Schwinn Bicycle Company a separate deal with the China Bicycle Co. (CBC) to produce bicycles to be sold under the Schwinn brand. In retaliation, Giant introduced its own line of Giant-branded bikes for sale to retailers carrying Schwinn bikes. Both Giant and CBC used the dies, plans, and technological expertise from Schwinn to greatly expand the market share of bicycles made under their own proprietary brands, first in Europe, and later in the United States. By 1990, other United States bicycle companies with reputations for excellence in design such as Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale had cut further into Schwinn's market. Unable to produce
Butterfly Trek Madone Butterfly Trek Madone The Butterfly Trek Madone, an artwork utilizing a bicycle by Damien Hirst, became the world's most expensive bicycle when it was bought at auction for $500,000. It was designed by Hirst, who used real butterfly wings that were placed onto the actual frame and rims of the bicycle. The bike had been ridden by Lance Armstrong in the 2009 Tour de France. The "Butterfly Trek Madone" currently holds the title of the most expensive bike sold in the world. The second most expensive bike ever sold was the Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept that was sold for