The Challenge

Stinner Bikes builds high-quality bicycles in Southern California using steel and titanium for its bike frames. The company sources from local suppliers wherever possible and fully understands the technical performance attributes of the materials used in its bikes.

The company wanted to understand the environmental impact of steel and titanium when compared to carbon fiber to help them educate their customers who care about both performance and sustainability.

The Approach

Cattermole Consulting Inc. conducted a high-level environmental impact assessment of steel, titanium and carbon fiber, three materials commonly used to make bike frames.

The assessment focused on three different impact areas

• Resource efficiency initiatives in the steel industry
• Recyclability of carbon, steel and titanium
• Toxicity, hazard and risks to workers during the manufacture of steel, titanium and carbon fiber

Results

The results of the environmental impact assessment have been published on the Stinner website Workshop blog and a recommended preferred material for bike frames identified.

About Stinner

Stinner builds handmade, custom bicycles from their workshop in Santa Barbara. Each Stinner is unique; a marriage of metal and soul fine-tuned to delight and inspire its rider.