"Special Women's Section"

[Zen]

That's what's in the May issue of The Magazine They Won't Stop Sending
There's nothing new but they've at least changed the pedals and grips they're selling from pink to blue pastel :rolleyes: Maybe that's for Easter.

I guess I've been spoiled by TE.
A woman can learn so much here.

[bmccasland]

Zen - not quite sure which magazine you're referring to (go ahead and hit me upside the head with a 2x4). And maybe I'm just drifting along... but a recent TV commercial has me over the edge, it sells vitamins, specific formulations for teens, girls and boys. For the girls - clear skin, for the boys - builds muscles. Well the boys gets zits, and the girls need stong muscles too!

Not that this has anything to do with Easter colors.

I need more coffee. And that second piece of toast. I hate it when my alarm goes off while I'm dreaming. Really discombobulates me.

Maybe the girl vitamins come in baby pink and the boy vitmains come in baby blue too.

[Crankin]

Bicycling?
The subscription is in my husband's name, so the "woman's section" doesn't come here...
I did notice a subtle change in the tone of the new issue. Perhaps it's the woman editor? I take it all with a grain of salt. They are trying to talk to such a wide audience, that something is bound to offend someone. I still like reading it.

[Cataboo]

I think there was a woman's section in the bicycling magazine I got this week.

[Zen]

... but a recent TV commercial has me over the edge, it sells vitamins, specific formulations for teens, girls and boys. For the girls - clear skin, for the boys - builds muscles. Well the boys gets zits, and the girls need stong muscles too!


I saw that ad too and my head spontaneously combusted.
It wasn't pretty. Maybe I should take some special vitamins.

[ny biker]

Zen - not quite sure which magazine you're referring to (go ahead and hit me upside the head with a 2x4). And maybe I'm just drifting along... but a recent TV commercial has me over the edge, it sells vitamins, specific formulations for teens, girls and boys. For the girls - clear skin, for the boys - builds muscles. Well the boys gets zits, and the girls need stong muscles too!

I thought the same thing!

I would like to see an article in the "Special Women's Section" about the diva cup.

[Cataboo]

They should definitely have something on the shewee:

http://shewee.com/

[OakLeaf]

I would just like for them to explain chamois creams that claim to be suitable for men and women, but are not supposed to come in contact with mucous membranes. :confused::rolleyes:

[Cataboo]

Maybe those are made by men who have no experience with women?

[shootingstar]

I was trying to see how much better the SheeWee product would be to use, when cycling out in the prairies, where there are alot less trees and big tall bushes.....:p

[fidlfreek]

Yes, Zen, I saw that section in Bicycling magazine too. Pretty much the most useful part was the comparing WSD bikes to their male counterparts, from a woman's perspective. Frankly, not very insightful. And yes, I think its because TE is just plain awesome.

[Cataboo]

Yes, Zen, I saw that section in Bicycling magazine too. Pretty much the most useful part was the comparing WSD bikes to their male counterparts, from a woman's perspective. Frankly, not very insightful. And yes, I think its because TE is just plain awesome.

Not very insightful given they had one woman and she didn't really have a wsd body.

They couldn't have a panel of women?

[Cataboo]

I was trying to see how much better the SheeWee product would be to use, when cycling out in the prairies, where there are alot less trees and big tall bushes.....:p

Maybe you can tape a piece of plastic into a funnel & experiment?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Not very insightful given they had one woman and she didn't really have a wsd body.

They couldn't have a panel of women?

Where would they find them?

:D

[Cataboo]

Where would they find them?

:D

True. They're probably all out shopping or getting their hair & nails done.

[Skierchickie]

There's nothing new but they've at least changed the pedals and grips they're selling from pink to blue pastel :rolleyes:

GRRRRRR. And that is all I have to say about that.

(Not really, but I'd just rant. :D)

[madscot13]

it bugs me to britches. You know I was told the otherday that I am built like a man. Some of you have seen me. Am I really built like a man?

[redrhodie]

it bugs me to britches. You know I was told the otherday that I am built like a man. Some of you have seen me. Am I really built like a man?

