Have you recently purchased a new bike? Then, you’ll need to invest in some other gear to supplement it, including a bike rack. But if you’re looking for a bike rack and bike gear that is made in the USA, with a lot of manufacturing taking place overseas, you might find the task more difficult than you may think. So, we’ve done the hard task for you. Here are the bike racks and bike gear made in the USA, along with some tips to help you with your own research.
Complete List of Bike Racks & Bike Gear Made in the USA
Founded in 1990, Sportworks is the premier name for bike racks for buses. Their bike racks have changed the game for commuters, allowing people to quickly load and unload their bikes as needed. Sportworks bike racks (bar the Cane Detectable) are made in the USA with 87% recycled materials.
Saris bike racks are built for cyclists by cyclists. They produce commercial bike racks as well as personal bike trunk racks. This company takes care of every part of the manufacturing process from start to finish, including sourcing all their raw materials locally. All their bike racks are handmade in their facility in Madison, WI.
Old Man Mountain is a company made up of bike enthusiasts who are passionate about creating bike racks and bike gear that are built to last. While not all Old Man Mountain racks are made in the USA, their website helpfully points out which two of their bike racks are produced domestically.
ALTA Racks specializes in bike trunk racks and is particularly famous for its ALTA SIX General Purpose Rack, which can hold up to 6 bikes! All ALTA Racks bike racks are handcrafted in Utah and are engineered specifically to withstand the state’s rugged terrain.
Founded in 2020, QuikrStuff is proudly committed to making all its products in the USA from start to finish. The company tests its products against the rugged Utah terrain to ensure they can withstand backcountry roads with no issues.
1UP USA manufactures bikes with superior craftsmanship and quality. The company’s bike racks are perfect for novice cyclists and professionals alike, allowing cyclists to transport their bikes easily. All 1UP USA products are proudly made in the USA, in the Midwest.
A Florida-based company, SeaSucker, produces bike racks and other car accessories. The company builds and engineers all of its products in the USA. Interestingly, SeaSucker uses a vacuum mount for the racks, meaning no drilling is required!
Formerly Schnaubelt Shorts, Aero Tech Designs is a leading name for cycling apparel. They produce a wide range of products, including t-shirts, shorts, jerseys, vests, and more for various cycling purposes. Aero Tech Designs takes pride in its commitment to making all of its products in the USA.
Since 1976, Chris King Precision Components has produced bike gear for cyclists. The company is committed to making its products in the USA using local materials. In fact, they are passionate about keeping their products high-quality, as they manufacture everything in-house.
Voler is another big name in cycling apparel, producing apparel for both men and women. From jackets and jerseys to tees and shorts, Voler has it all. But best of all, Voler produces all of its products in the USA, ensuring they are built to last.
Since 2013, Ornot has made cycling apparel for both men and women. They make all their products in the USA using recycled or natural fiber when possible. They also offset their carbon footprint, making them an eco-friendly choice through and through.
Pinebury makes cycling apparel made of Merino wool, which is a premier choice when it comes to outdoor apparel. Affording both style and comfort, Pinebury makes cycling jerseys, performance tees, socks, and other accessories. They proudly make all of their products in the USA.
Making everything in-house at their Minnesota facility, Wolf Tooth manufactures bike tools, accessories, and components. The company takes care of every part of the manufacturing process, from engineering and lasering to labeling and shipping.
Founded in 1991, Dynaplug allows for DIY tubeless bike tire repair. In fact, Dynaplug makes 98% of permanent repairs on tubeless punctures. The plug comes in various models and accessories, with all parts made in the USA.
Rober Axle Project manufactures thru-axles and aims to make the best quality and most reliable thru-axle out there. With all of the company’s products designed, tested, and manufactured in Bend, OR, they can uphold high standards and craftsmanship.
All of Woody’s fenders are 100% handmade in Bend, OR, and made to order. The company strives to use as much recycled wood as possible. The mounting hardware is stainless steel and brass to prevent rusting.
Manufacturing bike wheels and accessories, FORGE+BOND uses FUSIONFIBER, a new kind of carbon fiber that is much better for the environment. Beyond the company’s commitment to eliminating waste, FORGE+BOND makes all their bike components in Utah.
Also called i9, Industry Nine manufactures hubs, wheel systems, and components for bikes. The company keeps the cyclist in mind while manufacturing and hand-building the i9 bike components in the company’s Asheville, NC, shop.
An outdoor fitness wear brand, Runyon Canyon Apparel has some apparel that is fit for cyclists as well. The company is 100% committed to making all of its products in the USA, ensuring quality and satisfaction with the workmanship.
