How Tariffs Are Inflating Mountain Bike Prices — and What You Can Do About It

Understanding Mountain Bike Tariffs in the USA 2025

In the dry heat of a Las Vegas spring, Jared Fisher walks through his bike shop, past rows of shiny new rigs. Road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes. All lined up like racehorses, waiting for someone to bet on them. But these days, every price tag has two numbers. One is what the bike should cost. The other is what it costs now, post-tariffs. The difference is circled in red and labeled bluntly: “Tariff Tax.”

Fisher isn’t trying to make a political point. He’s trying to stay in business. Like many small bike retailers across the U.S., he’s grappling with the aftermath of new federal tariffs that have jacked up prices on imported bikes and parts. The impact? A $1,200 hardtail that now runs close to $2,000. An e-bike that cost $2,500 last year? Try $4,000.

The numbers are real. The frustration is mounting. And the ripple effects are hitting riders square in the wallet.

A Breakdown of the Tariffs

Here’s the math: as of early 2025, adult bicycles imported from China are subject to a staggering 81% tariff. E-bikes face a 70% rate. These aren’t hypothetical fees. They’re applied at the port, baked into wholesale prices, and passed directly to retailers like Fisher.

Most bikes sold in the U.S. are imported from Asia. China, Taiwan, and Vietnam dominate the supply chain, especially for affordable and mid-range bikes. So when the tariffs hit, they hit nearly everything.

Shops now face the logistical headache of dual pricing. Inventory purchased pre-tariff is priced lower than the new batch, leading to confusion and hard conversations with customers. “It makes us look like we’re jacking prices randomly,” one shop owner told us. “But it’s the tariff, not the markup.”

The Industry Response

Big brands and small importers alike are scrambling. Kent International, one of the largest U.S. bike importers, halted shipments from China altogether. Others are moving production to Taiwan or exploring domestic assembly. But that’s easier said than done. The U.S. doesn’t have the manufacturing capacity to replace Asian output overnight.

For consumers, that means longer lead times, reduced selection, and higher prices.

It also means that the economics of cycling are shifting. Enthusiasts might still pony up, but new riders? Parents looking for a budget-friendly kids’ bike? That $400 entry point just got a lot steeper.

The Homegrown Exception

But not every brand is bound to the same fate. Some manufacturers are dodging the tariffs entirely by building their bikes right here in the U.S.

Bike Brands:

• Alchemy Bikes (CO) – Alchemy may be closing but there appear to be some bikes still available on their site. Known for its obsessive craftsmanship and slick, made-to-order carbon and titanium bikes, Alchemy builds everything in-house in Golden, Colorado.
• Allied Cycle Works (AR) – A pioneer in domestic carbon production, Allied handcrafts frames in Rogers, Arkansas, and is lauded for its clean integration and race-ready geometry.
• Argonaut Cycles (OR) – Offering bespoke carbon road bikes made in Bend, Oregon, Argonaut is for riders who want tailored geometry and obsessive attention to ride quality.
• Lynskey Performance (TN) – The Lynskey family invented the modern titanium bike frame. Their Chattanooga-based shop still produces some of the best ti bikes in the world.
• American Bicycle Group (TN) – Makers of Litespeed, Obed, and Quintana Roo, ABG produces triathlon, gravel, and road bikes from its state-of-the-art facility in Tennessee.

Components:

• Chris King (OR) – Precision hubs, headsets, and bottom brackets made to last a lifetime in Portland.
• Paul Components (CA) – Machined in Chico, these parts are anodized eye candy with real performance.
• Wolf Tooth Components (MN) – Known for clever drivetrain solutions and beautiful finishing touches.
• Cane Creek (NC) – Suspension and cockpit innovations including the legendary eeSilk seatpost.
• Phil Wood & Co. (CA) – A legacy brand known for bombproof hubs and bottom brackets.
• 5DEV (CA) – A newcomer with aerospace credentials, 5DEV makes wild-looking cranks and pedals.
• Cascade Components (WA) – Specializes in high-performance MTB upgrades like linkages and chain guides, all CNC-machined in Bellingham.

