Meihanda has been manufacturing bicycles, frames and components in Foshan,
Guangdong since 2000.
We produce custom road, gravel, mountain, folding and electric bikes for brands,
importers, distributors and bike shops in 12 language markets — under your brand, to your
specification, at factory-direct pricing.
Bring us a tech pack, a reference sample, or nothing but an idea and a price point. We will
tell you honestly which route gets you to market fastest and cheapest.
- Since 2000 manufacturing in Foshan, China
- 12 language markets served, global export
- Carbon / Alloy / Steel frames in-house
- ISO 4210 structural & fatigue testing
On this page
- Who we are — and who we are not
- OEM vs ODM vs open mould: which fits your brand
- OEM — you design, we build
- ODM — we design, you brand
- Open mould vs private mould
- MOQ: what actually drives it
- Lead time: order to container
- What’s inside a quoted unit price
- The 6-step OEM/ODM process
- Manufacturing capabilities
- Credentials & trade terms
- Who we work with
- Wholesale & bulk orders
- Why brands choose Meihanda
- OEM/ODM questions
Who We Are — And Who We Are Not
We are not a trading company. We are the factory.
There is no shortage of companies online who will happily sell you « custom bicycles from
China ». A large share of them are trading houses: they take your drawings, forward them to a
factory you will never see, add a margin, and disappear from the conversation the moment
something goes wrong on the line. We are not that.
Meihanda has operated its own production facility in
Jiujiang Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province since
2000. Bicycle design, frame production, carbon layup, alloy welding,
component manufacturing, painting, final assembly and export packing all happen under one
roof. When your order slips, we know why, because we caused it and we can fix it. When you
want to change a layup mid-project, we can, because the engineer who wrote the spec is in
the same building as the person laying the plies.
This matters more in bicycles than in most categories. A bicycle frame is a safety-critical
structural product with a 10-year expected service life. The difference between a good frame
and a bad one is rarely visible in a photograph — it lives in ply orientation, wall
thickness, weld stress-relief and resin control. Those are all things the factory either
does or does not do. You cannot audit them through a middleman.
We have built for brands, importers, distributors and shops across 12 language markets.
Some arrived with a complete engineering package and a container-sized order. Others arrived
with a brand name, a target price and a bike they liked, and asked what was possible. Both
are normal starting points.
OEM vs ODM vs Open Mould Bike Frames: Which Model Fits Your Brand
This is the first decision, and getting it wrong is the most expensive mistake a new brand
makes. « Custom » does not have to mean « new mould » — and it should not, unless your volume
justifies it.
| Model | Who designs | Tooling | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open mould | Factory — existing platform | None — you use ours | Launching a brand fast, testing a market, hitting a low entry point | Lower differentiation; other brands may ride the same platform |
| ODM | Factory — we design to your brief | Usually existing, sometimes new | Brands without in-house engineering who still want their own geometry or look | More differentiation than open mould, slower than none |
| OEM | You — to your spec | Yours, and usually new | Established brands defending a position; anyone with engineering capability | Highest cost and longest timeline; highest product ownership |
| Private label | Factory platform, your brand | None | Distributors and shops wanting their name on a proven product | Cosmetic differentiation rather than structural |
A useful way to think about progression — most brands move down this list as they grow,
and moving too fast is the classic way to sink a first order in unsold inventory:
Level 1 — Product
Standard platform, your branding. Lowest entry cost, fastest to market, low risk.
Output: a bicycle you can sell under your name.
Level 2 — Differentiation
Custom geometry and spec on a proven platform. You now have a product that is not
identical to everyone else’s. Output: a custom bike frame.
Level 3 — Ownership
Private mould, your layup, your geometry, your finish. A long-term brand asset and a
real barrier to being copied. Output: a proprietary platform.
If you are launching your first line, we will usually recommend starting at Level 1 or 2 and
holding Level 3 until you know what sells. A brand that waits a season to cut its own mould
is a brand with a season of revenue to fund it.
OEM — You Design, We Build
Send us your frame geometry, a reference sample, or a full tech pack. We engineer,
prototype, test and mass-produce to your exact specification under your brand — and we
do not ship a frame until it matches the sample you approved.
