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1. Show #120 - Chasseur des Cols | Real Rumors April 9th, 2009 1:34 am

   […] Show #120 – Chasseur des Cols 09.04.2009 | Posted in Computer World THE FREDCAST CYCLING PODCAST EPISODE 120 April 8, 2009 This episode of The FredCast includes interviews with Graeme Street on ways to increase your performance, Jennifer Sage on this year’s FredCast Tour to the French Alps, and Paul Smeulders with the latest on ErgVideo. In the news this week: the death of a world champion, Cannondale moves manufacturing overseas, race results, arrests in the case of Lance Armstrong’s stolen bicycle, and more. This week’s show is sponsored by Graeme The rest is here: Show #120 – Chasseur des Cols […]

2. Rick D'Elia April 10th, 2009 9:54 am

   Hey Dave, thanks so much for all you do, your program is one of those tools that keeps me going on days where I don’t feel like pushing pedals up those not-so steep, but unrelenting hills around the eastern environs of metro-Phoenix. Not only entertaining but keeps me enthused about the bike when I need it most. The bonus is some of your music selection which, way more often than not, fit my musical tastes and actually does make me hammer a bit harder. I don’t go to your site that often but it seemed like there used to be a direct link to the podsafe music? I have gotten some of the music from iTunes in the past but the artists in question are not always on that resource. I don’t always remember to go try and find the song for download when I get back from a ride and so sometimes, like now, there are several recent songs that I’d like to add to my playlist and would love it if there were a single link or list so I could do that.
   Thanks again for all your hard work, Rick

3. Steve April 11th, 2009 12:11 pm

   Dave
   I have been a long time listener to your podcast but have been disappointed in your eager embrace of cannondale’s importation of bicycles from main land China.

   China’s human rights record is poor. China is a police state.

   China’s has one of the worst enviromental records on the planet. What they do over there affects us over here. One one hand we want to protect the enviorment by riding… But by importing bicycles from China we my be doing more harm than good.

   Most of the factorys in china are sweat shops, with no worker rights.

   China’s quailty control is poor. Look at all the product recall’s from toys to food.

   We as Americans need to reject the wallstreet/wallmart message that had created the economic meltdown and bring jobs back.

   And Dave… Yes I do speak Chinese and I know first hand what’s is going on In mainland China

   Cheers
   Steve

4. Fredcaster April 11th, 2009 12:25 pm

   Steve,

   Thanks for your comments. I didn’t think that I *endorsed* Cannondale’s use of mainland Chinese factories, in fact I recall mentioning Taiwanese factories specifically and that I thought that the Bicycle Retailer story got it wrong when they mentioned mainland Chinese factories.

   Be that as it may, the economic realities are that products manufactured in the United States are much more expensive than those manufactured overseas (whether in Taiwan, China or elsewhere). I recall that I asked whether Americans would pay the huge discrepancy in price. It seems that by Cannondale moving overseas that perhaps Americans will not pay this price difference. Also, let’s not forget that Cannondale is perhaps the last large American bicycle manufacturer to move overseas, so I in no way want to make this about Cannondale. It’s just about economic realities.

   As for Chinese factories, I have just been to mainland China twice over the past three months visiting a wide variety of factories in Guanzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen and Shanghai. I have been pleasantly surprised by the vast improvements in infrastructure, living conditions, the day-to-day lives of workers, and other aspects that affect Chinese workers. The last time I had been in China before this was about 10 years ago and there is a WORLD of difference between what I saw then and what I am seeing now. Is it perfect? NO! Is it up to the standards of the U.S.? NO! Is it getting better? YES!

   As for your comments about China as a police state, a human rights abuser, and a polluter, consumers, purchasers, governments and product specifiers have ways to effect change and I endorse those efforts.

