Imports may be dominating the United States bicycle market, but domestic bike makers are finding ways to stay in the race.

But the biggest boon to upmarket bike makers and sellers has been the popularity of the triathlon, a punishing event that combines running, swimming and bicycling.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a national, nonprofit organization sponsored by bike makers and distributors, offers its BasicRider course in all 50 states.

It is the largest electrical bike maker in Europe.

A. Until 1900, there were over 1,900 bike makers in the United States.

But like most bike makers, it has no model just for women.

This year, for example, Giant, the Taiwanese bike maker, introduced an $1,800 carbon fiber bike - well below the $5,000 or more that exotic bicycles can often cost.

Its Chicago factory lagged behind the automated plants of German and Japanese bike makers.

Potential sponsors pulled out, including Johan Museeuw, the bike maker.

"With those folks, you get one shot," he said of the bike makers.