Stinner Frameworks - Carrizo & Refugio Select - USA Made At A Stock Price

Stinner Select Series - The Sweet Spot Between Custom and Ready-Made

What if you could get the feel of a custom, handmade steel bike without the long wait times and premium price tag? That’s the question Stinner Frameworks is answering with their new Select Series of bikes. With two models currently—the all-road Carrizo and the adventure-ready Refugio—the California-based brand is bridging the gap between bespoke craftsmanship and stock simplicity.

“The Select Series is our way of offering that custom, handmade experience but in a streamlined, ready-to-ride package,” - Stinner Frameworks

Worldwide Cyclery has been a fan of Stinner Frameworks for a long time, and when they unveiled their Select series of bikes, we knew that would fit right into the brands we like to carry. Small brands that can offer something unique to the consumer. We also like that Stinner Frameworks is local to us, about a 1 hour drive from our Southern California location and one of the only frame builders in all of Southern California. We visited the Santa Barbara shop to check out how the bikes are made, meet the crew, and get our hands on with both the custom bikes and Select bikes to see how amazing they are.

Two of Aaron Stinner's Personal Bikes: (Left) Custom Tunnel (Right) Custom Refugio

The small but efficient shop space sits just at the base of the Santa Barbara mountains and the Los Padres forest, with some of the most amazing roads and routes out the door, Stinner has some of the best testing grounds you can ask for. From the tight welds and smooth lines, the craftsmanship shows through these bikes when you see them in person to stand out paint jobs. The blend of handmade bikes mixed with modern-era features makes these bikes last for 10+ years without getting outdated, not something all carbon bikes can offer. Features like machined dropouts that can include a UDH derailleur mount, integrated headtube designs, and for the custom bikes, the option for fully hidden internal cable routing, to T47 bottom bracket shells, all worked into a handmade package. 

It’s hard to explain or quantify the benefits and ride characteristics of a handmade bike, but they just have this feeling when you jump on them. Especially if you are coming off a modern carbon bike. The balance between lively and springy combined with the smooth and calm nature of these bikes, you would notice this difference in a matter of minutes while riding. I think most riders would be amazed with this feeling, many think these bikes feel slow or heavy, but that is not at all the case. I think that comes from very budget steel bikes that don't have the same tube selection or details taken into the design that a bike like Stinner does, even with the Select series being the more affordable option, it is still very much a high-end hand made bicycle, the process has just been crafted to pass the savings onto the consumer. 

What’s New: A Custom Feel Without the Wait

Stinner’s Select Series is a game-changer for riders who dream of owning a handmade steel bike but don’t want to jump through the hoops of a fully custom build. These bikes feature:

• Columbus Zone Steel Tubing: Renowned for its strength, ride quality, and lightweight properties, this material forms the backbone of the Select Series, delivering durability and performance in spades.

• Stock Geometry & Paint Options: By pre-designing the geometry and paint schemes, Stinner keeps costs and lead times lower without sacrificing that premium aesthetic.

• Made in the USA: True to their roots, every frame is built in Stinner’s Santa Barbara workshop, ensuring meticulous craftsmanship.

This combination of premium materials and efficient production methods creates a bike that feels bespoke but is ready to hit the road (or trail) much sooner.

The Models: Carrizo & Refugio

Carrizo - The All-Road

For those who live for versatility, the Carrizo Select is your all-road companion. Designed for everything from smooth tarmac to light gravel, this bike strikes a balance between speed and comfort. This is what we think of we we think road bike, a stable bike that can handle larger rubber, allowing you to take the rough roads, hit some dirt, bomb that descent and keep up with the local group ride. The All-road bike is gaining in popularity again, and the Carrizo blends what it means to be a modern all-road bike.

Key Features:

• Tire Clearance: Fits up to 700x40c tires for cushy, confident handling.

• Geometry: Optimized for stability and responsiveness on mixed surfaces.

• Frame or Complete: Complete with Sram Apex Groupset & DT Swiss wheels

• Mounts Galore: Room for fenders and bottle cages

• Versatility: Choose between 1x or 2x drivetrains depending on your riding style.

Refugio - The Adventure Gravel Machine

If your heart belongs on rugged trails and epic bikepacking routes, the Refugio Select has your name on it. Built for adventure, this gravel bike is tough, adaptable, and ready for anything. The modern take on a gravel bike has come a long way in a short amount of time. The Refugio fits big rubber so you can ride it just about anywhere you want to take drop bars. If you ride over the Santa Barbara mountains on the back dirt roads, youll know exactly why this bike is the way it is. 

Key Features:

• Tire Clearance: Accommodates up to 700x50c

• Geometry: Long and stable, designed to inspire confidence on technical terrain.

• Frame or Complete: Complete with Sram Apex Groupset & DT Swiss wheels

• Adventure-Ready: Includes mounts for racks, bags, and even extra water bottles.

Geometry: Optimized for Every Ride

Both the Carrizo and Refugio share thoughtfully designed geometries tailored to their respective disciplines:

• Carrizo: Prioritizes nimbleness and efficiency for smooth transitions between road and gravel.

• Refugio: Focuses on stability and control for unpredictable terrains and loaded adventures.

These geometry choices ensure that each bike excels in its intended environment, giving riders confidence whether they’re sprinting on asphalt or navigating rocky trails.

Worldwide’s Takeaway: Is the Select Series for You?

The Stinner Select Series delivers a compelling mix of craftsmanship, performance, and accessibility. By blending premium materials, thoughtful geometry, and gorgeous paint schemes with the efficiency of stock builds, Stinner has created bikes that feel personal yet approachable. Whether you’re an all-road enthusiast eyeing the Carrizo or a gravel adventurer drawn to the Refugio, the Select Series offers something unique: the soul of a custom bike at a price point that’s hard to ignore. It’s a win-win for riders who want to invest in quality without breaking the bank. We are stoked to see these bikes, carry and stock them as well as look forward to future projects like the Podium titanium models and even some more Worldwide Cyclery style flat bar options.