Fifty Plus (50+) - Made in the USA

Does anyone know of a bicycle "Made in the USA." I mean all pats, not just the frame. The drive train, the handle bars, the wheels, everything. I cannot find it, but am still looking.

Does anyone know of a bicycle made in the USA. I mean all parts, including frame, drive train, wheels, handle bar, fork, hubs, etc. I cannot find anything, so I thought I would turn to the 50+ forum for help.
I would like to find a road bike. Frame could be any material.
Thanks in advance.

Check this website. You'll need to scroll down to the cycling section. I'm not sure all the information is up-to-date.

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/sportinggoods.html

You could probably put together a fixie made all in the USA. I don't know of any US made derailleurs. (Not to say there aren't any, just that I'm not aware of any.)

Mine are ridden in the USA. That's good enough for me.

Check this website. You'll need to scroll down to the cycling section. I'm not sure all the information is up-to-date.

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/sportinggoods.html

not up to date

TO THE OP..... NO, not with everything domestically made. Trek makes some frames here, NOT all.
Cannondale's been threatening to source or build overseas exclusively so you may find a 2008 or 9 if they've not so already. STILL though; some components are non-US made which cancels out any chance of 100% purity as you wish. The US doesn't make handlebars or hubs found on Road Bikes. Worksmans Bikes are largely US made, as are SOME of their parts. These bike are used in NYC hot dog and del. bikes. This subject is often covered both here and elsewhere. Certain parts of certain bikes .........

The US doesn't make handlebars or hubs found on Road Bikes.

Aren't Phil Wood hubs made in their shop here? And you can get custom handlebars bent here if you wanted.

The OP can find a lot more usa made components if he builds up the bike from scratch than by buying a complete bike, but I don't think he'll get to 100%. For example, I don't know any usa manufacturers of the following: tires, tubes, derailleurs, chains, or regular rims (you can probably get some carbon rims made here though...).

Buy Zipp wheels (made in Speedway) and help stimulate the Metro Indy economy.

There are dozens of small framebuilders making frames in the U.S. It gets trickier when you get into parts and components.

There's a cyclocross team in Oregon that attempts to "buy local" as much as possible. Their race bike is interesting; they break down all the parts into three categories:

1. Made in Oregon
2. Made in the USA
3. Made internationally by US companies.

http://www.buylocalcycling.com/2009/11/a-look-at-one-of-our-desalvo-titanium-buy-local-cyclocross-race-bikes.html

If you really want "made in USA" you are going to have to avoid Shimano, Campy, etc., and make sure you are looking at folks like Chris King, Phil Wood, White Industries, Paul Components (though I'm not sure if each and every thing they make is made in US). I think you're going to struggle to find some of the parts you want actually "made" in the USA -- for example; tires?

Edit: even at Worksman bicycles (the made-in-USA suppliers or industrial bikes and trikes for factories) says this on their website:

"the exodous of the bicycle manufacturing industry in the USA means that we too have to source many of our parts from overseas to make Worksman Cycles. We have little choice here as there are simply no US suppliers for many bicycle related components, including tires, tubes, spokes, saddles and other key parts."

Love my Gunnar Sport. You can find other bits and pieces made here, but I would suggest
that you don't get crazy doing it.

Basically, you can't do it, and it doesn't make sense to try. We have a global economy,
and nobody makes everything.

If you feel the need to spend more, get a better frame, a Waterford, Spectrum, there are
a couple hundred choices from Igleheart to custom carbon.

I doubt it. When I look at the country of origin of the parts on a bike, it looks like a UN convention.

Love my Gunnar Sport. You can find other bits and pieces made here, but I would suggest
that you don't get crazy doing it.

Basically, you can't do it, and it doesn't make sense to try. We have a global economy,
and nobody makes everything.

If you feel the need to spend more, get a better frame, a Waterford, Spectrum, there are
a couple hundred choices from Igleheart to custom carbon.

Gunnar Street Dog Here.

