Let’s check out this fully custom State Bicycle Co. Klunker, crafted by Klunkers.ca top-commenter “Gordon S.”
If you’ve perused the comments section of this website, you’ve very likely read some lengthy, fun and interesting comments from “Gordon S.” Well, I eventually convinced him to send in my next “Reader’s Rides” submission.
Gordon is a legit old-school Klunker from the heyday of Marin County. And this is his latest. He calls it “Black Widow.” In his words: “She’s a fast one and will pick your wallet if you’re not lookin’.”
The Build
This is one of four State Klunker builds Gordon currently has in his garage. Here’s his breakdown, in his own words:
This one can scoot, as it sports the Stermey-Archer 2C polished hub. The bars are Flanders flat-track motorcycle racing handlebars (34 inches wide), with Salsa Hand Grips.
(This will bring the animal out of any Klunker.)
I installed a D K stem, White Industries G30 crank, 42-tooth chain ring (like stock) as well as the Stermey-Archer 22-tooth cog (like stock). I kept the low gear range as it will get you about everywhere. Plus, the 22-cog and 42-ring will drop right in… kick back into second and it puts a smile on your face!
Seat is a Brooks B-67—not too springy, saves your rear rim and most importantly your back if you plan to go fast over the rough-stuff while sitting vertical.
I put in a Kriss King 11/8 headset and an UNO 25.4 602 seatpost, in silver. (Hard to beat for the price.) What else…? TIRES! The HOLY GRAIL. The right tire can make junk look COOL. I think the rear shot of the bike shows exactly that. Tires are Surly Extra Terrestrial 27.5×2.5. They fit no problem and have a flat-resistant belt. The pedals are VP.
The Ride
Black Widow is built for aggressive rides and set-up for popping wheelies with the leverage you get with those flat track bars, as well as laying it out through the corners with the lower height profile. The bars keep your arm weight down, which I found to provide a lower centre of gravity and more control.
Although there is no crossbar, these bars are made of seamless thicker stock, are far stiffer than they appear and can really transfer input. This is the same bar I ran on the Marin County fire roads from the late 1960s through the ’70s. As you can see, though, this particular bike is not for trail.
That covers about most of the mods. There is one important thing to bring up—if you plan to run this rear two-speed hub, you’ll need to fabricate a bracket for the coaster-brake arm.
Ride your way and have fun!
I just want to clear up the not for trail comment is that the bike is set up for dirt but what I mean by trail is the real tight between tree stuff as these handle bars are quite the clothes line. The Mone 4.5 rise with the cross bar Klunker handle bar is a very similar animal as they are only two inches less in width the rise is close and are notably pulled back as a good 👍 period correct option for a Klunker build may I add. Best suited for the brisk wide open thing not the stop and sniff the flower stuff. What is klunkin? At the end of the day it’s about meeting up with your buddies at the local Pub sipping on a sun downer telling a story about how you just dodge being a wet spot on the base of a redwood with the cross and them flowers I’ve been talkin about next to it just a few hours ago. Now that’s the true celebration of life.