China is the world's largest producer and consumer of bicycles, but mainland Chinese bicycle brands remain confined to the low-end market, while the mid-to-high-end segment has long been dominated by Taiwanese and international brands. Recently, reporters visited multiple bicycle retailers in the city and found significant disparities among different brands in terms of product pricing, materials, and other aspects.
Domestic brands are more affordable
At the RT-Mart supermarket on Ningxia Road, reporters observed that most of the bicycles sold were domestic brands. Leisure bikes from domestic brands like Phoenix and Forever typically ranged in price from 500 to 1,000 yuan. Mountain bikes from brands like Qianlitda were slightly more expensive, usually costing over 1,000 yuan.
Salesperson Mr. Wan explained that RT-Mart primarily sells domestic bicycle brands. He noted that the affordability of domestic bikes is related to their manufacturing quality—for example, differences in the tightness of frame welds, the weight and material of the steel are all visibly apparent.
At the Dahon bicycle exclusive store on Ningxia Road, reporters noticed that prices were noticeably higher than at RT-Mart. “Ordinary Dahon bikes in the standard range cost around two to three thousand yuan, suitable mainly for commuting or for children,” said Mr. Xia, who was performing bike maintenance and repairs in the store. He mentioned that he has been the Dahon exclusive dealer in Qingdao for nearly 10 years.
Mr. Xia explained that several factors contribute to the price differences among bicycles. The first is the materials used. “Generally speaking, high-carbon steel bikes are the cheapest, followed by aluminum alloy, with carbon fiber being the most expensive and typically used for professional racing bikes.” Reporters observed that Dahon bikes priced above four to five thousand yuan were indeed mostly made of aluminum alloy.
The second factor is the bike’s configuration. Variations in the quality of tires, gear shifters, and other components lead to significant differences in the final retail price. “These configurational differences determine whether a product is positioned as low-end, mid-range, or high-end. Lower-end bikes are still rideable, though comfort levels vary,” said Mr. Xia.
“Foreign brands” are mostly made domestically
Mr. Xia said that although Dahon is an American brand, only a small portion of its top-tier components are imported. “These imported parts differ in installation methods and technical specifications from those produced domestically. But the majority of the bike’s parts are manufactured in factories within China.”
A staff member at the Merida bicycle exclusive store on Ningxia Road told reporters that Merida bikes, especially those with larger wheels designed for mountain biking, are mostly produced at a bicycle factory in Shenzhen. “Typically, brand factories focus on producing core components like the bike frame,” the staff member explained. “There are many manufacturers specializing in screws, tires, and other parts, and their level of expertise is very high. There’s no need for bike factories to waste resources on these low-margin small components.”
“These so-called ‘foreign brands’ are actually mostly produced in mainland China. Many Japanese and American companies have factories here. Usually, only the most critical components like gear shifters are directly imported,” said Mr. Xia. He added that it’s difficult to find truly imported bicycles under the one to two thousand yuan price range, and some foreign brands operating in the mid-to-low-end market may even have all components made domestically.
The biggest gap lies in core technology and patents
“Imported bicycles come with a high price tag, partly due to technology patents. For instance, factors like the temperature and light sources used in curing carbon powder for carbon fiber frames are all confidential core technologies,” said Mr. Wan. For example, a certain Japanese brand produces its high-end gear shifters in Japan, while only lower-end ones are made in mainland factories, which follows the same principle.
Liu Wei, director of the Qingdao Dayou Leqi Cycling Outdoor Sports Club and a veteran cycling enthusiast with 10 years of marketing experience, noted, “The Taiwanese brand Giant entered the Chinese mainland market 20 years ago and has set up five factories in places like Kunshan and Tianjin.” Liu Wei explained that Giant’s global sourcing strategy for raw materials helps minimize costs, enabling it and other Taiwanese brands to quickly capture the domestic market.
In recent years, many European and American brands have also begun expanding into the Chinese mainland market. “Every industry has its own core technologies and patents. Those who master these will take the lead in the industrial chain,” Liu Wei said. A company without core patents and a skilled R&D team will inevitably face high innovation costs and struggle to drive breakthroughs or make transitions. For example, Giant has a world-class R&D team, a global sales network, and maintenance centers, with offices and factories in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. “With strong market share, technological advantages, and a focus on brand culture, there are fewer and fewer opportunities left for domestic Chinese bicycle brands,” Liu Wei concluded.