Pre-Orders Open for Stinner Refugio Podium 32

Stinner Frameworks has officially opened pre-orders for their new Refugio Podium 32, a limited-edition, US-made titanium gravel bike. Teased previously at Sea Otter, this distinctive model features a 32-inch wheel size, a notable departure from conventional gravel offerings. Only 50 frames are being produced, positioning it as an exclusive, high-end product aimed at a niche market willing to invest in bespoke American craftsmanship and an unconventional wheel standard.

This launch signifies Stinner's continued commitment to domestic manufacturing and bespoke, often experimental, frame design, following their recent acquisition by Allied Cycle Works. The 32-inch wheel, while perhaps a logical progression from 29ers for some, remains largely an outlier in a market dominated by 700c and 650b, suggesting a bold, perhaps even audacious, play for a segment of riders seeking maximum rollover and a unique aesthetic. Its limited run underscores a strategy of exclusivity rather than mass-market appeal.

Fifty frames, a 32-inch wheel, and a titanium price tag. One can't help but admire the audacity, or perhaps the sheer optimism, of a brand launching a new wheel standard in such a saturated market.