Among the Specialized bikes I owned or seen around, they are either made in Taiwan or China. So I was wondering if all Specialized bikes made in Taiwan/China?
Are all Specialized bikes made in Taiwan/China?
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amunoz83
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In my opinion Stratos was taken out because they couldn't afford to defend a patent lawsuit and had to be bankrupted. Stratos was producing/licensed an inertia valve shock system that was invented long before Specialized hired their inventor for their inertia valve system. Specialized values a monopoly in this field and hence Stratos "had to go". This has nothing to do with protecting a return on R+D $'s. This is about exploiting a patent "judicial system" that favors the cubic dollars.
Just to share
As for why some frame indicates Made in China while other indicates Made in Taiwan, it is simply a matter of business profit margin. For entry level models that are usually sold in mass qty. at lower price, the profit margin is usually low, thus to ensure a lowest possible manufacturing cost while maintaining a profit margin, it is only obvious for the manufacturer to produce the frame in a country demanding the lowest possible manufacturing cost, thus explains frames made in China. However, for higher end models that usually sold at lesser qty. but with premium price, manufacturer can afford to make these frame in country with high labor cost, thus explaining Made in Taiwan.
However, it really does not matter where the frame is made as long as the Quality Control of the product is duly observed and performed; thus offering a quality frame at a price that can meet every segment of the market demands.
From my observation, Specialized is simply following the route of Nike, keeping what they are best at, and that is the branding and marketing of the product, while selling and outsourcing what they are less competitive, which is the manufacturing.
Whether is Specialized or Cannondale.....just ride hard
To my knowledge, Specialized has sold about 49% of company to a Taiwanese bike manufacturing company Merida few years ago, thus it did not surprised me if all Specialized frame are made in either China or Taiwan as Merida has manufacturing facilities in both countries.amunoz83 said:
As for why some frame indicates Made in China while other indicates Made in Taiwan, it is simply a matter of business profit margin. For entry level models that are usually sold in mass qty. at lower price, the profit margin is usually low, thus to ensure a lowest possible manufacturing cost while maintaining a profit margin, it is only obvious for the manufacturer to produce the frame in a country demanding the lowest possible manufacturing cost, thus explains frames made in China. However, for higher end models that usually sold at lesser qty. but with premium price, manufacturer can afford to make these frame in country with high labor cost, thus explaining Made in Taiwan.
However, it really does not matter where the frame is made as long as the Quality Control of the product is duly observed and performed; thus offering a quality frame at a price that can meet every segment of the market demands.
From my observation, Specialized is simply following the route of Nike, keeping what they are best at, and that is the branding and marketing of the product, while selling and outsourcing what they are less competitive, which is the manufacturing.
Whether is Specialized or Cannondale.....just ride hard
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If one comments in this manner, then it's normal to be asked to back it up. You can't be that surprised by the response. Otherwise, commenting in an attempt to "educate" them without backing it up will usually be ignored. I imagine that most posters would agree and feel the same way. When seeing something posted that is so inflammatory, more people are beginning to question it. This should have been happening a long time ago, but better late than never.
I bought a Specialized Hotrock A1 FS for my son yesterday and was bit disappointed that the frame and forks were made in China. At least it said Handmade in China. Well maybe I am asking too much, every thing else that I own is made in China these days.
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sounds like a cop out to me, but thats my opinion...ar1981 said:
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The bottom line is we all have the freedom of choice to buy what we want. I run an 06 stumpjumper pro FSR and for me with all the bikes I have owned this is the best. Yes I always bought american had a couple if's and then I bought an intense and paid twice what specialized would charge me for the same design. The difference Intense customer service was aweful. Specialized if you have a problem will replace anything anytime. I guess you could say this is because their margin is so high on the overseas stuff they sell. When I buy a specialized I truely believe I am paying for R&D plus the sweat shop fabrication. (yes it is no different than clothing) What truely bugs me though is what they are doing to fox right now and fox is letting them. Take fox's technology and move it overseas and put an S label on it. So ask yourself why would fox let this happen? In a year or so why would specialize buy stuff from Fox when they make overseas for a fraction of the cost? This is crushing the little guys but the little guys are letting it happen. Capitalism at its finest.
Almost everything you all buy is made in another country. The only reason some CHEAP MANUFACTURED part would be made in the USA is because it needs some major technology to produce or it needs the infrastructure that no other country has.
Take a look at your clothes. Take a look at your car. Ford? Made in Mexico. Toyota? Parts made elsewhere, but assembled in USA simply because shipping costs are too high to move assembled cars to the USA markets.
I'm so sick of these stupid arguments about offshoring...
Anti Corporation? I could easily burst your little bubble... PM me small business lovers.
Take a look at your clothes. Take a look at your car. Ford? Made in Mexico. Toyota? Parts made elsewhere, but assembled in USA simply because shipping costs are too high to move assembled cars to the USA markets.
I'm so sick of these stupid arguments about offshoring...
Anti Corporation? I could easily burst your little bubble... PM me small business lovers.
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Its important to remember
I lived in Taiwan for about eights years and still make it back for a visit at least once a year. A few things you should know.
Its important to remember that prices get jacked up on this side of the ocean, not in Taiwan. I picked up my 04 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro for around $975. That is far better than the asking price of $2500 in the U.S. My wife's custom hardtail would have easily topped $2000 if built in the U.S. Cost us less than $700 in Taiwan. My GT ZRX cyclocross bike which is not even available in the U.S. was only $300 in Taiwan yet would've cost well over $1000 if sold in the U.S.
Shipping bikes to the U.S. by the boatload only costs a few dollars. Import tax is little if any. It is the folks here in the U.S. that are ripping you off.
There is no Specialized factory in Taiwan. Majority of bikes were built at the Merida plant while the Enduros were built by Giant (better technology). I don't know of any high end Specialized bikes being built in China at the moment. I can check though.
I lived in Taiwan for about eights years and still make it back for a visit at least once a year. A few things you should know.
Its important to remember that prices get jacked up on this side of the ocean, not in Taiwan. I picked up my 04 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro for around $975. That is far better than the asking price of $2500 in the U.S. My wife's custom hardtail would have easily topped $2000 if built in the U.S. Cost us less than $700 in Taiwan. My GT ZRX cyclocross bike which is not even available in the U.S. was only $300 in Taiwan yet would've cost well over $1000 if sold in the U.S.
Shipping bikes to the U.S. by the boatload only costs a few dollars. Import tax is little if any. It is the folks here in the U.S. that are ripping you off.
There is no Specialized factory in Taiwan. Majority of bikes were built at the Merida plant while the Enduros were built by Giant (better technology). I don't know of any high end Specialized bikes being built in China at the moment. I can check though.
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Maybe, but I would still love to know what these bikes wholesale to the distrubiders.
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