Are "original bikes not made In Taiwan or China? Are bike frames or accessories made in Taiwan fakes or of inferior quality

Wheels of Happiness


This is a repost, with the problems rephrased differently for better understanding

Rizal Philippines
February 20, 2018

                                                      Bianchi frames are made in Taiwan.
                                            So fake ba OEM bikes being brought in from Taiwan?

There was a very long thread in a group FB page regarding this question:  Are Taiwan made frames, carbon parts counterfeit?  The house was divided:   a group says it isnt;  the other say it is.   I was one of those who say that many US and European "original bike marketers" outsource their manufacturing offshore ie to China and Taiwan.   These are centers for excellence for carbon manufacturing:   high tech equipment, processes. The source of top grade carbon fiber, Toray is Japan

It appeared in the thread that all those who have orig bikes did not have frames or components made in China.

It appears also that OEM term (Original Equipment Manufacturer is not clear yet to every one)  It means the company is outsourced or supplies the component

Many good companies that supply parts are  based in Taiwan:  Truvativ, SRAM, FSA, Kenda, Maxxis. How many say they produce fake products;   as we baby boomers too say of Japan products in 1960 -  Japok But Japanese products are now known for quality.

95% of bikes now are made in Taiwan.  There is a good chance that your bike, even your  "original was made in Taiwan

I saw this in a bike forum:   From Road CC forum.    Oh yes forum yan ng mga puti at binuking nila truth about bikes source and manufacturer.

Oltre XR4 made in taiwan???

by ccasavantes December 24 2016

13 Comments

    

Hi there, I am writing because I recently bought online a new bianchi oltre xr4 frame, and when I got it, I  realized that this was made in Taiwan. My question is basically if you guys know that this is a genuine Bianchi frame, or could be a chance that is a counterfeit piece.

The reply:

kev-s [283 posts] 1 year ago

1 like 

All Bianchi frames are made in Taiwan

Most well known Italian brands like Pinarello, Wilier and some of the mid to lower end Colnago's are made in Taiwan  (Colnago produce their top end frames the C59, C60, Master, Arabesque etc... in Italy)

Do a Google search and there's loads of info on this telling you why they moved to Taiwan and how they control the quality, here is a good starting point

May pa mga infringement of copyright pa sila eh sila nag outsource ng manufacturing.....(bakit hindi sila consider na namemeke?).

This is a long article on where your bikes are really made?  You guessed it right - in Asia.   They may buy the frame for only $200.00 put  labels,, paint it put GS and the wheels and presto the price jumps to 10x that much.   Let us not be fooled by these behemoths about real origin of their bikes.

Discussion: Where are your bikes really made?

Same content repeated in Australian forum

The harsh truth is out.   Many 95% of your expensive bikes are made in China and Taiwan and are not fakes.

Baka mawalan ng gana purists....Na brain wash tayong mabuti ng marketers for believing that there is an original and fake.

Kapadyak Ka Recyclist Vhen is able to build a 7500 grams bike at cost of only P46,200. Wow

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 28, 2018

I was conversing with Vhen this morning and he showed me his just assembled bike which he claims and weighed at 50kg weighing scale to be only 7.5 kg.  Wow that is 16.5 lbs, a very light bike, lighter than most carbon fiber bike. Some carbon fiber bikes weigh over 8 kg.   An Ridley Orion weighs 8.4 kg (mabigat ang carbon fiber niya.  1.4 kg excluding fork)  But Vhens alum bike frame and carbon fork weigh only 1.8 kg.

So how much did he spend?

