Originally Posted by
smd4
I wonder how much Shimano (or any other manufacturers) make themselves, and how much is subcontracted?
Lots. Takagi used to make Shimano's cranks until Shimano bought out Takagi. SunTour was more a design shop than a manufacturer; Maeda Industries made the freewheels and derailleurs, Sugino made the cranks, Mikashima made the pedals, etc. Simplex made derailleurs and shift levers for Galli and others. Stronglight made headsets for Galli. Rumor has it that Zeus made titanium parts for Campagnolo.