Search by country of manufacture?

[BikeJack]

It's getting time to replace my electric bike. I want to avoid buying anything made in China this time, both because of my experiences the last time, and also because of the whole host of issues around tainted supply chains, the party-industry-military fusion in China, and the Communist Party's bad behavior. (Which everyone knows all about by now, so I won't bother listing - you can visit Amnesty's website if you're interested!)

I'm really hoping to buy a product made in Japan, Taiwan, Germany, or another advanced free democracy, where there are better standards. Understanding that this would cost more, of course, but it's worth it to me.

If anyone knows of good companies or specific ebike models that fit the bill, please let me know. Ideally, those available in Canada, but would like to know of any at all.

Also, for Court, a feature request: it would be great if the Advanced Search had a filter for country of origin, either to filter in, or filter out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I seriously understand your concern. There is a large group of manufacturers making their e-bikes in Taiwan (Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Merida...). There are many renowned German brands (Riese & Muller, Cube, Bulls, Canyon...) There is Spanish Orbea or French Moustache. Now, if you buy a Bosch based e-bike (several brands as above are Bosch e-bikes) then the motors are made in Hungary. Specialized motors are made in Germany. Giant/Yamaha motors are Japanese. Shimano motors are Japanese, too. Fazua motors are German. Groupsets are made in Japan (Shimano), the United States (SRAM), Taiwan (Tektro/TRP...)

The issue that cannot be helped is almost all e-bike batteries and electronics are made in the People's Republic of China...

I have just taken a look at my e-bike that is standing by me. A leading brand, not cheap. "California designed, Swiss engineered, Taiwanese made" read the labels. The motor is German, the drivetrain is Japanese, the brakes are Taiwanese. The suspension system I installed is American. Tough luck: the battery and the control system are Chinese...

 

[Art Deco]

It's getting time to replace my electric bike. I want to avoid buying anything made in China this time, both because of my experiences the last time, and also because of the whole host of issues around tainted supply chains, the party-industry-military fusion in China, and the Communist Party's bad behavior. (Which everyone knows all about by now, so I won't bother listing - you can visit Amnesty's website if you're interested!)

I'm really hoping to buy a product made in Japan, Taiwan, Germany, or another advanced free democracy, where there are better standards. Understanding that this would cost more, of course, but it's worth it to me.

If anyone knows of good companies or specific ebike models that fit the bill, please let me know. Ideally, those available in Canada, but would like to know of any at all.

Also, for Court, a feature request: it would be great if the Advanced Search had a filter for country of origin, either to filter in, or filter out.

Thanks in advance!

A worthwhile search ... I will mention that the Chinese can build high quality, but gravitate towards the cheapest possible b/c of the volume of sales and profits possible.
As @Stefan Mikes and @Tempo can list the various bands and countries of origin off the top of their heads, they will get you started.
I will mention Montague as a possible American made folder. Don't know about a non Chinese battery or display yet, but there probably are some.

 

[BikeJack]

I seriously understand your concern. There is a large group of manufacturers making their e-bikes in Taiwan (Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Merida...). There are many renowned German brands (Riese & Muller, Cube, Bulls, Canyon...) There is Spanish Orbea or French Moustache. Now, if you buy a Bosch based e-bike (several brands as above are Bosch e-bikes) then the motors are made in Hungary. Specialized motors are made in Germany. Giant/Yamaha motors are Japanese. Shimano motors are Japanese, too. Fazua motors are German. Groupsets are made in Japan (Shimano), the United States (SRAM), Taiwan (Tektro/TRP...)

The issue that cannot be helped is almost all e-bike batteries and electronics are made in the People's Republic of China...

I have just taken a look at my e-bike that is standing by me. A leading brand, not cheap. "California designed, Swiss engineered, Taiwanese made" read the labels. The motor is German, the drivetrain is Japanese, the brakes are Taiwanese. The suspension system I installed is American. Tough luck: the battery and the control system are Chinese...

Stefan, this is really good information. Thanks very much.

About the batteries and control system, looks like a good market opportunity for one of those German, Japanese, Taiwanese or American companies.

Or for some enterprising Canadian engineers, why not. They made components of the latest space telescope. They should be able to build an awesome control system for a bicycle.

 

[fooferdoggie]

A worthwhile search ... I will mention that the Chinese can build high quality, but gravitate towards the cheapest possible b/c of the volume of sales and profits possible.
As @Stefan Mikes and @Tempo can list the various bands and countries of origin off the top of their heads, they will get you started.
I will mention Montague as a possible American made folder. Don't know about a non Chinese battery or display yet, but there probably are some.

Taiwan is the center of high end bikes not china.

 

[BikeJack]

Timpo, thanks for those videos. Very kind to assemble that.

And Art Deco (great handle, by the way!), thanks for the Montague mention.

Lots of research ahead for me.