Originally Posted by
GlassWolf
Generally, people associate Italians with craftsmanship and fine attention to detail, whereas Asia is cheap labor and poorly made products, using mercury, lead based paints, and shoddy mfg techniques, along with child labor and lack of QA.
That being said, Kestrel, my personal favorite, is made in taiwan now, and still one of the best framesets I know. Martec, the carbon fiber company in Taiwan does exceptional work, providing framesets for Kestrel, Kuota, and numerous other companies.
Also, yeah my Trek Fuel EX 9.5 as made in Wateloo as well. Sinc eI'm across the lake in MI I've pondered a trip there to meet the carbon frame builder(s) as well.
I am surprised that people still think that these days. I guess you never owned an Alfa Romeo, Lancia or Ducati in the late 70s early 80s. That was when people used to laugh as Japanese motorcycles.
I think these days there is good and bad coming from everywhere.
Oh and by the way, my US made Trek had the worst paint finish of any bicycle I've ever owned.