                   Ridley Fenix Frameset                           -  P15,000
                   Amcla 350 sprint5 wheelset                           5,500
                   105 Group set                                            15,000
                   Labor                                                           1,000
                   Velo saddle                                                  1,300
                   Ritchey seat post                                             800
                   Carbon fiber drop bar                                  1,500
                   ITM stem                                                    1,400
                    Bar tape                                                        300
                    Tires      Conti                                             4,000
                                  Tubes                                              400
                        Total                                                    46,200

               Cost /gram                                                       6.16      very cost effective

It was a labor of love and he meticulously searched for and studied the parts that will be included. He worked very hard with the mechanics

How about my project:

    I may be able to come up with a Bianchi Oltre with the weight of:

               1.  Frame  set

                           Frame    with direct mount brakes                                            1.900
                           Fork      with direct mount brakes                                              .700                                                    

             2.  Group set  (chop suey:    Durace, SRAM  and Ultegra)                     1.623

             3.  Wheel set                                                                                         1.300

             4.  Tires                                                                                                  .700

             5.  Drop bar                                                                                           .300
                  Bar tape                                                                                             .080
                  Stem                                                                                                  .200

                                                                                Total                                    6.803


       How much did will  it cost me:

              Frameset                                      P32,000
              SRAM       GS                               18,000
              Durace crank                                  10,000
              BB                                                   1,000
              Cable set                                          1,200
              Wheelset                                        25,000
               Stem                                               1.200
              Drop bar                                          1,500
                              Total                              89.900

                                              Cost /gram     13.21            
                                              My bike cost is 2x for only  697 grams difference

                                             Its because of the wheelset that cost him only 5,500 bargain

But if Vhen were to buy an expensive wheelset say 17k, his cost will be

P46,200 +  17,000 - 5,500   = 57,700/7,500 =  7.69  still cheap


           

           
                 

Little education on Bottom Bracket tech when buying GS or Crankset - please check and verify before buying

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 26, 2018

om brackets

                                     Cut  out view of BB 30 shell and crank

I got enamored with a GS and I was able to buy one cheap only to find out that its crankset is BB 30. BB 30 is short and adopted to mostly to Cannondale. It was invented by Cannondale. It consist of bearing only pressed fit into the bottom bracket shell vs a circlip engaged in the slot in the shell.  BB 30 cranks are fit only to BB 30 bikes! Its cranks are short....74 mm.. So with  BB386.  Some cranks are not interchangeable with one another. Some cranks are 30 mm in diameter, some are 24 and 22 mm (like the one I bought)  Things get more complicated if you go to MTB where BB shells can be or 86.5 or 91mm.   But Shimano cranks seem to be adopted to many shells.

Kaya pala walang bumili noong GS na iyon na BB30. Now its my problem if  the crank will fit my bike (hindi Cannondale)

BB 30, BB 386 BB 865 make for stronger crank  BB set up and is much lighter.  vs the traditional two piece BB or threaded BB shell (the thread makes the  BB shell heavier)  However, the  pressfit thing requires special tool for installation and removal... Only few bike shops and few mechanics know the PF.

Before jumping in to buy a crank set, ask questions and verify.  Like me I cant return the crankset.  I have to buy a new one (a 24 mm crank diameter) 104 mm long (the BB30 crank  spindle  is only 74 mm.. long (being BB30 crank)

A lot of mechanics and sellers are not very familiar yet with this. Those who are selling cranks cant answer too.

The buyers too must not sell their crank or GS if they will not fit the bike of the  buyer.

Salamat po

BB chart compatibility

More of JB pictures at Vigan ride from Ado Gonzaga's post

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 25, 2018

Some more of my pictures at  Vigan ride (it could be Viagra ride?)

                                          JB at far end (upper right hand corner) of the long table

                              At the short program of lunch hosting by Holy Gardens La Union

Thank you for providing us affordable real thing bike parts and accessories

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 24, 2018

Yesterday and today I biked to mangga to procure bike accessories:  yesterday I got a glove with Gel pads, and two bar tapes.  I returned the other bar tape because the one who the intended beneficiary all ready has a bar tape.  I exchanged this for another glove instead.  The gloves cost me only P250.00 and my kapadyak swear by its ability to absorb vibration and lessen "manhid" numbness on long rides.

I also ordered a nice helmet. P1,500 daw

This must be the equivalent of Jetti at MoA.   These are great help to aspiring bikers who want better things in life but also would like to get more bang for their money.

Salamat po sa serbisyo ninyo to sell us great things at affordable prices...

