Originally Posted by
Andy_K
I don't think the problem is with the lack of quality products coming from Schwinn. I think the problem is with the low quality products they let their name be put on. I can go to Performance Bike (already a suspect move, I admit) and buy a $1000 Schwinn that's the equal of any Trek/Giant/Jamis/Cannondale. in its price range. But I can also take $150 and go to Walmart and buy a "Schwinn" that has Magna/Next/Kent/Pacific for its peers.
If they want to regain their prestige, they need to stop doing that.
Schwinn is Schwinn. They make those crappy Wal-Mart bikes, they don't let someone else put their name on them.
Schwinn = Dorel (formerly Pacific). Dorel owns Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, Pacific, and Cannondale. Schwinn, according to the rep who visited us last week, will always remain a Wal-Mart brand, as will Mongoose. Why? Name recognition. They make more money selling crappy Schwinns at Wally-World than they do/did selling through the LBS. GT and Cannondale will remain LBS brands, however...all USA Cannondale production will cease and move to China by the 2010 model year. That leaves none of the Big 3 making anything in the US except for the OCLV Treks.
Schwinn rep put it this way.... A carbon frame costs $35/hour to make in the US. They can make the same frame in Asia for $1/hour. If that's so, then why are Asian carbon frames (ie: Cervelo, Bianchi, Colnago, et al.) still so expensive?