No, you're built like a box ;)

[Zen]

Am I really built like a man?

If you are you're the tiniest man I've ever known.

[tctrek]

In the Women's section of this months Bicycling mag is a pretty cool story about a women that went to a Women's Bicycling camp/training in Asheville, NC. I thought it was funny and well written -- there were definitely parts of it that I could relate to, especially when she gets dropped from their ride:)

[Trek420]

Maybe those are made by men who have no experience with women?

Oh yeah, you have to be the gender, or experience it to build for them. :confused:

Some of the best men's saddles are Terry saddles from a company founded owned run by a woman. Luna cycles will build anyone a bike though a women's company .... women design, build, market, sell bike gear for men including at TE, please "click to shop" above. :cool:

But mostly male designers, builders, advertising can't respect the women's market :confused:

[Red Rock]

The mail is late coming to my house.

I just flipped to the pages (or ads) take your pic. I guess you all are right in the general audience appeal. I just remember those girls/women that I grew up with in high school and college who were partially to fully athletic would not see themselves in pink, have their nails done or other "girly" behaviors that society likes to plant on us. Not only that, the clothes that are modeled are super expensive, so realisically, who would by them if they were not familiar with what all is out there.

Enough rant on all this!

Thankyou TE for being here and all on the forum. Keep rocking.

Red Rock

[ttaylor508]

In the Women's section of this months Bicycling mag is a pretty cool story about a women that went to a Women's Bicycling camp/training in Asheville, NC. I thought it was funny and well written -- there were definitely parts of it that I could relate to, especially when she gets dropped from their ride:)

I enjoyed the story about the women's cycling retreat too! I guess I wish this section had more stories and less products and ads. The section after that one on nutrition was interesting especially the part about "peeing away your muscles after age 40" (sorry, I am straying from subject here)

And by the way, I am built like a box too!

[Miranda]

My issue came late in the mail too. I just ripped the package open last night. Thought the same thing... hmm, wonder if everyone gets this special gold sticker on the front. I just got as far as reading about the bikes. Close to my new ride is in there for review:D. I was doing ok on the article until the notion that "women have long legs and short torsos" came up. Umm, that would NOT be me (shorty legs, long torso--can fit unisex). Guess I'm technically built like a man then:rolleyes:. OH... I kinda like the pink cuz it shows dirt really well when you mtb in it and play in the mud:cool:. I dunno why:confused: my mother stopped putting me in dresses as a young girl:o:p;).

[uforgot]

Not everyone is built the same. A lot of us DO have long legs and short torsos. WSD has been a wonderful thing for some of us. I enjoyed the article about the retreats too, and the comparison between WSD and other versions of bikes.

[Crankin]

I will ask this question again:

Why is it automatically assumed that if you are athletic, you don't like certain things that are associated with being "girly"? To me, that is another version of stereotyping.
I like getting dirty, working hard, sweating, and all that. I also like manicures, make up, and wearing dresses.
No one would see me as a "frilly" type, but, come on everyone. The point here is that Bicycling should make their "woman's" section better/different. I haven't seen the section, since our subscription is in my husband's name, but let's try to make our complaining more focused on that, rather than putting down those of us who might like some of these things. You can't assume that women who are "out getting a manicure" would not be interested in buying a bike or be great riders, any more than you can assume someone who is tall is a basketball star. Just my humble thoughts.

[chutch]

It's too bad that it's a "special women's section" instead of just covering women's specific topics year-round. But, I no longer read Bicycling because, like someone mentioned, they're trying to reach too broad of an audience and it became more ads than content so I'm somewhat ignorant on the mag now.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I agree. There are certainly more than enough women cyclists to warrant having women-specific cycling articles just naturally presented within the magazine regularly. Enough of this dumb "Special Women's Section" stuff- like it's something weird or unusual for women to be riding bicycles. They ought to just get a clue.

[Aggie_Ama]

Not everyone is built the same. A lot of us DO have long legs and short torsos. WSD has been a wonderful thing for some of us. I enjoyed the article about the retreats too, and the comparison between WSD and other versions of bikes.

