The Scalpel Team Replica, one of the winningest MTB frames ever.

This news isn’t all that surprising: Cannondale announced it will be moving all its frame manufacturing operations from Bedford, PA to Taiwan by 2010. The move will affect all the Dorel Industries bike lines including Cannondale, GT, Schwinn, and Mongoose.

Dorel’s Pennsylvania facility will lay off about 2/3 of its work force but will keep the remaining workers employed on final assembly, quality control, distribution, and warranty repair.  Customer support and andministration will also remain at the Bedford facility.

Mountain bike frames have been manufactured in Asia since the early days – Specialized was doing it in the early 1980s – and today it’s tough to find companies fabricating in the US beyond the small boutique frame builders. For some materials like carbon fiber the best technology actually exists outside the US making it tough to justify domestic production.

Sounds like when it comes to mountain bikes, buying American is about to get even tougher…

Just saw this on Bicycle Retailer:

BETHEL, CT (BRAIN)—GT Bicycles will recruit 35 mountain bike racers nationwide for a new grassroots mountain bike program called the GT Dirt Coalition.

Each member will race and represent GT Bicycles and the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) at a minimum of six mountain bike races during the 2009 season.

“Amateurs are the unsung heroes of mountain bike racing,” said Jenni Cathcart, director of marketing for GT Bicycles. “The GT Dirt Coalition rewards their competitive spirit and commitment to cycling.”

Each GT Dirt Coalition member will receive a high-end race machine: GT’s iconic Zaskar Pro hardtail ($3499.99) with GT signature triple triangle frame design or the Marathon Pro ($4299.99), GT’s lightweight full suspension bike utilizing GT’s Independent Drivetrain suspension system. Both models feature a monocoque carbon fiber frame and XT components. Members also receive a 10×10 Dirt Coalition tent, two race kits and GT swag. The sponsorship package is valued at $4,200-$5,000.

GT Dirt Coalition members will be selected based upon their leadership in the cycling community, involvement in advocacy, local bike shop affiliations, proposed 2009 race schedule and past race results. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a GT Dirt Coalition member, please fill out the application by clicking on link between January 23 and February 5, 2009.

One note: Any rider who gets paid to race or holds a professional cycling license is not eligible for the Dirt Coalition. And sorry, but all racers must be 18 or older.