As Sea Otter opens today, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co releases their 6th collaboration bike for the event. The custom, one-off bike will be raffled off to raise money for Outdoor Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of national advocacy organizations in the U.S. that unites the voices of outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands, and ensure those lands are managed in a way that embraces the human-powered experience.
This year, the team is sustainability and environmental thoughtfulness in bicycle manufacturing. The team at Paul Components worked to bring together a group of small brands that share a passion for cycling and the environment. For the frame, they worked with Cjell from Monē Bikes for a Schwinn Cruiser conversion frames. Starting with a 1949 Schwinn cruiser, he cut the frame up, bent, mitred, and welded them back together, creating a modern mountain bike on 29×2.6″ tires. Throughout the way though, he added little touches to bring in Sierra Nevada branding, including a beer can shim at the seat post.
From there, Paul Components added other environmentally-minded brands, like recycled rubber grips by Björn Bikes, recycled aluminum components by Velocity and White Industries, along with their own. Through these partnerships and the conversations they started or rekindled, recycled and recyclable packaging, was a hot topic. This led to a Jen Green-made headtube badge from leftover scrap metal, an old B72 saddle chassis re-upholstered by Jerry Smith, and even an Outershell upcycled Sierra Nevada billboard that was made into custom bags designed specifically to fit into the one-of-a-kind frame. While the project didn’t solve all of the sustainability challenges of the cycling industry, it will surely get people talking.
If you are heading to Sea Otter, the Sierra Recycler will be at the Sierra Nevada beer tent. Donate $5 or more to Outdoor Alliance at Sea Otter or online by May 31st, and you’ll have a chance to bring the bike home.
Here’s a full list of components and makers in the project.
Collaborators:
- Frame, Fork, Handlebars, Headset Spacers, and Valve Caps by Monē Bikes
- Stem, Brakes, Levers, and Hubs by PAUL Component
- Cranks, Bottom Bracket, Headset, and Freewheel by White Industries
- Rims by Velocity USA
- Headtube Badge by Jen Green
- Spokes by Phil Wood
- Custom Recycled Bags by Outershell
- Tires, Valves, and Sealant by WTB
- Recycled Rubber Grips by Björn Bikes
- Custom Saddle by Jerry Smith
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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