Proudly made in USA

Zef · Zef's Garage

I just replaced my triathlon running gear..and looking hard to find a shoe made on our side of the creek...Not easy, but I found...The New Balance MR 1123...It's incredible that we have to search hard to find things made here...Logic say that the contrary should exist...I'm looking to replace my bike this year for the incoming tri season....And will buy one made here....we all should do this...

http://www.newbalance.com/running/footwear/MR1123/

The one I'm looking at...

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

John Cherry makes awesome titanium bikes. back in college, i used to hang out in his bike shop when i rode observed trials.

for anybody interested in a great, American-made bike, here's his site:

http://cherry.dcwi.com/Welcome1.html

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

My AZUSA was made in the USA, one of 25

I also have a AZUSA cruiser, one of 20

Buckterrier · 03-07-2009, 02:55 PM

Hey Zef, just signed up for my first triathlon. Any pointers on gear? I ran a half marathon a few years ago but this gig will be new. But sounds fun. I ran in NB for about 10 years. Switched to Nikis when I couldn't find a pair of NB I liked after the 'new model changeover'.

john walker's workshop · 03-07-2009, 02:58 PM

i just bought new work shoes and insisted that they were made in USA. no more of that furrin crap.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Hey Zef, just signed up for my first triathlon. Any pointers on gear? I ran a half marathon a few years ago but this gig will be new. But sounds fun. I ran in NB for about 10 years. Switched to Nikis when I couldn't find a pair of NB I liked after the 'new model changeover'.

Here in Canada, we need a wetsuit when we start the season, my first one is on June 6, ( http://www.triathlonmonttremblant.com/fra/accueil.html ) barely seven weeks after the ice is gone on the lakes...You will probably need one as you're located not too far from me...I prefer the ones with half leg and free shoulder so it permit free movements in the water. For the running portion, I think you're already an expert at it....

All you wanna know here:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/

http://triathlon.competitor.com/search.html?ffs=1&searchword=home

http://www.cptips.com/

Buckterrier · 03-07-2009, 04:28 PM

Thanks for the links Zef. I'll certainly check them out. I have a 'farmerjohn' suit. From what I understand people prefer them around here as in the summer there are quite a few jellyfish in the waters and the full legs help protect you from them.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Holly....I'm happy we don't have this things (jellyfish) up here...All we have is the frighen cold water.....

nikita76 · 03-07-2009, 05:04 PM

Nice bike! But...if you are going to be doing triathlons you might want to get a tri-specific bike with different geometry. A tri specific bike does 2 things: 1st. puts you in an aerodynamic postion. 2nd. because the seat tube is aggrevated foward, you are using the same muscles on the bike as you will on your run. That way when you come in to transition and go out, you will not experience "jello legs".

Good luck ith your season!

Buckterrier · 03-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikita76

Nice bike! But...if you are going to be doing triathlons you might want to get a tri-specific bike with different geometry. A tri specific bike does 2 things: 1st. puts you in an aerodynamic postion. 2nd. because the seat tube is aggrevated foward, you are using the same muscles on the bike as you will on your run. That way when you come in to transition and go out, you will not experience "jello legs".

Good luck ith your season!

I'm just using a hybrid bike a bought a few years ago. Geez, I never thought about 'jello' legs. I certainly will have them

I don't ride well, lol.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

I'm just using a hybrid bike a bought a few years ago. Geez, I never thought about 'jello' legs. I certainly will have them

I don't ride well, lol.

Listen to nikita76, he knows about bikes and races!!!!!

Laneco · 03-07-2009, 05:59 PM

Of my four bikes, three are USA made. The fourth has so much replaced with US parts and custom powder coating that it may as well be made in the USA.

This is the last bike I bought. Picked this up about two years ago. It's definately a quick bike and the brake are outstanding. 700c with discs. I don't ride this one often as my little partner (my son) has now shot up to 5'11... It's a medium captain, small stoker, so he's getting a bit cramped back there!

And I'm not quite ready for him to captain yet...

p.s. - new balance for me too but be careful not all are US made.

angela

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

the avid mechanical discs are awesome. they don't quite modulate like Maguras, but when I was doing 10 foot drop offs, the idea of rupturing a hydraulic line didn't sound like fun.

love the tandem.

dd74 · 03-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Treks and Cannondale - well, the jury is out as to what exactly is made in the U.S. and what is made in Taiwan. Some say the higher level Treks, like the Madone 5.2s upward are made in the U.S., but who knows. In short, even if it has a "Made in the U.S.A." sticker on it, no one is absolutely sure if Trek or Cannondale is being truthful.

Colnago, on the other hand, is completely open about what frames it sells are made in Taiwan. The CLX downward cover the Taiwanese bikes, and reflects in their prices compared to the company's higher priced Italy-made rigs.