That's a good way to view it. I don't think it's possible to buy everything you want that's 100% American Made. I like to wear New Balance shoes, but many of their lower-end models are made overseas, and I believe all of their soles are produced overseas. Even such icons as Levi's have moved their production out of this country. Welcome to globalization.

Actually I thought there would be some obscure company that does still make components in the USA. A specialty type company of some sort.
I have seen a "belt drive" at some time. Was that an American company? Also, did I see a direct drive system at one time?

Actually I thought there would be some obscure company that does still make components in the USA. A specialty type company of some sort.
I have seen a "belt drive" at some time.

Several of the components makers I mentioned (I believe) still manufacturer in the U.S. - Chris King, Phil Wood, Paul, maybe White Industries.

As for the "belt drive" - maybe you're referring to Gates, the maker of the Gates carbon belt everyone is using? Gates is based in the U.S., don't know where the belts are made.

There is a Boston company (name I forget) making direct drive bikes but I think the drives are made abroad.

Carve a bike out of wood. Problem solved.

You may want to pose this to the excellent people at Waterford (http://waterfordbikes.com).

You could probably put together a fixie made all in the USA. I don't know of any US made derailleurs. (Not to say there aren't any, just that I'm not aware of any.)

Mine are ridden in the USA. That's good enough for me.

There was a time not so long ago that SRAM components were all made in the USA. Since the merger with Sachs however, they have factories in both Europe as well as on the Pacific Rim so parts production is probably moving to wherever it makes economic sense.

I checked at the lbs. All SRAM parts were import in their stock. I have some time off on Tuesday. I will use some of that to get on the phone with some specialty manufacturers listed here and other places.

IRO out of Middleburg, PA does fixed and single speeds with a pretty good selection of their own parts.

http://www.irocycle.com/

I checked at the lbs. All SRAM parts were import in their stock. I have some time off on Tuesday. I will use some of that to get on the phone with some specialty manufacturers listed here and other places.

Road bike wise, I don't know what to tell you.
Mountain bikes....there were several USA companies that made MTB parts back in the 90s. There were billet derailleurs, twist shifters, handlebars, etc. The US never had the same level of innovation with road bikes; the CNC boom and the MTB boom happened at the same time.

I called IRO today. They have NO American made parts. They were confident I would not find any. I have not quit yet, but it is looking a bit difficult at this time.

Even buying US made hubs won't guarantee domestic components. I design professional tools, and almost all bearings come from China, Taiwan, or Mexico. Even American companies source their parts overseas. Roller bearings and some needle bearings are probably all you'll find made in the USA.

(Believe me, I try. All of our professional tools are still made here, and most components, but things like chains, bearings, etc. are hard to find domestically made.)

Here ya' go (http://www.victorybicycles.com/).

tcs

For a geartrain, last time I checked the Nuvinci CVT hub was built in the USA. But like smorris said, it's probably got foreign something or other inside.

tcs

Like others mentioned above, you probably won't find any bicycle totally made in the USA. Are you looking for a 'socially conciencious' bicycle?Since the world is getting smaller and more interconnected, maybe change your focus to getting a bicycle made with parts from countries that have more stable, democratic institutions (solid legal system, transparent political system with democratic participation, good environmental laws/regs, etc). This could include parts made in Europe (the E.U. countries), some Asian countries (Japan, Taiwan, Korea), possible a few more I can't think of right away. That would give you more options, and (i'd think) a better possibility of finding something. You still might have to get something with a few parts made in repressive countries, but at least you minimize your exposure to those types of regimes.

Like others mentioned above, you probably won't find any bicycle totally made in the USA. Are you looking for a 'socially conciencious' bicycle?Since the world is getting smaller and more interconnected, maybe change your focus to getting a bicycle made with parts from countries that have more stable, democratic institutions (solid legal system, transparent political system with democratic participation, good environmental laws/regs, etc). This could include parts made in Europe (the E.U. countries), some Asian countries (Japan, Taiwan, Korea), possible a few more I can't think of right away. That would give you more options, and (i'd think) a better possibility of finding something. You still might have to get something with a few parts made in repressive countries, but at least you minimize your exposure to those types of regimes.