Ryan bikes - growing bike distributor selling authentic bikes (made in Taiwan)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 23, 2018

This post recently came across    Ryanbikes that is in cobra (nding with Giant) selling authentic branded bikes (from where else -  Taiwan)  It has main office Kamuning and three branches at Sta Rosa, Sta Maria  and Lagro in front of SM Fair view.

Ryan bikes

It sells a number of Mtb foxter Merida (probably Giant)  and more

What caught my attention were its posts on Merida road bikes:     Merida Reacto 300 which sells for 45 k and Merida Scultura 100 for only 25K

MERIDA 2018 MODEL!!! NEW ARRIVAL!!!

BRAND NEW AUTHENTIC MERIDA REACTO 300 2018 (Road)

PRICE:
P45,000 SRP (Call/Txt or PM for discounts)

SPECIFICATION:
FRAME REACTO LITE
FORK Race Full carbon tapered fork with conventional brake mounts
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano Tiagra
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano Tiagra
SHIFTERS Shimano Tiagra, 20 speed
BRAKE LEVER Shimano Tiagra
BRAKES Shimano Tiagra with MERIDA brake calipers (rear direct mount)
CHAINWHEEL FSA Omega 52-36 teeth Mega
CHAIN KMC X10
HUBS Sealed bearing with quick release
RIM MERIDA Expert CW, 30mm profile
FREEWHEEL Shimano CS-HG500, 10 speed, 12-28 teeth
TIRES Maxxis Dolomites 25c folding
SPOKES Black stainless
HANDLEBAR STEM MERIDA Expert, 3d forged, 6061 aluminium, Oversize clamp, -5 degree
HANDLEBAR MERIDA Expert Aero double butted 6061 aluminium compact drop, oversize clamp
HEADSET MERIDA M2331
SEAT POST Reacto carbon
SADDLE MERIDA Race
PEDAL Not included

And Merida Scultura 100 which sells for only 28K!!

Still ecstatic over the Vigan ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 23, 2018

Isang malaking palakpak at pagsaludo sa mga brave at matiyagang mga Recyclists riders

500 km +    riders     MAMAW TO THE MAX    

                1.  Allan
                2.  Jeff
                3.  Peter
                4.  Gerry

297 km riders:

              1.  VM Jun Vic
              2.  Pres Luis
              3.   Jess Verchez
              4.  Exequiel Villadiego
              5.  Netoy Mariposa
              6.  Richard Ang
              7.  Master E
              8. Engr. June

224 km riders

           1.  Jimmy
           2.  Jorge
           3.  Pangskie
           4.  Ado

67 km +  riders

          1.  Sec. Noe
          2.  Jovencio Apran

CONGRATULATIONS FOR THIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT RIDE

When ever I recall theVigan ride, a smile emerges on my face and I feel happy over the ride   Why?

1. I finished the ride without having cramps or felling distressed.

2. I led the group for 50 km from Urdaneta to Rosario, Rosario to Agoo;

3.  It was the  first time I rode in this direction;  beyond Baguio and San Fernando La Union

4. There were many great things I saw:   wide open fields planted to tobacco corn peanuts.

5. There were long endless roads: flats and about 30 Bugarin type of ascents.  Which I was able to tackle without feeling tired or distressed.

6.  The Bianchi bike with its Jetfly wheels did well, and so with the bike I borrowed from Vhen with AmCla wheelset even lighter

7.  My training and my 5x long rides to Jalajala paid off.

8. Compared to Tagaytay, Atimonan, San Felipe, Baguio, Mt. Province rides, this was the best ride I had.  Mabilis pacing, di kulelat.  Malakas hanggnag huli.

Who would not be happy?!

