General Cycling Discussion - American made bikes?

Are there any bikes made in America and if so that don't cost a fortune? Is there an online resource to identify them? I know there are still brand names but at least a lot of their stuff is outsourced. In case there's nothing reasonable what sources are good, i.e. Japan, Taiwan etc.? I'd like to buy American company American made but if that's out of reach then American company best source. Thanks for any and all advice.

Depends on what you're after -- there's Worksman and the like for cruiser-type bicycles. Most of the other American builders are on a custom-order basis. How much is it worth to you that the bike was made by Americans? ;)

Last year I got a Bike Friday, they are made in Eugene Oregon..
they are a Unique design. a Travel Bike , that built around packing
to get to the start of your trip, with less struggle with a big carton.

the Hand frame-builders in the US cannot price match a Giant factory in China.

but if you want a bike made in the US , you need to pay enough
to keep the Builder in Business

Overhead per unit produced, is higher , like Health insurance
[ particularly without single payer health care]
taxes rent cost of materials and Etc..

Big investment was made in Taiwan based companies
byMost ALL the bike brands contracting out manufacturing there..

some of the materials are shaped,
like hydroformed Easton Aluminum,
then shipped to the contract builder..

Some of the TW companies further subcontract out
to even lower cost sources.

What kind of bike are you looking for and what do you consider expensive?

There are plenty of small bicycle manufacturers in the US. However the bulk of the parts are going to be made overseas, we no longer have much of a manufacturing base for bicycle parts in this country anymore. One of my favorites is A.N.T (Alternative Needs Transportation) (http://antbikemike.wordpress.com/) he builds some very nice city bikes and tries to buy as many American built components as possible.

Aaron :)

Made in Peoria, AZ from American carbon fiber (ICE) tubing.
Cheap? No.

I would like to patronize a LBS and probably need to budget about $1k for bike, helmet and tax. I hadn't thought about small makers. I was thinking of Schwinn, Trek, Cannondale etc. that used to be at least significantly (I think) American made.

I am 55 and need to lose about that many pounds. I'll never be racing with the serious amateurs and never keep up with more than the intermediates at best and not that for a long time I'm sure. I just want something reliable and durable that will handle roads/paths/trails a beginner would frequent.

I'll defer to the others, but I'm pretty sure $1000 won't cover a new American-made bike anymore. Inflation pushes up the cost of everything, but we consumers demand to pay the same amount as we did before...

That said, there are lots of old Schwinns and Treks around in great shape if you don't mind buying used. :thumb:

Yeah, I probably should look at used to put less into it and recover a greater percentage if/when I decide to get out.

That said, there are lots of old Schwinns and Treks around in great shape if you don't mind buying used. :thumb:

THIS.

If you'd like an American-made bike in your price range, you may be better served finding something used.

Or go with Worksman Cycles (http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/cruisers.html). I think a Worksman would be fine based on the part of your post where you state: "I just want something reliable and durable that will handle roads/paths/trails a beginner would frequent."

My 1992 Cannondale was made in Bedford, PA -- as were all Cannondales back then.

Well, sort of... Actually the frame was shaped, welded and finished in Bedford. (And, the aluminum was probably extruded not far from Bedford).

But the drive train, shifters and brakes -- came from Shimano... The wheels and tires came from France. I'm not sure where the Vetta saddle was made???

But, even "American Made" Cannondales were not really American Made.

I would like to patronize a LBS and probably need to budget about $1k for bike, helmet and tax. I hadn't thought about small makers. I was thinking of Schwinn, Trek, Cannondale etc. that used to be at least significantly (I think) American made.

I am 55 and need to lose about that many pounds. I'll never be racing with the serious amateurs and never keep up with more than the intermediates at best and not that for a long time I'm sure. I just want something reliable and durable that will handle roads/paths/trails a beginner would frequent.

Cannondale is owned by a Canadian firm---would "North American owned" be OK?

I think they also own Schwinn. Trek is still American owned, and still makes their top of the line frames in Wisconsin.

I'll defer to the others, but I'm pretty sure $1000 won't cover a new American-made bike anymore. Inflation pushes up the cost of everything, but we consumers demand to pay the same amount as we did before...

