Many major Western cycling brands design their bikes in Europe or North America, but outsource manufacturing—especially carbon frame production—to factories in China (and sometimes Taiwan or Vietnam). This is standard across the industry due to cost, scale, and manufacturing expertise.Here are some major Western brands whose carbon frames are largely manufactured in China:
✅ Brands with Carbon Frames Commonly Manufactured in China
1. Specialized
- Carbon frames (Tarmac, Roubaix, etc.) are often made by Merida (Taiwanese brand with factories in China).
- Some frames are also produced by Ideal Bike Corp., which has facilities in both Taiwan and China.
2. Trek
- While Trek has some U.S. carbon production (e.g., for high-end Madone and Domane frames in Waterloo, Wisconsin), most mid-range and some high-end carbon frames are made in China and Taiwan, often by Giant Manufacturing Co.
3. Cannondale
- Carbon frames are made by Taokas, Quest Composite Technology, or other Chinese OEMs.
- Cannondale shut down U.S. production over a decade ago.
4. Scott
- Scott carbon frames are typically produced in China and Taiwan via contract manufacturers.
5. Giant
- Giant is a Taiwanese brand but operates large carbon production facilities in China as well. It also manufactures for other brands.
6. BMC
- Swiss-designed, but many of their carbon frames are produced in mainland China and Taiwan, sometimes by Topkey or Velocite Tech.
7. Cervélo
- Designed in Canada, but carbon frames are produced in China and Taiwan (sometimes through Dongguan Roson or other OEMs).
8. Orbea
- A Basque company, but many carbon frames (especially Orca, Oiz, etc.) are manufactured in China and Taiwan before assembly in Spain.
9. Canyon
- Designed in Germany, but most carbon frames are made in China and Taiwan, commonly via VIP Composites or Topkey.
10. Pinarello
- Italian heritage, but most carbon frames (even Dogma series) are made by Carbotec or TOPKEY in China or Taiwan.
🏭 Notable Chinese Manufacturers (OEMs/ODMs)
These large factories build for many brands:
- Giant Manufacturing
- Merida
- Ideal Bike Corp.
- Topkey Corp.
- VIP Composites
- Carbotec
- Taokas
- Axis Composites
🔍 Notes:
- Carbon frame manufacturing is labor-intensive and requires specialized autoclaves, molds, and curing processes—China has become a global leader in this.
- Brands control design, engineering, quality assurance, and assembly, but outsource frame fabrication.