As of 2025, Cannondale bikes aren’t made in the USA; frames are built in Taiwan and Vietnam, with some final assembly done regionally.
Cannondale is an American brand with deep roots in Connecticut and a legendary run of Bedford, Pennsylvania frames. The part you came for is simple: today’s frames come from Asia. If you’re hunting for a current model stamped “Made in USA,” you won’t find one on the showroom floor. Below, you’ll see when that changed, how to check a bike’s origin, and which lines are built where now.
Which Cannondale Bikes Are Made In The USA Today: Facts
Short answer for shoppers comparing trims and years: current Cannondale frames are produced in Taiwan and Vietnam, and modern bikes are shipped with origin labels that reflect that. The shift away from U.S. frame building began in 2009 for production-year 2011 bikes, and remaining U.S. assembly work in Bedford wrapped up by 2014. That’s why searches like “which Cannondale bikes are made in the USA?” mostly lead to vintage-year lists.
Quick Background So You Can Decide Fast
For decades, Cannondale welded aluminum in Pennsylvania and later introduced carbon race platforms while still keeping a footprint in the States. In 2009, the parent company announced the end of U.S. frame manufacturing and moved production to Taichung, Taiwan for the 2011 model year. Industry trade outlets reported the call at the time, and it lined up with what riders saw on head-tube badges and bottom-bracket decals.
What That Means For Your Next Purchase
If you want a U.S.-made Cannondale, you’re looking at used inventory: classic CAADs, Six13-era hybrids, and other pre-2010 frames. If you want a current bike with the latest geometry, integration, and warranty, you’ll be choosing from models whose frames come from Asia, often the same factories that produce frames for other high-end brands. That’s not a quality knock; it’s where the modern bicycle industry builds at scale.
Current Lineup At A Glance (Country Of Frame Production)
This table gives you a quick view of where frames are produced for today’s core families. Model codes and specs change each season, but the origin pattern is stable right now.
| Model Family | Typical Frame Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SuperSix EVO / LAB71 | Taiwan | High-mod and LAB71 carbon layups; race geometry |
| Synapse | Taiwan | Endurance road; carbon and alloy trims |
| Topstone (Carbon & Alloy) | Taiwan / Vietnam | Gravel lineup; Kingpin on carbon trims |
| Scalpel / Scalpel SE | Taiwan | XC race and down-country variants |
| Habit / Jekyll | Taiwan | Trail and enduro; carbon/alloy mixes by trim |
| Moterra / Moterra SL (E-MTB) | Taiwan | Bosch systems; carbon on top trims |
| Tesoro Neo / Adventure Neo (E-Urban) | Vietnam / Taiwan | City and trekking; fender/rack integration |
| CAAD Series (Alloy Road) | Taiwan | Modern hydroformed alloy; external origin label |
| Kids / Active | Vietnam / Taiwan | Fitness, hybrid, and youth sizes |
How We Know: The Paper Trail And The Badges
In April 2009, trade outlets reported that Cannondale would end U.S. frame production in Bedford, Pennsylvania and shift to Taichung for the 2011 season. You can read that coverage here: closing U.S. frame production in Bedford. In 2014, the parent company announced the closure of the Bedford assembly and testing facility, which ended the last U.S. line work for Cannondale bikes; see the release here: Dorel restructuring announcement. Those two milestones explain the labels you see on current frames and why dealers point to Asia for origin.
What Counts As “Made In USA” On A Bike
U.S. origin claims aren’t a vibe; they’re tied to labeling law and documentation. Frames built overseas with final assembly overseas won’t qualify. Even if a brand is American, engineering happens in the States, and wheels or small parts are installed at a regional warehouse, the frame label drives what riders usually mean by “made in the USA.” That’s why modern Cannondale frames carry stickers that cite Taiwan or Vietnam.
Finding Origin On A Cannondale You’re Inspecting
Labels move around by model year, but they’re always there. Here’s where to look and what you’ll see when you’re standing in the shop or scanning listing photos.
| Where To Check | What You’ll See | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom Bracket Shell | Small origin decal near serial | Use phone torch; take a close photo |
| Head Tube / Fork Steerer | Country sticker or import label | Look under clear coat near cable ports |
| Rear Triangle (Inside Stay) | Batch or factory code | Flip the bike; check inside surfaces |
| Owner’s Manual Packet | Country-of-origin sheet | Scan QR codes; match model code |
| Retail Box (If New) | Printed COO and HTS codes | Snap the label before recycling |
| Online Spec Page | Not always stated | Trust the sticker on the frame first |
| Dealer Work Order | Internal model and batch info | Ask the shop to read the intake notes |
Timeline: From Bedford Frames To Global Production
1980s–2008: Pennsylvania Welds And Racing Lore
Aluminum CAAD frames and early carbon projects made the brand famous, and “Handmade in USA” decals were part of the appeal. If you’re chasing that label, you’ll shop older models and verify stamps and catalogs by year.
