Made in the USA | Evolving Consumer

Made in America: Totally Hosed

Sadly many of the old industrial centers of the United States are now just crumbling ruins – but Detroit Cargo is preserving the past with some upcycled products including a new card holder made from very old fire houses.

As Detroit Cargo noted, these fire hoses have not been up to code since the 1960’s and only in Detroit can you find buildings that have been abandoned long enough to find these old hoses. They’ve salvaged them, clean them and sew a leather strip to the bottom. They’ve created card holders that can carry ID, credit cards, business cards and more. These are cycle friendly as the card holder fit in the products.

And just like America’s industrial past this product won’t last forever. Detroit Cargo expects to run out of hose later this year, so grab them while you can.

Detroit Cargo: Fire Hose Card Holder Official Website

Freedom Ride

The FreeRider Pannier for Urban Bike Commuting are designed to allow for stress free rides to work. The idea is to take the heavy bag off the back and allow for a more comfortable – and potentially less stressful – commute. The pack, which is being brought to market via a Kickstarter campaign, can hold a backpack, messenger bag or even as the designers suggest a 12-pack of beer.

The FreeRider will be manufactured at Green Guru’s production facility in Boulder, Colorado. Video after the jump

Made in America: Kit Up

Simple is the way that some people roll, and the EDC Bike Kit is truly as simple as it gets. These tools are all made in America and are just what you need for the daily commute – hence EDC (Every Day Carry). The idea isn’t just to make it simple, which it is, but also to make it pocket friendly, rugged and there when you need it.

The EDC Bike Kit includes two hex keys, a pair of mini pry bars for quick tire changes and a glow in the dark compass to ensure you find your way. It is all tied together on a quick release brass key ring.

EDC Bike Kit Official Website

Made in America: The River Cuts Through It

White River Knives is a new company but it is now producing knives that suggest years of experience. It now offers ultra high quality all American products made with all American materials. White River’s production methods involve a blend of CNC machining and handcrafting processes utilizing a variety of woods, synthetics, cork, and stag for handles and a wide variety of standard and exotic steels.

Among the new offerings is its fillet knife, which the company claims is probably the best in the market for a couple of reasons: It is constructed of American made 440C high-carbon stainless steel, while these knives are designed to cut fish flesh as thin as a sheet of paper if desired. It also offers 54 Rockwell C scale steel blades that are very flexible and yet hold a razor edge that is still easy to sharpen. Continue reading Made in America: The River Cuts Through It

Sea Otter Classic: Razik Back on a Roll

At this year’s Sea Otter Classic Razik Bicycles introduced its new brand and redesigned IsoTruss road frameset. Originally released under the brand name Delta 7, the company lost the licensing rights to the technology, but this year formed a new company and acquired the rights to the develop and entirely new chassis and product lineup.

The company’s new offering is the Vortex, a frame that is 100 percent made in the USA. It has been completely redesigned inside and out, and is arguably the most distinctive-looking bike on the market. It features a frame with an open lattice structure that is made up of three-dimensional pyramid-shaped trusses consisting of carbon fiber and Kevlar strands–all meticulously wrapped by hand, instead of molded sheets of carbon fiber. The design delivers vibration damping and incredible handling in a bike that is sub-13 pounds, depending on component selection.

“The unique capabilities of the IsoTruss design allows us to tailor the properties of each characteristic of the ride,” explains Ryun Noble, president and director of engineering at Razik. “What’s truly astounding is its ability to absorb energy-robbing vibration while maintaining strength and rigidity to transfer power and deliver precise, razor-sharp handling all in an incredibly light frame.”

Razik Bicycles Vortex Official Website

Made in America: Wood Grain

Why knock on wood when you can ride it. We’ve seen some wooden bikes that have impressed us, but Mick Pecsok of Grainwoods has taken it up a notch with his bicycles that utilize African mahogany, yellow heart, walnut, maple and birch plywood. He is building truly “customized” bikes at his workshop in Camarillo, CA.

Grainworks Wood Art Official Website

Made in America: Hang On

We like to see products recycled or better still “upcycled” where an old product finds new life. Velocity USA fitting has used bicycle rims that don’t meet quality control standards and repurposed them as clothes hangers. This is a true “upcycling” of bicycle gear. Each hanger is apparently made in Grand Rapids, Michigan out of Velocity Deep V rims that weren’t quite good enough for the road. However, these seem perfect for hanging that favorite jersey.

Velocity Clothes Hanger Official Website

Made in America: Tie One On

If you’re going to tie one on better to tie it on with the Khordz Hand Tied Mug, a multi-purpose line of drinkware. These customizable mugs are designed to replace single-use cups and are insulated with 25 feet of hand tied paracord, which is used as the sleeve and handle. It is suitable for a multitude of tasks; from use as a snare trap to hanging a hammock.

The 16 ounce food-grade, heat-resistant glass jar is designed to be easy to clean. The mugs are made in America, and the entire package is assembled here as well. The designers are looking to Indiegogo to snare some interest and mass produce the Khordz Hand Tied Mugs.

Khordz- Hand Tied Mugs Indiegogo Site

Made in America: Something to Fyxate On

Have a bottle of wine or a Frisbee to carry on your bike? Fyxation has introduced its American-made leather bicycle accessory. The collection consists of the leather Six Pack Caddy, Wine Caddy, Frisbee Disc Caddy and Bicycle Carrying Handle.

Each of these are made from grained leather that Fyxation sources in Milwaukee; assembly is done in the company’s Milwaukee headquarters. These are now ready to roll.

Fyxation Official Website

Made in America: Chain Stay Away

Those who commute by cycle face a number of perils on the way to and from the office including cars, people not paying attention and other hazards of the road. While there are plenty of cycle friendly clothing options the bike doesn’t always play nice with nice clothing.

Grease from the chain can ruin and outfit and day, but the StaySharp Commuter Cuff from Exposed Seam will help cover up the spot where a grease spot might otherwise ruin the clothing.With these on the leg there is no reason to roll up the pant legs, and it can protect from spotting and keep the clothing out of the chain.

These are made in America of Cordura fabric and available in a range of colors. The cuff closes ithging around the ankle with Velcro and there is even a reflective panel to help with other perils of the ride home.

Exposed Seam Official Website

Made in America: Hauling With the Hauser

If you have miles to go then Acre is the way to go. The Hauser 14L from Acre is a weatherproof hydration pack that is designed for all conditions, while the Ariaprene hexagonal perforated foam with mesh laminate on the back panel won’t have you sweating out all the water you drink.

This American made pack will go the distance and ensure you have water for the whole trip and more.

Acre: The Hauser 14L Official Website

Shine It Up

Who says they don’t make things like they used to in Detroit. The limited edition Bixby is the product of a collaboration between Shinola and Filson, and it is one that truly shines. It features a double-butted TrueTemper steel frame, painted Filson Green, along with a Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub and mech discs. While bamboo doesn’t grow in the Motor City it still makes for a nice material for the fenders, and goes nicely with the Portland Design Works rear rack.

This is one bike that proves there are still those that can make quality products in Detroit.

Shinola Official Website
Filson Official Website

Made in America: Veteran Bicycle

David Lewis has launched an Indiegogo project with the goal to get an American made bicycle company off the ground. This disabled U.S. Army veteran served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He noted that hassle with building bikes in China and is looking to make Made in America mean something again.

To that end he’s looking to raise money, not just to start the project but to use the funding to buy other American made equipment. Those investing $10 will get his thanks, and those investing $2,500 or more will get a handmade, veteran made complete bicycle!

We wish Lewis the best of luck with this project.

Veteran Bicycle Company Indiegogo Site