Bicycle Mechanics - pissed

where have all the quality machinists gone-----where are all the welders? where are all the tool freaks?
I think American builders need to step up---- lets stop promoting bikes from target and toys R us---
come on---- lets start building some stink here----what the F---- lets compete with europe and asia!!!!

There are plenty of quality machinists in the US. Seems most realized there's a lot more money to be made in the aerospace, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries than bicycles though.

the wright bros were bicycle punks!!!! come on---- Kestrel, cannondale, litespeed---- lets go ---- and not to asia-

the wright bros were bicycle punks
and even they saw a better future in the aerospace industry. :D

I saw the stuff from the trade show up north--- I mean ya!!! come on....... there are some gnarly, creative people in this industry--- are we greedy? are we too specialized and snooty to pump up the volume?

Or are we too poor to afford a $3000 handmade in USA bike that just going to serve as a garage wall ornament?

and even they (the Wright Brothers) saw a better future in the aerospace industry. :D

HAH! Good one, Uranknight :thumb:

I agree with this thread--I have nothing against buying a well-made tigged
frame from Taiwan but I would be willing to pay more if I got the same
quality in the US. There seems to be a decent selection of custom
frame builders but there isn't really much of a niche for bikes that are
on the next rung down--solid, not custom, not walmart or target junk.
I mean, the Taiwanese welding industry is really, really good. I am happy
with my SOMA but I would pay more if it were made here.

Start it yourself! You sound like "the guy" who complains that nobody is racing in the pack.

If you look at the custom motorcycle, hot rod, and custom car scene, you'll see more gifted young machinists, welders, metal fabricators, etc. then have been around in years. And the handbuilt bicycle scene in the US is larger than its ever been as well, with tons of young talented builders.

I have no idea what the rest of your rant is about though?

If you want to inspire young people, volunter to teach a shop class at High School that does not have one. Or you can just keep yapping about Target, Toys R Us, Asia, and Europe, which makes no sense at all.

i'm too busy riding >: ( leave me alone!

I agree with this thread--I have nothing against buying a well-made tigged
frame from Taiwan but I would be willing to pay more if I got the same
quality in the US. There seems to be a decent selection of custom
frame builders but there isn't really much of a niche for bikes that are
on the next rung down--solid, not custom, not walmart or target junk.
I mean, the Taiwanese welding industry is really, really good. I am happy
with my SOMA but I would pay more if it were made here.

Waterfordbike.com and the Gunnar steel frames are their standard offerings. Excellent quality standard frame sets made in Waterford, WI (USA). I have owned a Waterford built Paramount and am planning on having Waterford build a custom touring frame with the S&S couplers for easy travelling. Richard Schwinn is a name that has been in building good bicycles for a long time. Check out the web site.

Up here Rocky used to make a lot if not all of their frames locally. But market pressures forced them to use the eastern shops years ago. Raceface still makes their CNC items in Canada from the labeling in them but from what I'm seeing a lot of their forged stuff is coming from offshore as well.

Places like Waterford and Rivendell (I assume these are US made?) and Gunnar and a few others will always be there but they will always be a minor niche corner of the industry because there just isn't that manyfolks willing to pay that sort of price. If you want a domestically made frame you'll have to go with one of those options. Up here we still have Marinoni which is a small order and custom shop based in eastern Canada.

So they ARE out there. YOu just need to find them and buy from them to justify keeping their doors open.

http://www.acmebicyclecompany.com

That what you're looking for?

never finished college ya know--- shoulda been somebody--- I just a nobody--- just curious toe.......
come on----------

did anybody see the cute expose' on
china and their bicycles........OLYMPIC STYLLE...................................... I got no ill for china/tiawan......... but , but, I know we
as a country should be kicking buttt... in manufacturing..... wheres the drive? are we all that lazy and too smart for our own good? its just kinda sad..... we have so much potential and smarts.... this country is huge....where is the desire to produce something affordable yet pro built--- attractive-- certainly we create some *****in custom stuff--- blow piny and colnago out of the water...... or did I drink too much corporate coffee?> rant/rave/nap

I am not looking for any one thing here...... I don't have 7 gs for a Seven...... I just gotta id with the hipsters----
they are making their move---- get that crp out of the garage--- fix the sob and ride---- ride it-- no brakes---
ride it--- no paint--- look around--- the dopers are on 12,000 dollar machines--- and kids are askingme for some
20 year old brake shoes and a truing over coffee............................ dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lets wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you like 15-years old??? Lay off the coffee, eh?

my point-- if i have to make a point-- is that...................................... 15 and a half is almost 16.

Waterfordbike.com and the Gunnar steel frames are their standard offerings. Excellent quality standard frame sets made in Waterford, WI (USA). I have owned a Waterford built Paramount and am planning on having Waterford build a custom touring frame with the S&S couplers for easy travelling. Richard Schwinn is a name that has been in building good bicycles for a long time. Check out the web site.

This is the first I have heard of Waterfordbike.com, and I lived in Waterford, WI for nearly four years. Depressing...

I am not looking for any one thing here...... I don't have 7 gs for a Seven...... I just gotta id with the hipsters----
they are making their move---- get that crp out of the garage--- fix the sob and ride---- ride it-- no brakes---
ride it--- no paint--- look around--- the dopers are on 12,000 dollar machines--- and kids are askingme for some
20 year old brake shoes and a truing over coffee............................ dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lets wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you saying the hipsters are taking over consumption of good bikes while kids are trying to get
cheap brake shoes? Unclear. I don't really like that some people can't afford bikes--to that end
I help out a non-profit bike kitchen from time to time, as my patience and schedule allows.

This is the first I have heard of Waterfordbike.com, and I lived in Waterford, WI for nearly four years. Depressing...

The Waterford facility was opened in 1979, to move Schwinn Paramount production from the Chicago Schwinn plant. Richard Schwinn is still there-

For the most part, it is an economy of scale thing. Why do you think the high end European bikes are now mostly Pacific Rim built items?

The start up costs, wages, environmental issues, and tons of other things pretty much pull the plug on your otherwise well meaning thought.

bicycles need to be a commodity not a novelty sporting good---- the car culture is still king.....
I am very impressed by the builders at the show up north--- nothing is too difficult; but where is the enthusiasm? more press more gen pop interest--- I want to see more bicycle hot rodding.... more european
fanatasism--- less drugs and muscle flex-- more design, more love for the ol bicycle... I guess....less sugar in my doughnut-----