Agreed. I get that many women can't ride WSD and hate only seeing that. But being 5'2" with little torso I can't fit a man's bike. Trust me, I tried to get a commuter. The top tube length are really out of whack, WSD is a blessing for me. And I like my frame too.


I will ask this question again:

Why is it automatically assumed that if you are athletic, you don't like certain things that are associated with being "girly"? To me, that is another version of stereotyping.
I like getting dirty, working hard, sweating, and all that. I also like manicures, make up, and wearing dresses.


Also agreed. I like sweating, hiking, landscaping my yard. I also like pink and purple jerseys. I like baking. I like running but my running shoes are grey and pink because I liked the looks and the feel. I dye my hair because I am going grey and I don't fancy the natural color. I wear makeup daily. I don't dress girlie, mostly jeans and t-shirts. So in my opinion I am just me and unclassified.

Bicycling is broad reaching and I think trying too hard but I applaud them for at least trying. Some of the other publications ignore women completely. And if you look sometimes the person reviewing a "mans" bike is a woman.

[uforgot]

I've been reading Bicycling for several years. I remember this month that there were two different blurbs about specific female cyclists, NOT in the special section. I don't have it with me, and I don't remember who they are, but it was there. There is fit chick, and I think that lately they ARE more female friendly. Actually, I think a lot of the stuff, training, nutrition is not even gender specific, so I don't really see what all of the fuss is about. The special bike edition had LOADS of bikes and I learned a lot. I don't feel patronized, nor do I feel ignored. I get the feeling that a lot of opinions on this thread are from people who haven't even seen the magazine this month.

By the way, I also get manicures, facials and wear makeup to work every day.

[sundial]

You can't assume that women who are "out getting a manicure" would not be interested in buying a bike or be great riders, any more than you can assume someone who is tall is a basketball star. Just my humble thoughts.

Crankin, I agree with you.

However, with that being said.....my LBS has tried to entice female customers with WSD bikes, clothing, and accessories. Women's cycling gear is still hanging on the racks, WSD bikes are slow to move, and the ladies shoe sales are sluggish at best. It's not for lack of customer service--the staff bend over backwards to help customers. When I have been there during their busiest time, and if the ladies are there, it's to accompany their husbands or boyfriends while they are test riding bikes. I've only seen one lady purchase a WSD mountain bike while I was there. :( Many of the female customers head over to the running gear section instead.

On the flip side to that, I'm the one in the family that shops for tools and tinkers with stuff. Until hardware store clerks get accustomed to seeing me, they assume I'm shopping for my husband.

[ZenSojourner]

Last time I checked, the so-called "WSD" designs - at least in the smallest sizes, where it makes the most difference - were no improvement over the old line. Specifically, I compared the new WSD line of Trek's to my old didn't-fit Trek 430? 420? (It was the cheap version of their excellent but not sized for women touring bike).

I discovered that the so-called WSD bikes actually had LONGER top tube lengths in their smallest sizes than my old Trek, which had a top tube that was already actually an inch to an inch and a half too long for that size frame.

In the larger sizes they may very well be suitable for taller women. But in the smaller sizes, if you stick with a 700c front wheel, there's no way to get the top tube short enough AND not have toe clip.

I stood in a bike shop one day and listened to a (male) employee telling a woman that if the forward reach was too long for her, they could just move the seat forward. I had to show HIM how to make sure the rider is properly positioned over the pedals (and that he COULDN'T move the seat much forward without violating that aspect of bike fit).

There are times when unisex is appropriate and times when it's not.

Socks, for instance. There's nothing about socks that ought to relegate them solely to people of only the XX or XY persuasion. (Well, discounting frilly socks, pink socks, socks with bunnies or ponies on them . . . )

Let me rephrase that.

There's nothing about PLAIN BLACK COTTON socks that says only males or only females should be wearing these socks.

