Billions In Bike Sales: A Trip To Taiwan

OFFICIALLY I’M HERE TO PREVIEW THE 2020 EDITION of the world’s second largest cycling trade show, TAIPEI CYCLE. Yet somewhat ironically, I’m not even in Taipei. I’m actually sitting in a press conference about 140km to the south of the Taiwan capital, in Taichung City. This is no mistake. Since the 1970s, the thriving industrial region of Taichung has grown to become the world’s epicentre of cycling manufacturing. Some estimates suggest well over two-thirds of all medium and high-end bicycles and components are now made here in Taiwan or in Taiwanese-owned factories in China, Vietnam and, increasingly, parts of Europe. Colnago, Specialized, Giant, Merida, Bianchi, BMC, Cervelo, Cannondale, Pinarello, SRAM, Zipp, Tektro/TRP, 3T, FSA, Fuji, Louis Garneau, Jagwire, KMC, Lezyne and Marwi, the world’s