Made in the USA, again

[marcelia]

bike builders and other metal fabricators, take heart - among others the lovable eggheads at BCG see a lot of manufacturing starting to come back to the US by 2015 as labor costs rise in China, fuel costs rise, and various other factors. like for example the fact that this is the USA, the goddamn land of the free and the home of the brave and where LeBron lives and all that.

sorry for the link to content you'll have to register for, hopefully you think it's worth the read:

https://www.bcgperspectives.com/cont...gain/#chapter1

[bgcycles]

I'm all for Made in the USA.
The bicycle business would be quite different if it were not for the small innovative US builders. If we we to wait for the Chinese or Taiwanese to invent the Mountain Bike - We would still be waiting.
Support the small US Builders.
I'm announcing that SOPWAMTOS IS BACK!!!
Google it.
Watch my blog in the next 2 days for further announcements about the return of SOPWAMTOS -http://brucegordoncycles.blogspot.com/
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles | Home page

[El Chaba]

I'm all for Made in the USA.
The bicycle business would be quite different if it were not for the small innovative US builders. If we we to wait for the Chinese or Taiwanese to invent the Mountain Bike - We would still be waiting.
Support the small US Builders.
I'm announcing that SOPWAMTOS IS BACK!!!
Google it.
Watch my blog in the next 2 days for further announcements about the return of SOPWAMTOS -http://brucegordoncycles.blogspot.com/
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles | Home page

I want a fez....

[chancerider]

I want a fez....

Don't make me do it without the fez on.....

The Fez - Steely Dan - YouTube

[Too Tall]

Here: SOPWAMTOS posters for sale | Engin Cycles

Is that you Bruce? Dang, I'd heard you was run over by a truck or a moose or something ;)

[bgcycles]

Here: SOPWAMTOS posters for sale | Engin Cycles

Is that you Bruce? Dang, I'd heard you was run over by a truck or a moose or something ;)

I'm Not Dead - Engin Cycles and a few others have appropriated the SOPWAMTOS Name - But, Mark Norstad (of Paragon Machine) and I are the "Benevolent Self-Appointed Co-Dictators for Life", and since both Mark and I are not dead that means that We are still the Co-Dictators.
There will be a website www.sopwamtos.com very shortly (probably before the weekend).
It will have a History of SOPWAMTOS. Also we will have a column of the Best R & D - Rip Off & Duplicate. That was one of the Original Golden Toidy awards from 1994 which was awarded to Specialized.
You can check progress on our Blog at Bruce Gordon Cycles
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles | Home page

[lukasz]

Read this last week and thought about posting it. Now I'm going to post it: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/bu...handles&st=cse

[marcelia]

Read this last week and thought about posting it. Now I'm going to post it: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/bu...handles&st=cse

something like what they suggest in terms of on-shoring would be a major plus for the ol' US of A. maybe this warren buffett cat is onto something.

[bgcycles]

The SOPWAMTOS Web page is up - SOPWAMTOS | American Made Bikes and Parts for the Discering Cyclist
It is growing - so bookmark it and check back often.
We will be at the Pedalfest in Oakland October 22nd - come by and check us out - we will have a fresh batch of SOPWAMTOS t-shirts.
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles | Home page

[suspectdevice]

I used to chop-saw downtubes and rivnut bosses 14 hours a day in highschool and all I got was one sixth of a frikkin toilet seat.

[Too Tall]

[QUOTE=suspectdevice;339205]I used to chop-saw downtubes and rivnut bosses 14 hours a day in highschool and all I got was one sixth of a frikkin toilet seat.


Yeah but you are Mickey and NOBODY but a mad genius does this. Frank makes bank with Spooky intentions ;) :

[gpl916]

I for one, am glad to see that some manufacturing is returning to the USA.I am tired of sending my gas money to terrorsits and bike money to China. I would like my new road bike to be 100% made in the USA. I know that's not possible right now.

The frame, fork, wheels, stem, seat post, rims, bottom bracket and hubs are easy enough, and Mike Z makes chain rings. The problem areas I see are; seat, bars, deraileurs, cranks, tires, pedals and spokes.

If I can't find "made in the USA" I will have to settle for Western Europe or Canada. So, deraileurs, cassette, and cranks will most likely be Campy, seat will be italian as well. My Vittorias were made in Thailand and my Conti's in India, so not sure what to do there. Are Deda bars made in Italy? Any suggestions for US parts in these categories?

Greg

[thollandpe]

Wheelsmith spokes, made in Milwaukee (they even moved the Asahi stuff from Japan):
Welcome to Wheelsmith Fabrications. A Hayes Bicycle Group Brand.

Plenty of Euro tires available, but it can vary model-by-model so you gotta read the labels.

[WayneJ]

I don't mind buying stuff from various parts of the world, but i think its only fair if the source:

Treats their workers well
Complies with US like emissions requirements
Makes a quality item
And isn't a blatent copy of an item currently sold by the OEM

[steve garro]

The frame, fork, wheels, stem, seat post, rims, bottom bracket and hubs are easy enough, and Mike Z makes chain rings. The problem areas I see are; seat, bars, deraileurs, cranks, tires, pedals and spokes.

If I can't find "made in the USA" I will have to settle for Western Europe or Canada. So, deraileurs, cassette, and cranks ? Any suggestions for US parts in these categories?

Greg

DT spokes are made in Grand Junction, Co - I visited the facility - two office dudes, a couple spoke gnomes & quite a few wheelbuilder guys.
Cranks = White industries, Paul.
Arrow racing still actually makes rims in the USA.
USA made flat pedals are no problem.
- Garro.

[roguedog]

Has Bruce been smoked out? Nice to see ya on here Bruce. If you start maybe we'll get more California fb's on here. Start the trend!

[roguedog]

Hmm.. no edit function. Strike last statement since I remembered tim from lighthouse represented CA.

[gpl916]

Thanks for the tips. I will add the Wheelsmith and DT to my list. I was considering Zipp or Enve wheels, but not really into the deep carbon hoops for everyday and not sure if the Zipp AL rims are US made. I will look at the Arrow's.

It would be fairly easy if I wanted an SS. That will be my next cross bike.

WayneJ- I agree with your parameters just want to try to buy our products if possible.

[Rico]

I for one, am glad to see that some manufacturing is returning to the USA.I am tired of sending my gas money to terrorsits and bike money to China. I would like my new road bike to be 100% made in the USA. I know that's not possible right now.

The frame, fork, wheels, stem, seat post, rims, bottom bracket and hubs are easy enough, and Mike Z makes chain rings. The problem areas I see are; seat, bars, deraileurs, cranks, tires, pedals and spokes.

If I can't find "made in the USA" I will have to settle for Western Europe or Canada. So, deraileurs, cassette, and cranks will most likely be Campy, seat will be italian as well. My Vittorias were made in Thailand and my Conti's in India, so not sure what to do there. Are Deda bars made in Italy? Any suggestions for US parts in these categories?

Greg

Most of our oil imports come from Canada and Mexico.

[gpl916]

Most of our oil imports come from Canada and Mexico.

What percentage comes out of the ground in these countries and where does the money ultimately end up? I would assume maybe the companies have Headquarters in these countries but the actual production comes from the middle east?

Enlighten me!