- Custom carbon layup (T700 / T800 / T1100) and alloy butting (6061 / 7005)
- Geometry development and validation against your target rider position
- Your groupset spec: Shimano, SRAM and compatible drivetrains
- Custom paint, decals and finish to your brand artwork
- Your packaging, labelling and carton artwork
- Reverse-engineering from a sample bike you already sell
Best when you have drawings, a target ride characteristic, or an existing product you want
reproduced or improved.
ODM — We Design, You Brand
No in-house R&D? Start from a platform we have already engineered. Choose from proven
road, gravel, mountain, folding and e-bike frames and customise geometry, components and
cosmetics — or commission a genuinely new model from our engineering team.
- Existing road / gravel / MTB / e-bike / folding platforms to build on
- Engineering support for geometry and component fit
- Significantly faster time-to-market than full custom development
- Private-label ready — your colours, your decals, your carton
- Colourway system design so you can re-order without a new paint cycle
- A named engineer as your contact for the life of the model
Best when you know your market and price point but not yet your engineering.
Open Mould vs Private Mould: How Tooling Drives Cost and MOQ
Nearly every question about MOQ and unit price comes back to tooling. There are two options,
and the choice is almost entirely a volume decision.
Open mould (shared platform)
The mould already exists, because we developed it for a platform we sell. You brand it
and go. No tooling cost, the lowest MOQ we offer, and the shortest route to a first
shipment.
What you give up: other brands may be selling a bicycle built on the
same mould. Your differentiation is cosmetic and component-level.
Private mould (your platform)
We cut a mould to your geometry. You own the shape, so nobody else can offer the same
frame. This is what turns a product into a brand asset.
What you take on: tooling investment, a longer lead time before first
shipment, and an MOQ high enough to amortise the tool. In return you get exclusivity that
a copycat cannot buy.
The honest summary is that a private mould is a bet on volume. If you can forecast sell-through
for a season or more, it pays off quickly. If you cannot, an open mould gets you selling while
you find out — and you can always cut your own mould in year two, funded by year-one revenue.
MOQ for Custom Bike Frames: What Actually Drives the Number
Suppliers in this industry like to answer « MOQ? » with « contact us ». That is not useful when
you are building a business plan. So here is the honest structure of it: the number is not
arbitrary, it is the output of four variables. Once you know which ones apply to you, you can
estimate your own starting quantity before you talk to anyone.
| Driver | How it moves your MOQ | What you can do about it |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling | An existing mould carries no tooling cost to recover, so it can ship at the lowest quantity we offer. A new mould has to be amortised across the order, which pushes the minimum up substantially. |
Start on an existing platform. Move to your own mould once volume is proven. |
| Materials | Alloy frames generally start lower than carbon. Within carbon, higher-modulus grades and unusual layups have longer material lead times and higher minimum mill quantities. |
Match the material to your price point rather than to the spec sheet. Ask us which grade actually reaches your target weight and stiffness. |
| Finish | Standard paint and a limited colour count are quicker and cheaper to run. Custom colour development, extra decal work and multi-colour schemes add setup time per batch. |
Launch in one or two colours. Add colourways once the model is selling. |
| Component spec | Complete bikes inherit the MOQ of their scarcest component. A groupset on allocation can set your floor regardless of what the frame line can do. |
Confirm groupset availability before fixing your launch date. Consider a frameset-only first run. |
Three practical ways to lower your entry point:
Frameset first
Ship frames and forks only, and let your dealers build up. It removes the component
MOQ entirely and gets your brand on the road far sooner.
Pilot batch
A small first run to validate the market and the product. Use it for photography,
reviews and dealer conversations before committing to volume.
Phased ordering
Fix the specification and the price, then release volume in stages against a forecast.
You get continuity of product without holding a year of stock.
Send us your target model, market and rough volume, and we will tell you the exact MOQ for
that configuration — including where an existing platform would let you start lower.
