Waterford closing

It does but Richard is retiring and deserves to be able to do so. We got ours brother.... And we know what we have!

This is sad to see another domestic bike maker go.

Lombard said:

This is sad to see another domestic bike maker go.

Click to expand...

I live 8 miles from Treks international headquarters. As a matter of fact, the lead engineer is the one who told me about Waterford's shutting down. Over the years I have taken a LOT of crap from some of the trek people about riding other than Trek, although I do have a Trek 400. My standard response is "at least my bike, was hand-built right here in WI." That ALWAYS, shut them up. Trek hasn't been built in the USA for many years now (a few, were... But) Even my 1984, 400, was manufactured in Japan.

My Trek Domane was made in China....My Colango Master Xlight was made in Italy..my Trek Madone was made in Taiwan..the last bike that I owned that was make in the USA was a Klein....

Dinosaur said:

My Trek Domane was made in China....My Colango Master Xlight was made in Italy..my Trek Madone was made in Taiwan..the last bike that I owned that was make in the USA was a Klein....

Click to expand...

Both Trek and Cannondale moved production overseas around the same time - around 2010.

I thought that Richard Schwinn's daughter was involved in the company and would take over the reins with his retirement.

Guess I'm wrong again.

Well, dunno. A guy over in the thread linked to, says there are more independent frame builders across the country than ever, and that steel bikes are now a niche market for high end bikes with class.

Time to ramp up production, velodog! Steel bikes are keepers! I read Richard Sachs has a waiting list two years long.

Oh, geez. I'm totally behind those who wish to retire, but man--these guys will be missed.

Too bad but there's no shortage of great custom steel from builders. I'm more bummed about Gunnar. I never had one but they looked like a fantastic option for those who don't need custom geometry nor want to pay custom type prices. I think they did custom geo with an up-charge though.

Jay Strongbow said:

Too bad but there's no shortage of great custom steel from builders. I'm more bummed about Gunnar. I never had one but they looked like a fantastic option for those who don't need custom geometry nor want to pay custom type prices. I think they did custom geo with an up-charge though.

Click to expand...

That was the thing about Waterford/Gunnar, affordable well built bikes with lightweight tubing without resorting to custom builders.

velodog said:

That was the thing about Waterford/Gunnar, affordable well built bikes with lightweight tubing without resorting to custom builders.

Click to expand...

oh, I thought Waterford was full on custom with the price to go along with it. And Gunnar was their more affordable not custom but still really good frames line. I looked long and hard at Gunnar for a gravel bike and definitely liked what they offered.....but in the end got a Honey instead because they were local and I could see a few before buying. Honey was Seven's non-custom line. They were steel which I got one, switched to Ti, and I believe have now ceased operation.