Road Cycling - American made frames. Who?

What bike manufacturers make their frames here in the U.S.A.? I know Trek and Cannondale does, but who else? If I don't get my Trek 2200 back soon I need to find a comparable replacement. Preferably one with carbon stays. Owning a small manufacturing company in SoCal and losing lots of work overseas, I prefer to help American companies as much as possible to those willing to stay here and fight it out. TIA

I think Lemond makes Frames in the USA? Expensive frames.......but worth it. Consider it a lifetime investment. Graphics are tasteful and classic unlike other manufacturers.

I think Lemond makes Frames in the USA? Expensive frames.......but worth it. Consider it a lifetime investment. Graphics are tasteful and classic unlike other manufacturers.

Trek owns Lemond, Klein, Gary Fisher, and Bontrager...there are many frame builders here in the usa. many of them local to where I live...Sycip, Taylor, Steelman, and some make carbon: Kestrel, Calfee, other areas: Serotta, Davidson, Waterford to name a few. :rolleyes:

What bike manufacturers make their frames here in the U.S.A.? I know Trek and Cannondale does, but who else? If I don't get my Trek 2200 back soon I need to find a comparable replacement. Preferably one with carbon stays. Owning a small manufacturing company in SoCal and losing lots of work overseas, I prefer to help American companies as much as possible to those willing to stay here and fight it out. TIA

Litespeed makes all of there frames right in Tennessee, along with wheels and other components. Treks lower end frames are made over seas as well as most of the big companies lower end bikes. All of Specialized are made in Taiwan. I think all of Giants are made there also.

Where are you going to buy your components?

Litespeed makes all of there frames right in Tennessee...

American Bicycle Group => Litespeed = Merlin = Quintana Roo = Tomac

I believe Litespeed (located just 3 hours north of my house :D ) also makes Ti frames for a few other companies.

I'm from Europe and don't want to interfere with overseas matters but as far as I know two USA companies make their frames at home and they are among the best:

Moots

Serotta

Don't forget Independent Fabrications.

Made in the outskirts of Boston.

Seven
Serotta
Dean
Steelman
Moots
Co-Motion
Bob Parlee
Strong Frames
Dave Levy

...and many more small independent builders.

But I must ask: Haven't some people heard of Google? And if so, why do they come here to have someone else do the simplest of searches for them? They must be posers. They're here only to waste others' time. If they're too freaking lazy to do a Google search, they will *never* sit astride a bike.

Litespeed makes all of there frames right in Tennessee

I thought Merlin was US made as well. What about Seven and Airborne?

Giant is, if you'll excuse the pun, a giant company. Most low-to-mid-quality frames for a variety of manufacturers including all the well-known brands, such as Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Bianchi, etc... come from the same factory - a probably a lot that won't want to admit it. The Giant factory also happens to make very good high-quality frames as well, but yes, they are made overseas. The same companies do offer more home-grown frames for the very high-end lines, such as Trek/LeMond OCLV carbon. Smaller fabricators such as Litespeed assemble all their bikes in their respective factories - although in most cases the raw materials don't come from the US. Then you've got your custom fabricators such as Independent Fab, Brent Steelman, Richard Sachs, Stephen Bilenky, etc... who make everything with their own two hands, but again the actual tubes may come from Taiwan, the US, Italy, or England. Of course even these bikes are built up with gruppos from either Japan or Italy - and I'm sure both Shimano and Campy both have a lot of really small bits made in Taiwan or China! I think it's great to buy a US-made bike, but in general you've got spend a lot of money or have one custom built to do so! Cycling really is a global sport...

I thought Merlin was US made as well. What about Seven and Airborne?

They are made in the same plant as Litespeed which is owned by American Bicycle Group http://www.americanbicyclegroup.com . Seven is made in the US, however Airborne is made in China.

Curtlo frames made in Washington State, Vanilla Cycles made in Portland, Kirk frames

Most low-to-mid-quality frames for a variety of manufacturers including all the well-known brands, such as Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Bianchi, etc... come from the same factory - a probably a lot that won't want to admit it.

Very true, but not only with bikes. If only consumers knew who really manufactured/built/assembled the myriad different brands they anguish over before buying. In more cases than they know, they can just pick any one of them--they were all made by the same company.

Take my most recent laptop. No one has heard of the brand. However, they have heard of Toshiba. Guess what? The name on my computer builds Toshiba's computers, and with the same or better features for at least $250 less.

All cannondale frames are made in Bedford, PA by hand... always.

If price is not an issue I think Merlin is the way to go. The bikes are works of art and made right here in the USA. They do have a model or two with carbon stays. Although I think I'd rather go ful Ti since it's a pretty comfortable material on it's own and I just love how that brushed Ti looks. :D I hope to own one some day. But alas I'm just a poor college student so that's a few years off. Oh well! :rolleyes:

some prejudiced folks don't want to admit/realize this

- Specialized isn't American owned
- Giant isn't an american company
- American laborers aren't superior because they happen to live in USA
- FSA isn't American owned or operated

some prejudiced folks don't want to admit/realize this

- Specialized isn't American owned
- Giant isn't an american company
- American laborers aren't superior because they happen to live in USA
- FSA isn't American owned or operated

Usually I think people who want to buy American are doing it to support our economy not because they think the labor is superior. At least that's the case with me. However, I own a Giant and a lot of other products that aren't made here. It's definately a charateristic I consider. And all things being equal if one was made in the USA and one not I'd buy the one made in the USA. But in reality all things usually aren't equal.