Borah Teamwear produces apparel for a wide range of different athletes, including cyclists. The company is passionate about reducing their carbon footprint and maintaining quality control, so they ensure 100% of their apparel is made in-house in their facility in Wisconsin.
Looking for the perfect bike bag? Nuke Sunrise Bike Bags is intentional about keeping all production in the USA. They’ve got bike bags to put on the frame, inside the frame, for the cockpit and fork, and more.
How to Find Bike Gear Made in the USA
If we have already done the research for you, why is it important that you know how to find bike racks and bike gear made in the USA? Well, a little knowledge goes a long way so you can shop confidently, knowing where your products come from. So, here is our guide to finding bike racks and bike gear made in the USA, with some knowledge about the materials, labeling, and other tips.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
First, let’s define what it means for something to be “made in the USA.” According to the FTC, this means the product is “all or virtually all” made in the USA. In other words, every part of the manufacturing process must take place on US soil. So, for a bike rack or gear to be “made in the USA,” it must be designed, manufactured, assembled, and even packaged domestically. For example, if a bike rack is assembled in the USA with foreign materials, it is not actually made in the USA.
For a more thorough breakdown of this, read our complete labeling guide.
Materials
To find American-made bike racks and bike gear, you’ll first want to look at the materials used. Not all materials commonly used in bike racks can be easily found in and sourced from the United States. So, it’s important to have some knowledge regarding these materials. With this knowledge under your belt, you can have a clue of where the product is made. Here are the most common materials for making bike racks and other bike gear, as well as where these materials come from.
Aluminum
China is the number one producer of aluminum in the world. While the USA does produce some aluminum, it definitely doesn’t come anywhere near the sheer scale that China manufactures. However, with that said, since the USA still manufactures some aluminum, it is not impossible to find aluminum bike racks and bike gear made in the USA. It just may take some extra research!
Steel
China produces more than half of the world’s steel, which is not an insignificant amount! However, the USA also has a pretty sizeable steel industry, coming in fourth, behind just China, India, and Japan. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find steel made in the USA, but ensure that you do, as American-made steel is three times stronger than Chinese-made steel!
Plastic
While definitely not the most durable material, some bike racks and bike gear may be made of plastic. Plastic is a common material for cheaper bike racks as it is a much more low-cost material than aluminum and steel. As with aluminum and steel, China comes in at number one in terms of plastic production. However, the USA still produces around 20% of the world’s plastic, so finding American-made plastic should not be too difficult of a feat.
Labeling
Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the United States Code states that all products made abroad should be labeled as such. This is why you’ll see product labels that say “made in China” or “made in India.” This, in addition to the FTC’s strict definition of what products can be labeled as “made in the USA,” makes it easier to find American-made products. But you’ll need to keep a few things in mind so you don’t fall into common traps and tricks.
First of all, remember that the “Made in the USA” label does not have a pre-approval process, and the FTC does not do the best job of policing the usage of the label. So, you should always do some extra research to ensure the bike rack or gear you are looking at is truly made in the USA.
Secondly, beware of the wording in labels. If you find labels that say “made in America,” “designed in the USA,” or “assembled in the USA,” keep in mind that these labels do not necessarily mean the product is all or virtually all made in the USA.
Lastly, companies are not required to state the country of origin online. So, if you are online shopping, you may not be able to see where the product is made. However, the good thing is that “Made in the USA” is a huge selling point, so if this is really the case, you should be able to find this information somewhere on their website, either on their About Us page or on the product page itself. If you can’t find the country of origin, either contact the manufacturer and ask or assume it is made abroad.
Other Tips
What are some of our other top tips to help you find bike racks and bike gear made in the USA?
Check Amazon
Online shopping sites like Amazon may list the product’s country of origin in the product description section of the page, so check to see if that is the case!
Check Social Media
As mentioned, “made in the USA” is a big selling point, so check the company’s social media to see if they talk about their manufacturing process.
Bike Gear & Rack Manufacturers Not Made in the USA
What about some bike rack and bike gear brands not made in the US? Avoid these popular brands if you want to ensure you support American-made craftsmanship. We will continuously add to this list with more research.
- Le Col – made in Italy
- Kuat – made in China and Taiwan
- Thule – primarily made in Sweden
- Yakima – mostly made in Taiwan and China, but some products may be finished in the USA
- Rapha – primarily made in China
- ASSOS – made in Bulgaria and Greece and developed in Switzerland
- DHB – designed in England and made in China and Macau
- Castelli – primarily made in Italy
- Velocio – designed in the USA and made in Italy