More pictures

Credit to Ado Gonzaga FB post:

Day 1 February 16, 2018

                                                           Breakfast at Engr. June's house

                                                 In front of PSI ride about to begin

                                            Panalangin led by Deacon Exequiel  Villadiego

                                                 Resting at first scheduled pit stop at Agoo

                                        Approaching San Fernando La Union

                                                At Holy Gardens La Union for a pit stop, and lunch

How does my repainted Freccia Celeste compare with Freccia and Specialissima pics at the internet ?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 22, 2018

My repainted Freccia bike must have traveled all ready about a 1,000 km  most of them on training rides, and the latest was the ride from Urdaneta up to San Fernando. since it was repainted.  Its crank bolt (the non drive side got loose and was lost.  I had to continue the Vigan ride on a borrowed bike)

Its geometry and that of Specialissima are the same, but the latter is carbon and is much lighter than that of Oltre xr 4 (which I just got)

Let us see how they compare:

                                     Specialissima special ed.  Sells for $8,000

                                                           Specialissima

                                                    Freccia Celeste - sells for 2,000 pounds

                                                                My bike

                                                   How much is this bike worth now?

My OEM bike project taking shape

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Phililppines
February 22, 2018

                                              Installed na direct mount ultegra brakes

Four twos in a date. Seems a lucky date.

My OEM bike frame which arrived last Saturday, after 3 weeks or nervous waiting (the communication with the supplier based in the Visayas was erratic and it started after I made my full payment) is slowly beginning to take shape.

I still lack the following:

     1. A crank that has spindle of 100 mm or more is needed.  I have to get a Shimano.  The Red which is
         very light, will not fit because the spindle length being designed for BB 30 is only 74 mm;  Kaya
         pala walang pumapatol  maski very light.  The crank is BB 30 specific (the BB shell width) It wont do
         for threaded or 865 or 90 mm shell

    2.   A drop bar

    3.  Stem  50 mm

    4.  86.5 bb which is available at Bikezilla

I will sell a bike just to get a 6800 group set.   It will be heavier by 100 gms because I have to use a 600+ grams Ultegra  crankset.  Ibang Red gagamitin ko:  STI, rd, fd.    and still get a respectable weight.  Maybe 6.6 kg.

                                                 Mukhang peke ba o orig?  What do you think?

"Every minute a sucker is born?" PT Barnum; are we bikers suckers?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 23, 2018

PT Barnum, a master showman and marketer was attributed to have said "Every minute a sucker is born"  But many said he did not actually say it. Showmen, marketers rely on this wit to attract people to their show and wares.  And every one of us seem to be gullible.

History Reference to PT Barnaum

In case of bikers, we are taken for a ride.

After reading the articles exposing that Felt, Merida, Colnago, Scott, Ridley Bianchi, Orbea, Fuji are actually made in Taiwan, China and Asia, I felt cheated by Europeans and Americans suppliers who represented their products to be made in their home country.  95% pala ng bikes made by Giant and Hokada in Taiwan factories. Dapat Taiwan or Giant price

                                          Nice but picture label says it is made in Taiwan

                                                     Made in UK?


The idea of being made from beginning to end in a particular country or  place was a thing of the past in modern  supply chain manufacturing processes.   This strategy has to be made to be competitive and stay alive in the competition.  High labor costs tax structures have forced many manufacturers to subcontract, offshore, outsource their production.   American Classic buried its head in the sand paid no attention to this trend and shuttered

Learning that high brand bikes and bike frames are really made in Taiwan made me realize that many have been suckered and taken a ride by bike firms I felt outraged and cheated.  .  I feel that they over priced their bikes, exorbitantly high if indeed they are made in Taiwan. May be just 3x their production cost $200 x 3 =  $600.00 would be fair.   Which is how much Lazada charges now for carbon fiber frames.  All they do is  ship the frames to their home country, paint put stickers manuals, put in boxes and ship back to Asia and add how much $1,000+ to the cost.

Lazada catalog - carbon frames

                                                                       26 K lang!  Full carbon frame

                                                                   16 K lang


How about you?

Hindi lang ride eh, natsubibo tayong lahat.  Nagdebate pa tayo ng katakot takot kung fake o hindi made in Taiwan.  Iyon pala halos lahat ng bike natin.  PEKE 95% made in Taiwan.  Lahat Giant made!

The bikestand - WHO MADE MY BIKES

Where was my bicycle made (same content, different post)

Building bikes in Asia

The OEM and bikes and Lazada bikes prices are just the right prices to pay.