When I was living in Puerto Rico and had to buy black socks for my son as part of his school uniform, I could not find plain black cotton socks in the boys department for love or money. However, being a non-sexual-segregation type of thinker, I quickly found plain black cotton socks in the GIRL's department. So I bought him six pairs. (Trust me, NOBODY wants to be wearing nylon socks, particularly BLACK nylon socks, in a Puerto Rican summer)

Later at a beach party some guy whose son was also attending the same school was bemoaning to me his inability to find Plain Black Cotton Socks for his son. I found them, sez I (all innocent and unawares). Where? queries he.

I told him where.

He HIT the flippin' ROOF. Well he would have had there been a roof. He started to read me the riot act about dressing my son in, quote, "GIRL'S CLOTHES". I didn't let this guy get to far into this ridiculous rant (he was wearing SOCKS fer cryin' out loud, not frilly undies).

"Maybe we should just talk about something else." quoth I.

"No, we should talk about NOTHING at all!" he screamed, wobbling off in high dudgeon, as if removing his unpleasant and inebriated presence was some sort of loss to me.

Hey, saved me getting rid of the jerk, LOL!

OK, so unisex socks are NOT ok, but unisex bikes are the only right way. WSD bikes are just a marketing ploy. They're no different than men's bikes except they're inferior. So if you're a serious cyclist you should buy a REAL (eg men's) bike.

But heaven forfend we start sock-cross-dressing!

You gotta laugh. And then go buy a Terry.

Sojourner

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When I was living in Puerto Rico and had to buy black socks for my son as part of his school uniform, I could not find plain black cotton socks in the boys department for love or money. ...(Trust me, NOBODY wants to be wearing nylon socks, particularly BLACK nylon socks, in a Puerto Rican summer)

Having lived for many years in Puerto Rico myself, I can confirm this. In fact, best not to wear socks at all in the summer, unless you are hanging out in some air conditioned place or going out at night when it's cooler.
Nothing like breaking into a sweat between the time you step out of the cool shower and when you pull your fresh cotton clothes on. :cool:

[katluvr]

In the Women's section of this months Bicycling mag is a pretty cool story about a women that went to a Women's Bicycling camp/training in Asheville, NC. I thought it was funny and well written -- there were definitely parts of it that I could relate to, especially when she gets dropped from their ride:)

Yeah, but, that was pretty much it except for the ads and products, not really anything else. I was disappointed. Except I have to pull out the add for the WSD Pinerrello---I pretty much lust after that bike. If I could get the gal out of the picture I would hang it up.

Otherwise, nothing special about the women's special!

[Crankin]

Maybe I feel like being "provocative" today, but I get the sense that a lot of posters feel you can't be a serious cyclist if you ride a WSD bike. Really?
Let me state that I don't ride a WSD bike. I let myself get talked into buying something else. No one else's fault but my own. I will give the shop owner credit for exchanging the frame of the original bike I bought for an x-small frame in a different model of the same make, 2 years later. I know it involved him realizing that I was going to blab all over town about what cr*ppy service he gave me, after dropping some serious cash for my bike. At the time I made the switch, I had to do all my own research to solve my reach/brake problem. Thanks to everyone at TE, I am now able to ride in the drops (well, other than my own fear going down steep hills!). I went out and bought a new bar at another shop and also had them order me short reach brifters. Why should I have to have done this? If he had shown me a bike that came with some of the things I needed, I would have been better off. But, no, he had to push the Italian frames that he can make a big profit on.
I had 2 WSD bikes before this. Yes, they had 650 wheels, but, I didn't care. I am not a racer, but I am someone whose lifestyle revolves around cycling, and I am serious about it. Serious to have fun, that is. So, when a magazine is showing WSD bikes, I am interested, even though I won't be buying another road bike for a long time.
My mountain bike is not WSD and again, it is too big for me. Not terrible, but definitely could have gone smaller. My around town bike, a Jamis, is the best fitting bike I have. It's a WSD flat bar road bike that is made for a short person! Funny, it is also the cheapest of the 3. Of course, everyone is entitled to his/her opinions, and of course, not all women are built for a WSD bike. But, again, let's not make assumptions about what anyone needs. I just wish I could go into a shop and be listened to. You can bet the LBS owner where I bought my bike listens to me now, but I had to be somewhat threatening to get there!

