boutique brands (not asian made)?

so since i fell into some 'money' (ok, so it's only $400 & i'm going to sell my current roadie bike), i'm in the market for a new bike. i don't want a 'production' bike off the rack. i want a boutique brand. ok, so i'm a bike snob. so what?

my first instinct was to get the specialized ruby, but i really REALLY don't want an asian made, off the shelf kind of bike. so, then someone suggested masi to me. i like the color scheme. they're so pretty! and they're italian! NOT! after a little research, come to find out they're made in taiwan. not boutique!

also considering swiss brand bmc. anyone know anything about them? or have any other suggestions that i should be looking at?

tks!!!!

 

Devinci bikes 100% made in Canada

http://www.devinci.com/home.html

 

Lynskey Bikes 100% made in Tennesee U.S.A. Enjoy

 

Yeah & sold at the performance store near you. Just sayin'.

 

KirkLee I own one, very nice bike. I've owned a Felt F1,F2, and GT GTR Carbon. A Colnago CX-1 is what I currently race and I have a kirkLee. I've had some nice bikes but a custom bike, hand built to your specifications bike is where it's at. I also like Seven cycles

 

Why don't you go with a good old fashioned steel frame? If you do that the are MANY builders to go with however anything you get will be more than $400. google North American Handmade Bike Show and look at all the builders that are there and then go to there websites for more info. again it will be a lot more than $400, but you will get something you can really be proud to own. Consider Sycip, Kelly, DeSalvo and many others. These frames are really a form of art that you ride. Just a thought. That being said, I have went that route in the past and my latest bike purchase was a 2011 Giant Defy full carbon with 2011 Shimano 105 and my wife liked it so much we got her a girly version, all in all it was $1750 out the door per bike.

 

If you want carbon, the only real option is Calfee. Seven and Moots are awesome for ti or steel. It is a little sad for us Americans, but I think some of the Asian made carbon woman specific bikes are going to provide the best performance. All of the carbon Euro road bikes are made in Asia.

 

Some other small builders (no pun intended)

Ahrens
Rex (Sacramento)
Indy Fab
Wilier? Italian

You could always repaint a carbon frame. I have roadie friends that have done this. May void warranty I'm guessing though

Trek Projectone?
http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/projectone/

Personally, get a Ruby with some pink i9 road wheels.

 

Just get the Specialized Tink. It's very well made and rides great. Ask Willie, she lover it!

 

Another vote for the Ruby.
And I agree with what Tani said.

 

American made bikes don't exist. You can find a bike that is assembled in America with an American made frame but all the components are foreign. I'm not saying that this is good or bad. It's just reality. Since the bike won't be American made anyway you might as well get the best frame you can without regard to where it was made.

 

If you want an American made frame; you're talking steel and more than $400, a lot more.
Lots of good options.
A friend had a custom made touring frame with downtube shifters for a classic look. It looks awesome, but I think $1500 or so and a six month wait.
Of course, all your components will be Asian made.

With a $400 budget for a frame, something like that Spec would probably be best if it's at that pricepoint.

 

+1 for the Calfee, a friend of mine had a Lemond that was made by Calfee way back in the day and it was nothing short of bitchin! Are you getting a road bike or a mt bike? Is Calfee not made in the USA? What about all the steel and aluminum bikes made in the USA? I don't know what UR2KLOS means buy nothing is made in the USA?

 

Reading comprehension fail.

She did not say her budget was $400. She said $400 + selling her existing road bike.

She said she does not want an asian bike, yet some people continue to point her in that direction anyway #-oSeems to me she's asking a pretty specific question.

 

dood, seriously??? you're in the roadie forum!!! ^^^^^^

 

I love my custom ti Lynskey!

Dave Lynskey took my order and Dave's brother hand-made this bike exactly per my specs; he called me about 12 times to personally make sure he had the design just perfect! Oh and he was calling from Tennessee (think that's still in the USofA)

 

So sorry Miss Bell I don't look what forum I'm posting to I just open my mouth to put my feet in. But I will look much more carefully before giving advice in the future.

 

So sorry Miss Bell I don't look what forum I'm posting to I just open my mouth to put my feet in. But I will look much more carefully before giving advice in the future.

 

tks carl! the ahrens look nice, but i really like this one:
http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Ti_Crown_Jewel/

and this one is nice, too:
http://wilier-usa.com/#/road/mimosa/

but THIS one made me REALLY wet!
http://www.calfeedesign.com/bamboo.htm

now, how many brownies do i have to sell to get one of these?? :lol:

 

That IF is Sick!!! you need it.

That said my roadie is the only asian manufactured frame that I do own.