So, 'made in Taiwan' - is it important?

[legrandefromage]

Taiwanese Tat

Sweatshop frames

etc, etc

I own at least 3 frames with the made in Taiwan logo and have owned many more.

Specialized have been doing it for nearly three decades with the majority of their designs, so what can be so bad?

Coming from a manufacturing background, I have a bit of experience in this matter.

Designing and building a product in the UK is very expensive and leads to a higher overall product cost (what the retailer pays).

However, designing and building abroad has its advantages - you only have to look at the popularity of Apple products as the near perfect example. But, sometimes it can go very wrong with products having to be re-manufactured in the UK to bring them back up to standard.

I should add that some of the Taiwanese frames have been very good and way beyond expectations and some other bikes have been very bad unfortunately confirming a stereotype



Off we go...

 

[letmetalktomark]

I believe that both my Cotic, Pipedream & my Kona are all Taiwanese Tat

As long as they are made to a "standard" and the ultimate brand has a good quality control procedure & product test during the design stage then does it matter where they are made (ethics aside)?

 

[beagle]

It depends on the frame, assuming a good US/UK made frame and a good Taiwanese frame, IMO:

US/UK made frames feel more special (not tangible but it feels that way to me) and are generally better quality, in terms of craftsmanship at the least.

In terms of ride, I don't think it makes much difference.

Aren't the worst bikes made in China these days anyway?

 

[lewis1641]

i believe my khs montana pro is maid in taiwan and i absolutely love it.

 

[longun]

never bothered me were stuff is made,as long as the quality is acceptable etc i couldnt give a hoot.

 

[The Ken]

I don't think it is important but what is important is the time given for the bike builder and the quality specified by the manufacturer. My far East 1988 Rockhopper Comp was as solid as they get - no problems despite years of serious abuse including big jumps, drop offs and 1 car crash.

I'm pretty sure a Universal welder gets a lot less time than a Cotic Welder to put together a frame.

The same applies in China, they build frames to the specification requested, miniKen's China built Trek mt60 kids bike has pretty nice welding and as good if not better than my daughters Specialized Hotrock from Taiwan.

 

[retroklein]

cheap labour to keep the manufacturing costs down, the quality doesn't seem to suffer that much... not with bikes anyway... isn't it true though that the design and concept of most products is done on home soil?? Apple "designed in California" think I saw that on my ipod.. from market research, right to product development and testing, then plans and spec's are contracted to the cheapest manufacturers overseas...

generally the quality is 10/10 but the soul is definitely amiss

 

[EarlofBarnet]

I don't mind Taiwan stuff at all. The quality has certainly improved a lot since the 90's. I think you get a bit more kudos with genuine 'made in britain' stuff though.

 

[Neil G]

I believe that both my Cotic, Pipedream & my Kona are all Taiwanese Tat

As long as they are made to a "standard" and the ultimate brand has a good quality control procedure & product test during the design stage then does it matter where they are made (ethics aside)?

Your right on the above list, add Charge to that as well.

TBH nothing wrong with it and as you say, so long as quality control is good then frames should turn out okay.

What does make me laugh though is people banging on about such brands as Cotic & Charge as if they are 100% British and so much better than all the 'mass produced' tat out there.

 

[IDB1]

Nope.. no prob with Made in Taiwan . . .