That said, there are lots of old Schwinns and Treks around in great shape if you don't mind buying used. :thumb:

Gunnar frames are made in the US and come in around $1000.

This is a lofty goal. Good luck!

$1,000 is the cost of a decent (not best) set of wheels.
Get with the new reality . . .
From what you remember of the "American made" Schwinn/Trek etc from way back when, then you need to add at least another zero.
Remember when a new car was less than $3,000?
Of course I remember making 75c an hour, which was the minimum wage in the late 40s . . .

My Trek 2200 proudly says Made in America! It's a 2003 model bike. The resale value is about $600-700. The 2200/2300 are fine bikes. The wheels are boat anchors, but the rest of the bike is solid: carbon fork, Ultegra components. You don't have to go total vintage to get made in America. You can get some idea of bike value by looking at Completed Auctions on ebay where the item was sold.

$1,000 is the cost of a decent (not best) set of wheels.
Get with the new reality . . .

Nonsense

Lynskey makes all its bikes in Chattanooga, TN. http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/store/

Nonsense

Absolutely right. Unless you're looking for carbon wheels, you can easily get a set for under $1,000. Heck, I had a custom set of aluminum wheels built with a top-of-the-line White Industries hub built for less than that.

Gunnar frames are made in the US and come in around $1000.

Frame, yes. Whole bike, no.

Felt

Frame, yes. Whole bike, no.

I missed the whole bike comment.

there are lots of old Schwinns and Treks around in great shape if you don't mind buying used. :thumb:

And Cannondales, and Rosses, and even California Masis and Confetes if you can afford them...

Or go with Worksman Cycles (http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/cruisers.html). I think a Worksman would be fine based on the part of your post where you state: "I just want something reliable and durable that will handle roads/paths/trails a beginner would frequent."
Meh. Too heavy. Too slow. They are bikes more suited for very casual, short distance rides.

If there are hills where he rides, he's going to want gears. I have no idea what range the 7-speed coaster brake Workman has but I doubt it's going to be as wide as a derailleur system.

I would like to patronize a LBS and probably need to budget about $1k for bike, helmet and tax. I hadn't thought about small makers. I was thinking of Schwinn, Trek, Cannondale etc. that used to be at least significantly (I think) American made.
If you double your budget to about $2000 , you might just be able to find bike with a frame built in the US. Note that only the frame would be US made. Nearly no other bicycle components are made in the US.

a grand gets you, perhaps, a frame and fork, not a whole bike..

Lots of US, name brands send the contract and CAD design
for making the bike to Taiwan.
so that is where the manufacturing investment went,
contract builders.
And as the component makers are also over there,
the partial assembly and boxing for shipment is efficient.

I last bought a Bike Friday. US made, in Eugene Oregon.
but a folding travel bike may not be what you have in mind.
20" wheels.. simpler models come in at $995..

Rivendell with a Chris King headset and bottom bracket. White Industries hubs. I think Velocity rims are now made in the U.S. I don't know about the rest of the stuff.

Rivendell with a Chris King headset and bottom bracket. White Industries hubs. I think Velocity rims are now made in the U.S. I don't know about the rest of the stuff.
The Rivendell frames (non-custom) are made in Taiwan/Japan (a few odd sizes are made in the US). No Rivendell is going to come close to $1000 for the complete bike.

I believe there 3 bike manufactures in Detroit,,they use mostly local parts,,one is a new company already making watches and is gearing up for bike manufacturing using only domestic parts..I am sure you can google it and find out the names.

Rivendell with a Chris King headset and bottom bracket. White Industries hubs. I think Velocity rims are now made in the U.S. I don't know about the rest of the stuff.

WI has nice cranks as well. Paul's can provide brakes and flat bar brake levers. Thomson has US sourced stems and posts. Sele atonimica saddles... It would be expensive, but you could come close with a flat bar single speed.

Meh. Too heavy. Too slow. They are bikes more suited for very casual, short distance rides.

If there are hills where he rides, he's going to want gears. I have no idea what range the 7-speed coaster brake Workman has but I doubt it's going to be as wide as a derailleur system.

I have a 7speed hub on my Worksman finding it to be just fine for hills that are ridable on any other bike.

