I'm embarking on a project to try and refresh the clapped-out components on my mountain bike with parts from local, independent companies. I‘ll settle for components from corporate owned brands that employ people locally if parts aren’t available from the indies. I'm not willing to accept any compromises in performance, so we'll see how close I can get.
Based in the PNW | Independently Owned | No Compromises
Here's a map and list of Cascadia based mountain bike and components companies, or those employing people here. Help me out! Know of a company that I'm missing? Drop a comment below, or tag @abitgear on Instagram.
B.C. MTB companies
- Banshee Bikes
- Chromag Bikes
- Evolve Bikes
- Forbidden Bike Co
- Knolly
- Norco
- North Shore Billet
- Race Face (owned by Fox Factory Holding corp, Braselton, GA)
- Rocky Mountain Bicycles (owned by Industried RAD inc, Quebec, CA)
- Spawn Cycles
- OneUp
- Vorsprung
- We Are One Composites
Washington MTB companies
- Canfield Brothers Bikes
- Evil Bikes
- FSA - Full Speed Ahead (USA offices, headquarters in Italy)
- Kona
- PNW Components
- Raleigh & Diamond Back (owned by international equity funds and barely hanging on)
- Tenet Components
- Transition Bikes/ANVL Components
Oregon "the beaver wheel state" MTB companies
Idaho MTB companies
Cascadia Patrol
I love the XL 2017 Transition Patrol. While not the latest and greatest, it fits me perfectly, and is a playful, fun bike that has proven to be durable. Here's my progress on going full Cascadia.
First upgrade is cranks. I destroyed the old set of XT's I was running when I clipped a stump and ripped out the crank threads. Par for the course, I don't seem to be able to keep cranks alive. RaceFace is the obvious choice, but I want rider-owned brands if possible, and I'll only run aluminum cranks as a convicted parts killer. Canfield has a great line of aluminum cranks from quality 7000 series metal. Their max length is 170mm, and I've always run 175's since I'm 6'2". After some asking around, a lot of taller guys said 170's are great and I should go for it. Ordered and on their way.
Next up, dropper. My 170mm Reverb is 2 years old and has been good. It now needs some love, so will live on as a backup. A 200mm dropper post from PNW Components has been ordered.I've heard great things about them, and their Loam Lever looks dialed. I'm stoked on this upgrade!
Current Build
| Fork DVO Onyx SC set to 160mm. Great fork, and no creaky crowns! Based in California, rider-owned. | Shock 2017 Rockshox Super Deluxe with custom Avalanche internals. |
| Drivetrain SRAM 11 speed with e.thirteen (Based in Cali, rider-owned) 9-46 cassette. |
Brakes Code RSC, with 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors. |
| Cranks Canfield AM/DH cranks, 170mm. Strong 7075 T6 aluminum, just my ticket! I've killed a few carbon and Shimano XT cranks, so no weight weenie levers for me. | Pedals DMR Vaults. |
| Bash/Guide MRP XCg. | Grips Ergon GA2. |
| Handlebar Deity Black Label 38mm rise, cut to 790mm wide. | Stem Thomson 50mm. PNW Rang is on it's way. |
| Pump Lezyne mini-pump mounted to water bottle cage. This + EDC = packless! | Tools OneUp EDC Tool in the steer tube with chain pliers and tire plug add-ons. Best. Tool. Ever! |
| Dropper Post 170mm Reverb. A 200mm PNW is on the menu. | Saddle SQ Labs 611 Ergowave, 150mm wide with chromoly rails. (I break ti and carbon). |
| Rims Light Bicycle carbon, 31.6mm internal width. Strong-ish but harsh. | Hubs Hope Pro2 Evo hubs. |
| Rear Tire 2.4 Minion DHRii 3C MaxxTera EXO. | Front Tire 2.5 Minion DHF 3C MaxxGrip EXO. |
| DH Wheelset I have a few burlier parts for DH days. WTB i29 rims laced to old Hadley hubs, and Double Down casing Minions with Cush Core inserts. | DH Shock DVO Jade coil. |
Parts from Cascadia companies are in blue. Let's see how dank, mossy and pure PNW I can make this bike!
Thanks John. This article is just hardgoods – frames and components. I’ll do another one for softgoods and apparel at some point. High Above and NWT3K are two awesome small companies with owners that build trails with Evergreen and WMBC. Solid brands invested in the local scene!
High Above comes to mind. Pack Northwest is also in Bellingham, along with Spacecraft clothing. Revelate is in AK, Loam frame bags also in Bellingham.
Canfield Brothers added to the list. Talked to them and they’re still operating out of Bellingham, with an office in Utah. Who else am I missing?