If you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that bikes and beer are the best partners since peanut butter and jelly. I’ve seen trails named after the builder’s favorite beers, bike release parties held at breweries, and cross-industry collaborations like the ultimate urban BMX cruiser – the Sierra Shredder we’re taking a closer look at today.
Paul Components – The Sierra Shredder
Paul Components teamed up with some fellow American brands to create this custom cruiser for Sierra Nevada Brewery. We got a preview of the collaboration and components back in February. The bike will be given away to a lucky contest winner, but will first make its appearance at the Sea Otter Classic this weekend.
Unfortunately it’s a bit late to enter the contest; selected liquor stores in California have been taking entries since April 1st. However, Sea Otter visitors will get to see the bike at the Sierra Nevada tent, plus watch Squid Bikes paint up a second Shredder frame live.
After asking themselves ‘What would be the most fun kind of bike for a beer run?’ Paul and his project partners chose a BMX-style cruiser. This kind of bike begs to be ridden playfully, around town or trail, and brings many of us back to our early days on two wheels.
The Sierra Shredder’s color scheme is based on Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale, which is apparently Paul himself’s favorite brew. Paul Components machined the hubs, seatpost, stem, mechanical disc brake, and lever for this bike, and of course anodized them in ‘pale ale green’. The cranks, headset spacers and top cap, chainring, seat QR, and rims also get matching green.
The Shredder’s frame is made by California’s Squid Bikes, and was taped up and spray-painted in Sierra Nevada colors to create its wild streaky pattern.
While they didn’t specifically say, based on the promo video I’m concluding the frame is one of Squid’s 6061 aluminum “Shred to Ed’s” models. Up front is a rigid fork made by Hunter Cycles.
The cranks, freewheel, chainring, headset and bottom bracket were all provided by White Industries, and the bike rolls on 26” Velocity rims wrapped with DMR tires. The contest winner will be sitting in style upon an SDG saddle with ti rails and the Squid Cycles spraycan graphics.
It may be (probably is) a frivolous addition to your quiver. But it sure would be fun booting to the beer store on this overgrown BMX! Check it out at Sierra Nevada’s booth if you’re heading to the Sea Otter Classic this week.
