Pure Fix bikes are designed in California and built in Asian partner factories, mainly Taiwan and China, before shipping through U.S. distributors.
Curious about the story behind your fixie and where that frame actually rolled out of the jig? You’re not alone. Plenty of riders type “where are pure fix bikes made?” into search before they trust a new brand with their commute, fitness rides, or campus runs.
This guide clears up how Pure Fix, now called Pure Cycles, handles design, manufacturing, and final assembly. You’ll see where the company is based, why production leans on Asian bike factories, what that means for ride feel and durability, and how to check the country label on the bike you already own.
Fast Answer On Where Pure Fix Bikes Are Built
Pure Fix bikes are drawn up by a small design team in the Los Angeles area, then produced by contract factories in Asia, mostly in Taiwan and China. Complete bikes ship to warehouses run by Pure Cycles’ parent company JBI in Florida and then move on to local shops or straight to riders’ doors.
| Aspect | Pure Fix / Pure Cycles Detail | What It Means For Riders |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Name | Launched as Pure Fix Cycles, later updated to Pure Cycles | Older “Pure Fix” bikes share the same design and sourcing style as newer models |
| Design Base | Founded in Los Angeles and now based in the greater Burbank area | Urban geometry and gearing shaped by riders who live with traffic, hills, and tight streets |
| Ownership | Sold to JBI.bike, a large Florida-based bike and parts distributor, in 2020 | Better access to shops, parts supply, and nationwide shipping |
| Manufacturing Model | Frames and many parts produced by established contract factories in Asia | Similar to many mid-priced city and fixie brands across the market |
| Likely Regions | Rider reports and industry patterns point mainly to Taiwan and China | Those regions handle a large share of global bicycle production |
| Assembly | Complete bikes arrive boxed, then get tuned by local shops or home mechanics | Final setup and bolt checks still matter for safety and smooth shifting |
| Price Segment | Entry to mid-level commuters, city bikes, and fixed-gear models | Sets expectations for materials, finishing, and long-term wear |
Where Are Pure Fix Bikes Made? Brand Roots And Supply Chain
Pure Fix started in 2010 when a group of college friends in Los Angeles wanted simple, affordable fixed-gear bikes with clean styling and city-ready gearing. The first models mixed bright deep-dish rims, basic steel frames, and single-speed drivetrains. Word spread fast among students and young commuters who wanted a simple bike that still looked fun.
On the Pure Cycles about page, the founders describe a focus on efficient design and online sales backed by outside manufacturing partners. That set-up matches a common pattern in the bike world: design and product planning in places like California, with frame welding, painting, and wheel building handled in high-volume Asian factories.
Industry summaries, including a widely shared overview from Cycle Taiwan, note that more than half of medium and higher-priced bikes and parts riders see in shops come from Taiwanese manufacturers or factories they run in China and Vietnam. Those plants build frames, forks, and components for many labels, often on the same lines, with changes in paint, decals, and finishing parts for each brand.
Put together, that means the familiar Pure Fix frame under you today was drawn up by a small design team in California, then produced in a contract plant overseas that also stamps out frames and wheels for other well-known names in the same price range.
How Pure Fix Turned Into Pure Cycles
At first the company lived squarely in the fixed-gear space. The Pure Fix logo sat on bright track-inspired frames, and the catalog focused on single-speed bikes with a flip-flop rear hub so riders could switch between fixed and freewheel modes. As demand grew, the founders wanted to add geared commuters, step-through frames, gravel bikes, and e-bikes.
Once the range grew beyond pure fixies, a broader name made sense. The Pure Cycles branding kept the original spirit while giving room for new categories. The business model stayed steady in the background:
- Geometry, graphics, and color choices handled by a small in-house team in the Los Angeles area.
- Frames, forks, and many house-branded parts produced in Asian factories with long bike-industry experience.
- Complete bikes imported in batches to U.S. warehouses, then shipped to shops or directly to customers.
- Logistics, dealer service, and warranty processing managed through JBI’s large distributor network.
So even if the badge on the downtube now reads Pure Cycles instead of Pure Fix, the global supply chain behind those bikes follows the same general pattern.
Why So Many Bike Brands Build In Asia
A walk through most bike shops tells a similar story. Turn frames over and you’ll see country stamps from Taiwan, China, and nearby regions on everything from basic hybrids to many higher-end road and mountain frames. The reason comes down to experience, suppliers, and scale.
For decades, companies in Taiwan and China have invested in welding, tube forming, paint lines, and wheel building. Many of the biggest names in cycling rely on these plants to keep costs down while still hitting modern safety rules. Frames for different brands often come from the same factory, built to each brand’s drawings and parts list.
Pure Fix fits neatly into that picture. The company doesn’t publish a detailed map of which factory builds which frame, and those agreements often change over time. What stays consistent is the model: design work in the U.S., frame and wheel production in Asia, and finishing touches handled by warehouses and local shops closer to riders.
How To Check Where Your Own Pure Fix Bike Was Made
If you already own a Pure Fix or Pure Cycles bike, the frame and packaging carry the final word on country of origin. That label reflects customs rules, material sourcing, and where the last major assembly step happened. You don’t need special tools, just a bit of patience and a bright light.