The European and American bike suppliers owe us an explanation for the suckering/misrepresentations...

Discounts for Recyclists from Bikezilla

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 21, 2018

I just arrived from a trip to Bikezilla a two ride destination from Angono:  1 ride to G liner or RRCG, from G liner just  50 meters walk from Galleria  to Cyberspace Alpha (street parallel) to Ortigas) near the entrance (to the left)

I was there inquire and research solution to the bottom bracket solution for the SRAM Red crankset to fit into an 86.5 BB shell the Bianchi frameset)  There I met Mr. Amado de Leon, who happens to be son in law of a cousin in Pag asa who also owns a bikeshop. There I learned several things:

1. They carry a lot of stock of GXP 86.5 x 41 which would fit most Shimano crankset

2. But not my SRAM red which is only 74 mm long.   The crank axle length must be at least 100 mm to fit and have space to attach the crank arm

That is why pala not too many buy the SRAM crank arm despite its light weight. BB 30 specific siya:  frame and BB.

3.  They carry plenty of high end BB of all types

4. He and the missing link mechanic trained with SRAM and elsewhere for advanced bikes tech

5. That other  bike shops get parts from them which they sell 2x to unsuspecting victims who do not bother to ask

And oh yes. I told him we just  came from Vigan, and he knows VM.  I told him we have discounts like from say John Wilkies and Enso.  And said HE WOULD OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ALL CARD BEARING RECYCLISTS MEMBERS

                                                     Discounts for Card Bearing Recyclists
Their contact:  

Address:   Unit 4A GF RobinsonsCyberspace Alpha Sapphire Road Ortigas Ctr. Pasig City

CP:     0927 351 5595

email:    bikezilla2009@gmail.com

FB:    www.facebook.com/BikezillaPH

Look for Mr. Amado de Leon

Are bikes B bikes , bike frames made in Taiwan counterfeit? You will be surprised. Or are "original" bikes not made in Taiwan?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 20, 2018

                                                      Bianchi frames are made in Taiwan.
                                            So fake ba OEM bikes being brought in from Taiwan?

There was a very long thread in a group FB page regarding this question:  Are Taiwan made frames, carbon parts counterfeit?  The house was divided:   a group says it isnt;  the other say it is.   I was one of those who say that many US and European "original bike marketers" outsource their manufacturing offshore ie to China and Taiwan.   These are centers for excellence for carbon manufacturing:   high tech equipment, processes. The source of top grade carbon fiber, Toray is Japan

I saw this in a bike forum:   From Road CC forum

Oltre XR4 made in taiwan???

by ccasavantes December 24 2016

13 Comments

    

Hi there, I am writing because I recently bought online a new bianchi oltre xr4 frame, and when I got it, I  realized that this was made in Taiwan. My question is basically if you guys know that this is a genuine Bianchi frame, or could be a chance that is a counterfeit piece.

The reply:

kev-s [283 posts] 1 year ago

1 like 

All Bianchi frames are made in Taiwan

Most well known Italian brands like Pinarello, Wilier and some of the mid to lower end Colnago's are made in Taiwan  (Colnago produce their top end frames the C59, C60, Master, Arabesque etc... in Italy)

Do a Google search and there's loads of info on this telling you why they moved to Taiwan and how they control the quality, here is a good starting point

May pa mga infringement of copyright pa sila eh sila nag outsource ng manufacturing.....(bakit hindi sila consider na namemeke?).

This is a long article on where your bikes are really made?  You guessed it right - in Asia.   They may buy the frame for only $200.00 put  labels,, paint it put GS and the wheels and presto the price jumps to 10x that much.   Let us not be fooled by these behemoths about real origin of their bikes.

Discussion: Where are your bikes really made?

Same content repeated in Australian forum

The harsh truth is out.   Many 95% of your expensive bikes are made in China and Taiwan and are not fakes.

Baka mawalan ng gana purists....Na brain wash tayong mabuti ng marketers for believing that there is an original and fake.