Triace bikes come from Triace Bicycle Inc. (USA) with production handled by OEM factories in Taiwan and China; award-winning frames were designed with Qbicle.
Shoppers run into the Triace name on old big-box listings, Southeast Asian shop pages, and a handful of race-leaning builds. That mix raises a simple question: who makes triace bikes? Here’s a clear, source-backed look at the brand, how those bikes reached stores, and what’s actually verified.
Who Makes Triace Bikes? Brand, Factory, And Ownership
The brand launched in the United States under Triace Bicycle Inc., with a headquarters presence tied to Bentonville, Arkansas, during its early push. Coverage from a respected mountain-bike outlet introduced Triace as a US-launched label with carbon hardtails, road bikes, and commuters positioned above typical big-box fare (Singletracks feature).
On the build side, Triace used contract manufacturing in Asia rather than a US factory. Design work on at least one halo road frame (KS910) is documented by Qbicle Inc., which also recorded a Taipei Cycle d&i Award for that model (Qbicle award note). Put together, the picture is a US-introduced brand that partnered with Taiwanese and Chinese suppliers for frames and assembly, then seeded bikes through varied retail channels.
Triace At A Glance
This quick table compiles what can be verified from public sources and long-standing industry patterns.
| Aspect | What We Can Verify | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Origin | Introduced as Triace Bicycle Inc. in the United States, active around 2010–2013 in enthusiast media. | Singletracks |
| Design Partner | KS910 carbon road frame credited to Qbicle; won a Taipei Cycle d&i Award in 2013. | Qbicle |
| Manufacturing Model | Contract production with OEM partners in Taiwan/China; no evidence of a US factory. | Singletracks |
| Product Types | Carbon hardtails, alloy road bikes, and commuter/fitness builds; model codes such as KS/KA series appear in listings. | Singletracks |
| Awards/Recognition | KS910 d&i Award signal for design quality and execution at the time. | Qbicle |
| Retail Footprint | US specialty push reported; later sightings tied to Southeast Asian sellers and legacy big-box listings. | Singletracks |
| Positioning | Priced above entry big-box bikes when launched; aimed at value carbon and mid-tier road/MTB builds. | Singletracks |
How The Brand Was Set Up
Triace followed a pattern common in the bike trade: brand office in one country, engineering and fabrication through trusted OEM plants in Asia, then sales through a mix of specialty and mass-market channels. That approach keeps frame prices in check while tapping proven carbon and alloy shops. A design partner, in this case Qbicle, supplied industrial design and frame layup work on a flagship project. The d&i Award confirms the model’s design made an impression with industry judges.
If you’re cross-checking old product names, you’ll see model codes like KS910 or KA-series hardtails. Those codes show up across review notes and seller descriptions. Spec sheets varied by region, but SRAM Rival or similar mid-range groupsets were common on the better road builds in that era. Some listings today still echo that setup.
Can I Trust A Triace Frame?
With contract manufacturing, the real test is which factory built a given frame, the layup schedule used, and the quality checks at the line. Triace’s award-linked KS910 shows the brand could spec a well-received carbon frame when paired with the right partner. That doesn’t turn every frame into a race winner, but it sets a baseline that Triace wasn’t a sticker-only name. If you’re eyeing a used Triace, inspect standard stress points, verify fork steerer condition, and budget for fresh contact points and cables. This is the same due-diligence you’d apply to any 10- to 15-year-old carbon or alloy bike.
Where Production Likely Happened
Most mid- to high-tier frames from that period came from Taiwan or mainland China. The exact factory often isn’t printed on the frame, yet you can check the serial stamp format, dropouts, and mold lines against known OEM patterns. If a seller offers paperwork or an original build sheet, snap photos. Those can reveal the distributor and year code, which helps track down the original spec and geometry.
Taking The Confusion Out Of Listings
The brand name shows up in a few confusing places. You might see Triace tied to old big-box sites, then spot the same label on performance frames with race-ready parts. That split comes from distribution choices and private-label deals that blurred the line for shoppers. The Singletracks piece from 2010 frames the brand’s intent: a US launch with enthusiast builds, not just a store-brand special.
Here’s a simple way to sort the mixed search results: check frame material, fork type, and the listed groupset. A carbon frame with a matched carbon fork and a legit mid-range groupset sits in a different class from an entry alloy frame with basic components. Photos of the bottom bracket shell, head tube, and rear dropout area tell you more than the retailer’s name.
