Recently, I was listening to our local talk-radio station and the host, Russ Johnson, had commented on the difficulty in being able to find products that are still made in the USA. This is true for the most part; companies that produced TVs, hand-tools, and many other items that used to be manufactured in the USA have moved overseas (or disappeared).
Without getting into the politics regarding the decline of our nation’s manufacturing power, I called Russ at KVOR and informed him that we still have one thriving home-grown industry that makes a very useful product….Bicycles!
The handmade-bike cottage industry is growing by leaps & bounds. Some of the larger US-based bike companies outsource their frame-building to US-based, small outfits & individual welders rather than outsource overseas. Other bike-manufacturers do indeed farm work out to Asian bike factories, but keep the assembly for their high-end product lines here in the States.
Some people may argue that bicycles are not completely made in the USA, as the bulk of the components fitted to bikes are made overseas. While this is true, there are still more than a few component makers based Stateside. Though it might take a bit of added effort (and cash outlay), it is completely possible to own a bicycle which is entirely built with parts made here.
While there are many who will argue that the low-cost and rising quality of foriegn-made bicycles & components makes them attractive; the reliability & superior quality of US-made bikes & parts easily offsets the money saved by buying foriegn. Not only that, but many of the US-based bicycle & component manufacturers use eco-friendly processes & materials. These companies provide much-needed jobs in an economy which sorely needs every boost it can get; and the majority will stand behind their product 100%. I have never had a poor experience in customer-service from any of our American bicycle firms, and there are plenty of other riders who would attest to that finding.
I will not insist that anyone buy solely US-made bikes & parts, as cost is a large concern for any rider looking to buy a new bike (or drivetrain/brakes/etc). Due to the stress added to home-grown industry by our government (and other nation’s import fees), increasing costs of raw materials & transportation, American-made bikes & parts are more expensive than comparable bikes & parts made overseas. If that places a US-made bike out of the budgetary allowance for a particular rider, it does not necessarily mean that a great compromise is being made in buying foriegn.
But if a rider is pinching pennies simply for the sake of spending money, I encourage them to reconsider. Investing in an American-produced bicycle is an investment in our Nation’s economy, and buying domestic often means helping the enviroment by proxy. And in the unlikely event that said domestic bicycle or component should fail; getting an English-speaking employee on the line who is familiar with their product, and represents a company who is committed to making the best product possible is highly refreshing (and reassuring).
