To be honest - I bought my Madone because I love Trek bikes for the fit, the price, the look, and the reputation. This is what Trek needs to do to bring downt the cost of CF bikes - and bring the technology to the masses. This is not a case of an Asian company trying to get into the bike market, making lower quality, cheaper goods. You have to remember - Trek is still stamping their name on these things, thus betting their reputation. As for processes - the engineers, and operators from the manufacturing house came to our facility prior to the transfer, to learn how to do the job, use the tools, and make the products pass our QC standards. I know that when we specced parts that were to be used in our products, WE dictated which suppliers, vendors, and components could and could not be used. The only difference may be in the CF being used. I would even go as far as to say that the carbon processes, and QC being done wherever these frames are made are the same as used in Waterloo. The way I see it - the name TCT is just a way to differentiate where the carbon process is done.

Asia is quickly becoming some of the best manufacturing in the world. I would not say that the 'quality just is not there'. I have worked with a company that sent the majority (read Mature) products overseas for lower cost manufacturing. Some Colnago's are also made overseas (Not sure about the high end ones). some of the best (winning, and high end) carbon-fiber bike are made in Taiwan and China. In addition, OCLV frames are manufacturered in Waterloo, Wisconsin, making the workmanship and quality control superior to most frames manufacturered in China or Taiwan. To put that into perspective, the aerospace standard is up toward 4% or 5%.so, technically, OCLV carbon is a bit more refined in that respect than the carbon fiber flying around at 600mph and 40,000 feet on $100 million jets. OCLV uses a patented process that brings the level of voids down to 1% or less, if I remember correctly. These voids are weak spots, resulting in less strength, or requiring additional material. Most carbon frames have similar pockets of air (or 'voids') scattered in between the many layers of carbon fiber cloth.

Have you ever seen cheap window tinting on cars? Usually, there are many air bubbles between the tinting material and window. The process used to manufacture OCLV, however, is what truly sets it apart. TCT is made overseas of rather generic carbon fiber, while OCLV carbon is sourced from the very people who provide carbon to Boeing, Raytheon, etc.

2008 trek 5200 oclv carbon 120