It is sometimes hard to know the players without a scorecard.
Huffy (Huffy Corporation) was established in 1887. It was originally a company that manufactured sewing machines. They began selling bicycles in 1892. At their peak (circa 1975) manufactured over two million bicycles per year and were the free world's largest bike company. They were however always regarded as an entry level product sold mostly via discount stores like KMart and Wal-Mart. After bankruptcy in 2004 all assets were turned over to its Chinese creditors.
Schwinn (Schwinn Bicycle Company) was established in 1895. Schwinn dominated the American bicycle market in the 1950's and 1960's but their adherence to heavy steel frames and components caused them to lose a share of large of the market in the 1970's. Schwinn started sourcing their bicycles from less expensive and more modern Asian manufacturers. This eventually doomed Schwinn as the Asian Manufactured used Schwinn designs, tools and Technology to build bicycles sold under their own brand names at lower prices. Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale had cut further into Schwinn's market. Schwinn declared bankruptcy in 2001. Schwinn was acquired Pacific Cycle which was acquired by the Canadian owned company Dorel (also owns Iron Horse Bicycles, Bicicletas, Cannondale and Sugo). All current Schwinn bicycles are manufactured entirely in China.
Giant (Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd) was established in 1972. It was originally a Chinese OEM Bicycle manufacturer. Giant manufactured 'Schwinn" bicycles from 1977 to 1986. They began selling bicycles under their own brand name in 1987. It is currently considered to be the largest manufacturer of Bicycles in the word.
Specialized (Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.) was established in 1974. They began selling bikes under their own brand name in 1981. They also own the brands names 'Globe' and 'Full Force'. Currently 'Merida Bikes of Taiwan' owns 49% of the company.
Trek (Trek Bicycle Corporation) was established in 1974 and incorporated in 1977 . Originally a high-end custom frame manufacturer in Waterloo, Wisconsin they quickly started selling complete bicycles. Trek also owns Electra Bicycle Company, Gary Fisher Bikes, Diamant Bikes, Villiger Bikes and Bontrager.
Diamondback (Diamondback Bicycles) was established in 1977. 'Derby Cycle Corporation' merged 'Diamondback' and 'Raleigh' in 1999 and sold both brands 2001. Current owners are the Dutch based company The Accell Group which also controls Torker, Redline, IZIP and Koga (among many others).
All of the above have been manufacturing/selling Bicycles for well over 20 years. Most of the bicycles manufactured today come from Vietnam, China or Taiwan (not even Japan can compete in this market). Most of the components come from Vietnam, China, Taiwan or Japan.
We are all products of our environments and experiences that produce our own individual preferences. Sometimes these preferences are justified but sometimes they are not. There are those that prefer the simplicity of front hub motor. Some will note a rear hub can withstand more power. Still others will hold that mid-drives are better because they are more efficient. All the above have valid points but in no way are any of the three the optimum choice for all circumstances (or even a clear majority).
There is nothing inherently wrong with using a 40 year old brazed lug chromoly (chromium-molybdenum steel) road bike frame just as there is nothing inherently wrong with using a modern TIG welded aluminum frame or a composite carbon fiber mountain bike frame as long as one takes the design, strengths, weaknesses and intended use into consideration.
