ORBEA: Basque workmanship or Chinese?

[Christian Schneider]

Can't get a staight answer. Are Orbea Orcas made in the Basque Country or like many carbon frames are they made in China?

 

[Hitchey]

The bikes are designed in Spain and the molds are made in Spain. It's supposed to ensure top quality product. The production bikes are then made in China. There is nothing wrong with carbon products made in China or Taiwan. It's the design and QC that greatly determine the quality of the final product.

On a side note, since Cannondale moved production overseas last year, they are now able to sell the caad 10 with hydro formed tubing with the end result being a lighter, stiffer, and more complex tube design and a nicer bike than the caad 9 or prior year models-at roughly the same price. The carbon frames are also better than when they were made in the USA.

 

[washedup]

No one wants to work in spain.... so everything had to move to China.

But seriously, the best glue & fabric frames are made in China and Taiwan. Just because it is cheaper doesn't mean they are not the best at it.

 

[Juicy McDrip]

Chinese.

Ask Kestrel what they think of Orbea and Chinese manufacturing.

There was some chatter about the Chinese stealing Kestrel's design..or Orbea touring the factory and seeing the Kestrel design. Either way, not good.

Not sure what occurred a few years ago, but recall the Chinese factor was a biggie.

 

[forty four]

The bikes are designed in Spain and the molds are made in Spain. It's supposed to ensure top quality product. The production bikes are then made in China. There is nothing wrong with carbon products made in China or Taiwan. It's the design and QC that greatly determine the quality of the final product.

On a side note, since Cannondale moved production overseas last year, they are now able to sell the caad 10 with hydro formed tubing with the end result being a lighter, stiffer, and more complex tube design and a nicer bike than the caad 9 or prior year models-at roughly the same price. The carbon frames are also better than when they were made in the USA.

i more or less agree that said orbeas are crap frames in more ways than one. 2 of my bros broke frames non-crash and got ****ed warranty wise no service at all even though it was not there fault. had a specialized s-works frame issue half there fault half mine (long story) regardless handled fast and properly imo.
orbea frames/service sucks.

 

[rickshaw]

stuff like this needs i a thread of its own...

Chinese.

Ask Kestrel what they think of Orbea and Chinese manufacturing.

There was some chatter about the Chinese stealing Kestrel's design..or Orbea touring the factory and seeing the Kestrel design. Either way, not good.

Not sure what occurred a few years ago, but recall the Chinese factor was a biggie.

so what you're saying is that something may or may not have happened, and china may or may not have been involved, but whatever did or did not happen was, "not good". Pretty hard hitting stuff.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Can't get a staight answer. Are Orbea Orcas made in the Basque Country or like many carbon frames are they made in China?

Orbea has a Chinese facility. I don't know what models are/are not done there.

Like another post said, distinguishing between a Chinese product and possibly Spanish product is moot.

What's their warranty and follow-on warranty support like? That's the better question.

As for claims of intellectual property theft, many beg, borrow and steal to get ahead in the industry. Rarely do they ever pay for another design. The theft should be considered a compliment.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Orbea has a Chinese facility. I don't know what models are/are not done there.

How many of the factories and facilities that all the bike companies claim to have in China actually their own factories instead of an OEMs? If I contract with Merida to make my frames, can I claim to have a factory?

 

[DirtyWorks]

How many of the factories and facilities that all the bike companies claim to have in China actually their own factories instead of an OEMs? If I contract with Merida to make my frames, can I claim to have a factory?

Yes, that marketing claim is made frequently. Not in Orbea's case though. My understanding from people I trust (that and USD $3 will get you a cup of coffee) is it's an Orbea facility including Basque chefs for the management.

 

[Notso Swift]

^^ that is what I have also heard
I seem to remember that they paint the top line bikes (Orca/Diva/Ordu) in Spain, may have seen a video somewhere?

Regardsless Chinese and quality are not mutually exclusive, however, once the quality comes up so do the prices, funny about that

 

[Martin318is]

i more or less agree that said orbeas are crap frames in more ways than one. 2 of my bros broke frames non-crash and got ****ed warranty wise no service at all even though it was not there fault. had a specialized s-works frame issue half there fault half mine (long story) regardless handled fast and properly imo.
orbea frames/service sucks.

This type of thing is almost ALWAYS country specific. I assume that the Orbea warranty problem was in the US? This would be a function of either the shop or the distributor but not likely Orbea Spain.

Myself, I had in this last year received excellent support in Australia in dealing with a crashed frame and a stolen bike. in both cases, Orbea (via my local reseller and the Australian distributor) were a huge help.

Not saying that the bikes are any better than others or anything like that - just giving a possible piece of more detail

 

[Martin318is]

Can't get a staight answer. Are Orbea Orcas made in the Basque Country or like many carbon frames are they made in China?

All my Orbeas (owned 4 this year) have a sticker on them saying, "Made in Spain" but it is my understanding that "made" consists of bolting parts together and one of these parts is the completed frame (which came from an Asian factory)

Its that tricky thing in an international market where the sticker is based upon the laws in one country and not an international standard.

 

[durianrider]

Orbea has an life time warranty right? If its a genuine warranty they are cool.

I break a LOT of stuff and only ride strong stuff with a descent warranty.

 

[Martin318is]

Orbea has an life time warranty right? If its a genuine warranty they are cool.

I break a LOT of stuff and only ride strong stuff with a descent warranty.

Yes they do.

I should point out that mine was broken by a car and not a manufacture fault. Still got a lot of assistance from Orbea in replacing it ASAP

 

[rickshaw]

Its a Global Economy

Can't get a staight answer. Are Orbea Orcas made in the Basque Country or like many carbon frames are they made in China?

my 6 year old aluminum Orbea has the "made in spain" sticker. I have never had a problem so I don't know about warranty service. I would buy another Orbea in a heartbeat.

