Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

An entirely North American bicycle?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

An entirely North American bicycle?

Old 09-06-21, 06:52 PM
  #26  
travbikeman
Senior Member
 
travbikeman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,697

Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 416 Post(s)
Liked 172 Times in 117 Posts
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
I'd start looking for tires and inner tubes. Decades ago I read somewhere there wasn't anybody producing them domestically. I honestly don't know if that's still true or not.

Frankly, however, I think it's a moot point. The last time that I bought inner tubes for my recumbents, I had trouble finding ANYBODY who had the exact size and valve stem length that I wanted in stock.
I know in the late 1980's the Carlisle Tire group or co. was the last to make bicycle tires in the U.S. I am not locating any info that shows there are any current American manufactured bicycle tires.
travbikeman is offline  
Old 09-06-21, 07:20 PM
  #27  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,772

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,150 Times in 1,313 Posts
Are any points awarded if the components are purchased from Jenson USA?

John
70sSanO is offline  
Likes For 70sSanO:
Old 09-06-21, 07:23 PM
  #28  
Dirt Farmer
Senior Member
 
Dirt Farmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Madison, Wi.
Posts: 1,181

Bikes: Jamis Quest Elite; Fuji Sagres; Trek Fuel EX 8

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 329 Post(s)
Liked 73 Times in 53 Posts
If I own stock in a foreign manufacturer, should I feel slighted?
Dirt Farmer is offline  
Old 09-06-21, 09:27 PM
  #29  
tcs
Palmer
 
tcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,580

Bikes: Mike Melton custom, 1982 Stumpjumper, Alex Moulton AM, 2010 Dawes Briercliffe, 2017 Dahon Curl i8, 2021 Motobecane Turino 1x12

Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1645 Post(s)
Liked 1,785 Times in 1,041 Posts
North American manufactured bicycle? Despite several posters answering "no" and even "impossible", RBR of Alameda, California does in fact make a 100% American bicycle. Get out your credit card and get on their waiting list.

Victory Bicycles in Florida also made an all-American bike until just a few years ago, when the shop closed.

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
s there an internally-geared rear hub that is made in the US? That would side-step the need for front or rear derailleurs.
The NuVinci N180 was, but that's been several years ago now. The present N330 and N380 are manufactured in Asia.

Last edited by tcs; 09-08-21 at 07:11 AM.
tcs is offline  
Likes For tcs:
Old 09-06-21, 09:45 PM
  #30  
Russ Roth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,762

Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1073 Post(s)
Liked 999 Times in 710 Posts
It is possible to build a bike with no Asian made parts but not with strictly USA parts. I assume Zipp had their system made overseas? But if you add the EU both Campy and Rotor become options. Campy is Italian for the higher end stuff while the lower I believe is Romania. Rotor is, I believe, Germany and Spain. This exercise works real well with an all Euro bike.
Besides wheelsmith Marwi/Union spokes should be US made, velocity is firmly US made having moved from Australia, hubs have boundless options, really for track or bmx the tires might be the only issue.
Russ Roth is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 08:56 AM
  #31  
Barry2 
LR÷P=HR
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,136

Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 848 Post(s)
Liked 1,161 Times in 671 Posts
OP I have a question….

You told us what you want to do but not why.
What is the purpose of a full USA made build?
For example…
Are you trying to prove anyone can do this with production parts.
or
Are you trying to prove you can do it by any means. Including custom & 1off locally made parts allowed.
Is this a Show bike or a daily driver.

Example would be the chain. There are USA chain companies that most likely manufacture offshore. But maybe R&D chains are made locally.
A begging letter giving details of the project might shake one loose.

Barry
Barry2 is online now  
Old 09-07-21, 09:45 AM
  #32  
topflightpro
Senior Member
 
topflightpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,567
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times in 427 Posts
100% made in the US, no. Probably not.

