Made in America: Ticket to Transfer

TransferCarrying gear to a race can be tricky. It is bad enough to forget something on a training ride, but forgetting anything on race day is a disaster. The Inside Line Equipment Transfer bag, which can hold 21 liters of gear, will ensure that racers don’t have to sweat the small details because everything you might need fits in this one bag.

The bag is made in the USA of XPAC sailcloth and has seven storage compartments, with entry through the sides or the top. There is even an elastic exterior pocket for a helmet and a drawstring sleeve inside for dirty laundry and shoes while side pockets provide a place just for water bottles. This bag also offers ergonomic shoulder straps with a sternum strap.

Inside Line Equipment Transfer Bag Official Website

Made in America Mission to Ride

Mission Workshop’s is on a mission to provide quality bags for commuter cyclists and the latest result is the Advanced Projects edition, which is made in America and features a waterproof waxed canvas construction. The bag further features the company’s Arkiv closure system and VX liner to ensure that items inside stay dry and protect during the commute year round.

It also offers quick-access outboard pockets, internal zippered pockets, custom aluminum strap hardware and detachable cross-chest stabilizer. The weatherproof roll top main compartment can be used in either the “roll top” mode or in a traditional “flap down” configuration. Mission very possible.

Mission Workshop Official Website

Made in America: Made in the Mountains

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.

The company will source fabrics and materials from U.S. mills, but more importantly each piece will be feature a hand-signed label by the person who made it in the Spokane factory. We look forward to hearing good things from this company, which has announced plans to bring out a full line of outerwear and clothing in 2013.

American Mountain Co. Official Website

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Fit Wet Seems All Wet to Us

httpv://youtu.be/Ae9Lihg6XMA

Maybe we’re missing something here with the Fit Wet? A bike jacuzzi is what this essentially is, and the makers claim that it “combines the effects of biking, water resistance, & jets to improve results 10 times faster than an average bike.” It also costs $18,000, which seems just a little high to use for such exercise equipment. It also essentially means that the water is dumped out after each ride, which seems like a huge waste as well. At least it is made in Florida!

We’ll see if we can get some answers as the company will reportedly be doing demos at the Health + Fitness Business Expo taking place in conjunction with next week’s Interbike trade show. Until then this one seems all wet!

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.

Sunday Q&A: RAMP Sports Talks About Move Back to America

Last month we noted in our Friday Made in America profile that RAMP Sports was looking to ramp up production of its various skis and other products by moving back to America. Now Mike Kilchenstein, CEO and founder of RAMP Sports, a 32 year industry veteran tells us why they made that decision. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: RAMP Sports Talks About Move Back to America

Rowers Suit Up With American Made Uniforms

As we’ve noted previously there has been much outrage from many U.S. lawmakers that some of the uniforms to used beginning next week in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London were made in China; however, we’ll continue to report on the uniforms and kits that are American made.

The Washington Post noted this week that the Rowing teams will be wearing American made kits. The men’s and women’s rowing teams will be outfitted by Philadelphia-based Boathouse Sports, which has its manufacturing done in the USA.

Boathouse Sports Official Website
[Via Washington Post: U.S. Olympic uniforms: Rowing teams to wear American-made unisuits]

Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks

Starbucks Indivisible Mug

Starbucks, Peet’s, The Brewing Market, or any number of mom and pop coffee shops around America, on any given weekend morning this is the select meeting spot for friends and family to start their day. Whether the activities involve a hike, skiing, a bike ride, or just relaxing, that shop not only acts as the meeting point, but also supplies a caffeinated beverage to kickstart the day. While waiting for that little pick-me-up to be prepared by the barista, have you ever browsed the mugs and other coffee related items sold by those shops? Flip any of those mugs or cups over and read the bottom – “Made in China” will probably be printed there. The argument could be made that it really doesn’t matter, but to a handful of people in East Liverpool, Ohio, it does. Continue reading Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks

Made in America: Competition Headwear

The modern ball cap can trace its ties to baseball all the way back to 1860 when the Brooklyn Excelsiors wore a similar design to keep the sun out of their faces during game play. The ball cap has evolved throughout the years and is worn not only by baseball players, but almost every athlete wears one before, during, or after game play. Even our military wears them while on duty as part of the uniform (at least the Navy). Nearly everyone owns at least one ball cap, but do you know how many are made in the U.S.A.?

