Marin Bicycles were Produced in Taiwan?

[PHeller]

I was a little put off by this.

I read an article chronically Marin's history in business, and it was mentioned that the first bikes were produced in Taiwan.

I was really hoping my 1990 Marin Team was produced in the states, but its not looking that way, and since there is very little history online, its hard to confirm.

Any input?

 

[Little Bob]

I'm sure my early Specialized Rockphopper BITD was made in Taiwan too.

Common practice BITD for the large Yank firms to outsource production out to the far east for economical reasons, certainly for the lower end frames at any rate.

I wouldn't worry, the build quality of Taiwan built frames is generally very good if they were built to the QA specs of the known branded manufacturers.

 

[pete_mcc]

Wasn't specialized totally based on far east builds in the beginning?

 

[scant]

Wasn't specialized totally based on far east builds in the beginning?

aside from the ultimate & early M2 frames yeh

 

[Max P]

IIRC all Marins were Taiwan, except perhaps the Team Titanium.

I also thought some of the early very top Specalized frames were either US or Japan made?

 

[MikeD]

I was a little put off by this.

Why?

 

[PHeller]

I ride a Cannondale. It was made in America. That comforts me.

My next bike will likely be made in America.

It's just a weird thing I have. I'm not going to get rid of my Marin, I had just thought for the longest time they were American built.

 

[ajm]

The fact that you can't actually tell where the bike was made by looking at it or riding it should be enough, IMHO, to confirm that it doesn't really matter.

Of course if you were buying a new bike and wanted to support industry in your own country that would be a different story...

 

[Russell]

I was a little put off by this.

Why?

Yeah, whats the difference? I was talking to a designer for a large US bike company a couple of weeks ago who told me that the quality of the frames they have produced in the far east is better and more consistent than if they were built in the US.

If the bike co. specifies the material spec and the geometry, what difference does it make where its put together?

Early Specialized bikes were Japanese?

 

[Anthony]

I was a little put off by this.
Why?

Yeah, whats the difference? I was talking to a designer for a large US bike company a couple of weeks ago who told me that the quality of the frames they have produced in the far east is better and more consistent than if they were built in the US.
If the bike co. specifies the material spec and the geometry, what difference does it make where its put together?
Early Specialized bikes were Japanese?

What you're saying is perfectly logical IMO, but I believe that the level of basic patriotism is so much higher in the US than it is here that it's difficult for us to think in the same way as they do about the value of concepts like 'US-built'.