[Cataboo]

Crankin, I don't think people are saying you can't be a serious cyclist or racer on a WSD bike - I think it's the problem that the top of the line wsd bike by one brand is usually not as nice a bike as the top of the line men's bike. That was one of the comparison's in the special women's section... I think it was the men's trek vs. the women's... they had to swap the wheels and something else on the women's bike to make it comparable....

As for myself - I don't have a wsd and would do very badly on one, because I don't have a wsd body... However, my boyfriend would do great on a wsd, 'cause he's got a wsd body - 33" inseam on a 5'7-5'8 body.

Bike manufacturer's should just offer short vs. long torso versions of their bikes, instead of mens vs women's wsds with pink highlights somehow. Or baby blue.

Short reach brifters & shorter cranks should be standard on smaller frames whether or not they're wsd.... And you wouldn't necessarily have gotten short reach ones with a wsd, because a lot of them really aren't that well thought out (they're not reading team estrogen, apparently).

I usually just buy a bike knowing that I'm going to eventually replace the saddle, cranks, handlebars, etc. - but a lot of people on here would argue that's why you should get a bike fitting by a good bike person when buying your bike at a lbs, so they'll swap all this stuff out and dial it in for you.

[ttaylor508]

I actually think that by the magazine adding a women's section, it is an indication that bike manufacturers are in fact listening and realize that there is a market out there for serious women cyclist. I know some of you don't think you need women specific products, but I am one (maybe the minority) that really likes that ever so slight touch of pink on my all black bike and though I probably could have fit on a men's frame just fine, I liked the women specific design, both the way it looks and feels. My only complaint about the women's section in that magazine is that I wish it would have had more editorial content, but I am still glad they had included it.

[OakLeaf]

Until hardware store clerks get accustomed to seeing me, they assume I'm shopping for my husband.

A little OT but you brought back a memory of going to Sears with my husband for a new set of tools for our new household. "Where's your stuff?" the female cashier asked me. I had to point out, "Well, his motorcycle doesn't need this 27 mm wrench, or this #3 Phillips screwdriver..." :D

[ny biker]

I actually think that by the magazine adding a women's section, it is an indication that bike manufacturers are in fact listening and realize that there is a market out there for serious women cyclist. I know some of you don't think you need women specific products, but I am one (maybe the minority) that really likes that ever so slight touch of pink on my all black bike and though I probably could have fit on a men's frame just fine, I liked the women specific design, both the way it looks and feels. My only complaint about the women's section in that magazine is that I wish it would have had more editorial content, but I am still glad they had included it.

If bike manufacturers - and magazine publishers - are in fact listening and do realize that there is a market for serous women cyclists, there would not be a special women's section once a year. There would be more content in every issue of the magazine that recognizes the fact that many of the cyclists in their audience are women.

[Norse]

Many women's bodies, mine included, do not fit on a WSD bike. So if that's the primary focus of the bike shop or magazine, it doesn't do much for me. Now, clothing, shoes, helmets, sunglasses... that fit women, that's what I would like to see more focus on.

[malkin]

The magazine that shows up most inexplicably here is Family Circle, which is always like that. Of course with the addition of useful advice about what to do when kids get grumpy and refuse to change their socks and stuff like that.

And how to decorate cupcakes.

[Tuckervill]

Reminded me of a Barenaked Ladies song:

My Big Sister
I like my big sister.
But I don't want to wear her coat.
It may be black
It may fit perfect
But you and I both know it's a girl's coat

Now I can handle some hand me downs
But shirts and sandals are out of bounds
Balls and games and such I don't mind
But a coat is over the line


Last time I checked, the so-called "WSD" designs - at least in the smallest sizes, where it makes the most difference - were no improvement over the old line. Specifically, I compared the new WSD line of Trek's to my old didn't-fit Trek 430? 420? (It was the cheap version of their excellent but not sized for women touring bike).

I discovered that the so-called WSD bikes actually had LONGER top tube lengths in their smallest sizes than my old Trek, which had a top tube that was already actually an inch to an inch and a half too long for that size frame.

