Falcon bikes are designed in the United Kingdom for riders and mass-produced in partner factories across Asia, then shipped back for sale in the UK and beyond.
Why Riders Ask Where Falcon Bikes Are Made
Falcon has been on shop floors for decades, so riders often wonder who builds the bikes and where the frames come from. The brand shows up on kids’ bikes, classic road machines, and modern e-bikes sold through large retailers. When people type “where are falcon bikes made?” into a search bar, they want clarity on quality, origin, and how much British work still goes into each model.
In the early years Falcon bicycles came from workshops in England, with steel frames brazed and finished by local staff. Over time global supply chains changed the way the brand works. Today Falcon designs and business decisions sit in the UK, while most frame manufacturing and a lot of assembly takes place in high volume factories in Asia.
Where Are Falcon Bikes Made? Factory Origins By Era
Early British Production
Falcon grew out of Coventry Eagle and other British names that built frames in the Midlands. Production ran in places such as Coventry, Smethwick, Barton upon Humber, and later Brigg in North Lincolnshire. During the road bike boom of the 1960s and 1970s, many Falcon frames were welded, brazed, painted, and stickered in those English plants before heading to shops.
Falcon bikes from that period usually carry “Made in England” or “Made in Britain” on the frame. Many older owners still speak fondly of hand finished steel frames that rolled out of those factories. If you have a classic Falcon from the seventies or eighties there is a strong chance the frame left an English workshop.
Shift Toward Overseas Manufacturing
From the late 1980s onward the UK market filled with lower cost imports from Asia. British brands that wanted to stay competitive began buying more components and frames from overseas while keeping office staff and design teams based in Britain. Falcon went the same way. Assembly lines in Brigg slowed down and more of the work moved to partner plants abroad.
By the early 2000s enthusiasts on cycling forums were already noting that Falcon and sister brands under Tandem Group relied on foreign made frames. Today most new Falcon bikes sold in the UK and Europe use frames and many components that come from factories in countries such as China and other Asian manufacturing hubs.
Timeline Of Falcon Manufacturing
Here is a short outline that sums up broad shifts in Falcon production. Exact dates blur a little, because changes happened model by model rather than all at once.
| Era | Main Production Locations | Notes On Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s–1960s | Coventry and Smethwick, England | Falcon brand grows from Coventry Eagle with local steel frames. |
| 1970s | Barton upon Humber, England | Racing and club bikes built for UK and export. |
| 1980s | Brigg, North Lincolnshire, England | New factory handles most Falcon output and finishing. |
| Late 1980s–1990s | Brigg plus Asian suppliers | More parts and some frames sourced from Asian plants. |
| 2000s | Asian frame plants and UK offices | UK assembly drops as boxed bikes arrive by container. |
| 2010s | China and other Asian hubs | Mass production moves overseas while UK keeps brand management. |
| 2020s | Asian partner factories and UK design base | Design and range planning stay British, volume work abroad. |
Where Falcon Bikes Are Made Today: Design, Production And Assembly
Brand Headquarters And Design Work
Falcon sits inside Tandem Group, a British company that also owns Dawes and other well known cycle labels. Office and design teams work from sites in England, where staff choose frame geometries, paint schemes, and component mixes for each range. Product managers decide which models carry the Falcon name, which ones sit under other house brands, and where they will be sold.
For a new bike line the UK team usually sets the brief, chooses suppliers, and signs off samples. That includes test rides, safety checks, and adjustments before a model goes into full production. So while the metalwork and paint may happen abroad, the overall concept of a Falcon bike still comes from a British desk.
Frame Production In Asian Factories
Most mass market Falcon frames now roll out of frame plants in Asia that also supply many other familiar labels. These factories build huge volumes of entry level and mid range bikes for supermarkets, catalogue brands, and online sellers. Welders, painters, and assembly line staff there follow specifications from the UK team.
The shift to Asian production allowed Falcon to hit lower price points and keep up with rival brands doing the same thing. Modern Falcon mountain bikes, hybrids, and kids’ bikes are rarely British built in the old sense of the phrase. Instead they combine overseas frame building, globally sourced components, and UK based brand management.
Final Assembly And Shipping
On some lower priced models, frames and parts are assembled into complete bikes overseas and shipped in cartons straight to British warehouses. On others, suppliers send partly built bikes or frame sets to the UK, where staff fit finishing kits, check gears and brakes, and prepare stock for dealers.
Either way, new Falcon bikes on shop floors today are the result of a split process. Brand direction and range planning sit in England, while much of the physical work happens in partner plants abroad. That mix is now common across many mainstream bike brands, not only Falcon.