Racks and Tools

While most bikes and components are feeling the squeeze from tariffs, there’s good news for riders looking to upgrade their racks, tools, and maintenance gear: several top-quality brands manufacture these products right here in the U.S., keeping them tariff-free and supporting American jobs.

Bike Racks

• Lolo Racks (OR): Based in Portland, Lolo Racks builds heavy-duty hitch racks designed for everyone from families to pro crews. Their racks are made from domestic steel, welded and powder-coated locally, and are renowned for their durability and ease of use. Lolo’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing means your money stays local, and your gear avoids tariff markups.
• 1UP USA (WI): 1UP USA’s aluminum racks are engineered and manufactured in the Midwest. Known for their tool-free installation and bombproof construction, these racks are a favorite among serious cyclists and adventurers alike.
• Saris (WI): All Saris racks are handmade in Madison, Wisconsin, with locally sourced materials. They offer a wide range of options, from trunk racks to hitch systems, and have a reputation for reliability and customer service.
• ALTA Racks (UT): Handcrafted in Utah, ALTA Racks specializes in high-capacity hitch racks built to withstand rugged conditions. Their modular designs can carry up to six bikes, making them ideal for group rides and families.

Tools and Maintenance

• Abbey Bike Tools (OR): Every Abbey tool is made and assembled in Bend, Oregon. Revered by pro mechanics for their precision and durability, Abbey’s lineup includes everything from chain whips to bottom bracket tools. Their U.S. manufacturing keeps quality high and tariffs out of the equation.
• Dynaplug (CA): For tubeless tire repairs, Dynaplug’s kits are the go-to for quick, permanent fixes. Nearly all parts are made in the U.S., ensuring reliability and tariff-free peace of mind.
• Maxima Racing Oils (CA): Maxima formulates, manufactures, and distributes high-performance lubricants, cleaners, and care products from their California facility. Their products are trusted by racers and weekend warriors alike, and their domestic production keeps prices stable even as tariffs hit imported brands.
• Robert Axle Project (OR): Specializing in high-quality thru-axles, Rober Axle Project designs, tests, and manufactures all products in Bend, Oregon, ensuring top-tier standards and tariff-free pricing.

Other Noteworthy Brands

• Old Man Mountain (CA/OR): While not all their racks are U.S.-made, Old Man Mountain clearly labels which models are domestically produced, giving buyers a tariff-free option for bikepacking and touring.
• QuikrStuff (UT): Founded in 2020, QuikrStuff’s racks are engineered and built in Utah to handle the toughest terrain. Their all-aluminum construction and modular design make them a standout for U.S.-made quality.

Choosing U.S.-made racks, tools, and maintenance products is one of the simplest ways to avoid tariff-induced price hikes while supporting local manufacturing. Whether you’re outfitting your car, building out your home workshop, or just keeping your drivetrain running smooth, these brands offer reliable, high-performance options that keep your dollars—and your bikes—rolling stateside.

Buying domestic isn’t always cheaper. But it’s transparent. And these days, that counts for something.

Navigating the New Normal

If you’re shopping for a bike right now, brace yourself. Here’s how to ride smarter:

• Check the country of origin. Tariffed items come from China. Made-in-USA options are tariff-free.
• Ask your local shop. They’re the ones balancing old stock and new prices. They can steer you right.
• Consider custom or used. In some cases, a hand-built steel frame from a U.S. builder might be less than a tariff-bloated carbon import.

Conclusion: A Fork in the Trail

These tariffs aren’t going away soon. And while this isn’t a referendum on trade policy, it is a wake-up call. The U.S. bike market has been dependent on cheap imports for decades. That era just hit a speed bump.

For riders, that means being more intentional. About what you ride. About who you support. About where your money goes.

And maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Not if it helps bring more frame builders back home. Not if it lets small shops like Jared Fisher’s keep their doors open.

Not if it makes us all a little more aware of the true cost behind the price tag.