In the larger sizes they may very well be suitable for taller women. But in the smaller sizes, if you stick with a 700c front wheel, there's no way to get the top tube short enough AND not have toe clip.

I stood in a bike shop one day and listened to a (male) employee telling a woman that if the forward reach was too long for her, they could just move the seat forward. I had to show HIM how to make sure the rider is properly positioned over the pedals (and that he COULDN'T move the seat much forward without violating that aspect of bike fit).

There are times when unisex is appropriate and times when it's not.

Socks, for instance. There's nothing about socks that ought to relegate them solely to people of only the XX or XY persuasion. (Well, discounting frilly socks, pink socks, socks with bunnies or ponies on them . . . )

Let me rephrase that.

There's nothing about PLAIN BLACK COTTON socks that says only males or only females should be wearing these socks.

When I was living in Puerto Rico and had to buy black socks for my son as part of his school uniform, I could not find plain black cotton socks in the boys department for love or money. However, being a non-sexual-segregation type of thinker, I quickly found plain black cotton socks in the GIRL's department. So I bought him six pairs. (Trust me, NOBODY wants to be wearing nylon socks, particularly BLACK nylon socks, in a Puerto Rican summer)

Later at a beach party some guy whose son was also attending the same school was bemoaning to me his inability to find Plain Black Cotton Socks for his son. I found them, sez I (all innocent and unawares). Where? queries he.

I told him where.

He HIT the flippin' ROOF. Well he would have had there been a roof. He started to read me the riot act about dressing my son in, quote, "GIRL'S CLOTHES". I didn't let this guy get to far into this ridiculous rant (he was wearing SOCKS fer cryin' out loud, not frilly undies).

"Maybe we should just talk about something else." quoth I.

"No, we should talk about NOTHING at all!" he screamed, wobbling off in high dudgeon, as if removing his unpleasant and inebriated presence was some sort of loss to me.

Hey, saved me getting rid of the jerk, LOL!

OK, so unisex socks are NOT ok, but unisex bikes are the only right way. WSD bikes are just a marketing ploy. They're no different than men's bikes except they're inferior. So if you're a serious cyclist you should buy a REAL (eg men's) bike.

But heaven forfend we start sock-cross-dressing!

You gotta laugh. And then go buy a Terry.

Sojourner

[Zen]

When I bought my second FX I wanted a high end model.
I need a WSD.

The top of the line for WSD is the 7.6 w/ Tiagra 9 speed.

The actual top of the line (meaning the reach would be too long for me) is 7.9 Ultegra 10 speed.

That chaps my arse.

[ZenSojourner]

That chaps my arse.



They got Bike Short Cream, for men or for women, for that . . . .

:D

[Cataboo]

They got Bike Short Cream, for men or for women, for that . . . .

:D

I heard just a day or so or a page or so ago, that that stuff can't touch mucous membranes.

[lph]

Hopping into the discussion way late, of course. In most cases I applaud manufacturers of sports gear for making stuff for both genders. Even though wsd stuff may not fit me, it's nice that someone made the effort. We all know that the alternative is unisex, which means "for men, lucky you if it fits".

But the point of wsd is catering to both genders, not treating women as a small special subgroup. It's not like women just now are starting to discover bikes, we've been here for a long time. You wouldn't find a "special men's section" in a magazine or bike store, why for women?

[ny biker]

When I bought my second FX I wanted a high end model.
I need a WSD.

The top of the line for WSD is the 7.6 w/ Tiagra 9 speed.

The actual top of the line (meaning the reach would be too long for me) is 7.9 Ultegra 10 speed.

That chaps my arse.

Now that is ridiculous. I would write to Trek about that. I would also talk to the owner of my LBS about it. They should be able to build up a WSD with the same components as the men's.

[ZenSojourner]

Trek isn't made in the US anymore. I think my doesn't-quite-fit Trek of many moons ago was one of the last that was made here.