Actually, I was thinking more about the unemployment in the USA.

Actually, I was thinking more about the unemployment in the USA.

All of our stuff is made elsewhere now, because people don't want to pay a decent price for items. Hence, all of the unemployment. Which makes people want to spend even less, moving more jobs overseas, resulting in more unemployment. Repeat ad infinitum.

Which is one of the reasons that people who buy stuff online from PBK and such make me sick.

Which is one of the reasons that people who buy stuff online from PBK and such make me sick.

Really? I make you sick because I bought my last set of Continental tires from PBK?

I know you are starting a bike shop, and I wish you the best. But I'm guessing that your very, very best customers also will be those folks who also buy a lot on line. I know that the couple of LBS's where I do most of my business seem to appreciate what I spend in their stores, and have even been happy to take my money to install parts I buy on eBay or work on bikes I buy on Craigslist.

If the bike industry would get its s*** together and offer American wholesalers/retailers the kinds of prices available to PBK I'd likely stop patronizing PBK, too. PBK is an industry-led problem, not a consumer-led problem.

I was told by a dealer that Cannondale aluminum frame will still be made in USA but carbon frame will be overseas.
Anyone know if this is the case?

I was told by a dealer that Cannondale aluminum frame will still be made in USA but carbon frame will be overseas.
Anyone know if this is the case?

About a year or so ago, after they got purchased by Dorel, they announced that all of their frame manufacturing is moving overseas, including aluminum. I believe the folks who are left in their facility will be assembling final bikes. You can do a search for all the original announcements - it was about a year ago.

I was told by a dealer that Cannondale aluminum frame will still be made in USA but carbon frame will be overseas.
Anyone know if this is the case?

Running out of time with Cannondale. Checking bike by bike, store by store's the only sure way. Many frames are USA or Canada made. Some wheel sets or parts of... I'm not overly concerned over such and those who are would be better advised to revisit all else they buy; clothes, tools, TVs, fruit, nuts..........

Really? I make you sick because I bought my last set of Continental tires from PBK?

I know you are starting a bike shop, and I wish you the best. But I'm guessing that your very, very best customers also will be those folks who also buy a lot on line. I know that the couple of LBS's where I do most of my business seem to appreciate what I spend in their stores, and have even been happy to take my money to install parts I buy on eBay or work on bikes I buy on Craigslist.

If the bike industry would get its s*** together and offer American wholesalers/retailers the kinds of prices available to PBK I'd likely stop patronizing PBK, too. PBK is an industry-led problem, not a consumer-led problem.

I agree with this.

Actually, I was thinking more about the unemployment in the USA.

Buying a bike made of all USA-made parts would be a decent gesture, but maybe consider taking the considerable amount of $ this would require and buy some good ole American-grown groceries and donate them to a food bank to help feed some of the increasing number of people who are having trouble feeding their families due to being unemployed.

Buying a bike made of all USA-made parts would be a decent gesture, but maybe consider taking the considerable amount of $ this would require and buy some good ole American-grown groceries and donate them to a food bank to help feed some of the increasing number of people who are having trouble feeding their families due to being unemployed.

I would rather buy an American made bike because I believe in capitalism.

I would rather buy an American made bike because I believe in capitalism.

Don't we all?

SRAM is still a USA-based company. They do have a manufacturing facility in the Chicago area, where they make brakes and a few other goods. Most of their stuff is made overseas, not all in China though as they have a large plant in Ireland and some facilities in Mexico, Germany, and the Netherlands. At least the end profits from their operations do end up in the USA.

They also own a number of other brands, such as RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, and more. Their RockShox forks were made in Colorado until about a year ago, when that manufacturing was moved to Taiwan.

Likewise Trek is an American company, with some manufacturing still here. In fact they expanded one of their Wisconsin plants a couple of years ago. They presently have over 1000 employees in Wisconsin. They own the Bontrager brand of components, some of which are manufactured under contract by SRAM. So while many of their parts are made overseas, a fair percentage of your dollars are staying in the States.