In the US Orbea is generally seen as an "exotic" brand by bike shops. Exotics are the ones they have to show they don't just sell Trek / Specialized / the rest of the mass produced / mass market brands. So when snobs like me get tired of after looking at the name "Trek" for 15 years and we want something else, there it is. I'm not sure if the bike shops like the exotics as much as the mass market bikes which I'd bet have better merchandising plans, etc.

Some years ago while looking under the hood of my pre-Ford Volvo I started counting "made in countries" from components. It was a map of the world. I did not freak and say "OMG Ole! , dis ain't sveedish!" Who specs the parts, puts them together and warrantys them is important.

My "Spanish" bike may have a frame from Taiwan, or Spain; components from a Japanese company made, where?; tires are an Italian brand made in Thailand ( I also have Finnish snow tires made there as well as German tires from Deutschland; same with my winter shoes, Italian brand Asian made; Finnish computer says made in Finland. The REMA North America TipTop patches are made in Germany, which is funny because "German Made" in big letters on the box would give them more cred.

The point is that's the world we live in. Bike, car, you name it.

ps: my current Ford was made in Turkey

 

[Christian Schneider]

The comments were interesting. I agree that point of manufacture does not mean a product is of high quality or low, very fine bike frames can come from Chinese plants. Orbea likes to put in it's ads references to the Pyrenees. I own a 08 Orca, have had no problems, but am beginning to dislike the very harsh ride. Perhaps it's due to the huge seat stays. I don't think you will any rider on the podium of a Belgium classic on top of an Orbea. I know many companys have disclaimers in their warranties: must be purchased from "licensed dealer", "original owner".

 

[lanternrouge]

The comments were interesting. I agree that point of manufacture does not mean a product is of high quality or low, very fine bike frames can come from Chinese plants. Orbea likes to put in it's ads references to the Pyrenees. I own a 08 Orca, have had no problems, but am beginning to dislike the very harsh ride. Perhaps it's due to the huge seat stays. I don't think you will any rider on the podium of a Belgium classic on top of an Orbea. I know many companys have disclaimers in their warranties: must be purchased from "licensed dealer", "original owner".

I too own a 08 Orca and have not noticed this harsh ride you speak of and the roads around here are a disgrace. I think you will find that the reason no Orbea rider will finish on the podium in a belgian classic is because the pro's on Orca's tend to be 58kg climbers!
No bike affects whether a riser finishes on the podium or not unless said bike breaks. Pro's do not care what they ride.

 

[TigerFish]

How many frames are not Asian?

Checking out the string the question that comes to my mind is whose frames are not made in Asia?

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Checking out the string the question that comes to my mind is whose frames are not made in Asia?

I have a USA and 3 Italians in addition to my 4 Asians, so it's all even....

 

[rickshaw]

Mine Says "Made in Spain" but really....

Checking out the string the question that comes to my mind is whose frames are not made in Asia?

Am I missing something? Since when is the word "Basque" synonamous (sp) with technoloy or craftsmanship? Sheep herding, yes, gourmet dining clubs, yes, bombing Spanish trains yes.... but not craftsmanship. The whole Pyrennes thing is the sizzel needed to sell the steak

Ditto the idea of "Italian Craftsmanship". Shoes, purses and men's suits maybe but anything more complicated than brazing, forget it.

no troll intended, but if you want to turn out significant quantity of quality products "made in Asia" is your answer.

 

[Benotti69]

Am I missing something? Since when is the word "Basque" synonamous (sp) with technoloy or craftsmanship? Sheep herding, yes, gourmet dining clubs, yes, bombing Spanish trains yes.... but not craftsmanship. The whole Pyrennes thing is the sizzel needed to sell the steak

Ditto the idea of "Italian Craftsmanship". Shoes, purses and men's suits maybe but anything more complicated than brazing, forget it.

no troll intended, but if you want to turn out significant quantity of quality products "made in Asia" is your answer.

not sure your point.


the british steel industry was sold off by Thatcher in the 80s as it was dead on its feet and its heavy industry is now no more but it doesn't stop most Formula 1 teams being based there and using local hands and heads....bike building is a specialist small industry and can be done anywhere. why not the Basque region?

 

[Pete Subs]

When I bought my bike I was researching the same way you probably do right now. I decided if I invest several thousand in a new machine I couldn’t live with the fact that the guy who made my bike makes 20 cents an hour. I have no problem spending a good amount on a quality bike IF it’s a quality bike. If the bike is made in Taiwan it should be clearly marked in my opinion.

 

[simo1733]

Checking out the string the question that comes to my mind is whose frames are not made in Asia?

BMC impec,Most Looks,Most Times, top end Treks,Cyfac,Cipollini,Colnago C59 Italia,
Only expensive models.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Am I missing something? Since when is the word "Basque" synonamous (sp) with technoloy or craftsmanship? Sheep herding, yes, gourmet dining clubs, yes, bombing Spanish trains yes.... but not craftsmanship. The whole Pyrennes thing is the sizzel needed to sell the steak

Ditto the idea of "Italian Craftsmanship". Shoes, purses and men's suits maybe but anything more complicated than brazing, forget it.

no troll intended, but if you want to turn out significant quantity of quality products "made in Asia" is your answer.

http://www.ducati.com

http://www.mvagustausa.com

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Pages/Home.aspx

http://www.bugatti.com/en/home.html

 

[Milessio]

Italian Craftsmanship

Unfortunately, the only Italian connection Bugatti has is that the founder was Italian. (They are made near Strasbourg in NE France).

Isn't most Campagnolo still manufactured in Vicenza?

Negri Bossi plastics injection moulding machines are from Italy & no doubt some are used in Asia!