Eisentraut is in Oakland, has been for a long time (S.F. Before that).

Usually I think people who want to buy American are doing it to support our economy not because they think the labor is superior. At least that's the case with me. However, I own a Giant and a lot of other products that aren't made here. It's definately a charateristic I consider. And all things being equal if one was made in the USA and one not I'd buy the one made in the USA. But in reality all things usually aren't equal.

The one made in the US would cost twice as much. Your wrong 95% of the reason people buy US made bikes is because they think the person that welded the frame is more skilled. Just because a white man made the bike doesn't mean it is better.

Your wrong 95% of the reason people buy US made bikes is because they think the person that welded the frame is more skilled. Just because a white man made the bike doesn't mean it is better.

Only white men weld in America?! Well, I'll be...the one who shoots the person who wrote that.

The one made in the US would cost twice as much. Your wrong 95% of the reason people buy US made bikes is because they think the person that welded the frame is more skilled. Just because a white man made the bike doesn't mean it is better.

First, please dont speak for the motivation of people who choose to by American-made products. Some simply want to support American workers and the American bicycle industry. Some DO believe that US made bikes are better (some are)....and why bring RACE into this and COMPLETELY discredit yourself. Most of us don't equate 'American' with 'white'...they are not synonymous.

Agreed Venga Venga,

Maj.Taylor, I have to ask (and I normally enjoy your posts), why flame some guy for asking this thread's question when it has sparked a number of interesting posts? Of course, minus the ill-conceived white-man post...

Frames made in Taiwan and China can be just as good as an american or Italian made frame. But look out what you buy, they can be a lot worse to... Just do research on the frame, you'll find out Giant and Spezi are fine.

some prejudiced folks don't want to admit/realize this

- Specialized isn't American owned

You sure about this? Last time I checked Mike Sinyard still held 51% ownership of Specialized vs the 49% interest purchased for ~$30M by Merida of Taiwan back in 2001.

Only white men weld in America?! Well, I'll be...the one who shoots the person who wrote that.

I am not the one that brought race ito this. I would and do support American products also. I am just stating my opinion from what I have read on these boards. I have read a lot of posts stating that a Maylasian(sp) welder was not as skilled as an American worker. My father is a union welder and trust me 98% of welders in this country are white.

I am not the one that brought race ito this. I would and do support American products also. I am just stating my opinion from what I have read on these boards. I have read a lot of posts stating that a Maylasian(sp) welder was not as skilled as an American worker. My father is a union welder and trust me 98% of welders in this country are white.


Just because a white man made the bike doesn't mean it is better.

Please forgive me, but I swear I thought those were words from a posting under your name (i.e., Feltup). Given your denial and correction, I can only surmise someone else stole your account so they could make that remark. Now that I've been informed it was not really you, but someone else, I apologize.

An opinion from what you've read on these boards? A search of all forums here with the string "malaysia + weld" turned up not one single post. A search with only "Malaysia" turned up not a single posting with anything about welding. Are you sure you read that here? Regardless, I've wondered who those people were who would believe everything they read on the internet. Nice to meet one. BTW, have you ever met, spoken to, or seen the work of any identifiable Malaysian welder? If so, be careful about forming an opinion based on interaction with, and production by, only that one welder.

And since you [supposedly] did not bring up the issue of race initially by making the original "white man" remark, why do you now with your most recent remark? That is, what does 98% of welders being white have to do with anything? If not before, that's certainly bringing race into it now.

Maj.Taylor, I have to ask (and I normally enjoy your posts), why flame some guy for asking this thread's question when it has sparked a number of interesting posts? Of course, minus the ill-conceived white-man post...

I did not intend it to be so much a flame as a "pointed" suggestion. I found my Google search his question precipitated quite interesting. I also learned more from it than from the totality of this thread--thus far. That is not to say there is anything specifically wrong with the thread, but if the person really wants as complete an answer as possible, I question why coming here before doing a search for American builders across the entire net.

From the results of the search I performed, I know we have not yet mentioned *all* American manufacturers when the original question was: "What bike manufacturers make their frames here in the U.S.A.?" If that question is to be fully answered, a search of the net is still required. So, why not do it in the first place--and then begin a thread questioning completeness of the listing, and at the same time bearing information for all to learn, share, and discuss?

some prejudiced folks don't want to admit/realize this

- Specialized isn't American owned
- Giant isn't an american company
- American laborers aren't superior because they happen to live in USA
- FSA isn't American owned or operated

This post brought race into the discussion.

As for Maylasian welders your right I meant Tiawanese sorry. See if your search will do any better.