I don't think they're all that responsive on these issues. I know they weren't for me when I finally figured out what was wrong with my Trek, which had been "fitted" to me. (Basically I found out later that meant whatever we have in the store that's sorta close-ish)

And btw, since they've gone to China for manufacturing, the bikes cost a LOT more.

Figure that one out.

[SpeedDreamin]

Trek isn't made in the US anymore.

You might wanna check your facts. Trek makes all their OCLV carbon bikes in Wisconsin and also a handful of other models, like some of the aluminum full-suspensions.

Yeah, most of their bikes are made overseas, but they still make quite a few here.

[ZenSojourner]

Hey, all I can tell you is what Trek told me, oh, about 6 or 7 years ago.

Terry was making all their bikes overseas, they've switched back to US manufacture.

I suspect that a lot of manufacturing is gradually coming back stateside because of quality issues. Unfortunately we've dismantled so much of our manufacturing infrastructure that I'm not sure it isn't too little, too late.

[Skierchickie]

I think it was 2 years ago that the Trek WSD rep was explaining the difference between the 5000 and the Madone line. She said the 5000 was the TCT carbon, and made overseas because they wanted to be able to offer a carbon bike for $2000. That the Madones were still made in Wisconsin. I think the lower-end ones have been made elsewhere for quite a while, and my '07 520 has a sticker that says "Made in the USA of foreign and domestic parts".

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It can be confusing these days, just like with "American made cars". For example, Rivendell makes their custom lugged steel bikes here in CA, using steel tubing made in Japan, i believe. Their lugged stock frames are now mostly completely made in Taiwan, then the frames are shipped to CA where Riv completes assembling the bikes. "Some" of Riv's frames are still being made in Japan, some still being made by Waterford in the US (not sure where the tubing is made on those though- Reynolds?). Brain hurting!

[VeloVT]

I think it was 2 years ago that the Trek WSD rep was explaining the difference between the 5000 and the Madone line. She said the 5000 was the TCT carbon, and made overseas because they wanted to be able to offer a carbon bike for $2000. That the Madones were still made in Wisconsin. I think the lower-end ones have been made elsewhere for quite a while, and my '07 520 has a sticker that says "Made in the USA of foreign and domestic parts".

BF has a 2007 OCLV Madone that has a huge "Made In the USA" decal the entire length of the drive-side chainstay. (He hates the decal actually). Now that the Madone range is enormous and includes some of their "lower end" carbon models (I think it subsumed the 5000/5200s), I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Madones are made in Asia, but certainly some of them are still made in WI.

[Heifzilla]

My issue came late in the mail too. I just ripped the package open last night. Thought the same thing... hmm, wonder if everyone gets this special gold sticker on the front. I just got as far as reading about the bikes. Close to my new ride is in there for review:D. I was doing ok on the article until the notion that "women have long legs and short torsos" came up. Umm, that would NOT be me (shorty legs, long torso--can fit unisex). Guess I'm technically built like a man then:rolleyes:. OH... I kinda like the pink cuz it shows dirt really well when you mtb in it and play in the mud:cool:. I dunno why:confused: my mother stopped putting me in dresses as a young girl:o:p;).

I'm a short legged, long torso'd, wiiiiiiiiiide hipped chick. So, what the heck does that make me?? :confused: I also love HOT pink. Not pastel. I mean screaming in your face HOT PINK :D

[ny biker]

BF has a 2007 OCLV Madone that has a huge "Made In the USA" decal the entire length of the drive-side chainstay. (He hates the decal actually). Now that the Madone range is enormous and includes some of their "lower end" carbon models (I think it subsumed the 5000/5200s), I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Madones are made in Asia, but certainly some of them are still made in WI.

I just had this conversation with the manager of my LBS. Although we didn't get into specific model names/numbers, he told me that the lower-end Madones are made in Taiwan but the higher end are still made in Wisconsin.

[SpeedDreamin]

Whether you like Trek or not, this is a pretty cool video. It's super cheesy at first, so I'd suggest skipping to about 7 minutes in or so. That's when they show all the stuff at the factory.

And those bikes are being made in Wisconsin.

http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2nVbmcnsXXs