Lead Time for Bike Frame Production: Order to Container
« Lead time » is not one number. It is a sequence, and each step has its own duration and its
own dependency. Here is what a typical project looks like:
| Stage | Typical duration | What has to be true to start |
|---|---|---|
| Specification & quotation | A few days to 2 weeks | Target model, quantity, market and price point are agreed |
| Prototype / sample | 2–4 weeks | Geometry, layup schedule and finish spec are frozen |
| Sample approval | 1–2 weeks | You have the sample in hand and have signed it off |
| Production | 30–60 days for frames and standard builds; 45–75 days for e-bikes | Components are in stock or on a confirmed inbound date |
| QC sign-off & packing | Included in production, final stage | 100% function test passed |
| Export & freight | Varies by destination and mode | Packing list confirmed, booking made |
Two things extend a schedule more often than anything else: a component that is on allocation,
and a specification change made after production has started. Both are avoidable with a little
discipline up front. We will flag any component risk at the quotation stage so you can plan
around it rather than discover it.
Figures are typical ranges for a normal production slot. Peak season, new moulds and
destination-specific certification all add time. We will give you a dated schedule with your
quotation rather than a range.
What Is Inside a Quoted Unit Price
A unit price with no breakdown is impossible to compare against another supplier’s. When you
receive quotes, ask for them split into these components — it is the only way to compare two
factories fairly, and it immediately reveals who is quoting a real number and who is guessing.
| Cost component | What it covers | Why it matters in a comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling (one-off) | Mould design and manufacture for a private platform | Amortised across your volume. A low unit price paired with high tooling is a volume bet. |
| Frame & fork | Material, layup labour, moulding, curing, welding, inspection | The core cost. Suspiciously cheap usually means lighter, substituted or thinner material. |
| Components | Groupset, wheels, cockpit, brakes, contact points | Pass-through cost. Ask whether it is quoted at your spec or at a cheaper substitute. |
| Finishing | Paint, decals, clear coat, colour development | Highly variable. Colour count is the biggest lever here. |
| Assembly & testing | Build labour, torque verification, function test | If a quote has no line for this, someone is skipping it. |
| Packing | Cartons, internal protection, KD or complete format | Freight volume differences here can outweigh unit price differences. |
| Freight & duty | Ex-works vs delivered terms | Always confirm the Incoterm before comparing two numbers. |
We quote with this structure so you can see where the money goes. Factory-direct pricing is a
real advantage, but only if you are comparing like with like — and the way to do that is to
compare line by line.
From Concept to Container: Our 6-Step OEM/ODM Process
-
Discovery & specification
Target model, quantities, destination markets and price point. We will challenge the brief
if something in it will not work at your target cost — better now than after tooling.
You receive: a written specification summary for approval. -
Engineering & quotation
Frame geometry and layup, material selection, bill of materials and a costing broken down by
component. You receive: a dated quotation and schedule, split by cost
component. -
Prototype
A sample frame or complete build for physical validation — 2 to 4 weeks. This is where you
confirm ride feel, finish and fit before committing to volume.
You receive: sample unit, photo set and the approved reference
standard held by both parties. -
Testing
ISO 4210 structural and fatigue testing on sampled frames, plus final-market certification
support where your market requires it.
You receive: test results for the frames sampled from your order. -
Production
Layup or welding, paint, assembly and 100% function test — typically 30 to 60 days for frames
and standard builds, 45 to 75 days for e-bikes.
You receive: in-process QC records as the run progresses. -
Export
QC sign-off, complete or KD packing, carton manifest and shipping.
You receive: pre-shipment photo set, packing list and carton
manifest before the container is sealed.
Manufacturing Capabilities
| Category | Materials | Typical MOQ | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel bikes | Carbon T700 / T800, alloy 7005 | Lowest on existing platforms; higher on a private mould | 30–60 days |
| Road bikes | Carbon, alloy | Lowest on existing platforms; higher on a private mould | 30–60 days |
| Mountain bikes | Alloy, carbon, steel | Alloy starts lower than carbon; full-suspension adds component MOQ | 30–60 days |
| E-bikes | Alloy or carbon frame + motor and battery | Set by the drive system, not the frame | 45–75 days |
| Folding & kids’ bikes | Alloy, steel | Among our lowest — a common first-order category | 30–60 days |
| Components | Carbon wheelsets, cockpits, seatposts | Lower than complete bikes | 20–40 days |
These are typical ranges. Exact MOQ and lead time depend on tooling, materials, component
availability and order volume — send us your target and we will confirm the real numbers for
that configuration.
