Help Stupid Australian Find US made bike

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G'day Guys,

Thanks for the responses.

About $2000 US (This equates to about 11 million $AUD:crybaby:). I will probably run two set of wheels - a communiting set and an off-road set. Definately, suspension fork - the jury is still out on full suspension. I recknon I will probably go hard tail.

Ta,

Ben
 
Pauciflora said:
G'day Guys,

Thanks for the responses.

About $2000 US (This equates to about 11 million $AUD:crybaby:). I will probably run two set of wheels - a communiting set and an off-road set. Definately, suspension fork - the jury is still out on full suspension. I recknon I will probably go hard tail.

Ta,

Ben
Click to expand...

with a $2k budget you could get two bikes. One dedicated to commuting and the other to MTB.
 
G'day Ozcal,

Is it naive to think that I could simply contact a distributor in the states and ask them to give me a price on shipping to Australia?

I thought you might be interested in why I want a bike made in the US? The answer is simple.....I have always found that stuff made is the states is usually really, really well made - you make stuff good.

I want a bike that is made by some crazy dude in a small factory in California who eats and sleeps MTB's. The sort of bike that is made by a guy who has bike sprocket tattoo on his neck.

Cheers,

Ben
 
Pauciflora said:
G'day Ozcal,

Is it naive to think that I could simply contact a distributor in the states and ask them to give me a price on shipping to Australia?

I thought you might be interested in why I want a bike made in the US? The answer is simple.....I have always found that stuff made is the states is usually really, really well made - you make stuff good.

I want a bike that is made by some crazy dude in a small factory in California who eats and sleeps MTB's. The sort of bike that is made by a guy who has bike sprocket tattoo on his neck.

Cheers,

Ben
Click to expand...

Maybe I know him!

But no, a builder like you describe would likely ship. It's the larger retailers that sometimes don't want to bother.
 
MTB bikes made US are mostly top-of-the-line expensive models and that's the frame only, many of components are often made outside of US. New US made suspended frame may cost you more than 2 grands alone:eek:

I think it depends on your taste and if you're willing to shop around to save some bucks. All my mtb frames are US made:bounce:

Having said that, many foreigned made frames is are as good or in some case even better than the US ones. I read an article many years ago comparing the welds/finish from an US made GT Zaskar and a Taiwan made GT Zaskar, the welds from the taiwanese were better :meh:
 
wesintl said:
right on.. Personally I like the boston bike builder lineage . Seven, IF, etc.
Click to expand...

AN IF and a seven are going to be hard to get for 2k....but a damn fine piece of art.

Loved my Intense Tracer...that thing took a beating and Intense was great to work with.

Moved to a Foes but it would tough to find for 2k.

Santa Cruz makes several nice rides and can be found online for some steals now and again.

What are you going to ride? A mix..stay hard tail and think about 29ers IMO. Fast just about everywhere.
 
For 2k US$ stick with a hardtail. Especially if you may also use it for commuting. Are there not any titanium frame builders in Australia? If not, I would look into importing a ti frame from moots, lynsky, blacksheep, litespeed, etc. These are pricey but will last a lifetime.

Wouldn't want to commute on one of these unless I could bring it inside, but they are certainly high quality. It would also be cheaper and probably easier to get a frame shipped than a complete bike and all the other stuff would be available in down there.
 
Pauciflora said:
G'day Guys,

I'm thinking about dropping some hard earned coin on a new MTB. The thing is I want to buy a bike that is made in the US.

Any suggestions and pics would be warmly received.

Thanks

Ben
Click to expand...

Last time I went into a good bike shop they had a selection of US frames and you just told them what wheels and gears you wanted
 
Thanks guys

Thanks Guys,

I have my research cut out for me. My best mate in town comes from Abbotsford BC. I'm looking forward to heading over for a holiday at some stage in the next 12 months and might have to buy a bike when I'm there.

Cheers,

Ben.

P.S. I also have a theory that per head Canada houses the world's largest supply of beautiful women.
 
I was just talking to the local bike shop owner. He said that even Cannondale is now having a lot of their bikes made in asia. They made/make some great MTB stuff.
 
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a few options on USA custom builders

Pauciflora said:
G'day Guys,

I'm thinking about dropping some hard earned coin on a new MTB. The thing is I want to buy a bike that is made in the US.

Any suggestions and pics would be warmly received.

Thanks

Ben
Click to expand...

Ben, check out the site coconinocycles.com based in Flagstaff Arizona. Steve build super sweet custom frames out of steel,,,,,,,,,,other cool builders to consider; Hunter Cycles, Rock Lobster, Sendero, Dekerf, Inglis/Retrotec, and Sycip just to name a few,,,,,,,,,,:cheers:
 
Ben,
If you are going to BC, you'll encounter some of the best bike shops in the world and some of the most aggressive riders. BC is after all home to the freeride movement. If you are there in the summer, be sure to ride Whistler!

But if you cant wait, I highly recommend contacting Cambria Bikes (Cambria Bicycle Outfitter - We Outfit the world in bicycles, bicycle parts, frame, fork, wheel, build kit, shoes, accessories and more). These guys are pretty core and have relationships with just about every builder out there, from mass production to boutique. Talk to Aaron, Im certain he will hook you up and be able to ship to you. +1 805-543-1148 (or +1 888-937-4331)

IMHO, if you are after a top of the line bike, made by someone who eats/sleeps/breathes bikes, look no further than Santa Cruz. I have one of their Bullit frames form '01. I am a very abusive rider and have many thousands of miles on that bike, in all kinds of terrain from So Cal to BC. BTW, the main wheel guy at Cambria built up my hoops and I have never even had to have them trued. And like I said, Im an abusive rider at over 200 lbs.

But if I were to be completely honest, I would tell you to be prepared to spend a little more than 2k, especially if you are planning to include shipping in that.

Good luck

Jaxon
 
If I could afford it (my landcruiser takes all my money now!), a hand-built frame by Chris Dekerf is the holy grail of mtn bikes IMHO.

Dekerf Cycle Innovations

When you come to Abbotsford, Vancouver is only an hour's drive away. (I live in Abbotsford myself actually).

I also agree with jaxonm, Santa Cruz are fabulous. Lifecycles bike shop in Abbotsford is a Santa Cruz dealer. Talk to Harv (the owner), is a good guy along with the rest of his staff.

If you're into something a little different, Surly bikes are definitely worth a look. Manufactured in the US (I think). And they have a dealer in Vancouver, too.

SURLYVILLE

Careful about riding Whistler and other BC trails, you may never want to go home!

Good luck!
 
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