For the 6th year in a row, Sierra Nevada is partnering with PAUL Component Engineering and a bunch of other great brands to dream up a custom bike. Like previous years, that bike will be on display at the Sea Otter Classic and then raffled off with the proceeds benefitting a worthy cause.
Unlike previous years, this time there are minimal new parts used in the build. Wanting to create a conversation starter that would center around sustainability and environmental thoughtfulness, the team thought, “What if we built a bike out of as many repurposed, recycled, or reused parts as possible?”
The result is the Sierra Recycler. A bike that will be raffled off to benefit Outdoor Alliance and one that you will definitely want to see in person.
The build started with a phone call to New Mexico frame builder Cjell at Monē Bikes and a 1949 Schwinn Cruiser. Already known for chopping up vintage cruisers and repurposing them into modern mountain bikes, Cjell whipped up this beauty that can now clear a 29 x 2.6″ knobby tire. There’s even a Sierra Nevada can used as a shim. Because of course, there is.
The theme didn’t stop there. The build includes recycled rubber grips by Björn Bikes, recycled aluminum components by Velocity, White Industries, and PAUL Components, a headtube badge made from leftover scrap metal by Jen Green, an old B72 saddle chassis that has been re-upholstered by Jerry Smith, and even some custom bags made from an old Sierra Nevada billboard by Outershell!
As Travis from PAUL Component Engineering puts it, “We don’t think there are necessarily any easy or final answers when talking about sustainability and environmental thoughtfulness in the bicycle industry, but the first step is asking questions, and the second step is trying new things.”
Stop by the Sierra Nevada beer tent to see the bike at the show, and donate $5 or more to Outdoor Alliance by May 31st for a chance to win the Sierra Recycler.
