There always seems to be a lot of white noise about where carbon wheels are actually manufactured. And dare I say some of these companies downright lie.
So who do we no for a fact is making their carbon wheels in the US?
Let’s start with the big brands Zipp, Bontrager,
Enve?
Someone on here has to no.
Are we also talking about input sourcing? I think that has to be factored into the equation as well.
Are we also talking about input sourcing? I think that has to be factored into the equation as well.
That’s a good point for the sake of conversation let’s specifically focus on the carbon hoop.
I’m sure there are plenty that actually assemble here.
I think he is mainly asking - who molds their own rims in the USA and builds the wheels also, and not after the material sourcing for the rim/wheel itself.
If we throw the material sourcing in the mix I think all companies would fail (such as Enve and Bontrager utilizing DT Swiss products with the “American made” hoops).
HED does… I believe.
There always seems to be a lot of white noise about where carbon wheels are actually manufactured. And dare I say some of these companies downright lie.
So who do we no for a fact is making their carbon wheels in the US?
Let’s start with the big brands Zipp, Bontrager,
Enve?
Someone on here has to no.
It all depends on what you mean by making a wheel? Rims-Yes, spokes-No, hubs-don’t know, wheel building-yes
Hed has a complete manufacturing facility in Minnesota and I own a pair of wheels that were made in USA. I won’t guarantee 100% of their rims are US made but the facility makes the P5x frame so they clearly have the technical capabilities.
Zipp also still manufactures rims in their Indiana facility including the carbon 302 rim.
I don’t think there is any US factory currently making quality spokes (this not a trivial process) and I would guess most hubs are also made outside the US. So Zipp, HED, etc are using foreign components when they build their wheels in the US using US made rims.
Again let’s keep it 2 carbon hoops specifically and let’s stay away from I think or I believe.
Facts!
Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US and source their hubs from Industry Nine. Not sure if that holds true for all of their lineup or just the AERO lineup.
eta:
When the molds have been meticulously machined and finished in our own facility in Utah, the next stage of the process begins. Our hand picked, and in-house resin impregnated carbon fiber from Mitsubishi, Japan is laid out and painstakingly cut according to the layup schedules defined by our engineers. https://reynoldscycling.com/blogs/news/reynolds-wheels-handmade-in-the-u-s-a
Zipp and Enve
.
Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US and source their hubs from Industry Nine. Not sure if that holds true for all of their lineup or just the AERO lineup.
eta:
When the molds have been meticulously machined and finished in our own facility in Utah, the next stage of the process begins. Our hand picked, and in-house resin impregnated carbon fiber from Mitsubishi, Japan is laid out and painstakingly cut according to the layup schedules defined by our engineers. https://reynoldscycling.com/blogs/news/reynolds-wheels-handmade-in-the-u-s-a
I read that quote and I feel like they’re playing gymnastics with their words. To me I read that and think they’re saying they make the molds there but don’t talk about specifically playing the carbon themselves.
Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US and source their hubs from Industry Nine. Not sure if that holds true for all of their lineup or just the AERO lineup.
eta:
When the molds have been meticulously machined and finished in our own facility in Utah, the next stage of the process begins. Our hand picked, and in-house resin impregnated carbon fiber from Mitsubishi, Japan is laid out and painstakingly cut according to the layup schedules defined by our engineers. https://reynoldscycling.com/...andmade-in-the-u-s-a
I read that quote and I feel like they’re playing gymnastics with their words. To me I read that and think they’re saying they make the molds there but don’t talk about specifically playing the carbon themselves.
Interesting how they have the wording on the website - maybe its only the RZR wheels?
Check this link out about Reynolds;
https://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/article/reynolds-cycling-headquarters-tour-37662/
They manufacture the molds in Utah and then send it to the factory they own in Guangzhou, China. That leads me to believe that maybe they have the hoops made in China at the factory they own. I could be wrong.
That’s the kind of s*** I’m talking about the way these companies words stuff and then you have to read between the lines.
Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US and source their hubs from Industry Nine. Not sure if that holds true for all of their lineup or just the AERO lineup.
eta:
When the molds have been meticulously machined and finished in our own facility in Utah, the next stage of the process begins. Our hand picked, and in-house resin impregnated carbon fiber from Mitsubishi, Japan is laid out and painstakingly cut according to the layup schedules defined by our engineers. https://reynoldscycling.com/...andmade-in-the-u-s-a
I read that quote and I feel like they’re playing gymnastics with their words. To me I read that and think they’re saying they make the molds there but don’t talk about specifically playing the carbon themselves.
There is this too. https://www.bikeradar.com/...quarters-tour-37662/
Looks like a majority of their rims are done in China, but seems like some are done in Utah along with the molds. I mean, why have the ovens if they aren’t curing them there?
ENVE builds every wheelset in Ogden, as well as carbon hubs. They also offer Industry 9 and King hubs as build options along with DT Swiss.
Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US and source their hubs from Industry Nine. Not sure if that holds true for all of their lineup or just the AERO lineup.
eta:
When the molds have been meticulously machined and finished in our own facility in Utah, the next stage of the process begins. Our hand picked, and in-house resin impregnated carbon fiber from Mitsubishi, Japan is laid out and painstakingly cut according to the layup schedules defined by our engineers. https://reynoldscycling.com/...andmade-in-the-u-s-a
I read that quote and I feel like they’re playing gymnastics with their words. To me I read that and think they’re saying they make the molds there but don’t talk about specifically playing the carbon themselves.
Interesting how they have the wording on the website - maybe its only the RZR wheels?
Check this link out about Reynolds;
https://www.bikeradar.com/...quarters-tour-37662/
They manufacture the molds in Utah and then send it to the factory they own in Guangzhou, China. That leads me to believe that maybe they have the hoops made in China at the factory they own. I could be wrong.
I think the RZR call is accurate, but it seems they are moving more production here even though they have their China factory:
https://outdoorindustry.org/press-release/industry-nine-selects-reynolds-cyclings-made-in-the-u-s-a-carbon-fiber-for-all-new-2015-pillarcarbon-series-mountain-bike-wheels/
"Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US "
All of Reynolds rims (except RZR) are made in their factory in China. The rims are then sent to Taiwan and built into wheels.
Bontrager’s XXX hoops and all building of the XXX wheels. Waterloo, WI.
I’m almost positive all HED wheel building is in facility in Roseville, MN. For sure all their carbon wheel work is done there. I believe all their alum rims are sourced, but some of that source is domestic.
Our team has ties to both Bontrager and HED and I’m a Trek Ninja so have that educational background. Also I’ve been to the HED facility multiple times so that background as well 
"Pretty sure that Reynolds does their rims here in the US "
All of Reynolds rims are made in their factory in China. The rims are then sent to Taiwan and built into wheels.
Interesting as that contradicts the 3 links posted above as well as the blog post by Reynolds.
Ah,
So it looks like Reynolds High End stuff is made here (kind of like bontrager) and they also manufacture other high end rims here. The rest of it is sent overseas to be made but the molds are still made in Utah, that’s honestly not a bad strategy for them.
Bontrager XXX hoops are made here with DT Swiss stuff;
https://pelotonmagazine.com/…-x/bontrager-part-1/
American Hoops;
Bontrager XXX
Enve
Reynolds RZR
Zipp
True American Wheels;
Enve with Industry or King hubs?
It appears that zipp is still kicking it in Indianapolis with its production;
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/g20037068/how-its-made/?slide=1
this is true. We do all our carbon fab here in Roseville and build our wheels here too.