Originally Posted by
Jipe
And for the other Origami than the Lotus, also assembled in the US ?
About the design of the frames of your several bikes, who did it, Origami or the Chinese manufacturer ?
Bike Friday doesn't only manufacture the frame and assemble the bikes, they also design all their bikes themselves. They do not buy frames designed by others.
This is a major difference, anybody is able to assemble bikes but not able to design bikes.
I don't know about other companies but BF not only designs and manufactures their frames in the US but they also craft numerous other things here as well, like the unique headset adjustment tool which is made in a guy's garage a few miles from their shop and provides work for a local US guy. They cut and finished both the aftermarket titanium seat and stem masts I ordered up in Eugene; I don't know where the titanium came from but all the work was done locally. With rare exception, all bikes use non-US components (although you CAN spec out Paul Components on a BF if you can afford them!).