Who are the most Ethical Manufacturers?

[realSaint]

I'm looking at buying a new bike this year, and have been doing a fair amount of research on the bikes themselves. I find, however, that there is not a lot of information on the companies. Does anyone have opinions on the more ethical companies (or, at least as viewed through my own moral lense).

Namely:

1) Canada or US production WITH good working conditions.
2) Investment in IMBA or any pro-biking organizations. Community involvement.
3) Other Initiatives (sponsoring urban kids, stuff like that)
4) Cool reps that actually like to ride.
5) Customer Service (or lack thereof)
6) Not owned by massive companies, or part of some conglomerate of other bike companies.

Thanks.

[markie]

It pains me to say it as I find there bikes kinda dull, but if the bike costs more than $1000 the frame is probably made in WI....

TREK

good customer service

My buddy tells me it is a great plae to work.

[myron]

Would you believe the best I ever found is a small(but growing) online company? It's true (http://www.psyclestore.com/)

[real_ss_budgie]

Namely:

1) Canada or US production WITH good working conditions.
2) Investment in IMBA or any pro-biking organizations. Community involvement.
3) Other Initiatives (sponsoring urban kids, stuff like that)
4) Cool reps that actually like to ride.
5) Customer Service (or lack thereof)
6) Not owned by massive companies, or part of some conglomerate of other bike companies.

Thanks.

1] his kids vouch for the working conditions
2] just squizz at the upper right hand side of this page
3] semi-sponsors me
4] tepid rep that rides
5] with a twist of lemon
6] not yet but if you dont buy of him im sure he
'll sellout to the highest bidder..scum!

[subgeez]

Well, like everything these days, design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and service are global with all the big companies. There is no such thing as an American car. Bike frames, well, that's different, but once you add components, it's global. So, I go by service. I've been riding a FS Stumpjumper for years, and I'm on the 3rd frame, all life-time warrantied by Specialized. I love the 4-bar suspension. As a trailbuilder, I get a nice discount from my local shop, so the ethical behavior is reciprical. What goes around comes around pretty fast. Working conditions in Taiwanese bike frame shops? I have no idea -- but am ready to learn. Somebody out there wanna educate us?

[markie]

Well nothing Specialized ever sold has ever been made in America.

Are the Misfit frames made in Taiwan?



I guess another made in America frame is Cannondale.

[myron]

Are the Misfit frames made in Taiwan?


.

Who cares,Canadian kids have to stay up late on school nights to assemble them. I order all my spokes there for that very reason. Colored lights can't hypnotize,go sparkle someone elses eyes.

[mimbresman]

There are dozens of small frame builders in North America. I am sure most are passionate about what they do and stand behind their product. I am familiar with Coconino cycles in Flagstaff, AZ. Somewhere on Steve's website (http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/)or blogsite (http://coconinocycles.blogspot.com/)you can read an account of 3 guys riding the AZ trail from UT to Mexico. Only the Coconino bike completed the ride without failure. The two other bikes had to be rewelded somewhere along the route.
You can't get more ethical or committed to cycling than a guy who's never driven a car, yet has travelled more places by bike than most of us just dream about...

[markie]

Yeah, if you really want ethical, why not check some of the names found here:

http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/


Mostly I doubt there is any difference between an American mass produced frame and a Taiwanese job, but that was not the question.....


Do they still make Rocky Mountains in Canada.

If you like bouncy, Santa Cruz, titus, ventana and ellsworth still make frames in North America, don't they?

[rockyrider]

They still make some Rocky frames in Canada, the suspension frames are made here, there's still some possibility that some of the high end hardtails are made in Canada, or at least they were at the very beginning of the 2007 model year, and the rest are made in Taiwan. The ones that are handmade up here have a thumbprint decal on the frame.

[realSaint]

Yeah, Rocky is still made in Canada but are owned by Pro Cycle, and I don't know if that is good or bad. They're (Pro Cycle) a pretty big outfit.

Having said that I'm riding an older Hammer now (and love the bike and have no intention of getting rid of it), and like the fact that they're still hand-welding them in Canada. I know it might be a bit of a 'give and take' in terms of, well, not everyone is perfect.

If Misfit has his kids working- hey, that's cool. Spent my kid years working for the old man... and wouldn't have it any other way. Builds character. However, I don't know if I've got the lungs for SS. Could always work towards that, though...

As for FS... ( and the relentless FS versus HT debate).... Well- my back doesn't hurt (from the HT) yet, and I sort of like fact that riding a hardtail limits the speed with which I can rip downhill.

Which limits the speed at which I (invariably) lose control.

Which limits the speed with which I hit trees (which would otherwise limit the number of years I get to spend on this planet)...

Thanks for the replies, guys...

[Cyclenaut]

I suppose anything I say on this thread is going to be looked at as coming from someone who's consumed the Kool-Aid, but I'm going to say it anyway.

As a Trek employee, I can say that as a company it meets all of your criteria.

-Trek manufactures more bikes in the US than all other bike companies combined.
-Employees who purchase anything from the company are required to make a BikesBelong contribution as well. Trek participates in numerous other philanthropic pursuits, both locally and nationally, and even internationally through regional offices and subsidiaries.
-Trips for Kids (via the Gary Fisher side of the company)
-The sales reps I work with are genuinely nice people (there are a few exceptions, guys who are just a bit too 'salesy' for my liking). They all love to ride everything from DH to fixie.
-13 full time people are employed by Trek to do nothing but answer consumer phone calls and emails, live and in real time. None of this branching logic, 'press 1 for blah blah' crap.
-Trek is still a family owned company that is privately held and not traded on any stock exchange.

