Re: [CR]Re: [BOB] Schwinns at Target : 6x cheaper than before?

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Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:12:25 -0500
From: "Grant McLean" <Grant.McLean@SportingLife.ca>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: [BOB] Schwinns at Target : 6x cheaper than before?
To: "'jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net'" <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Jerry,

I find the irony of what you say is hilarious.

Wasn't the 50's and 60's bicycle manufactuing the "golden era" for most memebers on this list? With that logic, China would be the perfect place to have a bike made in 2004.

Like Milan was in 1953.

Grant McLean Toronto, Canada

Subject: Re: [CR]Re: [BOB] Schwinns at Target : 6x cheaper than before?

I think what we are seeing is the maturing of Chinese manufacturing, which is where most of the Wal-Mart bikes are made. They are rapidly closing the quality and design gap on Taiwan and Korea, although they have a way to go to catch Japan. China today is where Japan was in, say the late 50's or very early 60's - trying to change from a lowball producer of cheap goods to a supplier of good quality and innovative design. They are a bit handicapped as to the latter, though, since many of their goods are designed by the foreign companies that market them.

Regards,

Jerry Moos
Hoauton, TX