History for the Cyclist

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FZJFillmore said:
I heard Klein's quality went in the s***ter when they were purchased by Trek. That's too bad, they're nice bikes.
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I have a Chehalis, Washington made Klein Attitude I bought back in 1991. The bike is great, but they have gone way down since Klein sold out to "Drek". The same thing with Bontrager, but he still builds the odd rare custom here and there. His main line Drek built stuff is in the tank though.
 
How about some interesting statistics on the bike industry.

90% of all bicycles sold in the United States are sold at mass retailers, ie. WalMart, Target, Sams...
These bikes have an MSRP between $129.99 and $199.99

The IBD (Independent Bicycle Dealer) accounts for less that 10% of total sales. Entry level Cannondale for 2007, $549.99. Yes Made in the USA.

This means all the bikes mentioned in this thread are in the minority

Since I am in the bike business and have been all my life, this sounds crazy to me. The volume of bike sales I do every year is next to nothing in the big picture.

B>
 
light_duty said:
I was going to ask if Yeti was still in business. Good to hear that's the case. What about Ibis? Are they still around? I always wanted an Ibis Mountain Trials back in the day - 24" rear wheel.

And aren't the coolest bikes ever still made in North America: Moots? I've wanted a Moots YBB for years. Not sure when I'll ever be able to afford one.
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Sadly I think Ibis is gone. I wanted their bikes bad. I missed my chance.
 
I remember reading a bike magazine - prolly in the early 90s - they did a review of walmart and toys r us level bikes - and tested them as they would all their other mtn bikes. It was hilarious. parts all over the place and bikes broken. I tried to save that isse, but I lost it somewhere along the line. It was a fantastic idea and a good execution of the idea. One of the bikes had a plastic or carboard "disc" mounted to the spokes of the wheel - to make it look like an all carbon disc wheel or something. They had fun with the story. I wish I could give a reference. Sorry.
 
sk8salomon said:
Today I think that Trek in Wisconsin is the only USA manufacturer .
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Au contraire pierre!

Most of my bikes were made in the USA. Ibis, Phil Wood, Titus, Gunnar, older Specialized, old Schwinn cruiser, etc. Once I don't own, but have or would: Ventana, Soulcraft, Sycip, Niner, Independent Fabrications, Seven, Moots, Litespeed, Surly, Spot, Maverick, Santa Cruz, Rock Lobster.

The Handmade Bicycle Show was last weekend in San Jose. I'm not sure but I think it was all American.

http://gallery.mtbr.com/showgallery.php/cat/981

Bicycles are like beer. You can drink Bud, or you can search out a Stone or a Speakeasy.
 
Ibis was resurrected from the grave by the founder a few years ago. I think most of their offerings now are carbon based. I will say that the ibis bow-ti was a nice looking frame, I am not sure if any are still around
 
re_guderian said:
The funny thing is that in the late 80's/early 90's you were hard pressed to find a mountain bike that cost over $1000 in a bike store...
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Late 80's I can agree with somewhat. Early 90's though no. There were alot of hand and high end mtb's by then.

It's funny to look back just on mt bikes. Japan used to be the place where all the low end bike were made.. then taiwan, now china. At first Japanese bikes were considered junk (just like shimano) and for the most part they were. As things evolved they became very nice, same to a degree with taiwan. The chinese stuff if really junk right now...

I'll keep my american hand made frames though:popcorn: :beer:
 
Maybe not a mountain bike, but road bikes were awfully expensive back then. That said, I would, and who wouldn't, take a de rosa, 3rensho or even a park pre or trek of that vintage over a new 400.00 road bike, but then again I still use downtube shifters.
 
I had a cool ol' Red Line in the early 80's The cool thing was the rear was square tube.

I today have a Trek Y-5 that has upgraded fox shocks, brakes, springs and a few other ods and ends. She is about 9 years old and still rocking.
 
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