View Poll Results: pay more for North American model?
Yes
37
48.05%
No
40
51.95%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll
Would you pay more for North American made bike?
10-10-21, 07:03 PM
#26
Full Member
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Bikes: A Blue One and 2 Green One's, then there's the Yellow one. And oh, yeah, a Black One. Did I mention the Red One?
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People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices. - that's Adam Smith.
The interest of the dealers, however, in any particular branch of trade or manufactures, is always in some respects different from, and even opposite to, that of the public. To widen the market and to narrow the competition, is always the interest of the dealers. - that's Adam Smith, too.
IOW, established businesses are the primary obstacle to competition. It follows, then, that Government obstructs competition when it lets established businesses call the tune. In fact, there's at least one point in Wealth of Nations in which Smith explicitly warns against letting businesses write regulations.
Apologies to the mods if this is considered a politics. I have a hard time separating politics from economics, but the quotes above come from Adam Smith in 1776, and he's writing about businesses, not about governments or politicians.
The interest of the dealers, however, in any particular branch of trade or manufactures, is always in some respects different from, and even opposite to, that of the public. To widen the market and to narrow the competition, is always the interest of the dealers. - that's Adam Smith, too.
IOW, established businesses are the primary obstacle to competition. It follows, then, that Government obstructs competition when it lets established businesses call the tune. In fact, there's at least one point in Wealth of Nations in which Smith explicitly warns against letting businesses write regulations.
Apologies to the mods if this is considered a politics. I have a hard time separating politics from economics, but the quotes above come from Adam Smith in 1776, and he's writing about businesses, not about governments or politicians.
1776 has absolutely no relation in any form to 2021.... They didn't have bicycles which is the main reason to leave them out of the 2021 bicycle discussion.
Humans do still crap though, indoors with electric light.
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10-10-21, 07:26 PM
#27
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Made right here in Eugene, Oregon.
I bought it used but I do support the company.
I bought it used but I do support the company.
10-10-21, 08:57 PM
#28
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No, best value for what I need/want and I could care less where it's made.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
10-10-21, 09:11 PM
#29
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Sure; I've done it before and would do it again, but the imports I've bought were a better value.
10-10-21, 09:15 PM
#30
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I wonder how close OP is to getting his bike company in business. He should have the design sorted out, given all his questions these past several months. Hopefully deciding where to locate production means the project is close to completion.
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10-10-21, 10:20 PM
#31
Grupetto Bob
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Have owned 5 US made bikes and 3 foreign. I look for quality and value for my dollar. If US made bikes offered both and perhaps for a bit more money, I would probably swing to the US to support the economy and Made in the U.S.
Current ride was designed in Italy, made in Japan, with French pedals, Italian seat, US bar tape and US cycle computer, Japanese group set. It’s like just about anything now, globalization is the rule. Buying exclusively US made is becoming increasingly difficult. All my US made frames had Japanese group sets and Euro tires.
Current ride was designed in Italy, made in Japan, with French pedals, Italian seat, US bar tape and US cycle computer, Japanese group set. It’s like just about anything now, globalization is the rule. Buying exclusively US made is becoming increasingly difficult. All my US made frames had Japanese group sets and Euro tires.
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Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
10-10-21, 10:33 PM
#32
Veteran, Pacifist
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Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
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I have bought (and still own/ride) USA made:
CoMotion - custom tandem, Eugene OR
Calfee - custom TetraPro, Santa Cruz CA
Macalu from Excel Sports - Colorado made Ti
Tallerico - custom lugged steel, Los Altos CA
Did I pay more to buy USA frames?
Custom frames when you interact directly with a frame builder can absolutely be personalized for one’s tastes and/or riding needs. And you may learn a good bit about fitting and frame considerations.
and for fun I collect vintage European/UK bikes. And they are cheap, so I make out in the end on the ‘value for quality rider’. Like a bandit!
Tallerico
Calfee
Vintage
CoMotion - custom tandem, Eugene OR
Calfee - custom TetraPro, Santa Cruz CA
Macalu from Excel Sports - Colorado made Ti
Tallerico - custom lugged steel, Los Altos CA
Did I pay more to buy USA frames?
Custom frames when you interact directly with a frame builder can absolutely be personalized for one’s tastes and/or riding needs. And you may learn a good bit about fitting and frame considerations.
and for fun I collect vintage European/UK bikes. And they are cheap, so I make out in the end on the ‘value for quality rider’. Like a bandit!
Tallerico
Calfee
Vintage
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 10-10-21 at 10:54 PM.
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10-11-21, 06:07 AM
#34
I’m a little Surly
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I prefer made in the USA and will buy things based on that but there are companies that are hard to argue against Nitto, MKS, SKF, SON, etc.
10-11-21, 07:24 AM
#35
Sunshine
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I prefer a US built frame just because I like the idea of it being built locally and itll be custom to me.
I dont really care about components though because they arent custom- they are built to a general spec so there is nothing inherently special about where they are made.
