[Dubtastic]

I bought a Cannondale mainly because it had some things I wanted and was made in the US. People rag on me for caring so much about it but I think I have a valid point. I'm a welder, for an American company of course, so doesn't it make sense to support people in the same position as me? I guess to me it matters, but how do you all feel about it?

 

[zahgurim]

Manufacturing origin isn't that important to me. You can get a quality product manufactured virtually anywhere... I worry more about their warranty and specs.

That said, one of my frames was made in the US, one is an American company that had their frames made in Canada, and a couple made in Taiwan.

 

[Bikinfoolferlife]

I try to buy US when I can, but for bike stuff that means my frames and some King stuff, pretty much the rest is made overseas that I can think of with maybe the exception of some of my tools and a few unique components.

The quality of many foreign made items is excellent; something "made in the USA" doesn't mean it's the best. After years of being in the import/export business and watching our exports decline and imports mushroom, I do try and do my bit by buying US made when I can, but it's getting hard...

 

[ncg53]

broke

I would love to be in the position to be able to worry about if a product i am buying is made in USA or not... - Generally products made outside of the US can be had for cheaper.. I love the idea of supporting my own country but being that I am a broke college student makes it very difficult to be worried about that- first thing on most college students list i would say is -price... If I have a choice to buy a product in the USA - and it is compareable price and quality to another product made elsewhere- I would defanitely choose US made.. Also- just because it is US made doesnt mean that its a good product.. just like any other country can make a crap product, so can we... so even if the US made product was the same price- if i have reason to believe the product made elsewhere is better, i will choose it over US made.
Nick

 

[ArmySlowRdr]

ah.. another "encore" topic. i haven't changed my mind since the last iteration. I don't give a whit; just give me the best product at the best price that I want and give it to me NOW.

 

[Tarekith]

Price matters, that's it for me.

 

[brado1]

Nope

i usually go for best value doesn't matter where it's made... that said i do also try to buy from local companies Cane Creek and Endless when they have something i could use.

sure could use a Cane Creek Double Barrel shock for my Id!!!! but who can afford 'em! come on Santa hook me up!

 

[dbsantacruz]

Yes, buying stuff made in the US is very important to me. I am an engineer and we are constantly dealing with the issue of compition from items made in China versus our product being made in the US. When I buy my new frame this spring where the frame is built will be high on my priority list, not because I feel that US made products are supieror just because they are made hear. My thoughts kind of echo Dubtastic, I want to support companies that use as much US labor as possible. If more people are working in the US vs overseas the better our own economy will be.

Dan

 

[JayPee]

I bought a Cannondale mainly because it had some things I wanted and was made in the US. People rag on me for caring so much about it but I think I have a valid point. I'm a welder, for an American company of course, so doesn't it make sense to support people in the same position as me? I guess to me it matters, but how do you all feel about it?

I buy locally whenever possible, American whenever possible. I see nothing wrong in paying more for these products. My actions keeps American dollars in America, helping offset the trade dificit, (yes, I'm oversimplifying) and also helps the environment as resources aren't wasted shipping foreign products here. Granted, it's a drop in the bucket, but my conscience is fairly clear.

As an aside, I'm a huge fan of farmers markets. There's nothing like buying your food from the person who grew or raised it.

 

[brianthebiker]

I bought a Cannondale mainly because it had some things I wanted and was made in the US. People rag on me for caring so much about it but I think I have a valid point. I'm a welder, for an American company of course, so doesn't it make sense to support people in the same position as me? I guess to me it matters, but how do you all feel about it?

I buy American whenever I can.....my 2004 Trek 1500 was made in the USA. FOr 2005 though, they are making the frames overseas:-(

I bought a new GF Marlin this year, and the frame has a sticker which says "Designed in the USA".....I know it was made overseas, but I didn't have a whole lot to spend this year, so I went with the Marlin. I think only the bikes $1200 and up are make in the USA from Gary Fisher now.

 

[galleywench]

Don't shoot the messenger

It's time to wake up to the global economy and realize that for most consumers and companies in the US, it's all about cost. If a company can produce a product of near or equal quality in China or Taiwan for a fraction of the price that it can be produced and sold in the US, then they probably will. As long as the cost of doing business in the US (high wages, healthcare, unions, etc...) remains higher than in other competing countries, we can't survive without government intervention (subsidies) for a product of near or equal quality.

The botique builders may be able to carve out a small niche by catering to those who are only concerned about perceived USA quality, not cost (probably a fair number of people on this forum), but they certainly won't be able to cater to a broader market base. For the vast majority of bike buyers, it is all about keeping costs down and it remains to be seen whether or not the botique brands have a large enough base market to sustain themselves without finding ways to lower costs.

The US market has gotten away with a higher cost of doing business for many years because of various trade barriers (unions, trade treaties, logistics, poor communication, etc...), but these barriers are rapidly being torn down to make way for a global economy. The good news is that the cost of doing business overseas will eventually go up (I am seeing it in the software industry already), making it less attractive to ship manufacturing offshore, but that will take some time and I think our manufacturing base (not just bikes) is going to be in for a world of hurt while we wait it out.

