Discovering the factory behind the brand

[Andyindo]

A lot of this is already known but some people may find this interesting....

Shadow optic | the manufacturing partner paradox «

[the bottle ride]

great piece- thanks for posting.
Really interesting- some stuff I knew, some stuff was new.
Curious to read that even frames with the same mold may be made in different factories- thus sometimes the difference in quality between two different models with close to the same frame.

[chancerider]

great piece- thanks for posting.
Curious to read that even frames with the same mold may be made in different factories- thus sometimes the difference in quality between two different models with close to the same frame.

This somewhat mimics the Alfred Sloan/General Motors model.

[Generalcuz]

Very interesting breakdown of how it all works. Personally migrating to the handmade side of things as a consumer has made me think less and less about this model. Buy peace of mind in a handbuilt rig. :)

[Moke]

Interesting. Sean at Soulcraft built my Soulcrafts, Max at Hampco built my Hampstens, Paul made my Rock Lobsters, The Sycip boys made my wifes mtb , Tom Kellogg my track frame, and I would bet Jon at Moots could tell me who welded my Moots(s). Then my Konas were made by the nameless folks somewhere toward Asia, but are darn good rides all of them. It is a big world out there, granted it is nice to talk to the man that builds your bike. But some nameless welders in a factory you don't know where it is can make nice bikes too.

[rellis]

The annual factory and suppliers guide from Bicycle Retailer are fun to check out.
http://www.bicycleretailer.com/downl...ry_10_1_11.pdf

[Scott G.]

My bikes were made by this crack team....
Group photo before leaving for NAHBS on the boat.