Who Makes Triace Bikes? Proof Points You Can Use
You’ll get the cleanest answer by lining up three signals: brand origin, documented design work, and award records. Triace’s US launch is in print at Singletracks. Design credit and an industry award for the KS910 lives on Qbicle’s site. Combined, these show the brand did product development beyond a logo and a bulk order. That satisfies the real intent behind the question, who makes triace bikes?, with traceable evidence.
What Buyers Should Check On A Used Triace
- Serials and Labels: Photograph the bottom bracket, fork steerer, and rear dropout. Look for clean serial stamps, not etched after the fact.
- Fork And Steerer: Remove the stem and inspect for compression plug scars or cracks. Replace the plug if it’s the old wedge style.
- Headset Play: Rock the front brake and feel for movement. Any clunk suggests fresh bearings or a crown race issue.
- Bottom Bracket: Spin the cranks in hand. Grit or drag calls for new bearings; factor that into price.
- Seatpost Fit: Check for paste residue and correct insertion marks. Over-tightening can crush thin-wall posts.
- Wheelset: Sight along the rim. Uneven brake tracks or deep nicks mean a truing session, maybe a rim swap.
Triace Model Landscape And Verified Touchpoints
The table below groups what’s on record: model lines that appeared in media or seller catalogs, the kind of build they carried, and the public breadcrumb attached to each.
| Model/Line | What We Know | Source/Year |
|---|---|---|
| KS910 (Carbon Road) | Design credited to Qbicle; Taipei Cycle d&i Award winner. | Qbicle, 2013 |
| KA-Series (Carbon Hardtails) | US-launched range included carbon hardtails with high-end groups. | Singletracks, 2010 |
| Road/Commuter Builds | Alloy road and fitness models appeared in early catalogs and reseller pages. | Singletracks, 2010 |
| Regional Listings | Southeast Asian shops still show Triace-branded completes and framesets. | Retail pages, multiple years |
| Spec Level | Mid-range groupsets (e.g., SRAM Rival era) on better road trims. | Retail sheets; era-typical spec |
| Manufacturing | Contract OEM production in Taiwan/China rather than a US plant. | Singletracks |
| Award Signal | d&i Award supports that the brand invested in design, not only labels. | Qbicle |
Buying Advice: New Old Stock Or Secondhand
If you find new old stock in a shop, treat it like any lingering model: check tire sidewalls for age hardening, replace tubes, and plan on a fresh chain and brake pads. Carbon frames that have sat boxed usually fare well, but rubber, seals, and grease don’t. Ask the shop to face the bottom bracket if the frame is alloy, and verify headset preload after the first few rides.
On the used market, pricing should reflect age, parts wear, and the unknowns around original assembly. A clean KS-series frame with intact paperwork is a stronger buy than a no-doc frame with mismatched parts. If the seller claims an untouched carbon layup, inspect for clamp scars and seat-tube cracks near the collar. Bring a torque wrench for re-assembly after checks.
Spec Clues That Separate Tiers
Frame And Fork
Full carbon frames with a matching carbon fork point to the higher tier of Triace’s range. Alloy frames with a carbon fork sit in the mid tier. Full alloy frames with a straight-steerer fork line up with the entry side of the catalog.
Groupset And Wheels
SRAM Rival or equivalent from the same era marks a solid mid-range road build. Look for compact cranksets and a 10-speed cassette. On mountain trims, compare cassette range and brake spec. Period-correct wheelsets will show mid-depth alloy rims and serviceable hubs. If the bike carries modern deep-section carbon wheels, make sure the braking surface matches the pad compound.
Service And Parts
Even with a discontinued brand, you can keep a Triace rolling. Headset bearings, bottom brackets, seatposts, and stems follow common standards from that time. The only tricky bits are proprietary seat clamps or aero posts. Measure the round seatpost diameter or trace the aero profile, then match against current aftermarket options. For the headset, pull the bearings and read the code laser-marked on the race. Shops can match that code from stock catalogs.
Resale And Longevity
Resale follows parts more than logos on older bikes. A clean carbon frame with a contemporary 2× drivetrain and fresh rubber will sell faster than a scuffed frame with tired wheels. Keep receipts for any bearing swaps or wheel service. Buyers like paper trails. If you plan to keep the bike, a new cockpit and modern tubeless tires give a big lift to ride feel for not much money.
Bottom Line On Who Makes Triace Bikes
Triace is a US-introduced brand that leaned on Asian OEM factories. A documented design partner delivered an award-recognized carbon road frame, which shows the brand did more than apply decals. That’s the practical answer to who makes triace bikes?, and it’s the lens to use when you judge any listing with the Triace badge.