As for me, I have 2 made in the USA Cannondales and I don't mind paying more for something if it is within reason and for a good cause, but this problem is reminicent of buying parts from your LBS or off the internet.

Just my $00.02

 

[brianthebiker]

It's time to wake up to the global economy and realize that for most consumers and companies in the US, it's all about cost. If a company can produce a product of near or equal quality in China or Taiwan for a fraction of the price that it can be produced and sold in the US, then they probably will. As long as the cost of doing business in the US (high wages, healthcare, unions, etc...) remains higher than in other competing countries, we can't survive without government intervention (subsidies) for a product of near or equal quality.

The botique builders may be able to carve out a small niche by catering to those who are only concerned about perceived USA quality, not cost (probably a fair number of people on this forum), but they certainly won't be able to cater to a broader market base. For the vast majority of bike buyers, it is all about keeping costs down and it remains to be seen whether or not the botique brands have a large enough base market to sustain themselves without finding ways to lower costs.

The US market has gotten away with a higher cost of doing business for many years because of various trade barriers (unions, trade treaties, logistics, poor communication, etc...), but these barriers are rapidly being torn down to make way for a global economy. The good news is that the cost of doing business overseas will eventually go up (I am seeing it in the software industry already), making it less attractive to ship manufacturing offshore, but that will take some time and I think our manufacturing base (not just bikes) is going to be in for a world of hurt while we wait it out.

As for me, I have 2 made in the USA Cannondales and I don't mind paying more for something if it is within reason and for a good cause, but this problem is reminicent of buying parts from your LBS or off the internet.

Just my $00.02

It's all a global economy yada yada yada.....same ole rhetoric. While this may be true, it is also true that the next job gone because of offshoring may be that of one of your neighbors. Not sure if this will matter to "global economy" people until it is THEIR job being axed.

I won't even get into the unfair competition(lax labor and environemtn laws etc) which MUST be a part of the equation, but which MOST here are ignoring completely.

 

[Evel Knievel]

As a part of National Pride I will buy American when ever possible . That goes for clothing , cars ,packaged food , golf clubs ect......

Bike components made in the US on my rig. Frame , brakes , rear hub , full SRAM drivetrain (chain , cog , shifters , derailiers) , wheels , bars , grips , seatpost , headlight , shock , chain guide , pedals .

 

[galleywench]

It's all a global economy yada yada yada.....same ole rhetoric. While this may be true, it is also true that the next job gone because of offshoring may be that of one of your neighbors. Not sure if this will matter to "global economy" people until it is THEIR job being axed.

I won't even get into the unfair competition(lax labor and environemtn laws etc) which MUST be a part of the equation, but which MOST here are ignoring completely.

Don't get me wrong, I am not promoting it and I know it sux, but it is happening... Everywhere.
I would love to hear a realistic solution that doesn't involve losing my or my neighbor's job. Unfair competition laws are an option and will ultimately help, but when imposed by us, they only amount to a subsidy and will weaken our position. Ultimately, the prices will level out but only after workers in the offshore countries organize labor and lobby for better conditions.

 

[SuperNewb]

Being Canadian I dont care much for where its made as long as the frame is properly aligned and has good welds. If you can buy a frame thats just as good that was made elsewhere and for cheaper then why not? I seen some "made in the USA frames" and the welds on them were just as bad as any cheaply made in Taiwan frame.

 

[brianthebiker]

Being Canadian I dont care much for where its made as long as the frame is properly aligned and has good welds. If you can buy a frame thats just as good that was made elsewhere and for cheaper then why not? I seen some "made in the USA frames" and the welds on them were just as bad as any cheaply made in Taiwan frame.

Names please. I would be curious to hear which company has bad welds.

 

[applegreenheckler]

I try to buy things from countries that offer fair market wages such as the US, Canada,Japan and the EU. Of the rest of the asian markets Taiwan does pay workers way more than countries like China and Vietnam but is still lower than other parts of the world.

 

[Dubtastic]

Wow, tons of replies, keep it up! I agree that products made overseas can have equal quality. I just want to support people that are in the same position as me, working for an American company and trying to make a living. I figure the same people I'm keeping in a job by buying from there company may keep me in a job by buying from the company I work for.

 

[Kary]

Always try but it is getting harder

I have always tried to buy stuff made in the USA. Each year it seems to get harder. I also look at the quality of what I buy. My Bontrager TiLite and Trek 8700 are both made in the USA and are both quality products. At least with bikes you can still find some made in the USA. It is impossible in electronics right now.
I am an engineer and am concerned that we are losing all our manufacturing capacity.

 

[Boognish]

It used to mean something to me, and I was willing to pay quite a bit more for a US built bike because I like supporting the local craftsmen and I thought I was getting a better product. However, after my "made in the USA" Ellsworth Truth snapped in less than three years, and their was no warranty, I've changed my ideals. I am currently very happy with my made in Taiwan rig, and my made in Japan car.