The Future of the Bike Industry with Stinner, Sklar and Afterhours

In this candid conversation, three respected American frame builders including Adam Sklar of Sklar Bikes, Bradford Smith of Afterhours Framebuilding, and Aaron Stinner of Stinner Frameworks pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build bicycles in the United States today. The discussion tackles the tough realities facing small domestic builders, from the economics of handmade versus imported frames to the tradeoffs between solo craftsmanship and scaled production. They explore how small brands can grow without losing their identity, compare the advantages of working alone versus in a collaborative shop environment, and offer their perspectives on whether American bike manufacturing has a sustainable future. For anyone who values the craftsmanship and story behind their bike this conversation offers rare insight into the passion, challenges, and philosophy driving a dedicated corner of the cycling industry.

Find them at Stinner Frameworks, Sklar Bikes, and After Hours Framebuilding

---