Credentials & Trade Terms
Buyers waste a lot of time on first calls establishing things that should be published. So
here are the commercial basics up front, before you have to ask.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Business type | Manufacturer / factory — not a trading company |
| Social compliance | Audited under the amfori BSCI social compliance system |
| Export capability | Own import/export licence — we ship directly, no trading agent in the middle |
| Our own brand | XTREME — we design, build and sell our own bicycles as well as building yours |
| Quality testing | ISO 4210 structural and fatigue testing on sampled frames from each production order |
| Engagement models | OEM, ODM, private label and open-mould platform builds |
| Incoterms | FOB (other terms on request) |
| Payment methods | T/T, PayPal, Western Union, Money Gram |
| Loading ports | Shenzhen · Guangzhou · Jiujiang |
| Lead time | Approximately 30–60 days in normal season; allow longer at peak |
| Main markets | North America · South America · Western Europe · Eastern Europe · Middle East · Southeast Asia · East Asia · Africa · Oceania |
| Working languages | English and Chinese direct with the factory; our catalogue is published in 12 languages |
If a term you need is not listed — a different Incoterm, a letter of credit, an inspection
agency of your choosing — ask. Most of it is routine; we would rather agree it before the
order than discover it at the port.
Who We Work With
We are set up for B2B. If you are one of the following, you are in the right place — and if
you are not sure you qualify, ask.
-
Bike brands building a model line
First platform or an addition to an existing range. We can work from your drawings, from
a reference bike, or from a brief. -
Importers and distributors
You need reliable supply, consistent quality and a partner who does not disappear when
a container is delayed. -
Bike shops going private label
Your own name on a proven platform, at a margin that works at retail. Start with a
frameset run if you want to keep the entry cost down. -
Entrepreneurs launching a first brand
No engineering background needed. Bring the market you want to sell into and a price
point — we will handle the product side and tell you what is realistic. -
Teams and clubs
Custom-branded frames and complete builds in modest quantities, with your colours and
your graphics. -
Existing suppliers diversifying
Adding a category — gravel, e-bike, kids’ — without building a second supply chain from
scratch.
Wholesale & Bulk Orders
Not every buyer wants a custom development programme. If you are a distributor, retailer or
online seller who simply needs reliable stock at a wholesale price, that is a normal way to
work with us — and it is faster than a custom project by months.
Existing models, bulk pricing
Order from our current road, gravel, mountain, folding and electric platforms at
volume pricing. No tooling, no development cost, no design approval cycle.
Your branding on stock models
Your decals and colours on a proven platform. This is the fastest way to get your name
on a bicycle — weeks rather than seasons.
Mixed containers
Combine models, sizes and colourways in one shipment so you can fill a container
without committing to a single model. Useful for a first order or for testing demand.
To open a wholesale account, send us your business details — company name, website, market and
estimated annual volume. We will come back with a price list for the platforms you are
interested in and confirm lead times against your shipping window.
Wholesale and OEM/ODM use the same factory and the same quality process. The only difference is
how much of the product you specify — and how long it takes to ship.
Why Brands Choose Meihanda
-
You are dealing with the factory, not a middleman
Since 2000, in the same Foshan facility. Nothing structural is subcontracted, and the person
who quotes your order can walk you to the line building it. -
Both OEM and ODM, with an honest recommendation
We will tell you when an open mould is the smarter commercial decision — even though it
means a smaller order for us. A brand that survives its first season comes back. -
Engineering support, not just production capacity
Layup schedules, geometry development, component fit and reverse-engineering from a sample.
If you have a reference bike you like, we can reproduce or improve it. -
Quality you can verify, not just quality claimed
ISO 4210 structural and fatigue testing, seven QC checkpoints, 100% pre-ship function test,
and documentation for every order. Ask for the records — we will send them. -
Direct contact through the whole project
One named contact from first enquiry to final container, in your timezone’s working hours,
with updates as production progresses rather than silence until shipment. -
A live factory walkthrough before you commit
Video call with the line running, or visit us in Foshan. No supplier should ask for a deposit
before letting you see the floor.