The key is when a person buys a Worksman to get the recommended 36 tooth front sprocket to pull the low ratios in the hub way down for easy riding on hill or inclines.

It helps to remember there will be hills and inclines that are so steep that no gearing setup will enable the rider to pedal up the hill/incline......for those you just have to get off and walk.

TIP: If you have SERIOUS hills where you live then special order a 23 tooth with the 7 speed Worksman for real hill pulling power!!

It helps to remember there will be hills and inclines that are so steep that no gearing setup will enable the rider to pedal up the hill/incline......for those you just have to get off and walk.
If you have the right gearing, those are quite rare. A derailleur system is still going to have a wider range. It's less of a compromise.

I wonder what 7 speed hub they use.

If it's this one, there is a 245% range.

http://sheldonbrown.com/nexus7.shtml

A derailleur system with a compact 34/50 and 12-28 rear appear to be 342% (that is, much wider).


TIP: If you have SERIOUS hills where you live then special order a 23 tooth with the 7 speed Worksman for real hill pulling power!!
You'd lose the top end with that.

And it's still heavy.

It would be expensive, but you could come close with a flat bar single speed.
Oy! The OP should pick a bike that will suit him rather than worry about where it's made. It's unlikely that a single speed would suit him.

Oy! The OP should pick a bike that will suit him rather than worry about where it's made. It's unlikely that a single speed would suit him.

I agree that he should pick bike first and then country of origin. The build I listed would far exceed his budget anyway. I was just continuing the list.

I agree that he should pick bike first and then country of origin. The build I listed would far exceed his budget anyway. I was just continuing the list.

Why not provide appropriate/applicable advice?

Why not provide appropriate/applicable advice?

He asked for anamerican bike under 1k. One of those two criteria will have to give if he buy new. I will leave it up to him to decide which. for all we know single speed may work fine. I've done hundreds of miles on one. If he needs gears my component list may still come in handy...

Conider it a correction to this comment which was also over budget:

If you double your budget to about $2000 , you might just be able to find bike with a frame built in the US. Note that only the frame would be US made. Nearly no other bicycle components are made in the US.

US manufactured hubs, rims, seat posts, headsets, cranks, saddles, brakes, brake levers, stems, and bottom brackets are available from nearly every bike shop in the country.

I last bought a Bike Friday. US made, in Eugene Oregon.
but a folding travel bike may not be what you have in mind.
20" wheels.. simpler models come in at $995..
I don't know if they still have that deal - but a basic 24 speed Friday with a front triple is available for $1198. But I don't think that the rims, tires, or components will be American made.

He asked for anamerican bike under 1k. One of those two criteria will have to give if he buy new. I will leave it up to him to decide which. for all we know single speed may work fine. I've done hundreds of miles on one.
"Used" was useful. Single speed really isn't: it's putting the cart before the horse.

. If he needs gears my component list may still come in handy...
No, he needs to realize that his requirement is impractical for his budget.


Conider it a correction to this comment which was also over budget:
Nonsense. The point of that comment was to indicate this requirements were unreasonable for his budget and that other people were earlier going into the weeds. You went into the weeds even further!


US manufactured hubs, rims, seat posts, headsets, cranks, saddles, brakes, brake levers, stems, and bottom brackets are available from nearly every bike shop in the country.

Now, you are talking about a custom build way north of $2000!

I don't know if they still have that deal - but a basic 24 speed Friday with a front triple is available for $1198. But I don't think that the rims, tires, or components will be American made.

Generally, people are talking about the frame being "American made".

8 speed for $1298. Doesn't include pedals and saddle. The components (most of them) are not US made.

http://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/commuter/1144



The Model T tikit is Bike Friday's most affordable quick fold great riding compact folder.

"Used" was useful. Single speed really isn't: it's putting the cart before the horse.

No, he needs to realize that his requirement is impractical for his budget.

Why isn't single speed useful? My wife commutes on one and I rode one as my primary bike one summer. My average speed was somewhere faster than the club rides (regardless of hills) and slower than the race team.

My list is still 100% viable. He will likely favor US manufactured parts and they are readily available new and used. My wife's road bike cost $400 and it has US and Italian parts.

