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Observations from China

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01 / Original postObservations from Chinabeanfoto2 · 3 Nov 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–10Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #10James Bruce Gil · 10 Nov 2004

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Bike Cafe
Published
3 November 2004
Last activity
10 November 2004
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beanfoto2
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Mountain bikingCadenceDisc brakesSingle-speed and fixed-gearEddy Merckx

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  1. Original post
    beanfoto2
    Archived post
    #1

    There are more bikes here than there are people in most countries!

    But most of them are the same . Heavy, step thru' shoppers single gear complete with basket.

    Then there is the pre war English designed built to last, carries 3 gas cylinders, used for all kinds of bike freight, Swan. One frame size. Too big for 95% of all Chinese, but I've seen kids of 10 on them.

    The coming of Giant and Merida and Mavic has shaken up the market.
    A little.

    Rich kids want a Mountain bike. Look I've got a Giant 21 speed!

    All of the frames are built in China. Bike shops make more money out of selling transfers saying Giant,Merida & Mavic than selling lighter higher quality components for the cheapo bikes, ( about 500 RMB work it out for yourself, and I've seen full disc brake models around this price).

    Why? "Face"

    I'll never fully understand it, but for simplicity's sake translate it here as being cool, but with the risk of being an outcaste if you make a boo boo. Vitally important to Chinese people, they spend most of their lives worrying about what " the other people" will think.

    So the reason behind the transfers sales is Face.

    Same with the Mountain bike sales. I've carried out an exhaustive, (well, it exhausts me) survey. Bikes and pedestrians are often together waiting for the light to change. I've looked at these bikes.

    In 99.whatever % of cases only one chainring/ cog has any sign of use. I've seen kids pedalling at about 20 cadence up the small inclines we have here. They treat their Mountain bikes like single speeds.

    I swear these kids don't know how to change gear, or why they should. Face.
    😎

    Report
  2. keydates
    Archived post
    #2

    Aren't/weren't most bikes in China those 70 lbs "tanks?"

    Report
  3. JTE83
    Archived post
    #3

    Can you post any pictures of the Chinese Bike you saw ?

    Report
  4. babybunny
    Archived post
    #4

    I'm Chinese. My parents always get confused when I say I want to get the lightest bike possible.

    "Lightest bike?! When we were your age, we wanted to get the heaviest bikes possible so they wouldn't break! Look at those skinny wheels! Be careful because if you hit something with those wheels you'll die!"

    I can relate to the "face" thing. My mom is sometimes so worried about what other people will think of her and her family that my dad and I just want to tell her to kindly STFU... no one cares.

    I'm kinda confused though. What do you mean by "selling transfers?" What are transfers?

    Report
  5. beanfoto2
    Archived post
    #5
    keydates said:

    Aren't/weren't most bikes in China those 70 lbs "tanks?"


    Never stood on scales with, because I can't pick them up. but as i said, more and more mountain bikes about, ( but still heavy).
    😎

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  6. beanfoto2
    Archived post
    #6
    JTE83 said:

    Can you post any pictures of the Chinese Bike you saw ?


    No digicam, no scanner, send me the shipping plus price of a second bike, (p'nuts), and I'll send you the real thing!
    😄

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  7. beanfoto2
    Archived post
    #7
    babybunny said:

    I'm Chinese. My parents always get confused when I say I want to get the lightest bike possible.

    "Lightest bike?! When we were your age, we wanted to get the heaviest bikes possible so they wouldn't break! Look at those skinny wheels! Be careful because if you hit something with those wheels you'll die!"

    I can relate to the "face" thing. My mom is sometimes so worried about what other people will think of her and her family that my dad and I just want to tell her to kindly STFU... no one cares.

    I'm kinda confused though. What do you mean by "selling transfers?" What are transfers?

    But they eat rabbits in China!

    They do have racing bikes now, and even racing teams. The bikes in the shops? Still heavy!

    You're ABC right? ( For those of our gentle riders not familar with the term, that's American Born Chinese).

    Transfers are decals to you. Saying Giant, Merida, Mavic, but NEVER Eddy Merckx, Or even Raleigh. China is soooo insular.
    🙁

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  8. donhix1
    Archived post
    #8
    beanfoto2 said:

    Never stood on scales with, because I can't pick them up. but as i said, more and more mountain bikes about, ( but still heavy).
    😎

    Any truth to the rumor that you can buy a carbon fiber frame for $100?

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  9. beanfoto2
    Archived post
    #9
    donhix1 said:

    Any truth to the rumor that you can buy a carbon fiber frame for $100?


    Dunno, only shop I could find that did them, doesn't anymore. (BTW that's an average Chinese persons wage for a month)

    Might be easier to find in Beijing/Shanghai but first you need to find the shop. For which you'll need someone who speaks Chinese and knows about bikes. Forget about the Internet. They're either too small to be on it,have no experience in exporting or Spik leeetul Engarlis( shir).

    The shipping could come to an arm and half a leg.
    🙁

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  10. James Bruce Gil
    Archived post
    #10
    babybunny said:

    I'm Chinese. My parents always get confused when I say I want to get the lightest bike possible.

    "Lightest bike?! When we were your age, we wanted to get the heaviest bikes possible so they wouldn't break! Look at those skinny wheels! Be careful because if you hit something with those wheels you'll die!"

    I can relate to the "face" thing. My mom is sometimes so worried about what other people will think of her and her family that my dad and I just want to tell her to kindly STFU... no one cares.

    I'm kinda confused though. What do you mean by "selling transfers?" What are transfers?

    BB'

    I thought mixamotosis had got you.

    Kind regards,

    Report

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