From Relics to Rippers: A Look Back at the Klunker’s Wild Ride

It’s October 2, 2025—let’s be honest, the trails are practically begging to be ridden today. But while millions of people are hitting the trails on their ubiquitous mountain bikes today… it wasn’t always that way.

Let’s take a trip back in time, way before dropper posts and suspension forks were even a twinkle in a designer’s eye.

I’m talking about the Klunker!

These weren’t your sleek, aerodynamic speed demons. Nope, Klunkers were the Frankenstein bikes of the cycling world—cobbled together from whatever you could find, fuelled by pure grit and a thirst for off-road adventure. They’re the reason we’re out here shredding today, so let’s give ’em some respect!

Here are 10 moments that turned those clunky cruisers into the granddaddies of our modern mountain bikes. Yes, this is the five-minute history of how Klunkers, and eventually mountain bikes, came to be.

1. Post-War Scavenge-Fest (Late ’40s to ’60s)

Picture this: The Second World War is over, and suddenly, these beefy, balloon-tired bikes like the Schwinn Excelsior are everywhere and cheap! These weren’t built for winning races, but they were tough as nails. Perfect for the budding backyard engineers who wanted a ride that could handle some serious bumps. The seed was planted…

2. The Larkspur Canyon Crew (Early ’70s)

Marin County, California—ground zero for mountain bike madness! A bunch of buddies, guys like Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly and Joe Breeze, started bombing down Mount Tam’s fire roads on their tricked-out cruisers. They weren’t just cruising; they were pushing the limits of what these bikes could possibly handle, and having a blast doing it.

3. Repack: Where Bikes Went to Die (1976 to 1979)

Oh man, Repack. This legendary downhill race, dreamed up by Charlie Kelly, was pure carnage. A five-minute plunge that separated the strong from the… well, the broken. It was brutal, unforgiving and the perfect R&D lab. Repack forced riders to get creative—stronger brakes, tougher parts, and frame geometry that could actually survive the abuse were a must.

4. Joe Breeze’s “Breeze” Blows Minds (1977)

Boom! The “Breeze” arrives. Often hailed as the first purpose-built mountain bike. Joe Breeze, a frame builder with serious skills, crafted a frame that was lighter and stronger, specifically for tearing it up off-road. This wasn’t just slapping parts on an old cruiser; this was a whole new level of commitment.

5. MountainBikes is Born (1979)

Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly, realizing they were onto something big, officially launched MountainBikes. The first company dedicated to building and selling these crazy machines. Suddenly, the Klunker wasn’t just a local phenomenon; it was a thing.

6. Ritchey Joins the Party (1980)

Tom Ritchey, another frame-building wizard, starts cranking out frames for MountainBikes. His craftsmanship and innovative ideas took the Klunker to the next level—lighter, stronger, faster. Ritchey’s work laid the foundation for what early mountain bikes would become.

7. Stumpjumper Takes Center Stage (1981)

Specialized, smelling the coffee (and the dirt), jumps in with the Stumpjumper. This was the first mass-produced mountain bike, bringing the Klunker concept to the masses and cementing its place in cycling history. Game officially changed.

8. Shimano Steps Up (Early ’80s)

Shimano, the component king, starts developing parts specifically for mountain bikes. We’re talking wider gear ranges, brakes that actually stopped you, and derailleurs that could handle a beating. Suddenly, Klunkers weren’t just tough; they were actually reliable.

9. Suspension? Sort Of… (Mid-’80s)

Okay, early suspension was… interesting. Think elastomers and air springs that were more like suggestions than actual suspension. But hey, it was a start! These early experiments hinted at the future of plush, controlled rides.

10. Klunker Graduates to Mountain Bike (Late ’80s)

By the late ’80s, the Klunker had morphed into the mountain bike we know and love. Lighter frames, better components and (eventually) decent suspension transformed those repurposed cruisers into the high-performance machines we drool over today.

The Klunker was more than just a bike; it was a symbol of innovation, a testament to the power of DIY, and a reminder that the best adventures are often found off the beaten path. So, the next time you’re railing a berm or cleaning a techy climb, give a little nod to the Klunker—the scrappy, unlikely ancestor of your modern mountain bike. It earned it!