A look in my closet revealed this…

Even though its design was made popular by an American sport, of the 28 hats and visors in my closet, China topped the list with 21; followed by the Philippines with 2; and then Taiwan, Macau, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and U.S.A. each with 1. Even the NRA cap with an American flag stitched on the side was made in China. It is really difficult to walk into a store and find a cap that isn’t made overseas, but all hope is not lost. Competition Headwear, of Denver, Colorado, is one company that has bucked the trend of sending production overseas and only manufactures caps that are 100-percent made in America. Continue reading Made in America: Competition Headwear

CTIA 2012: That ThingSling You Do

Who hasn’t tried to go running with a mobile phone and wished they hadn’t? A mobile phone or portable music player can be a handful, and everyone has experienced that moment where the handful results in a dropped gizmo. John Murphy had a idea that he turned into the Thing Sling, a simple and low tech solution to ensuring that the device in the hand would stay in the hand. Continue reading CTIA 2012: That ThingSling You Do

Made in America: Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless System Conversion Kit

Having a tire go flat on a bike is not a pleasant experience. The resulting situation can range from a minor inconvenience to a major catastrophe. A majority of the time it is just an annoyance that interrupts the momentum of a good ride or a possible chance of placing well in a race, but this problem can be virtually eliminated for less than $70.

As most avid cyclists know, the chance of getting a flat can been greatly reduced through the use of a tubeless tire system. Doing the conversion can involve the purchase of new rims, tires, tape, valves, and sealant. All of these components easily costing a few hundred dollars even before the labor cost is factored in for those who are not a home mechanic. When compared to the overall value of a bike, these new rims and tires might not be worth the investment. An option that some people might overlook is where the modern tubeless revolution started – the Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless System conversion kit. Continue reading Made in America: Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless System Conversion Kit

Review: 2012 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er Titanium Frame

Moots Mooto X YBB 29er – 2012 Model Year

Just over six months has past since writing a post regarding my 2011 Mooto X YBB bike build that ran last summer. That 2011 Moots should have been a keeper and still hanging in my garage, but shortly after the post went live, the 2012 model was announced. Year after year there really hasn’t been any major changes in Mooto X YBB model that would justify the replacement of a frame with less than 1,000 miles of riding. Unfortunately for me (or maybe fortunately for all dirt heads), the 2012 model is a bit different when compared to most other years. There are the obvious changes with the curved down tube and top tube on the 18 and 19-inch models, but it is the other changes that are not as obvious which makes the 2012 model the basis of a much different bike. There were fairly significant changes including the geometry that really made me wish that I had stalled my purchase. Then a chance arose to build a 2012 model and that opportunity was seized upon! Continue reading Review: 2012 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er Titanium Frame

Made in America: GU Energy Gel

GU Energy Gel Product Lineup

Electronic shifting. Carbon fiber. Strava. None of these will help you perform better if you bonk during a ride or run – you might as well be wearing a boat anchor around your neck. Fueling your body during an extended period of exertion is more important than whatever new whiz-bang gadget you just purchased. Just like gasoline and coolant to an automobile, if your body runs out of fuel or water, you are done.

GU Energy Labs of Berkeley, California knows sports nutrition all to well and has been involved in the industry since 1991. Their first product was a single serving gel that was fairly revolutionary at the time. While racing for mountain bike team in western Pennsylvania around that time, I remember receiving packets of GU gel to use since they were a team sponsor. The other choices at the time were chalky tasting energy bars and Fig Newtons. The GU gels were a welcome addition to the nutrition arsenal. These single-serving packets traveled well in a cycling jersey, even during events in the pouring rain. When needed, they were easy to open, consume and digest. They quickly provided the necessary fuel needed to be competitive, and as a bonus they actually tasted good. Continue reading Made in America: GU Energy Gel

Made in America: Vuelta USA Bicycle Chainrings

Vuelta USA Track and Fixie Chainrings

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. Continue reading Made in America: Vuelta USA Bicycle Chainrings