2009–2011: Shift Of Frame Manufacturing
In 2009, the company announced the end of U.S. frame production with 2011 model bikes sourced from Taiwan. That transition set the pattern you still see today on road, gravel, mountain, and e-bike lines.
2014: Assembly Winds Down In Pennsylvania
The Bedford facility—by then focused on assembly, testing, and service—closed in 2014 under a broader reorg. Since then, North American supply runs through distribution and service centers, while frames and complete bikes come in from Asia.
Where Today’s High-End Cannondales Come From
Top trims like LAB71 and Hi-Mod sit at the front of the line for composite layups, resin systems, and tight QC. Those frames come from Taiwanese factories that specialize in carbon bicycle production. Mid-tier carbon and many aluminum lines also ship from Taiwan, while some fitness and e-urban families are produced in Vietnam. That’s the same production footprint used by many premium-price competitors, so you’re not giving up ride quality by buying a non-U.S. frame; you’re buying into the global reality of modern bicycle manufacturing.
Buying New Vs. Hunting A U.S.-Made Classic
Choose New If You Want Turn-Key Warranty And Modern Spec
Modern Cannondales deliver clean routing, updated fit, and parts availability. Warranty paths are straightforward. If you race, a current SuperSix EVO or Scalpel gives you wind-tunnel gains and suspension kinematics the old icons can’t match.
Choose Vintage If You Want “Made In USA” On The Downtube
Collectors love late-era CAAD9, early CAAD10 prototypes, Six13 hybrids, and special runs. These frames hold value when documented. If you shop used, ask for bottom-bracket photos, serials, and original receipts. Ask sellers to show the origin decal and the full drive-side dropout.
How To Verify A Listing Before You Drive Across Town
- Ask For A Clear Origin Sticker Photo. Bottom bracket and inside chainstays are your best bet.
- Match Year To Origin. A claimed 2012 “U.S.-made” frame should raise an eyebrow; 2011+ production was already in Asia.
- Check Model Codes. Cannondale’s product pages and dealer systems list exact SKUs; the code tells you trim and year.
- Look For Paint Clues. Factory paint and decals changed in the 2010–2014 window; mismatches can signal repaints.
- Bring A Light And A Rag. Stickers hide under grime; a quick wipe reveals what you need.
FAQ-Style Clarifications (No Fluff, Just The Bits Shoppers Ask)
Does Cannondale Still Build Any Frames In The States?
No. Modern frames come from Taiwan and Vietnam. Some bikes may be assembled in market, but that’s not the same as U.S.-built frames.
So Why Do Some Sites Say “Designed In USA”?
The brand is American, with HQ and engineering roles stateside. Design and testing can sit in the U.S., while manufacturing happens in Asia. That’s why you’ll see “Designed in USA” language on dealer pages and in product copy.
Is There A Quality Gap?
No blanket gap. Taiwan leads the world in high-end alloy and carbon bicycle production, and many halo frames across brands come from the same industrial clusters. Ride impressions depend on model, fit, and setup, not passport stamps.
The Bottom Line For Shoppers
If your priority is a U.S.-made Cannondale, search the used market and stick to pre-2010 frames with clear labels. If you’re buying new, plan on a frame built in Taiwan or Vietnam, with modern standards and warranty support. That’s why “which Cannondale bikes are made in the USA?” points you to history rather than current catalogs.
One More Handy Cross-Check
When you’re comparing a few trims, open the manufacturer’s current model page to match geometry and spec, then verify the origin sticker on the actual bike you’ll take home. If the listing is remote, ask for a short video sweep around the bottom bracket shell and rear triangle so you can pause and read the label.
Summary For Fast Decision-Making
Right now, none of the current Cannondale frames are made in the USA. Frames are produced in Taiwan and Vietnam, and that’s been the case since the 2011 season. The last U.S. assembly work ended in 2014. If that’s acceptable, shop current models by fit and budget. If you want the old head-badge pride, go vintage and verify the decals and serials before you pay.