The Best CARBON Bikes Made in CHINA? - WINSPACE Factory Tour
Jasper Verkuijl
June 30, 2024
Winspace
The video is a factory tour documentary showing Winspace's carbon bike manufacturing process in Xiamen, China. It reveals that Winspace designs and engineers all products in-house, uses multiple manufacturing partners for production, and implements rigorous quality control including fatigue testing, drop testing, and X-ray inspection. The brand has grown from its 2008 founding to become a significant player with over 1,300 dealers worldwide.
Key Facts
- Founded in 2008 by Stephen Sai, who remains the current CEO
- Headquarters and main operations located in Xiamen, China
- Uses T700, T900, T1000, T1300, and T1500 carbon fiber materials
- Has over 1,300 dealers worldwide (300 in China, 200 in Japan, 100 in US)
- Manufacturing divided across four locations in Xiamen to spread risk
- Production facilities also manufacture products for other major brands
- All carbon layup work is done by hand following detailed instruction manuals
- Quality control includes microscopic cameras, X-ray inspection, fatigue testing (1,000 cycles per handlebar), and drop testing (550cm standard vs industry 350cm)
- Uses pre-impregnated carbon sheets (prepreg) as raw material
- Frame production involves 200+ individual carbon pieces per frame
- Has domestic bike assembly room for complete bikes sold in China
- Maintains a secret R&D facility outside Xiamen for handlebar production and testing
Interview Summary
The video includes interviews with Stephen Sai (CEO) and Chris (brand representative). Stephen showed the company's history through their showroom, explaining their model naming system (T-series) and how they avoid number 4 in model names due to cultural significance. He revealed the brand name means 'winning in races' and 'winning life,' and that Winspace represents the highest quality bike brand image in China. Chris served as translator and guide throughout the factory tours.
Brand Highlights
- +All engineering, design, R&D, and development is done in-house (not using open molds)
- +Implements more rigorous testing standards than industry requirements (550cm drop test vs 350cm standard)
- +Has a woman executive assistant to the CEO who makes important business decisions
- +Company culture includes singing corporate songs and sharing stories every Monday
- +Employees have midday naps with stretchers next to desks
- +First bike from 15 years ago is still being ridden by original customer
- +T1500 model has achieved over 30 victories in races
- +Uses new technology for C5 frame that allows one-piece layup instead of gluing separate triangles
- +Distributes products directly to consumers, dealers, and through complete bike assembly
- +Maintains extensive digital system for product tracking and quality control
Products Mentioned
Carbon road bike frames using T700, T900, T1000, T1300, and T1500 carbon fiber, with model numbers avoiding number 4 due to cultural significance
New carbon frame model shown in production with front triangle, rear triangle, and chain stays bonded together
Recently released frame using new technology for one-piece layup instead of gluing separate triangles
Carbon handlebars made from 2-3 layers of carbon, produced in three separate pieces glued together, with extensive quality testing
Wheel brand of Winspace with dedicated rim production and wheel assembly/testing facilities
Assembled at Winspace's facility for domestic Chinese market sales