Made in China?
Made in China?
OK, I'm all good with the global economy. And I'm aware that a good many of the knick-knacks in the P&A book are made in China and elsewhere. But when I got my new 9 spoke chrome wheels from Zanotti, I was somewhat shocked, surprised, dismayed, that the wheels were made in China. I just don't trust the integrity of the Chinese people. They poisoned our dogs to make an extra buck or two. When I got the stock wheels off, they were stamped "made in Australia". I wonder if melamine will hurt my bike?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 15
From: PA
I think the quality of Chinese made products has gotten much better over the years. But what really gets me is the fact that we are paying premium prices for these products which are supposedly made over seas in order to cut cost. I just don't believe that most of this stuff couldn't be made here in the US and sold at a healthy profit for the same prices. All they did by moving production over there is increase their margins and lower the quality.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 6
From: Simpson County Kentucky
I think the quality of Chinese made products has gotten much better over the years. But what really gets me is the fact that we are paying premium prices for these products which are supposedly made over seas in order to cut cost. I just don't believe that most of this stuff couldn't be made here in the US and sold at a healthy profit for the same prices. All they did by moving production over there is increase their margins and lower the quality.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 15
From: PA
If they are building to a specific design specification and that specification is met, the quality should be the same regardless of where it was made. Agreed, their profit margin will increase due to reduced labor costs and production fees but hey, that's what a free market is all about. If the country of origin was a problem then I would have asked up front, "Are they made in America?" If the answer was no then the purchaser should have said I only want to look at wheels that are made in America and watch the choices drop like a rock.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 6
From: Simpson County Kentucky
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
It doesn't end with tainted dog food. China will take every opportunity to substitute a sub-standard base material in everything they make. I have to certify every chemical substance that makes up the metal in our parts (all the way to the ground it was mined from). Try getting a similar reliable document from China sometime. When I found non-conforming (for lead content) material, it was rejected. It went back into their market, only to be sold somewhere else. Then we wind up competing with the garbage that we wouldn't use.
They have absolutely no concern for trademarks, registration to various standards, their own workforce, or what they do to the environment in the process of making cheap crap.
We have long since reached a level where some products we consider essential are no longer available anywhere but China. We have talented and educated people here that are willing to play by the rules, and they're out of a job. There will never be a stable economy unless you manufacture it right here. The entire country cannot work in the service industry. We are outsourcing our own freedom. Rant over.
They have absolutely no concern for trademarks, registration to various standards, their own workforce, or what they do to the environment in the process of making cheap crap.
We have long since reached a level where some products we consider essential are no longer available anywhere but China. We have talented and educated people here that are willing to play by the rules, and they're out of a job. There will never be a stable economy unless you manufacture it right here. The entire country cannot work in the service industry. We are outsourcing our own freedom. Rant over.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
My wife wanted a genuine Harley leather vest. We eventually found a dealer with just one in stock, that was made in the USA. Fortunately it fitted. We joked then it was the last one left anywhere in the world! Everything else we saw was made abroad.
Most Harley clothes have been made off shore for a decade or more. Harley source parts from all around the world - the alloy frame of my Buell is made in Italy. This hasn't happened overnight, but been going on for many years!
The Chinese have cheap labour at present, but are using modern techniques for making their stuff. The Japanese had that advantage a few decades ago, but no longer and the same will happen to the Chinese.
If you change your wheels for US made ones, you may find there is actually a long list of other parts you should also change, starting with the rear suspension units and front forks....
Don't be too hasty! Ride and enjoy.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Shelton WA
It doesn't end with tainted dog food. China will take every opportunity to substitute a sub-standard base material in everything they make. I have to certify every chemical substance that makes up the metal in our parts (all the way to the ground it was mined from). Try getting a similar reliable document from China sometime. When I found non-conforming (for lead content) material, it was rejected. It went back into their market, only to be sold somewhere else. Then we wind up competing with the garbage that we wouldn't use.
They have absolutely no concern for trademarks, registration to various standards, their own workforce, or what they do to the environment in the process of making cheap crap.
We have long since reached a level where some products we consider essential are no longer available anywhere but China. We have talented and educated people here that are willing to play by the rules, and they're out of a job. There will never be a stable economy unless you manufacture it right here. The entire country cannot work in the service industry. We are outsourcing our own freedom. Rant over.
They have absolutely no concern for trademarks, registration to various standards, their own workforce, or what they do to the environment in the process of making cheap crap.
We have long since reached a level where some products we consider essential are no longer available anywhere but China. We have talented and educated people here that are willing to play by the rules, and they're out of a job. There will never be a stable economy unless you manufacture it right here. The entire country cannot work in the service industry. We are outsourcing our own freedom. Rant over.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
It doesn't end with tainted dog food. China will take every opportunity to substitute a sub-standard base material in everything they make. I have to certify every chemical substance that makes up the metal in our parts (all the way to the ground it was mined from). Try getting a similar reliable document from China sometime. When I found non-conforming (for lead content) material, it was rejected. It went back into their market, only to be sold somewhere else. Then we wind up competing with the garbage that we wouldn't use.
They have absolutely no concern for trademarks, registration to various standards, their own workforce, or what they do to the environment in the process of making cheap crap.
We have long since reached a level where some products we consider essential are no longer available anywhere but China. We have talented and educated people here that are willing to play by the rules, and they're out of a job. There will never be a stable economy unless you manufacture it right here. The entire country cannot work in the service industry. We are outsourcing our own freedom. Rant over.
They have absolutely no concern for trademarks, registration to various standards, their own workforce, or what they do to the environment in the process of making cheap crap.
We have long since reached a level where some products we consider essential are no longer available anywhere but China. We have talented and educated people here that are willing to play by the rules, and they're out of a job. There will never be a stable economy unless you manufacture it right here. The entire country cannot work in the service industry. We are outsourcing our own freedom. Rant over.
I am not against profits, but Obsenity in profits, at the human cost of my country..PISSES ME OFF!!!!