How To Tell Where Your Falcon Bike Was Made
Check Frame Markings And Stickers
The easiest clue sits on the bike itself. Older Falcons often carry clear country of origin marks on the seat tube, down tube, or bottom bracket shell. Look for small decals that say “Made in England”, “Made in Great Britain”, or a similar phrase. Some export models also list the town or factory.
Modern Falcons may show “Designed in the UK” or similar wording while leaving out a manufacturing country. In that case the frame and most parts almost always come from Asia, even if the brand office sits in Britain. If your frame lists another country such as China or Taiwan, that points straight to an overseas production line.
Use Serial Numbers And Model Names
Serial numbers do not follow a single public standard, yet patterns still help. Many classic Falcon frames have stamped numbers under the bottom bracket shell that can link to production years shared by collectors. If you match those codes against owner forums you can often narrow down the plant and period.
On modern bikes, model names and spec sheets from retailers provide more clues. If you search the exact model name plus the year alongside terms like “spec” or “geometry”, you may find catalog copies or archived listings. Those pages sometimes mention a general production region, especially when a brand promotes British assembly or a specific plant.
Ask The Retailer Or Distributor
If you still wonder “where are falcon bikes made?” after checking the frame and serial number, contact the shop where the bike came from. Retailers know which suppliers they deal with and often have access to more detailed product sheets. For current models you can also reach out to customer service at Tandem Group, who can confirm whether a bike came fully built from Asia or passed through a UK workshop before sale.
Falcon Bike Types And Typical Production Origins
Falcon covers a spread of bikes rather than a single frame style. Different categories pass through similar supply chains but may line up with slightly different plants or levels of finishing work. The table below gives a broad view of how that tends to break down for current ranges.
| Bike Category | Typical Production Pattern | What That Means For Riders |
|---|---|---|
| Kids’ bikes | High volume Asian plants with batch assembly | Sturdy frames with simple parts at budget friendly prices. |
| Junior mountain bikes | Many of the same plants as kids’ ranges | Scaled sizing and basic suspension tuned for growing riders. |
| Adult hybrids | Asian frames with a global mix of components | Versatile builds that suit town rides and weekend paths. |
| Hardtail mountain bikes | Overseas frame and fork suppliers approved by Falcon | Frames aimed at light trail use instead of extreme tracks. |
| City and commuter models | Imported frames with some finishing work in the UK | Mudguards, racks, and lights sometimes fitted near the sales market. |
| E-bikes and folding bikes | Specialist Asian factories for motors, batteries, and hinges | Electrical systems and hinges tested to meet safety rules. |
Kids’ And Junior Bikes
Many shoppers first meet Falcon through kids’ and junior bikes sold in supermarkets and big box chains. These models aim for sturdy frames, bright colours, and reliable brakes with a focus on control ahead of race level performance. For this part of the range Falcon leans heavily on high volume Asian production so that prices stay within reach for families.
Frames are usually steel with simple gear setups and rim brakes. Because they are bought in large batches, production often happens in the same plants that build similar bikes for other house labels. Final checks may happen in a UK warehouse or at the retailer’s own prep area before the bike reaches the showroom floor.
Adult Hybrids, Mountain Bikes And Commuters
Falcon’s adult range includes flat bar hybrids, entry level mountain bikes, and city models aimed at everyday riders. These bikes often sit one step above supermarket specials, with better drivetrains, lighter frames, or disc brakes on some builds. Even so, they still come from overseas frame plants that work to Falcon’s drawings.
E-Bikes And Folding Models
Recent years brought electric assist and folding designs under the Falcon name. These bikes rely on motor units, batteries, and hinges that are almost always sourced from specialist plants in Asia. Production runs tend to be smaller than for kids’ bikes, yet the reliance on overseas facilities remains the same.
British Heritage Versus Modern Supply Chains
Falcon began as a British frame builder with deep roots in English cycling history. That past still shapes the way collectors talk about the marque and the way retailers present the brand. Vintage Falcon road bikes built in Coventry or Brigg carry a different feel from modern supermarket models, and many riders value that history.
At the same time, modern Falcon bikes live in a globalised industry. Frames, tyres, saddles, and drive parts flow between continents before a bike ever reaches a UK shop rack. Falcon is far from alone here; many long standing British names now follow a similar pattern of UK based design plus overseas production.
For riders the main question is not only “where are falcon bikes made?” but also “who stands behind the warranty and quality checks”. On that front the brand still answers from UK offices, with customer service teams and product managers who decide which factories to use and what standards a bike must meet before it carries a Falcon head badge.