Cannondale, GT, Schwinn in the news

[kurti_sc]

I just read the article on the consolidation efforts with the parent company for these bike manufacturers.
In short, these types of bike companies never should have been attained and managed by the same company that does low-end, high-volume bikes like Pacific.
Sure they serve thier purpose and they have a huge market presence, but the mass market bikes have different goals.
To see these brands dwindle, shutter US factories, and push production to Asia, it's like watching a slow death. I don't see how they will return to any type of glory. On that same note, I'd like to issue an akward glance towards Colnago. They were always a dream bike for me...handmade Italian...as artful as they were fast and comfortable to ride. Now with thier Asian production, they don't occupy my thoughts much anymore.

 

[BroDeal]

I just read the article on the consolidation efforts with the parent company for these bike manufacturers.
In short, these types of bike companies never should have been attained and managed by the same company that does low-end, high-volume bikes like Pacific.
Sure they serve thier purpose and they have a huge market presence, but the mass market bikes have different goals.
To see these brands dwindle, shutter US factories, and push production to Asia, it's like watching a slow death. I don't see how they will return to any type of glory. On that same note, I'd like to issue an akward glance towards Colnago. They were always a dream bike for me...handmade Italian...as artful as they were fast and comfortable to ride. Now with thier Asian production, they don't occupy my thoughts much anymore.

Is not Colnaga a rather large company that makes a full range of bikes? If you are going to deal in the lower end of the price spectrum then you need to make part of the line in Asia.

It is more disturbing to me to see high end makers manufacture frames in Asia and then charge a price similar to a custom frame handbuilt in the U.S. by one of the small companies.

I have not heard the news on Cannondale. Are they getting rid of all their U.S. manufacturing? It seemed like they were going that direction with their carbon models.