Project Examples
We work under NDA with most of our brand customers, so we do not publish a client logo wall.
What we will do instead is take you through relevant projects directly — the platform used,
the constraints, the timeline, and what we would do differently. Ask on your first call and we
will walk you through them, or arrange a reference conversation with an existing customer
where they have agreed to it.
Quality, Testing and Certification
ISO 4210 testing
Structural and fatigue testing on sampled frames from production. We treat the standard
as a baseline and engineer beyond it to your performance target.
7 QC checkpoints
From incoming material through to export packing, with assembly and function testing
applied to 100% of units. Full detail on our
factory and quality control page.
Destination-market support
Tell us your market at quotation stage and we will flag any additional testing or
documentation it requires. Designing for it is far cheaper than retrofitting it.
OEM/ODM Questions
What is the difference between OEM and ODM bike frames?
With OEM, you supply the design — geometry, layup specification, finish — and we manufacture
it under your brand. With ODM, we supply the design: you select from platforms we have already
engineered and customise them, or commission a new model from our engineering team. OEM gives
you maximum product ownership and differentiation; ODM gets you to market faster and cheaper.
Many brands start with ODM and migrate to OEM as volume grows.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom bike frames?
MOQ is driven by four things: whether the mould already exists, the frame material, the
finish complexity, and the availability of your chosen components. An existing alloy platform
can ship at the lowest quantity we offer; a new private mould in high-modulus carbon with a
bespoke multi-colour finish will require substantially more. Send us your target model and
volume and we will confirm the exact MOQ for that configuration, including options to start
lower.
How long does it take to receive custom bike frames from China?
Typical sequence: specification and quotation in a few days to two weeks, prototype in two
to four weeks, then sample approval, then production of 30 to 60 days for frames and standard
builds — or 45 to 75 days for e-bikes — followed by freight. A private mould adds tooling time
before the prototype stage. We provide a dated schedule with your quotation rather than a
range.
Can I get my own brand, logos and colours on the frames?
Yes — that is the default, not an add-on. We apply your artwork as decals under clear coat,
match your brand colours, and can supply gloss, matte or satin. We also design colourway systems
so you can re-order in the same finish without a new development cycle.
Can you match a sample bike I already sell?
Yes. Send the reference sample or a detailed specification and we will reverse-engineer the
geometry, materials and component list, then quote on reproducing it — or on improving it if
there is something about it you want changed. This is one of the most common ways brands start
with a new supplier.
Do you handle testing and certification?
We perform ISO 4210 structural and fatigue testing on sampled frames from your order and
provide the results. Where your destination market requires additional certification, we support
the testing and documentation process — tell us at quotation stage so it can be designed in
rather than retrofitted.
Can you ship complete bikes, or only frames?
Both. We ship framesets, complete bikes, or KD (knocked-down) packing depending on your market
and customs situation. KD packing reduces freight volume significantly on container shipments and
can change applicable duty treatment in some markets — worth confirming with your customs broker
before you specify.
How do I start a bicycle brand with no engineering experience?
You do not need engineering experience; you need to know your market and your price point.
The usual starting path is: tell us the market, the rider type and the retail price you are
targeting; we propose two or three platform options; you approve a sample; you launch on that
platform with your brand. Once it sells, you can commission your own geometry and cut your own
mould from a position of knowledge rather than guesswork.
What does a custom bike frame cost to make?
A unit price is made up of tooling (one-off, if any), the frame and fork, components, finishing,
assembly and testing, packing, and freight terms. Comparing one supplier’s number against another
without that breakdown is not a comparison. Send your specification and we will quote with each
component of the cost shown separately, so you can see exactly where your money goes and where you
could reduce it.
Can I visit the factory before placing an order?
Yes, and we recommend it. We host live video walkthroughs with the line running and on-site
visits by appointment at our facility in Foshan, Guangdong. See our
factory and quality control page for what a walkthrough covers.
Tell us what you want to build
Send your target model, quantity, destination market and price point — we will come back with
a specification, a dated schedule and a costed quotation.
