Where are bikes made? And how?

Welcome to the CycleSphere blog!

Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the bicycle world to explore how and where the biggest bike brands craft their two-wheeled masterpieces.

From sleek road bikes to rugged mountain machines, the process of bringing a bike to life is a fascinating blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and global collaboration.

 Let’s dive into the journey of some of the industry’s giants—Trek, Specialised, Giant, Cannondale, and Bianchi—and uncover the secrets of their manufacturing magic.

Before we zoom into specific brands, it’s worth noting that bicycle manufacturing is a truly global affair. While many iconic brands hail from the United States, Europe, or Japan, the bulk of production happens in Asia—particularly Taiwan and China.

Why? It’s a mix of cost-effective labour, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, and proximity to key suppliers like Japan’s Toray, a leading producer of carbon fibre. In fact, an estimated 60% of the world’s bikes roll out of Chinese factories, with Taiwan dominating the high-end market.

But the story doesn’t end there—design, assembly, and quality control often happen closer to a brand’s home turf.

Let’s see how the big players do it.

Trek, one of America’s most beloved bike brands, started in 1976 in a small red barn in Waterloo, Wisconsin.

Back then, founder Dick Burke and his team hand-built steel frames with a modest $25,000 investment. Fast forward to today, and Trek is a global powerhouse—but its manufacturing has evolved dramatically.

While Trek still designs its bikes at its Waterloo headquarters, most production has shifted overseas. Over 99% of Trek bikes are made in Taiwan and China, where contract manufacturers handle everything from entry-level hybrids to mid-range mountain bikes.

The exception?

Trek’s top-tier Madone 6 series, a carbon-fibre marvel, is still handcrafted in Waterloo using their proprietary OCLV (Optimum Compaction Low Void) process. This blend of in-house innovation and outsourced efficiency keeps Trek competitive, balancing quality with affordability.

Specialised, another American titan, is headquartered in Morgan Hill, California—a hub for cycling innovation.

Here, the team dreams up cutting-edge designs, prototypes new frames, and tests them on the rugged trails and smooth roads of the Golden State. But when it’s time to turn those designs into reality, Specialised looks east.

Nearly all Specialised bikes are manufactured in Taiwan, with key partners like Merida and Ideal churning out frames and components.

The process starts with detailed specs from California, followed by mould creation and frame production in Asia.

Once the bikes are assembled, they’re shipped worldwide—but not before rigorous quality checks ensure they meet Specialised’s high standards. 

From the aero-optimised Tarmac to the trail-ready Stumpjumper, this global pipeline keeps Specialised at the forefront of performance cycling.

If there’s a king of bike manufacturing, it’s Giant. Based in Taoyuan, Taiwan, Giant isn’t just a brand—it’s the world’s largest bicycle producer by volume.

Founded in 1972, Giant began as an OEM (original equipment manufacturer), building bikes for companies like Schwinn. By 1981, it launched its own brand, and today, it’s a colossus in the industry.

Giant’s strength lies in its vertical integration. Unlike many brands that outsource everything, Giant owns its factories and controls the entire process—from design to final assembly.

Most of its bikes are made in Taiwan, with additional facilities in China for lower-cost models. Giant’s proximity to Asia’s supply chain gives it an edge, allowing quick collaboration with vendors for saddles, tyres, and more.

Whether it’s a lightweight TCR road bike or a burly Reign enduro rig, Giant’s in-house expertise ensures consistency and innovation.

Cannondale, born in Connecticut in 1971, has always marched to its own beat. Known for bold innovations like the single-sided Lefty fork, Cannondale prides itself on standing out. While its headquarters remain in the U.S., where design and development take place, manufacturing is another story.

Like its peers, Cannondale outsources most production to Taiwan. Frames are built there, often using advanced aluminium or carbon-fibre techniques, before being shipped back to the U.S. for assembly. This hybrid approach lets Cannondale maintain tight control over the final product while leveraging Asia’s manufacturing prowess.

The result?

Bikes like the Synapse and SuperSix EVO that blend American ingenuity with global efficiency.

Bianchi, the oldest bike brand still in existence, was founded in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi in Milan, Italy. With its signature Celeste green frames, Bianchi oozes heritage—but even this Italian legend has adapted to modern times.

While Bianchi designs and tests its bikes in Treviglio, Italy, most frames are now manufactured in Asia, primarily Taiwan. High-end models, like the Specialissima, may still involve some Italian craftsmanship (think welding or bonding for aluminium-carbon hybrids), but mass production happens overseas to keep costs down.

Back in Italy, assembly and quality control ensure that every Bianchi retains its soul.

It’s a balance of tradition and practicality that keeps this historic brand rolling strong.

You’ve probably noticed a pattern: Taiwan and China are the heart of bike manufacturing. Beyond low labour costs, these countries offer skilled workforces, established supply chains, and decades of expertise. Taiwan, in particular, has become a hub for high-end bikes, thanks to companies like Giant and Merida.

Meanwhile, brands like Focus (Germany) and Time (France) buck the trend, keeping production in Europe for niche, premium models—but they’re the exception, not the rule.

For some cyclists, a “Made in the USA” or “Handbuilt in Italy” label carries prestige. For others, it’s all about performance and price.

The truth is, a bike’s quality depends more on design and oversight than its factory’s postcode. A Taiwanese-built Trek with rigorous quality control can outshine a locally made frame with less attention to detail.

At CycleSphere, we believe it’s the ride that counts—so wherever your bike hails from, get out there and enjoy it!

From Trek’s Wisconsin roots to Giant’s Taiwanese empire, the biggest bike brands blend local innovation with global production to deliver the rides we love.

Next time you hop on your saddle, take a moment to appreciate the journey it took to get there—a journey that spans continents, cultures, and countless hands working together. 

So like Trek we at CycleSphere Australia and Kozo are starting out with the same model as Trek.

Yes. our Kozo Bikes are made in China and integrated with parts from Taiwan and Hong Kong to produce high end lower cost carbon bikes.

 

The highest of standards a the forefront at an affordable price and why we will stand by the Kozo product.

Stay tuned to CycleSphere for more insights into the cycling world, and happy riding!