But mostly made in the US, probably. As others noted, you're probably limited to a single speed or fixed gear bike. Frame, bars, stem, seatpost, hubs, cogs, cranks can all be found in the US. I think you are going to be harder pressed to find US made tires, tubes, chains and saddles.
topflightpro is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 10:14 AM
  #33  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,363
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times in 2,497 Posts
Selle Anitomica saddles are made in the U.S.
https://selleanatomica.com/collections/saddles-1

I have seen it said more than once that Wheelsmith isn't making anything at all right now. Website is still there though. It's not listed in "our brands" however
https://hayesbicycle.com/pages/wheelsmith-technology
unterhausen is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 10:25 AM
  #34  
JanMM
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,217

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 225 Posts
Originally Posted by unterhausen
Wheelsmith is gone, I think. Velocity rims are still MUSA, I believe.

You are going to have to make your own derailleurs, chain, and tires.
Velocity used to be Australian but, yes, now make their rims in the US. Any other companies of any sort move from elsewhere in the world to here? Not aware of any other bike companies doing that.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
JanMM is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 12:17 PM
  #35  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,459
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3638 Post(s)
Liked 5,315 Times in 2,700 Posts
^^^Goodyear returned production of their travel trailer tires to the US several years ago.
shelbyfv is online now  
Old 09-07-21, 12:43 PM
  #36  
cb400bill
Forum Moderator
 
cb400bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 21,324

Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista

Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3059 Post(s)
Liked 6,378 Times in 3,691 Posts
A few years ago Whirlpool moved some refridgerator production from Mexico back to America. Ohio, I believe.
__________________












cb400bill is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 03:38 PM
  #37  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
What’s all this “MUSA” stuff? OP said N. America, which to inform folks, includes Canada, Mexico at the very least, and technically includes the Caribbean countries, Greenland, and all the nations known as Central America.

That fact doesn’t necessarily make this NorAm bike project more achievable, but it could make it more interesting to consider.
chaadster is offline  
Likes For chaadster:
Old 09-07-21, 05:14 PM
  #38  
Frank S
Senior Member
 
Frank S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Olympic Peninsula, USA
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 16 Posts
It's "New Geography", I guess...
Frank S is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 05:25 PM
  #39  
unterhausen
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,363
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times in 2,497 Posts
Originally Posted by chaadster
What’s all this “MUSA” stuff? OP said N. America, which to inform folks, includes Canada, Mexico at the very least, and technically includes the Caribbean countries, Greenland, and all the nations known as Central America.
It's easier to type than North America. Plus we always count Canadians as part of the U.S. if they do something we want to take credit for.

Does Race Face still make parts in Canada?

Wolf tooth is making a lot of parts in the U.S. and I think Cane Creek does too. Does Cane Creek make a crank in the U.S.? I know there are framebuilders that make cranks, but it might be hard to buy one, they are in high demand
unterhausen is offline  
Old 09-07-21, 05:44 PM
  #40  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
It’s been said we live in a golden age of stupidity, but that the aged and well-worn “NA” abbreviation for North America is too difficult to work with and “MUSA” should be preferred suggests that we live in an era even more preciously stupid than gold.
chaadster is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 07:08 AM
  #41  
celry 
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanks to everyone who's responded! I've reached out to all of the suggested sources above in the last couple of days, and can confirm that there are indeed North American-made options for some of the bits in question:
Spokes
Saddles
Drop bars
Bar tape

Still not much hope of a multispeed option here, so be it. This is a copy/paste of what's still missing from the list above:
Tires?
Cassette?
Derailers front and rear?
Shifters and Levers? Or Brifters? (I know this is way out there, but have to ask)
Cables+Housing?
Pedals?


Thanks again for all the responses, and for not getting the thread locked (so far anyway).

I'll report back in a while, when there's an actual bike to see. It will have two wheels, and they may or may not be the same size. : )
celry is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 07:51 AM
  #42  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,391 Times in 4,148 Posts
Originally Posted by chaadster
It’s been said we live in a golden age of stupidity, but that the aged and well-worn “NA” abbreviation for North America is too difficult to work with and “MUSA” should be preferred suggests that we live in an era even more preciously stupid than gold.


