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Flying Pigeon--China's traditional bike style

Date: 2014-08-09 Views: 1279

The Flying Pigeon?s current building was built in 1998, after the original factory in central Tianjin was shut down. It employs 600 workers who produce the bikes, using modern automated equipment. Flying Pigeon now makes 40 models of bicycles, most of which look like modern mountain or city bikes, in various colors. The frames are welded piecemeal; wheels are built on an assembly line, with spokes first laced to hubs, then threaded to rims. Workers hand-spray rough welds with coatings of enamel, and the bikes move on conveyors similar those of a dry cleaner?s.

Despite declining domestic sales, the Flying Pigeon remains China?s most popular bicycle, if only because much of the brand?s old rolling stock is still in service. The government estimates that a half-billion bikes are in use throughout China, many handed down through generations. The Pigeon is one of the few nostalgically-regarded artifacts of China?s postrevolutionary era, after the dark times of the Cultural Revolution and intense poverty. In 1994, the government named the bicycle a "national key trademark brand under protection", enshrining it similarly to national treasures.

The company does not advertise its traditional bicycles such as the PA-02 as the brand is so infused in Chinese society and culture. There are, however, localized advertising campaigns.

The classic Flying Pigeon bicycles are the PA-02 and PA-06 (men?s) and PB-13 (women?s): single speed black roadsters.

They are simple, relative to other bicycles. They are all-steel single speed with 28 in (710 mm) wheels, fenders, fully covered chain, sprung leather saddle, rear rack and rod brakes (a handlebar lever connects directly to the brake pads), double stand (PA02 and PA06) or side stand (PB13). Like the Ford Model T, they are only available in one colour, black, except for the flare of vanilla at the fender tips. They can be equipped with a dynamo lighting set.

Witsport

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