When we think of Detroit we think of cars and maybe Motown music, or more over how the city could use a turnaround. Fortunately some smaller shops like Detroit Cargo are trying to get innovative and taking the good old Motor City innovation in a new direction with quality products.
This includes the new Jefferson Handlebar Bag that can hold tools, phones and even a change of clothes after riding to work. It offers a stylish retro looking design and is hand-crafted in Detroit from natural leather.
Detroit earned the moniker “The Motor City” because it was the car city in its heyday. Those times are in the past, but the days of “wheeled” innovation aren’t completely in the city’s rearview mirror. It might not be new car companies, but there is a serious bike movement in Detroit. New startup Shinola, a bicycle company based in the suburb of Waterford, is about to roll out a line of commuter bikes including the Runwell (above), a commuter bike that features disc brakes, Shimano Alfine 11 internally geared hub; and the Bixby, a three-speed that evokes the look of a classic European bike with just a hint of art deco influence.
Have a friend who could be more organized while hunting or camping? The Stormy Kromer Sidekick proves that a wearable waist pack doesn’t have to look like something out of The Jetsons. Produced by Ironwood, Michigan-based Stormy Kromer the Sidekick pack is made of a wool/nylon blend, but it is also made in America and if you happen to drop by the factory they’ll even give you a tour. Maybe you can see your own Sidekick being produced!
Show some patriotic spirit this holiday season with a bottle from Liberty Bottleworks of Washington State. The company was founded in 2010 and makes water bottles in its Union Gap factory from recycled aluminum. Currently the only American-made metal bottles, these are BPA free and made from 100 percent recycled materials. The company offers a number of collections, but we’re partial to the Freedom line above!
The bare essentials is what Naked Longboards of Vancouver, Washington is all about. The boards are simple, durable and classy. And while they aren’t (yet) 100 percent made in the United States, the team is working on it.
Slingshots aren’t just for Bart Simpson and Dennis the Menace. But if either had these they’d certainly terrify those Mr. Wilson types out there. The GloveShot from Montie Gear is no mere twig and rubber band. It features a paracord covered body brace against the back of the hand and has a pull weight of 35 pounds.
We’ve seen a lot of bike lights, and other gimmicky methods to light up a bike but sometimes simple is what it is all about. The new Light & Motion Taz offers 1,200 Lumens that will truly light the way for those riding when the sun isn’t shinning. This American made light is designed as a “crossover” model, so it can be used for mountain bikes as well as street bikes.
With a name like American Mountain Co. could its products be made anywhere else but in America? The company is based in Sewickley, Penn. and has a factory in Spokane, Wash. and this start-up, which launched with a Kickstarter project, looks to introduce its first products – the hardshell jacket and fleece – this winter.
Having a good knife while out in the wilds is never a bad idea, and even if you’re not an outdoorsman you probably would appreciate the fine crafted American made Bush Crafter ($99.99) from Camillus Knives. Made of 1095 high-carbon steel, this knife offers a razor-sharp edge that will remain sharp even after a whole lot of abuse, while the light drop tip fat belly blade is designed to be highly-functional for campers and hunters along.
We’ve heard of clipless pedals, but the Ultralite pedal system from Ultralite Sports of Colorado almost seems like they forgot the pedals. At first glance this sort of looks like the deck of a flat pedal just broke off. But actually nothing has broken off. Instead the company has created what truly promises to be the lightest clipless pedals ever made. With pedals and cleats these weigh just 112 grams. As the photo above shows it is basically just a single barrel with absolutely no “platform.” 
New for this fall is the R2 Arkiv Field Pack from Mission Workshop, which features the “Arkiv Modular System” that offers easy, on-the-fly customization of compartments. It features two Arkiv rails that allow for a multitude of carry options.
American bicycle company Argonaut Cycles has made a bold promise in its attempt to “re-define custom,” but that is what the Portland, Oregon based company is looking to do with its new carbon fiber road frame business.