up specifically to take the lead in bicycle manufacture, which is precisely what they've done.
So, for example, if one wanted to produce a hydroformed steel, post weld heat treated frame entirely in-house, I believe there are only two manufacturers, both Taiwanese, who can do that. As was mentioned above, the economy that affords (both financial and quality control) is significant.
That said, all things being equal, I'd still prefer "Made in USA", simply because for true-blue Americans, we take immense pride in knowing and proving we can do anything as well as, if not better, than any other nation on the planet. In practice, though, there are real inequalities in terms of cost, availability, prestige, and other intangibles that impact the final purchase decisions.