The Bicycle Carbon Foot Print Problem: Pedaling Toward Destruction

This a-typical rant, on my part, is borne out of an email I received from a friend who wanted advice on a low-carbon footprint road bike.  He has been cycling for years and finally wants to make the jump to a more sleek, distance, and commute oriented road bike from his 15 year old Stumpjumper.  Sadly, there is little good news on the front when it comes to affordable, locally made cycles.  


Martin,

I've been pondering this question for a few days now.  To be honest, I can't think of any thing that isn't made overseas that would (I'm guessing) be in your budget.  There are certainly local companies who manufacture in the US, those frames typically start in the $1000 range for an off-the-shelf non-custom.  Then you add your wheels/parts/etc and you're usually around 2500-4000 for a US hand made bike.  The trouble is there is no large manufacturing in the US any more.  Canondale use to make its frames in the US, but sadly they have moved to Taiwan, along with every other manufacturer.  So, there are US based companies who send specs over and have frames shipped over in lots, and those are affordable (SOMA, Surley) but, not much in the way of affordable bikes actually manufactured in the US.   Someone like Waterford (http://waterfordbikes.com/w/) manufactures and sells somewhat affordable bikes.  They are kind of thought of, by many, as a really nice bike (but in reality if you're spending 4k on a bike there are nicer more local options).  In the sub 2k price range there isn't much made in the US really.  You might do some browsing around local builders (I realize there probably isn't much in Spokane, but Seattle has a ton).  Someone like TiCycles, or Davidson, or...I don't know, I imagine there are others.  If you get someone who is just getting started you might be able to swing a deal (but you're probably still going to be into it for more than 2k.  Other options would be a used bike, Davidson has been building bikes in the Seattle area since the early 70s I think, that might be a great name to look for.  While they will be spendy, there are lots of them out there and so you might find a deal.  But, as with any used bike, be prepared to take it to a shop and spend at least half of what you paid for it to have it serviced (assuming that parts are in alright shape).  

A used canondale would probably be best bang-for-your-buck.  Two years ago you could get a new aluminum canondale bike with 10speed parts for about $900, assuming depreciation it should be available now used for around 500-700.  So that would be a US made frame with decently new parts, and if you spent $500 on it and it still needed major overhaul you could go take it to a shop, spend $300 on a bunch of major work and be into essentially a new bike that was made in the US.  Sadly, there are no affordable US made steel bikes.  They are all custom, or mostly custom stuff like Waterford, Serrotta, Independent Fabrications, Rock Lobster, etc.  So, yes you might be able to find them used but they will be expensive.  The only thing I can think of that might be a good place to find something like that used, and less money would be a used steel race bike.  Racers are notorious for having too many bikes, and letting them go for cheap because they got them on a deal.  And after a couple seasons of use two things happen, 1) the racer physically stresses the materials so it doesn't respond exactly how it did when new and 2) there is probably something lighter-faster-stronger to be had.  So, a used race bike can be a great deal, but beware of used up race bikes.  Have a shop appraise it for value and how much work it would need before jumping in head first.  Generally racers have a shop they prefer, if you find one have the seller take it to their shop so they can say "here's a quote to make this like new" and toss in $20 for the evaluation.  

Any way, that is my general thought on the subject.  Unfortunately, getting a bike that is made in the US is an expensive proposition.  So, the easiest way of reducing your carbon footprint at a bike purchase is to buy used.  The other factor is that yes, your frame might have been made in the US, but there are absolutely no components made in the US.  Everything is made in Japan, Taiwan, and China.  So, your wheels might be from France, your shifters from Japan, your crankset from Taiwan, your tires from Germany, and your pedals from China.  Even if your frame was made down the street you've still got a pretty large foot print, and paid for a lot of shipping down the line.  Or, as Annie Leonard would say you are paying for externalities and the people down the line, not so much the shipping.