Not all carbon bikes are created equal: Inside Factor's Taiwanese HQ

[joejack951]

Designed in Taiwan and made in Xiamen? No, it's not the truth.

The frame is made in Shandong. The factory is Taishan Pardus, which also makes frames for Argon 18 and Cervelo, even their top end models.

The article clearly states that the frames are made in Xiamen. See my quote above in response to the poster claiming that the frames are not made in China.

[Leviathan]

I couldn't see myself paying $4500 for a frameset and not the complete frameset with stem/handlebar and seatpost, so when I saw it on sale for half off, J bought one. Turns out that its a better bike than I expected and ride it the most. Where its made is not much of a concern to me...but more of how its made. There's a few YouTube vids on GCN's visit to the factory. Also a good insight.

My situation exactly. And although Im wary of first ride impressions I think my O2, together with my Basso Diamante, are the only bikes Id consider a long-term keeper. (And Ive had a Bianchi, an F8, an older Canyon and a just god awful Time).

[alanyu]

Designed in Taiwan and made in Xiamen? No, it's not the truth.

The frame is made in Shandong. The factory is Taishan Pardus, which also makes frames for Argon 18 and Cervelo, even their top end models.

The article clearly states that the frames are made in Xiamen. See my quote above in response to the poster claiming that the frames are not made in China.

Shandong IS in China, but it is NOT in Xiamen. It's another province. The article is not correct. As I was in China and I have communicated with people working in different factories, I'm 100％ sure about what I have said.

[joejack951]

Shandong IS in China, but it is NOT in Xiamen. It's another province. The article is not correct. As I was in China and I have communicated with people working in different factories, I'm 100％ sure about what I have said.

Did Rob Gitelis get mis-quoted or did he name the wrong province? I am just going by the article in which Rob is quoted as saying that the factory is in Xiamen.

For the record, I do some manufacturing myself in Xiamen along with Shenzen and Zhejiang.

[flying]

Overall I think it is safe to say all but a very very few carbon frames are made somewhere other than SE Asia

I tend to think of major players only Time, Some Looks? & ??? are not manufactured in SE Asia....who else is not made in SE Asia? (Besides tiny custom companies)

[nickf]

Allied, and Alchemy come to mind.

[alanyu]

Did Rob Gitelis get mis-quoted or did he name the wrong province? I am just going by the article in which Rob is quoted as saying that the factory is in Xiamen.

For the record, I do some manufacturing myself in Xiamen along with Shenzen and Zhejiang.

Maybe he got mis-quoted, or he said that purposely, as Xiamen is much more famous than Shandong in carbon fiber OEM aspect. How many people know Taishan Group in Shandong, China? It was not famous one year ago even in China, although it's a powerful one related to military industry and Taishan Pardus has been making frames for Argon and Cervelo for several years, and also Factor.

Actually, I've seen a photo showing something like "Xiamen XXX Factory for Factor Bike" in Chinese, which can be the factory producing other parts (should be wheels, as Taishan Pardus didn't make carbon rims before) for Factor.

[joejack951]

alanyu, fair enough. I doubt a journalist would swap out one Chinese province for another when quoting someone. That would be odd, as is a company rep knowingly misstating where their frames are made.

[wheelbuilder]

Orbea stopped carbon production in China in 2015. Now it is Portugal.

[ome rodriguez]

Orbea stopped carbon production in China in 2015. Now it is Portugal.

All orbea carbon frames made in asia.
See 2:30

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BOfyZgHyexA

[spdntrxi]

Orbea stopped carbon production in China in 2015. Now it is Portugal.

I for one dont see Portugal or Tunesia being any better then China....and I love LOOK

[wheelbuilder]

Orbea stopped carbon production in China in 2015. Now it is Portugal.

I for one dont see Portugal or Tunesia being any better then China....and I love LOOK

Me neither.......just putting it here as a poster above asked if there were any other brands not doing carbon in China.

[velov]

Orbea stopped carbon production in China in 2015. Now it is Portugal.

I for one dont see Portugal or Tunesia being any better then China....and I love LOOK

Me neither.......just putting it here as a poster above asked if there were any other brands not doing carbon in China.

Watch the Orbea video linked above, they're manufacturing isn't done in Portugal.

[wheelbuilder]

Orbea stopped carbon production in China in 2015. Now it is Portugal.

I for one dont see Portugal or Tunesia being any better then China....and I love LOOK

Me neither.......just putting it here as a poster above asked if there were any other brands not doing carbon in China.

Watch the Orbea video linked above, they're manufacturing isn't done in Portugal.

While I have not kept up on their manufacturing, When I bought my frame in 2016 I was told by rep in no uncertain terms that they ceased all production in Asia in 2015. Scroll down a bit in link below. Not trying to argue with anyone, and maybe things have changed. I don't care either way.

https://www.orbea.com/us-en/blog/the-industrial-art

[Discodan]

I’m struggling to see the relevance to be honest. I’ll take a well made Asian frame any day over a poorly made Euro frame.

I’ve had enough dodgy Italian gear over the years to be over the ‘Euro is best’ view, too often they are leveraging their brand perception and being complacent with quality knowing that the fanboys will accept it as ‘character’


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