Of course, many are saying Taiwan now produces the best carbon frames in the world. Why? Because they make so many of them; they have a virtual lock down on what makes a perfect carbon frame.

If you want to be guaranteed you buy an American frame, your best bet is to go with a small manufacturer, like Gunnar, Curtlo, Independent Fabrication, Seven, Vanilla, Serotta, Litespeed, etc.

These companies specialize in steel and titanium. Gunnar and Curtlo are moderately priced. Everything else is really high-priced.

Oddly, though, titanium is priced almost the same as steel, where a few years ago, it was at least twice the amount of a steel frame. Ti is just not the "in" material for performance frames these days. Steel and carbon appears to have eclipsed Ti.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Why have carbon and steel eclipsed titanium? Technically what is the advantage of those frames?

dd74 · 03-07-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

Why have carbon and steel eclipsed titanium? Technically what is the advantage of those frames?

Fashion. Honestly.

More technically - the new steel from Columbus, Reynolds and Tru Temper is now stainless (like good silverware), corrosion proof, rigid enough to race on but easy enough to ride all day. It is also as light - and in some cases - lighter than Ti. Some people have built up 15-pound steel bikes.

Carbon is simply cheaper to manufacture.

With bikes, you get what you pay for if you know what you're paying for. You have to do a lot of research on your own before committing to a big high-dollar bicycle purchase.

look 171 · 03-07-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikita76

Nice bike! But...if you are going to be doing triathlons you might want to get a tri-specific bike with different geometry. A tri specific bike does 2 things: 1st. puts you in an aerodynamic postion. 2nd. because the seat tube is aggrevated foward, you are using the same muscles on the bike as you will on your run. That way when you come in to transition and go out, you will not experience "jello legs".

Good luck ith your season!

Is there a difference between a tri bike and a TT bike? A TT bike is made to be not comfy but one can get most aero to gain the best time. I don't know riding a TT bike for 60-100 miles? there's an old saying in bike racing, if you are comfortable on a bike, you will go faster longer.

look 171 · 03-07-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laneco

Of my four bikes, three are USA made. The fourth has so much replaced with US parts and custom powder coating that it may as well be made in the USA.

This is the last bike I bought. Picked this up about two years ago. It's definately a quick bike and the brake are outstanding. 700c with discs. I don't ride this one often as my little partner (my son) has now shot up to 5'11... It's a medium captain, small stoker, so he's getting a bit cramped back there!

And I'm not quite ready for him to captain yet...

p.s. - new balance for me too but be careful not all are US made.

angela

Get one of those seat post that allows the saddle to be position back and raise the saddle for the big guy. Nothing like having the big engine or stroker. Just like our 911s. I hate it when the tandams show for the training ride. They always dish out pain, lots of it, on the flats. They don't stop . they pay for it when it starts rolling or up hill.

look 171 · 03-07-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

Treks and Cannondale - well, the jury is out as to what exactly is made in the U.S. and what is made in Taiwan. Some say the higher level Treks, like the Madone 5.2s upward are made in the U.S., but who knows. In short, even if it has a "Made in the U.S.A." sticker on it, no one is absolutely sure if Trek or Cannondale is being truthful.

Colnago, on the other hand, is completely open about what frames it sells are made in Taiwan. The CLX downward cover the Taiwanese bikes, and reflects in their prices compared to the company's higher priced Italy-made rigs.

Of course, many are saying Taiwan now produces the best carbon frames in the world. Why? Because they make so many of them; they have a virtual lock down on what makes a perfect carbon frame.

If you want to be guaranteed you buy an American frame, your best bet is to go with a small manufacturer, like Gunnar, Curtlo, Independent Fabrication, Seven, Vanilla, Serotta, Litespeed, etc.

Wow, I didn't know Colnago make bikes in Taiwan now. I have been out of the loop. I used to be able to go to the trade show in Vegas and see the latest and greatest and the cheapest. I still think the French make the best carbon frames.

Oddly, though, titanium is priced almost the same as steel, where a few years ago, it was at least twice the amount of a steel frame. Ti is just not the "in" material for performance frames these days. Steel and carbon appears to have eclipsed Ti.

I would buy a Ben Serotta any date of the week, then IF. Is Land Shark still around? He used to build them out of his garage.

nikita76 · 03-08-2009, 04:52 AM

Thanks Byron! How have you been? Call me when you get a chance!

A tri-bike and TT bike work with the same angles and positioning. On some of the more Track specific TT bikes the angles are increased.

You will go faster if you are more comfortable of longer distances but , aerodynamics and efficiency are also factors. If you are more aerodynamic you are exerting less energy being more efficient. Many people get comfortable in this position.