On my custom built road bike, I didnt select and US built components. I could have, since it for sure wasnt a budget build, but I didnt see the value in any of it. No King hubs or headset, no Paul skewers or hubs, etc. That stuff is neat looking when its anodized and used as a complimentary color, but it is so exponentially more expensive than equal alternatives. For components made in the US to appeal to me, the prices would need to drop significantly from the current boutique level.
I dont really care about components though because they arent custom- they are built to a general spec so there is nothing inherently special about where they are made.
On my custom built road bike, I didnt select and US built components. I could have, since it for sure wasnt a budget build, but I didnt see the value in any of it. No King hubs or headset, no Paul skewers or hubs, etc. That stuff is neat looking when its anodized and used as a complimentary color, but it is so exponentially more expensive than equal alternatives. For components made in the US to appeal to me, the prices would need to drop significantly from the current boutique level.
10-11-21, 07:40 AM
#36
Senior Member
I think if you take a tour of the average retirement community, you'll find most people there wearing New Balance.
10-11-21, 07:46 AM
#37
Senior Member
I own a bike that currently costs about $1400 for a brand new 2021 model.... What would a US-made bike of equal features and build quality cost? $1500? $2000? $3000? At some point there is a threshold that is crossed.
10-11-21, 08:33 AM
#38
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LOL!!!!! I can't even remember the last time I was in a Walmart and certainly not for a bike.
See any Walmart bikes in here? I'm just not stupid enough to limit myself to North American made bikes. Because that would mean not having so many wonderful other choices.
The Netherlands
Britain
Japan
Japan again, kept over 6 other U.S. made Schwinns. Even a beautiful Waterford built Paramount. This is the superior riding bike.
Italy, just one of many.
Italy again, awesome riding bike that is also a true work of art!
Belgium, a rocket for being 35 years old.
Spain, crazy ol' beat up beast was actually faster than a lot of my rides and one of these won the Tour of Spain in '85.
France, 70's bike boom but quite a good rider.
I could go on and on but really, why would I limit myself to U.S. built bikes? So many wonderful choices out there.
See any Walmart bikes in here? I'm just not stupid enough to limit myself to North American made bikes. Because that would mean not having so many wonderful other choices.
The Netherlands
Britain
Japan
Japan again, kept over 6 other U.S. made Schwinns. Even a beautiful Waterford built Paramount. This is the superior riding bike.
Italy, just one of many.
Italy again, awesome riding bike that is also a true work of art!
Belgium, a rocket for being 35 years old.
Spain, crazy ol' beat up beast was actually faster than a lot of my rides and one of these won the Tour of Spain in '85.
France, 70's bike boom but quite a good rider.
I could go on and on but really, why would I limit myself to U.S. built bikes? So many wonderful choices out there.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
10-11-21, 08:43 AM
#40
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https://www.ibiscycles.com/bikes/exie
Similar bike from another manufacture with those group set offerings would be $2k or so less.
10-11-21, 08:54 AM
#41
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Another example of reality. I live within 10 miles of both ENVE and Mercury who produce high end wheelsets. Yet I'm planning the purchase of a high end wheelset for my Cannondale and looking at Farsports or BTLOS. I can get the same exact performing wheelset with what is now established as the same or even better quality for a significantly cheaper price. Why would I use these local U.S. companies just to throw an extra thousand bucks or more away to get their product? Just does not make sense to me.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
10-12-21, 07:08 AM
#43
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I am a yes, happy to help local economies within reason. I believe local manufacturing taxes support tour communities social programs, infrastructure, etc. Keeps our countries economy and a financial systems more secure.
10-12-21, 09:23 AM
#44
Member
I give preference to USA built products and I'm willing to pay a premium to get high quality stuff. Obviously, none of the "big 3" companies that make group sets are USA based, so that isn't much of an option. Most all the other components of the bike I have on order has USA made parts (ENVE wheel set, Chris King BB and headset, USA made pedals from Deity, Wolf Tooth Cages, Moots Frame).
10-12-21, 10:45 AM
#45
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New, custom steel? Sure, I'd definitely support a local framebuilder. Vintage steel? What does it matter, but why limit myself (there are some US bike builders whose frames I'd love to have for sure though)? Ti? Probably. I have a Merckx by Litespeed frame that needs repairs, but that I'd love to ride. Carbon (not that I own any)? Honestly, I'd probably prefer that built in Taiwan, because they seem to have the most experience with high end carbon layup at the moment.
10-13-21, 05:27 AM
#46
Zip tie Karen
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Thinking back over every bike I've owned over ~45 years of adulthood, and I can recall maybe one bicycle whose frame was made in the U.S.A. and whose assembly took place here. One in 80 bikes. There might have been another that I don't remember.
There's your answer.
There's your answer.
10-13-21, 05:37 AM
#47
Senior Member
Nope. I don't have any allegiance to any company simply because it's from one country or another. I'll buy something if it's good quality for a good price, regardless of its country of origin.
10-13-21, 10:10 AM
#48
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Many replies show why the US is 28 TRILLION DOLLARS in debt. Buy American when you can.
10-13-21, 11:42 AM
#49
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10-13-21, 11:57 AM
#50
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