People think the bikes are dull because it's a big company. Don't get me wrong, I still consider myself to be a niche bike person as well, and I refuse to give up my roots in that respect. But the quality of the manufacturing, and the testing lab is really second to none in my unbiased opinion. I've seen a lot of carbon bikes cut in half, and believe me when I say that even the nicest Colnago out there looks pretty bad when you see beyond the fancy paint job.

Cannondale doesn't make much here. They assemble bikes here.

Specialized doesn't make anything in the States. I've been through their offices a couple of times (prior to my Trek days). They do have an in-house testing lab, and their products are engineered in CA for the most part. Specialized is cool right now because they have fantastic advertisements and their bikes look good on the outside. I would not say that they have a superior product.

I'm a firm believer in small framebuilders. I think framebuilders are the heart and soul of the cycling industry, and many of my good friends are part of this category. I've seen both sides of the industry now, as an employee of a large company and as a psuedo-journalist. Trek may not be the 'bike du jour', but the bikes work, they ride well, they are easy to service, and the people who head up the company love to ride and want to produce products to help people enjoy the sport.

Say what you will about it being a big company, but it's hard to dismiss the good things about it.

[realSaint]

I've always admired Trek, because I've admired Lance and he rides one. Interesting points.

Hmmmm.

As for a bike being 'dull or cool' - we all know that it depends on the rider. I'd rather a dull bike made in NA then the jazziest thing since jazz that are 'business/customer relations/labour relations/ s**theads'. Come to think of it- one of the guys I ride with (probably more than anyone) has a battleship-gray Trek, he has a Ron-Jeremy mustache and wears full-length spandex pants. He even has a fanny pack(!!!???). And, he doesn't do this to be intentionally cool or counter-culture or anything. I think he just sees this stuff, and it's on sale or something, and he thinks:

"Yeah, sweet."

He's also one of the coolest people I've ever met. Everyone loves riding with him because he is so fun.

We've all met some really un-cool people on some really sweet rigs, too.

Hmmmm. And the fact that they make them in Wisconsin... cool.

[danheckler]

I'm pretty sure all Cannondales are made in PA. I toured their factory a few years back and witnessed the central PA rednecks welding rear triangles. Let me tell ya, the people buildin' them, aren't ridin' 'em. The R&D guys all ride. They get to break stuff, a lot of it stuff made by other manufacturers to see how their own product stands up to comparison. Maybe the actual tubing is from elsewhere but I believe the frames are all still made in the US. Didn't Browne or someone from DR just tour Cannondale recently?

[Cyclenaut]

Ah, I stand corrected then. Thanks Dan.

Testing products made by others is pretty standard procedure among the larger bike companies.

[rockhound]

Gunnars and Waterfords are made in the same place that Paramounts used to be made in...in Wisconsin. Oh, and the company is owned by Richard Schwinn.

[Spalls]

I have to throw in my two cents worth for those who are not yet in a position to spend big on a custom frame (although I am counting the days...)

I ride two Novara bikes, REI's house brand. You won't get a cutting edge bike from REI, but you will get a decent bike at a decent price. I have nothing but praise for the shop folks I have dealt with. The one time I had a serious problem it was dealt with quickly and professionally to my satisfaction. The local sales, service, and management staff help with out with our local Bikes for Tykes organization (donating time and tools) as well as with Rides for Kids. My local head mechanic rides to work daily, and the master mechanic in the Atlanta store (happens to be my cousin) has been a bike nut since the '60s.

We have two Trek 4300s and an STP 400 at our house. I have no idea how Trek is about handling problems because we have had absolutely none with these bikes. While I like to think that taking good care of them has something to do with that, three teenagers have ridden the 4300s and they still haven't broken anything. I think they make a good product.

[kennbenny667]

I always liked Matt Chester's reasoning for using Ti. Too bad it seems to have messed up his health. I hear he's no longer accepting orders??

As far as ethical, one person's definition of ethics will differ from the other's, and so forth and so on.

Companies I'm stoked on inlcude IF, Seven, Burley, Quality Bicycle Products(kinda sorta a mfg?), FBM, etc...

My frame was made in Taiwan, it kicks ass, fits me, cost me less than 300 bucks(used), and can easily be repaired by most any welder here in the states...

Remeber, they used to assemble Huffys in the US.

[rockhound]

Remeber, they used to assemble Huffys in the US.

Yep, my best friend's dad was an engineer at one of the factories.

[sharpshooter]

I think the higher end Santa Cruz bikes are still handmade in California but if you might be on a budget I have been really impressed with giant as there bikes have a great value and the frame is warranteed for life! So I am down with that

[catskillclimber]

I love my new Fuel and my old Trek hardtail has been through more crashes than you could imagine and is still going strong. Everytime I have had a question or concern they have responded to my emails with good advice within minutes. Oh but I forgot, they're not coooooool. My buddy broke a six year old trek hardtail frame and they replaced it with the next model up.

[mimbresman]

Seriously...The Trek 520 still sets the standard for touring rigs. How cool is that?

[Nash]

Seriously...The Trek 520 still sets the standard for touring rigs. How cool is that?

It seems to me.....Trek is today what Schwinn was back in the day.

[nogearshere]

Are the Misfit frames made in Taiwan?
Yes they are.
They will always be designed and finished in Canada but alas, they will (likely) never be welded in North America...that kicks us off the top of the working-class affordability scale...that is until the volume increases and i get the golden handshake from worldbikesuperpower company (handshake not shower, ya freak budgie).

Like others have said don't shy away from the biggies, they aren't all evil. Many give back more money to 'the community' then I (or other small companies) will ever make...their quality will be solid as will customer service...lets face it you dont grow that big by producing crap and treating people like dirt.

In the end, I wish more people put the kind of thought you are into your purchase.
Good luck.