   You mentioned that you believe that China’s quality control is poor, but isn’t it up to the companies who purchase products from Chinese factories to verify quality control? Any foreign purchaser who puts all of the responsibility for recalls solely on the shoulders of the Chinese factories insults the intelligence of consumers. The factory, the designers, and the purchasers (in this case bike and component companies) also bear responsibility for quality control.

   I hope the clarifies my position on this matter, and I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to provide yours.

   All the best.

   David

5. Fredcaster April 11th, 2009 12:26 pm

   Rick,

   That’s a great point. I’ll need to set-up a special page with all of the links to my Podsafe Cycling Music. In the meantime, check out the show notes for each show where links already exist.

   I’m glad you enjoy the music!

   David

6. Steve April 11th, 2009 3:36 pm

   Hey Dave

   I am sorry I just can’t agree with you. As familiar with the Chinese language and culture as I am. Also having as many Chinese friends as I do!!

   The working conditions have not really gotten better.
   The Chinese governent has just learned to hide the abusive conditions better.

   And pollution has skyrockted to record levels with unchecked unregulated growth.

   Dave the economy is not the the weather.There are just rules the benifit one group over an other.

   When you take your shiney new cheap china bicycle out on a ride remember there could be a bigger
   price to be paid maybe not now but probably later!

   thanks for letting me speak my mind on this sensitive subject

   Cheers

   Steve

7. Fredcaster April 11th, 2009 6:13 pm

   Hi Steve,

   I’m glad to have your perspective and appreciate your willingness to share it here. I’ve always thought that the FredCast is about two-way communication and dialogue.

   While I don’t speak Chinese fluently, I do have lots of friends and colleagues in Asia and have been traveling there since 1983, so I do have personal experience and a good perspective on what’s going on there. I have also been visiting factories in Asia, Europe and North America for over 20 years. The working conditions are by far better in North America, Europe and Japan than they are in places like Taiwan and China, although Taiwan has always had better working conditions than Mainland China.

   As I mentioned previously, I have personally witnessed improvements that are not propaganda or a Chinese government cover-up; they are real. Shameful abuses undoubtedly still occur and I certainly do not condone those. Instead, as an executive I have the ability to make a conscious choice to work with only those suppliers who treat their workers fairly, provide a safe working environment, adhere to strict policies on workday and workweek length, and who can demonstrate their commitment to a better environment.

   I have the ability to make these choices, but as bicycle consumers we have no idea about the factories in which bicycle-related products are made, nor do we have any idea about the working conditions therein. We do have the power to decide whether to buy Chinese-made products or not and whether to support companies who make their products there. We also have the power to communicate with those companies whose products are made overseas and ask about their policies regarding working conditions, worker rights and pollution (or lack thereof). If we find that these companies’ policies are not in line with our morals, values and environmental concerns, then we should vote with our pocketbooks and with our voices. Never underestimate the power of either.

   Thanks again for your perspective and for adding an important dialogue to The FredCast!

   David

8. another guy named David April 11th, 2009 9:32 pm

   I work in the motorcycle industry and I hate the China made motorcycles they are really really bad. Having said that they will make it how ever they are asked to right? what ever quality we are willing to spec is what they will try to build. I try to buy good quality products from my LOCAL shop, while I don’t avoid a China made product I won’t pay the Italian made price when it is made in China.
   Oh yeah and great podcasts, this is one of the things that made me enjoy getting on the bike again.

9. Another Steve April 16th, 2009 7:29 pm

   David,
   As an american working in manufacturing I see the China situation form a whole different perspective. If we keep shipping jobs overseas eventually, the middle class in this country will not be any more able to buy these high end bikes than the Chinese workers who are manufacturing them. I believe the real reason is larger profits. You mentioned a 1 to 35 ratio of labor costs. Does this mean that the $3500 bike will now be available for $100. I really doubt it, as a mater of fact I bet the price will not drop at all. I believe that the American worker is as productive any in the world. We seem to be sacrificing the common good in this country for short term profits.

   Steve S