I can't help the facts. How is stating that most welders are white a racist comment? It can't be rasict if its true.

Race does not equal nationality. Plus, the original poster was not talking about quality. He was talking about a sense of pride by buying American.

Very true, but not only with bikes. If only consumers knew who really manufactured/built/assembled the myriad different brands they anguish over before buying. In more cases than they know, they can just pick any one of them--they were all made by the same company.

Take my most recent laptop. No one has heard of the brand. However, they have heard of Toshiba. Guess what? The name on my computer builds Toshiba's computers, and with the same or better features for at least $250 less.

That analogy does not necessarily extend to bicycles. We know Trek owns Klein, Fisher, LeMond, etc. BUT, a Klein is not merely a Trek with a Klein decal. Curren Klein's are intrinsically different than current Treks. Using Klein as an example:

- The paint process is different - Trek uses a low-cost paint + decals process. Klein graphics are beneath the paint, so there are no decals to come off.

- The tubing is different. Klein uses a cable-thru technology that is much cleaner and can positively influence ride characteristics. Also, Klein uses more intricate tapering and butting, which you will observe on the square-to-round tapering of the stays.

Just because a parent company owns several brands does not mean each brand is the same.

some prejudiced folks don't want to admit/realize this

...
- American laborers aren't superior because they happen to live in USA



There is another aspect to USA-made than just the skill of individual laborers. There is the aspect of design and engineering control. A bike that is designed in the U.S. by people who know cycling can oversee the quality control, management, and production of bikes if the plant is in the U.S. If the bikes are made overseas by people who may be skilled laborers but who don't necessarily know the product. They just follow instructions. And it's hard to oversee the work when you are not there on site. That may be some of the appeal of the US made bike.

Race does not equal nationality.

Quite correct. Thank you.

You guys are wound too tight!

Trek owns Klein and Lemond, owning doesn't have to mean a change of quality or other charistaristics of Klein

This site may be of interest to some. I visit every now and again just for fun...

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/main.htm

They're listed by country, so just go to USA :)

As an aside, Giant is a Taiwanese company, which explains why all their products are made in Taiwan. KHS is another wholly Taiwan company that has made a respected name for itself as a frame builder.

Hi guys. Sorry to stir up so much controversy. There are alot of good points as why one would prefer an American made frame over an asian made frame. As for the google search, I've tried. There is so much crap to weed through that I thought I would get a better answer here from people who actually ride. I searched here also and nothing definitive came back so I thought I would ask and start a thread strictly pertaining to American made frames so future searchers may also find their answer. As far as race is concerned, I'm 1/2 Japanese but I still feel stronger, for many reasons, about American made products and buy American when I can. My family's mfg. company has lost alot of jobs overseas due to the cheap labor over there. I see shops closing every week due to the overseas competition. As for the welders, I only know 2 welders who are white. The others I know are Japanese or Hispanic decent. Heck, even I know how to tig weld! As long as you are skilled and certified it doesn't matter as long as you are an American working in America for an American company. That's what matters to me. This country is losing alot of it's skilled labor and I feel bad about that and will help when I can. Please let's keep this civil. I've learned alot from all of you in a short time and I value that. Thank you.

Well put Sydwaiz

To Sydwaiz: :beer:

You guys are wound too tight!

Nobody asked you! I can tell by your avitar your a racist white welder. My dad is a welder and he has told me about guys like you. You probably like nice shiny stuff.

Nobody asked you! I can tell by your avitar your a racist white welder. My dad is a welder and he has told me about guys like you. You probably like nice shiny stuff.

Hmmm....

Feltup,

Actually your dads welding shop sponsored me last year. We were called the good ole boys.

Feltup,

Actually your dads welding shop sponsored me last year. We were called the good ole boys.

No, he sponsored me you were just my domistique.

ithi - buy that Merlin - you'll love it. I bought one from Excel Sports back in 2001, one of the last of the Massachusetts Merlins before the Litespeed merger and it's a great ride, very comfortable like a steel bike, but ironically stiff while climbing like an aluminum. How'd they do that?

There are some great American made frames to always choose from. Don't forget Richard Sachs from Connecticut, and Holland from Maryland. Krol from Minnesota. Spectrum from Mass. Blue Ridge Electric Welding from VA I think (BREW).

Kestrel are unfortunately now made off shore.

Paramount still made?

ain't nobody mentioned Vanilla yet?

jeff

Bill Davidson Bicycles
www.davidsonbicycles.com

3-D Racing
www.3dracingbikes.com

HotTubes
www.hottubes.com

All of the above will make custom frames to your desire. All of the above also make individual racing frames for big name companies disguised under big label paint jobs and decals.

Aegis Bicycles are made in Maine.

www.roarkcycle.com-- titanium custom bikes built in Brownsburg, Indiana

Fox Farm - Paramount became Waterford Precision Cycles after an employee buyout of the factory during the Schwinn sale in 1992. Waterford also produces Gunnar bikes, which are a nice way of getting a Waterford frame for a non-custom price.

Only 2 more weeks until I can get my Gunnar out of layaway purgatory...