Specialized and Cannondale would be similar to Trek, although perhaps not as much of their manufacturing is in the USA as Trek's.

Some other brands, such as Schwinn, are technically USA companies, but their bikes are pretty much entirely built in Taiwan / China.

Quite a few of the recumbent manufacturers are USA-based, but the components they use are mostly industry standard. Rans, Bachetta, Easy Racers, Cycle Genius, Lightning, Barcroft, and more. There are a number of USA-based trike maufacturers as well, but I am less familiar with them.

I would rather buy an American made bike because I believe in capitalism.

Not to pick a fight (though it's tough not to in this thread...), don't most capitalists believe in global trade?

I think that a hard-hearted capitalist would say it's a consumer's job to search out the most value for each dollar spent - that incentivizes brands to deliver their products at the best combination of high quality and low cost that they can....regardless of coutry of origin.

Not to pick a fight (though it's tough not to in this thread...), don't most capitalists believe in global trade?

I think that a hard-hearted capitalist would say it's a consumer's job to search out the most value for each dollar spent - that incentivizes brands to deliver their products at the best combination of high quality and low cost that they can....regardless of coutry of origin.

Give a man a fish and he will eat one meal. Give a man a boat and a fishing rod --- and he will drink beer all day.

I think this makes more sense than whatever it was you wrote.

I think this makes more sense than whatever it was you wrote.

Probably so!

I just wanted to point out that the most rip-roaring "capitalists" I know are also big believers in globalism and free trade. If that's how you think, you should find the best deal you can, regardless of country of origin, and have at it.

On the other hand, I totally understand the impulse to "buy local" or buy "made in the USA," but I think that's more about community spirit than it is about capitalism.

Not to pick a fight (though it's tough not to in this thread...), don't most capitalists believe in global trade?


It was capitalism that motivated all of the USA-based companies to move their manufacturing to other countries.

Quite a few of the recumbent manufacturers are USA-based, but the components they use are mostly industry standard. Rans, Bachetta, Easy Racers, Cycle Genius, Lightning, Barcroft, and more. There are a number of USA-based trike maufacturers as well, but I am less familiar with them.

Several of these companies have (or are in the process of) outsourced their frame manufacturing to Asian plants.

All of our stuff is made elsewhere now, because people don't want to pay a decent price for items. Hence, all of the unemployment.

Actually, the USA with 6% of the world's population produces 21% of the world's manufactured goods. In addition, American workers average more work hours in a year than the Japanese and are more productive in those hours than the Germans.

When I left the factory this evening there were two big crates on the shipping dock marked "destination: China".

Best,
tcs

So nobody liked the American built bicycle I linked to in post #22?

tcs

So nobody liked the American built bicycle I linked to in post #22?


Sucked!

:)

Sucked!

:)

+1

The tubing for my custom c/f bike was made in Washington state; the frame was built in Peoria, AZ.
Wheels made/built in Connecticut (Topolino), headset made in US (Kris King).
Sad to say, the rest was imported.

"Free trade" tends to disadvantage small domestic companies in competition with large multinationals. The smaller the operation the more severe the penalty.

The tubing for my custom c/f bike was made in Washington state; the frame was built in Peoria, AZ.
Wheels made/built in Connecticut (Topolino), headset made in US (Kris King).
Sad to say, the rest was imported.

This is what I am finding everywhere. Even the belt drive is evidently made overseas. All known chain drive systems are imported.
There are a few frame manufacturers, and I understand a couple actually use domestic materials.
I have even looked at single speed for a manufacturer.

Maybe there is not an American made system. So sad.

Concerning the capitalists and socialiists on this subject, I meant for this thread to be about bike parts and not social and economic structures. No problem discussing this with you, but not on this forum.

Carve a bike out of wood. Problem solved.

Use Michigan oak - the loggers here need help.

. . .rather buy an American made bike because I believe in capitalism.

But isn't the flight of industry to cheap sources of labour and materials the predictable result of strict observation of the tenets of capitalism? Something about reducing costs of production.

Capitalism is a harsh mistress. . .who cares not for borders.