Dang, some scary info from Bicycle Retailer mag:
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/...9011667#.XNjYQi-ZNQJ
An executive with one major U.S. IBD brand said the tariffs will be “devastating for the USA and China bicycle businesses.”
I guess if one is looking for a bike, one that is manufactured in china (lots of high-end bikes are), better get it asap … before the crazy price increases kick in.
Yep - I head a story on NPR over the weekend how they estimate prices will go up by around 20%. Not a huge deal on a $100 bike, but for top end stuff the tariffs could had a couple thousand!
Not too many top end bikes made in China. There are some but an athlete will have plenty of top quality choices at current prices ( still too high 
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Considering how small tri is and the athlete turn over… just buy used. Much more sustainable environmentally
But what about when 13 speed comes out? Gonna need that…
And here’s the contrasting article at the same website by the same author. Pick your viewpoint…
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/05/13/us-manufacturers-welcome-tariff-increase#.XNm3R9h7m00
The gist is that good or bad is based largely on whether someone views international trade in a short-term or long-term perspective and whether someone believes that China competes fairly. If there is a nation that subsidizes a segment of the market in order to drive out competition in another nation, then tariffs are a very, very good thing for that other nation.
Yep - I head a story on NPR over the weekend how they estimate prices will go up by around 20%. Not a huge deal on a $100 bike, but for top end stuff the tariffs could had a couple thousand!
People looking at a $100 bike may not be able to afford the extra $20. On the flip side, those of us with nice bikes likely can, but would just prefer not to.
If bikes were made in the U.S.A, there wouldn’t be a problem!
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I was able to look past the misogny, racism, emoluments clause violations, cronyism, and general buffoonery, but this a bridge too far.
I was able to look past the misogny, racism, emoluments clause violations, cronyism, and general buffoonery, but this a bridge too far.
Haha! Don’t fuck with my hobbies.
My first pair of Nike were made in the USA…something I haven’t seen since a kid. Cervelo had the P5X made here (maybe it still is?)…we have ABG who made the QR Ti frames. We have Dean in Colorado, there are numerous brands in the US. Not sure if Merlin is still around–but if more could be made here, that would be awesome.
Employ US folks, better distribution and warranty resolutions, we have HED, ZIPP, other wheel makers…yeah, we should build more top end carbon bikes here too. If we have the knowledge for Stealth tech, we should have enough for the bike industry. **Disclosure: I know nothing about making bikes, wheels, or their costs or QC…just stating a wish list to avoid tariffs.
If bikes were made in the U.S.A, there wouldn’t be a problem!
That statement might be less pink than you know… and apply to a whole lot more than our cycling toys.
“I know the challenges this county’s up against. Here’s the thing about those discount suppliers. They don’t care. They come in, they undercut everything, and they run us out of business, and then, once we’re all gone, they jack up the prices.” - Michael Scott, Dunder Mifflin Paper Company
This is not a problem for the enthusiasts here. As the article makes clear, this is only likely to affect entry level, mass-market, department store or kid’s bikes. Anything mid-tier or higher is generally made in Taiwan and unaffected by these tariffs. Similarly, most good components are not made in China. For example, Shimano makes most everything in Malaysia.
I think we’ll survive.
Sure, but my 2011 n.P3 was made in China.
Where are most tri Cervelos (except P5X) made these days?
My first pair of Nike were made in the USA…something I haven’t seen since a kid. Cervelo had the P5X made here (maybe it still is?)…we have ABG who made the QR Ti frames. We have Dean in Colorado, there are numerous brands in the US. Not sure if Merlin is still around–but if more could be made here, that would be awesome.
Employ US folks, better distribution and warranty resolutions, we have HED, ZIPP, other wheel makers…yeah, we should build more top end carbon bikes here too. If we have the knowledge for Stealth tech, we should have enough for the bike industry. **Disclosure: I know nothing about making bikes, wheels, or their costs or QC…just stating a wish list to avoid tariffs.Carbon frame manufacturing is far more capital intensive than most metal bike manufacturing. Also, the economies of scale in carbon manufacturing are very powerful. The supply chain and necessary scale for high end carbon frame manufacturing is all in Asia these days (primarily Taiwan). In addition, the skilled labor and engineering prowess is also all in Asia these days. American carbon frames would either be lower quality or vastly more expensive than comparable Asian frames.
Speaking of “stealth” (and to get political here), tariffs are nothing more than a politically palatable way to support US companies by levying a tax on American consumers. We the consumers are ALWAYS losers with tariffs. Politicians like to pretend it’s a free lunch. Tariffs are almost always value destructive and inefficient. If you want to help American companies, it would be more efficient to just give them money, like the Chinese do.
I guess since the US government ‘s official stance is the “one China policy†this also applies to Taiwan stuff too?
Where are most tri Cervelos (except P5X) made these days?
China, all aside from the P5X and RCa have been for a long time
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Trek also makes about 90% of their bikes in China.
Sure, but my 2011 n.P3 was made in China.
Where are most tri Cervelos (except P5X) made these days?
And its not just Cervelo. I’ve seen several other popular brands being made in Chinese factories I’ve visited…