Here are the most common spots to check for an origin mark on a complete bike from the Pure Fix line:
| Location On Bike Or Gear | What You’re Looking For | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Underside of bottom bracket shell | Sticker or print with “Made in…” followed by a country name | Flip the bike gently or use a work stand so you can read it safely |
| Seat tube near the crank area | Vertical decal with frame size, sometimes a batch code, plus origin | Check both sides; older Pure Fix frames often use black and white stickers |
| Head tube or down tube | Small compliance label with safety icons and country of origin | A phone flashlight helps when the print sits under clear coat |
| Original cardboard box | Printed line stating “Made in China,” “Made in Taiwan,” or similar text | Snap a photo before you recycle the box so you can reference it later |
| Owner’s manual or build sheet | Fine print around safety or warranty sections mentioning origin | Look near the back pages where small legal notes usually live |
| Receipt or shop record | Notes on model year and sometimes country for that batch | Shops that sell many Pure Cycles models often remember typical origin stamps |
| Online listing for your exact model | Archived spec sheets or rider reviews that mention the frame sticker | Search by full model name plus frame size to narrow results |
If your frame shows China or Taiwan, that lines up with what many owners and shop employees report for most Pure Fix bikes. A few early runs may show different wording, but the bulk of models follow the same general pattern as other city and fixie brands in this price band.
Does Country Of Origin Affect Pure Fix Quality?
Many riders see “Made in China” on a frame and worry about weak welds, while “Made in Taiwan” sometimes gets the opposite reaction. In practice, the country label tells only part of the story. What tends to matter more is the parts list chosen by the brand and the checks that happen at the factory, warehouse, and shop.
Pure Fix frames use hi-ten steel or basic aluminum rather than lighter chromoly or carbon. That keeps prices low and fits the target rider: urban commuters, students, and casual city riders who value toughness and simple upkeep more than shaving every gram. Cranks, hubs, brakes, and wheels come from cost-aware suppliers, but they still need to pass standard bicycle safety rules before they reach the sales floor.
Long threads on rider forums and independent reviews show a pattern that feels pretty familiar for this segment. Many owners are happy with their bikes for commuting and weekend spins, especially when they bought at a discount or second-hand. Some heavier riders and folks who ride hard every day report swapping to stronger wheels, wider tires, or better brake pads after a season or two.
That doesn’t point to a problem tied to Asia as a region. It reflects the trade-offs of any entry-level bike: a solid basic frame paired with parts that work fine for light to moderate use and that can be upgraded later if you want more performance or comfort.
What The Brand Says About Safety And Standards
On its original Pure Fix pages and later Pure Cycles site, the company states that all models meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission bicycle standards. That rule set covers braking performance, reflector placement, basic durability checks, and required labels on frames and forks.
Because Pure Fix relies on contract factories instead of a single in-house plant, those standards act as a shared floor for every production run. JBI’s warehouses and dealer network add another filter, since shops usually give each bike a once-over before it leaves the stand. Even a basic fixie has to clear those steps, no matter which country name appears on the sticker.
Practical Tips Before You Buy A Pure Fix Bike
When you’re weighing a used or new Pure Fix bike, it helps to move beyond just the question “where are pure fix bikes made?” and judge the full package. Use these simple checks to decide whether one of these bikes fits your life and your roads.
Match The Bike To Your Riding Style
Think about how often you’ll ride, how far, and what your streets look like. Flat city routes with short hops between lights suit a single-speed Pure Fix or Pure Cycles model with a friendly gear. Hilly suburbs and longer commutes might call for one of the geared city or gravel models instead.
Check Sizing And Fit
Pure Fix geometry sits on the sporty side for city bikes, with reach and bar height tuned for responsive steering in traffic. Use the size chart on the brand site or a shop’s fit tool, then test-ride a similar frame if you can. A bike that fits well feels easier to control and less tiring over longer rides.
Inspect Welds, Wheels, And Contact Points
When you’re face to face with the bike, look closely at the frame joints, wheel true, and finishing parts. Welds should look even, with no gaps or dark scorch marks. Spin each wheel and watch for side-to-side wobbles. Squeeze the brakes, rock the bars, and check that stem, bar, and saddle clamp feel tight with no creaks.
Plan For Smart Upgrades
Many riders grab a Pure Fix for the clean frame and then add personal touches over time. Popular upgrades include tougher tires for broken pavement, pedals with grippier platforms or straps, and a saddle that suits your body better than the stock one. Over a year or two, those swaps often shape the ride more than the original country stamp on the frame.
So Where Does That Leave Pure Fix As A Brand?
Pure Fix and Pure Cycles live in a crowded slice of the market: affordable single-speed and geared city bikes designed in the U.S. and produced by experienced partners in Asia. The frames come from the same broad manufacturing hubs that serve many bigger names, and the parts mix lines up with what you see on other bikes at similar prices.
The origin label on your bottom bracket shell will likely show China or Taiwan. For most riders, the better test is simple: does the bike fit, does it feel safe and predictable on your real streets, and does it make you want to ride more often? If the answer is yes, then the global path that brought that Pure Fix frame to your door has done its job.