We’ve covered HIA Velo’s launch and subsequent releases from their Allied Cycle Works brand (like an 800g road frame), and soon we’ll be down there to visit the factory ourselves. In the meantime, co-founder Tony Karklins shared this video explaining why they brought the equipment and talent to Little Rock to create a full production factory making carbon fiber bikes in the USA. Here’s their statement to go along with it:
“Over the last two decades, most of the bicycle factories have closed and shifted their production elsewhere in search of cheaper labor. This industry now finds itself in a position where 99% of bicycles are made at a few massive Asian factories with brands obscuring where their bikes are made. Painting an Asian made frame in Europe does not make it European.
“We founded ALLIED CYCLE WORKS to take a different path. We dreamt that we could be successful designing, building and selling bikes that we loved without sacrificing our values: We are a premium American bicycle brand that actually engineers and manufactures our own products, right here in the USA, because it matters. Our goal is not only to make our bicycles here, it is to make them better and to prove to the world that composite bicycles CAN be produced in the USA.
“We are going to be the most open, honest and transparent bike brand out there. We are going to show everybody how carbon fiber bikes are made. Nothing hiding behind the curtain.
“We hope that this inspires others to follow suit.
Check them out at AlliedCycleWorks.com.
