New bicycle factory in Little Rock
10-31-16, 07:16 PM
#1
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New bicycle factory in Little Rock
A new bicycle factory is now producing in Little Rock. I understand they manufacture carbon fiber frames and alloy frames. Sounds exciting to have USA made bikes. Not much more information at this time, but sounds good. I do undertstand they will start taking orders in the next few weeks. I believe one of the owners was heavily involved with Orbea bikes.
10-31-16, 07:22 PM
#2
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HIA Velo Brings Bike Manufacturing Back to U.S. | Little Rock Soiree Magazine
When Guru Cycles in Quebec, Canada filed for bankruptcy, Karklins saw an opportunity to change the stigma. He decided to “go on a full court press” to purchase the factory at auction and relocate it to the U.S., saving big money by scoring used machinery.
When Guru Cycles in Quebec, Canada filed for bankruptcy, Karklins saw an opportunity to change the stigma. He decided to “go on a full court press” to purchase the factory at auction and relocate it to the U.S., saving big money by scoring used machinery.
10-31-16, 08:10 PM
#4
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I have never purchased a bike because it was the cheapest... if the bike is made well and performs people will buy it especially if made in USA...
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11-01-16, 01:31 PM
#6
“'It goes all the way from raw material through to the finished product in this building,” Karklins said. 'That doesn’t happen in America.'"
So they are going to, for example, fashion their own steel and titanium tubes from raw materials at the factory?
So they are going to, for example, fashion their own steel and titanium tubes from raw materials at the factory?
11-01-16, 01:48 PM
#7
Recusant Iconoclast
I've always been a huge fan of Guru. They made great bikes, and was hugely popular in the triathlon world. It was sad when they went bankrupt, but hopefully this "new" version is successful. As an aside, I was also sad went Serotta shuttered its doors.
11-01-16, 07:12 PM
#8
Did not Serotta and Guru suffer from the same mistake? They both went into carbon production and it killed them. I'm not sure if this is accurate for Guru, but it is for Serotta. I hope these guys do it right, and at a sustainable pace.
11-01-16, 07:20 PM
#9
Woman make me faster
HIA Velo Brings Bike Manufacturing Back to U.S. | Little Rock Soiree Magazine
When Guru Cycles in Quebec, Canada filed for bankruptcy, Karklins saw an opportunity to change the stigma. He decided to “go on a full court press” to purchase the factory at auction and relocate it to the U.S., saving big money by scoring used machinery.
When Guru Cycles in Quebec, Canada filed for bankruptcy, Karklins saw an opportunity to change the stigma. He decided to “go on a full court press” to purchase the factory at auction and relocate it to the U.S., saving big money by scoring used machinery.
11-01-16, 07:49 PM
#10
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Jim and Susan Cunningham moved CyclArt to AR to merge with HIA Velo.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
11-02-16, 07:01 AM
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New U.S. bike companies with U.S. based factories are always welcome. 
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I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
11-02-16, 09:00 AM
#12
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Absolutely positively yes. Custom manufacturing, 3-D printing, etc. may accelerate the on-shoring / re-shoring trend which has already begun.
(For what it's worth, even though my road bike frames came from Austria, Italy, and France, my mountain bike has one of the last made-in-USA -- Greenville MS, about 150mi from Little Rock AR -- Schwinn framesets.)
(For what it's worth, even though my road bike frames came from Austria, Italy, and France, my mountain bike has one of the last made-in-USA -- Greenville MS, about 150mi from Little Rock AR -- Schwinn framesets.)
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 11-02-16 at 09:03 AM.
11-02-16, 09:20 AM
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This is really good news.
I would like to have a replacement frame, and U.S.-made appeals to me. If HIA can show me something in 7000 series alloy sport/touring, I'm there. There's something special about riding (and showing) a frame made in U.S.
The website says only "steel, titanium and composite" frames will be built, but maybe they just need a chance to sink their teeth into the market. I wrote and asked if they would build something for me in Easton Ultralight.
I would like to have a replacement frame, and U.S.-made appeals to me. If HIA can show me something in 7000 series alloy sport/touring, I'm there. There's something special about riding (and showing) a frame made in U.S.
The website says only "steel, titanium and composite" frames will be built, but maybe they just need a chance to sink their teeth into the market. I wrote and asked if they would build something for me in Easton Ultralight.
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Last edited by 1989Pre; 11-02-16 at 09:38 AM.
11-02-16, 10:18 AM
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Always good to hear of another U.S.A. made frame builder!
I have two "made in USA" bikes already, both GT's, a Titanium Edge made in Longmont, CO and a Zaskar LE mountain bike made in Santa Ana, CA. Works for me!
I also have a GURU (made in North America - Canada, aye!) so that's close to U.S.A. anyway. At least it has (U.S.A. company) SRAM components.
Rick / OCRR
I have two "made in USA" bikes already, both GT's, a Titanium Edge made in Longmont, CO and a Zaskar LE mountain bike made in Santa Ana, CA. Works for me!
I also have a GURU (made in North America - Canada, aye!) so that's close to U.S.A. anyway. At least it has (U.S.A. company) SRAM components.
Rick / OCRR
11-02-16, 11:03 AM
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11-02-16, 11:11 AM
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Great to have another Made in USA added to the long long list.
I should go visit!
I should go visit!
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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11-02-16, 11:39 AM
#19
Custom ti designed and built by a sole proprietor 12 miles from my house in Philly. Not the cheapest, but it's what I wanted:
11-02-16, 11:48 AM
#20
Uber Goober
I don't think about it- but my Worksman cruiser, my CoMotion tandem, and my Bike Friday were all made in the US of A. 
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11-02-16, 11:52 AM
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I see a price of $3000 on their website for their Founder CF frameset. Velobuild can fix you up with a CF frameset out of China for under $400.
In other news, Chinese taikonauts Jing Haiping and Chen Dong are currently orbiting the earth aboard the Chinese Taingong 2 space station.
In other news, Chinese taikonauts Jing Haiping and Chen Dong are currently orbiting the earth aboard the Chinese Taingong 2 space station.
11-02-16, 12:14 PM
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I've written a couple of long posts in the past explaining the history and legal meaning of 'Made in USA', how that is (not) enforced, how companies play fast and loose with the regulations for marketing advantage and the importance or lack of same of all this in today's global world. I suppose you can only give people information that they want.
I believe that legally those companies could claim only: 'Frame made in USA. Assembled in USA using imported components.' Some companies have recently begun using the term 'Built in' as a synonym for 'Assembled in' to fool the consumer into thinking they mean 'Made in'.
AFAIK, there's only one complete, rideable bicycle that can legally claim 'Made in USA'. The only time I ever posted a link to it on this board I got profanity in the reply!
...made in the US of A.
AFAIK, there's only one complete, rideable bicycle that can legally claim 'Made in USA'. The only time I ever posted a link to it on this board I got profanity in the reply!
Last edited by tcs; 11-02-16 at 12:20 PM.
11-02-16, 12:47 PM
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The good news is that Hia Velo seems to be making a reasonable effort, on their website, to illuminate their manufacturing practices and company history. I can sometimes be fooled, but I'm convinced that they are for real.
I did not see any mention, however, of where they get their raw materials. Did anyone else catch wind of that aspect?
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