I am not aware of component production in Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Please allow me to formally apologize to those countries for so dearly offending them, if there is a component made in their country that is needed here.
mstateglfr is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 08:00 AM
  #43  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Is this project still a go despite being impossible to do derailleured? If so, I think eThirteen are still machining cassettes in Massachusetts, and they could be mated to American-owned SRAM Eagle AXS rear derailleur and Force brifters (you’re doing drop bars, right?). You could do Red, of course, but I’d save the ducats for a pair of Berd fiber spoke wheels (with Industry Nine hubs) from MN.
chaadster is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 08:11 AM
  #44  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
I am not aware of component production in Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Please allow me to formally apologize to those countries for so dearly offending them, if there is a component made in their country that is needed here.
Spinergy wheels are built in Mexico, American owned, and use California made Hadley Racing freehubs. They make their PBO spokes (from Toyobo fibers), but I dunno where the rim or hub bodies are made; could be in-house, but I don’t know.
chaadster is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 08:26 AM
  #45  
Germany_chris
I’m a little Surly
 
Germany_chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,427

Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times in 646 Posts
I try to use as much MUSA stuff as possible but the reality is the Japanese Nitto/MKS/Panracer are the best in the business.
Germany_chris is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 08:42 AM
  #46  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
Originally Posted by celry
Pedals?
Both Straightline and BlackSpire manufacture platform pedals in Canada.
chaadster is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 09:03 AM
  #47  
prj71
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,601
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 1,166 Times in 763 Posts
We live in a global economy. Who TF cares where it's made.
prj71 is offline  
Likes For prj71:
Old 09-08-21, 09:03 AM
  #48  
70sSanO
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,772

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,150 Times in 1,313 Posts
While this doesn't help with the OP's project, the linked thread does highlight that it may have never been possible to build a high end multi-speed derailleur racing bike with parts made in America.

A couple of interesting points in the article state that in 1965 the "Paramount was one of only two racing machines manufactured in America," but a quick look at the build reveals it wasn't close to completely American made parts. I do believe that you could buy a completely American made Varsity. It goes to show that despite the American aerospace and automotive manufacturing heritage, road racing bikes never really had the same prominence as their lower performing siblings.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...mount-p13.html

John

Last edited by 70sSanO; 09-08-21 at 09:06 AM.
70sSanO is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 09:09 AM
  #49  
chaadster
Thread Killer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,373

Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3078 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times in 1,005 Posts
PowerCordz are now defunct, but like Spinergy, used PBO fiber for brake and shift cables. Maybe some could be found NOS; I think it has only been about 5 or 6 years now…
chaadster is offline  
Old 09-08-21, 09:32 AM
  #50  
base2 
I am potato.
 
base2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 3,073

Bikes: Only precision built, custom high performance elitist machines of the highest caliber. 🍆

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1764 Post(s)
Liked 1,578 Times in 910 Posts
Fwiw: An American made frame from an American boutique frame builder leaves very few options for American tubes with which to build the frame from.

Vari-Wall Therm-LX tubing is made in a foundry in Ohio. On par with Reynolds 853 IIRC.

If you are looking for carbon rims, We Are One Composites makes their rims in Kamloops B.C. So there is a non-ENVE North American option that is 50% cheaper than the MUSA, if that is important. At $450 the We Are One's are only 3½ the price of aluminum Velocity rims. As a side note: Velocity recently consolidated both US operations to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

WoundUp forks are made in Utah. When they contract build forks for other companies they attach a label that says "Advanced Composites." You've probably seen their forks. Once you know what they look like you'll see 'em everywhere...carbon legs, aluminium 1⅛ straight steerer or steel threaded, ~$80-$150 or so, depending. Great budget carbon forks, actually.

Last edited by base2; 09-08-21 at 09:39 AM.
base2 is offline  
Likes For base2:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.