Vinnems

Hey, it's been a while! Been hammering away on the pedals a lot lately, and remembered I always wanted to fill my stable out with an American bike. For the last five years, I've been been switching it up with my two bikes. One is a DeRosa frame I built up using all Italian parts except the pedals are by Look. The other is a Panasonic I built using all Japanese parts. I like how the frame manufacturers and the groupsets I used (Campagnolo and Shimano, respectively) were manufactured in their respective countries. But, looking into making an all American bike, I'm wondering if it's even possible?
Frame is no issue; there's plenty of frame manufactures stateside. But I was disappointed to find out that all SRAM components are manufactured overseas. I was certain that for the price they charged they would've been made domestically. So I'm wondering, is it even possible to build up a bike now using all components made in America? I see there are a few companies out there for some things, like Cane Creek and Paul, but for the mechanical bits, like the derailleur, doesn't seem to be any made domestically. Any companies I should be looking at?
What about vintage options? Were there ever any groupsets that were manufactured state-side I should look out for?

datlas 

Even if you could do this, it's more trouble that it's worth. You want the chain and tires from USA? Shift and brake cables??

Eric F 

This topic has come up before. The conclusion is that it's practically impossible to build a bike that 100% made in USA.

Iride01 

It's probably hard to find a bike that was made entirely in any one country after we got more than 3 speeds on the rear. Perhaps maybe Italy. And of course Japan.

If you are just talking about frames, then that is a different matter for consideration.

Koyote

Yup, 100% will be difficult...But one could get reasonably close. US built frames and forks are easy to find, as are US-made hubs (e.g., White Industries) and rims (e.g., HED), headsets (Chris King or the Cane Creek 110), and bottle cages. The tough parts will be the rest of the drivetrain, spokes, tires, and cockpit components.

datlas 

Thompson makes handlebars, stems, and seatposts in USA, FWIW.

cxwrench

!00%? With a geared drivetrain? No. Can't be done. You really couldn't even do a single speed.

Koyote

Good catch!

indyfabz

My road frame was designed, built and colored in the US. Stem, seat post, hubs, headset and cages were manufactured in the US.

Nofiltercycling

A patriotic build I like it. That’s one for the US economy. I mean how can you say you support the country. When you don’t support the economy. When I build things bikes cars & wtvr I like to keep the money in the hands of my fellow countryman. By buying second hand and avoiding cheap overseas purchases where I can.

Eric F 

Enve would be another.

Vinnems

Found this article that echoes the comments in this thread, albeit it's for mountain bikes:
https://www.bikestation.org/what-mou...de-in-the-usa/

Checking out some of the brands posted here, looks like it's possible to make a single speed that is 95% US made. I'm not sure on the freewheel, though. Not seeing any brands that are directly saying "US Made" but I'm sure they are out there. For the pieces datlas mentions, tires are definitely impossible, cables I'm doubtful about, but I'm sure there is still a chain manufacturer stateside. But that's somewhat moot; if I wanted to build a single speed/fixie, I'd spend the money for full NJS or whatever the Euro equivalent is.

Koyote

WI makes cranks and freewheels, MUSA hubs are easy, and Paul Components makes brakes. Brake levers and the chain would be a problem, though.

Ghazmh

My three customs Sevens were made right here in Massachusetts and all equipped with Chris King Hubs, BB’s, headsets HED rims, and one has a Roadrunner handlebar bag and saddle pack.

tempocyclist

Assuming a modern geared road bike, I doubt it. You could probably get "everything but the groupset" close though.

Polaris OBark

If you go sufficiently boutique, it might be possible to get fairly close. eg: White Industry crankset. Paul Components for brakes. Someone probably makes a derailleur in the US. HED and Chris King make wheels in the US, and I am sure there are a few others. Several hub manufactures, headset, etc. are made in the US. Enve claims their stuff is made in the US, but when their road forks were recalled, it turned out they were made in Vietnam.

My frame was made in my zip code. Enve is a bit cagey (as noted) about where my CX fork was made. Wheels are HED/Chris King. Headset is CK. Brakes, shifting and drivetrain are Shimano, so Japan or elsewhere in Asia.

I'm very grateful my car was not made in the US. The idea that it is somehow unpatriotic to buy things made in other countries isn't tenable.

I wonder if any tires are made in the US, and if it possible to recycle worn out bike tires in the US instead of having them in the dump or shipped outbound?

Koyote

And the Law of Comparative Advantage, which has been understood for about 200 years, demonstrates that specialization and division of labor -- both within countries and among countries -- has the potential to raise living standards for all participants. It's inefficient for one country to produce everything that its inhabitants wish to purchase.

himespau 

Go with all French. It'll be easier to find a Mavic groupset. Bonus points, if you get an electronic one.

znomit

Where is Campy made?

Shadco 

Explains the cost.

.

datlas 

Is that the Romanian flag??

Reflector Guy

And their stems and seatposts are made in China. A disappointment, really, when one ponies up the premium price hoping to get something that isn't made in China.

dbf73

Was any early SRAM product built in the US? Or perhaps some of their high end or limited production stuff ala Trek?

himespau 

Romania.

datlas 

In all fairness, SOME of their production is in Italy and some of it is in Romania.

The point is that insisting that "everything" bicycle be made in one location/country may not realistic in a global economy.