Finding a bicycle frame made in America is actually pretty easy. Though most of the big names have sent production overseas, there always seems to be a new hand built frame maker popping up. The same used to hold true for component manufacturers, but it is much harder to find companies that still make their products in the U.S.A. Chris King, Paul Components and Wheels Manufacturing are just a few of the companies that remain, but there are even fewer who still make chainrings. Vuelta USA of Pacoima, California is one of probably less than five companies that still manufacture chainrings in America and may be the only one that offers such an extension selection of sizes.
Vuelta has been in the bicycle component business since 1991, and though most of their products are produced overseas, their chainrings are still made in America. Their competitively price chainrings are available in just about every bolt circle diameter (BCD) used by crankset manufacturers in the last 25 years and in multiple teeth counts. Most are also available in black or silver to match your existing chainrings that are being replaced.
There are two distinctive chainring lines that Vuelta sells – the SE Plus and the SE Flat:
– SE Plus chainrings are CNC machined from 7075-series aircraft aluminum and are ramped and pinned for indexed drivetrains up to nine speeds.
– SE Flat chainrings are CNC machined from 6061-series aircraft aluminum and designed for most classic road bikes and earlier model mountain bikes that don’t use indexed shifting.
For track bike or fixie riders out there (those who use cranks with a 144mm BCD), Vuelta has a small bonus you. The SE Flat, 5-arm rings that they produce are not only available in black and silver, but also blue and red. Hopefully closely matching your Ray-Bans so that you are properly color coordinated.
Available in the following Bolt Circle Diameters (BCD):
SE Plus 4-Arm (Ramped and pinned) 104, 64mm BCD (MSRP: $21.50-$47.00)
SE Plus 5-Arm (Ramped and pinned) 94, 110, 130, 58, 74mm BCD (MSRP: $21.50-$58.50)
SE Flat 4-Arm (Single speed) 64, 104mm BCD (MSRP: $19.25-$31.00)
SE Flat 5-Arm (Single speed) 58, 74, 94, 110, 130, 135, 144mm BCD (MSRP: $19.25-$51.00)
The full line of Vuelta USA chainrings are available for purchase on their website and ship within one business day. Like the rest of the items that they sell, each chainring is covered by their “30-day Satisfaction Guarantee” and a one-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. If you are trying to build that perfect single-speed or just fix up your poorly shifting bike, a chainring from Vuelta USA might just be what you need to get back into high gear.