J
Joshua Goldberg
Guest
Am So Conflicted here:
I was "approached" last nite by a chap I deal with for Batteries in China (Not Taiwan) and he asked
how my Trike building was going...to which I replied that I was not able to find an Aluminum Welder
who works cheap....hmmm re-worded ( a welder who welds Aluminum) NOT a Welder made out of
Aluminum...tough group here so I need to be precise LOL...
So the guy says he knows of a Welding Shop who specializes in Alum. and is doing bicycle parts for
nice big Taiwan based companies who are using China's cheaper labor rates...but shhhh don't tell
anyone....Taiwan don't want those Americans to know us Chinamen are making their (Made in Taiwan
bikes)...hmm hope he isn't talking about our Bents.
Anyway....he says he might be able to get my Tadpole framesets made in China at a price way below
what I'd have to pay in Taiwan. Well this got me all hot and bothered.
NOW enter the problem part of all this...I am NOT a big fan of bikes made outside North America... I
keep preaching that line (in case anyone ever reads what I write).
The Feedback needed is this: given the choice of NOT having my tadpole (ever built) or having it
built in North America and due to high labor costs...said bent will cost (at least $1,000.00 more to
make).....OR do I stop dumping on RANS and others for going to Taiwan and join the masses who have
their bents made outside America?
Also note: I would still try to keep a balance going, re: having some parts made in the USA and
assembly is on this side of the Pacific. What $ I save using China would be used to reduce the sale
price of the trike...not to make me rich faster.
I added that "make me rich" part to give Ricky Horwitz something to laugh about while eating
his Cheerios.
Also note: IF the quality of the welds is NOT present, I won't do this. Also sorry about my timing
such a question just before the 4th.
PSWhen I was a kid the 4th of July was the one day everyone got good and drunk and THEN set off a
ton of Fireworks in their backyard and they seemed surprised when their garage or house burned to
the ground.
I was "approached" last nite by a chap I deal with for Batteries in China (Not Taiwan) and he asked
how my Trike building was going...to which I replied that I was not able to find an Aluminum Welder
who works cheap....hmmm re-worded ( a welder who welds Aluminum) NOT a Welder made out of
Aluminum...tough group here so I need to be precise LOL...
So the guy says he knows of a Welding Shop who specializes in Alum. and is doing bicycle parts for
nice big Taiwan based companies who are using China's cheaper labor rates...but shhhh don't tell
anyone....Taiwan don't want those Americans to know us Chinamen are making their (Made in Taiwan
bikes)...hmm hope he isn't talking about our Bents.
Anyway....he says he might be able to get my Tadpole framesets made in China at a price way below
what I'd have to pay in Taiwan. Well this got me all hot and bothered.
NOW enter the problem part of all this...I am NOT a big fan of bikes made outside North America... I
keep preaching that line (in case anyone ever reads what I write).
The Feedback needed is this: given the choice of NOT having my tadpole (ever built) or having it
built in North America and due to high labor costs...said bent will cost (at least $1,000.00 more to
make).....OR do I stop dumping on RANS and others for going to Taiwan and join the masses who have
their bents made outside America?
Also note: I would still try to keep a balance going, re: having some parts made in the USA and
assembly is on this side of the Pacific. What $ I save using China would be used to reduce the sale
price of the trike...not to make me rich faster.
I added that "make me rich" part to give Ricky Horwitz something to laugh about while eating
his Cheerios.
Also note: IF the quality of the welds is NOT present, I won't do this. Also sorry about my timing
such a question just before the 4th.
PSWhen I was a kid the 4th of July was the one day everyone got good and drunk and THEN set off a
ton of Fireworks in their backyard and they seemed surprised when their garage or house burned to
the ground.