Here at ANT we [Mike & Betsy] are set out to re-invent the “Roadster” style bike that is a conglomeration of Dutch, French and English style commuter bicycles, but built with American craftsmanship and with modern techniques and components.
We are also interested in promoting our bikes as not only commuter bicycles, but as everyday bicycles that can be used for any type of road or light trail/dirt road riding. A lightweight, but rugged bike with fattish tires and equipped with all the accouterments that you will need to travel comfortably, safely and to be able to carry the things that you need.
Mike has a background in manufacturing all steel bicycles that are TIG welded and so for the most part,that is the type of bike the ANT is.
We like to use and specify as many local and stateside made materials, components and clothing. Our frame and fork tubing are made by True Temper sports in [TN. USA]. We use Paragon Machine Works [CA USA] for most of our frame fittings and also some local machine shops in our area [MA USA].
Many of the components on our bikes are made stateside or by Mike [Stems, seatpost, racks and of course the frames]. We use USA products from King, Maglight, White Industries, DKG, Phil Wood, Sella An-atomica, Am. Apparel, Crestone design, WALD sports.
However, not all components can be specified by a US maker, so they have to be imported from England,Taiwan, Japan, China, Germany [some of these companies out source to Indonesa, Maylasia and others]. Non of this is a bad thing, really. Standard equipment for all of the bicycle industry, quality is like anything else…you get what you pay for. So that being said all of these counrties can come up with quality if you can pay for it.
Parts that I have to out source are most hubs, rims, tires, shifters, spokes, chains, cranks, BB, pedals, saddles.
US made parts that can be used are hubs, cranks, BB, saddle, headset, brakes, seat post and stems.
I like to bring this up for a few reasons. I believe that it is a good idea to support local industry. Keeps jobs [like mine], cuts down of shipping cost [not so much in price, but for enviromental reasons...say no to tankers]. Now people in other countrys need jobs too [maybe more than me], but sorry…we come first in priorty. Now like I said earlier, not everything can or should built locally…but if I have a choice I try and go local.