He came here looking for options and I gave some. Over budget? Yes. The wrong bike? That is up to him to decide. You gave him completely false information about the availability of American made parts.

Rivendell with a Chris King headset and bottom bracket. White Industries hubs. I think Velocity rims are now made in the U.S. I don't know about the rest of the stuff.

As-of 2/2012 (prior, they were made in Australia).

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=656

This is going into the weeds :)

It's spam. See him get booted from the forums!

It's spam. See him get booted from the forums!

I know it is spam, but it was good comedic relief.

Thanks for the date on velocity by the way. Do you know if the decals changed? They used to have an outline of Australia on them. (not that their source bothers me)

Why isn't single speed useful? My wife commutes on one and I rode one as my primary bike one summer. My average speed was somewhere faster than the club rides (regardless of hills) and slower than the race team.
Some people do fine with single speed bikes. Most people, especially beginners, are frustrated by small hills even with multi-geared bikes.


My list is still 100% viable. He will likely favor US manufactured parts and they are readily available new and used. My wife's road bike cost $400 and it has US and Italian parts.
No, it's weirdly impractical, especially, for a beginner.


He came here looking for options and I gave some. Over budget? Yes. The wrong bike? That is up to him to decide. You gave him completely false information about the availability of American made parts.
If it's "over budget", it's the wrong bike.


You gave him completely false information about the availability of American made parts.
Given his budget, there's no way to get all US made parts. Recommending that he do a custom build makes no sense! It's a bizarrely impractical recommendation.

I never said he had to buy ALL the parts on my list. He can pick and choose, get some very nice American parts, and stay in budget. If he buys a nice used bike and needs a stem or post he just as well buy American if it fits. Better yet he may stumble a bike that already has them :) you can buy a very nice used bike south of 1000.

I never said he had to buy ALL the parts on my list. He can pick and choose, get some very nice American parts, and stay in budget. If he buys a nice used bike and needs a stem or post he just as well buy American if it fits.
Only if he forgoes gears. And do a custom build. That is, your recommendations are impractical.

And it's not at all clear he would "stay in budget". Note that he's talking about a $900 bike ($1000 is bike+helmet+7% tax).

Only if he forgoes gears. And do a custom build. That is, your recommendations are impractical.

And it's not at all clear he would "stay in budget". Note that he's talking about a $900 bike ($1000 is bike+helmet+7% tax).

I don't think you read the post you quoted. $900 will buy a very nice used bike with an 8-10spd cassette.

My local Craigslist has an American made mountain bike for $300. Plenty of room left for American swag.

I don't think you read the post you quoted. $900 will buy a very nice used bikecassette 8-10spd cassette.
It's hard enough to find a used bicycle that fits. Finding one with a US frame and US parts would be even harder. As I said earlier, "used" is a reasonable suggestion.


My local Craigslist has an American made mountain bike for $300. Plenty of room left for American swag.
It's hard to comment on a bike that only you know about. And suggesting to a beginner to do a custom build makes no sense.

It's hard enough to find a used bicycle that fits. Finding one with a US frame and US parts would be even harder. As I said earlier, "used" is a reasonable suggestion.


It's hard to comment on a bike that only you know about. And suggesting to a beginner to do a custom build makes no sense.

It is a specialized stumpjumper m2 from the early 2000s with shimano xt. His local shop could install a chris king headset (USA), surly steel fork, Thomson stem (USA), and slick tire. It would be under budget, fairly light, and a killer bike for trails and around town.

It is a specialized stumpjumper m2 from the early 2000s with shimano xt. His local shop could install a chris king headset (USA), surly steel fork, Thomson stem (USA), and slick tire. It would be under budget, fairly light, and a killer bike for trails and around town.
Not made in the US. I don't believe Specialized frames were ever made in the US. (Try looking for a Cannondale or a really-old Trek.)

Surly frames and forks are not made in the US (never were). And it's insane to replace a perfectly good fork.

Not made in the US.

The m2 was

M2 bikes were made in Portland. The s-works e5 road bikes that predate the Tarmac were made in Morgan hill.

( i never once said surly forks were made in the US and suspension blows for regular riding.)