OK—so we’re here to help each other, right? Otherwise, what’s the point?
A reader—we’ll call him “M“—reached out to me asking for some advice on buying his first Klunker. I gave him some options, which I’ll detail below, but…
…I thought—why not throw it out to this community and crowdsource the best options to start him on his journey of Klunkerdom?
Here’s M’s query:
I wanted some advice. I am looking at the Haro Klunkerson. [I am a] 40-year-old dad of three looking to get something to ride around with my kids. This seems to be the perfect thing.
But after reading your review, I noticed we are on opposite ends height-wise. You’re at the top end of the ride height.
I am at the lower end (5’6″).
I am trying to see if the bike will be too big for me—no way for me to find it locally to try it out. Any ideas? —M
So my first thought was that the Klunkerson, with its low-rise bars, would still fit. After all, I swapped out the bars to better fit me (and for looks).
But I also suggested a State Bicycle Co. Klunker, simply because the lower price point will free up more cash for modifications…
And I also suggested the new Surly Lowside, as its five frame sizes will surely fit the bill—at a cost.
Finally, I thought some of the Big Wheel BMX offerings from Haro and SE could work too.
But a group always out-thinks an individual. That’s a fact.
So what do you folks think would be the best Klunker for a new rider who wants to bomb around with his kids—and is 5’6″?
Comment below! I’ll make sure to approve them as quickly as I can. (If it weren’t for this darn spammers, I’d open comments up completely.)
And if you’re finding this at a later date—still toss up your recommendations! Someone else with the same questions will appreciate it.
Thanks team!
—Klunky D
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Any help/guidance is appreciated!
I think 5’6” to 5’ 10” is the target hight size rider for the Klunkerson. The bars should be perfect off the show room. Actually only thing you may want to change is the pedals as a personal choice or tires if to a more tight tread pattern if your going to ride more street. If mostly free style or asphalt riding l recommend hands down a set of Maxxis Hookworm 27 x 2.50 tires as displayed on Klunker D’S. Haro. Those tires simply roll and corner so well. I run those on several of my rides. I don’t think there is anything better for that kind of riding. The Haro Klunkerson is perfect right out of the box and a lot of bike for the money at the price it sells for plus the frame is chromoly. Hard to beat. For your hight that would be your best choice.
Excellent! Sold. I appreciate the comment very helpful.
Ok you YOUNG WIPPER SNAPPERS I GOTT’S TO THROW THIS IN YA FACE COW BOYS👨🌾. Anyone out there remember the Merlin News Boy? Ya’ll gonna want one and hate me for bringing it up but I got to stir the pot. The Merlin News Boy Is back from the dead in many sizes including XL Klunker D. And that also goes for me. Frame only for a mirror 6,000.00$😾and some change. Yep you read right. So hold on to your saddle if you choose to look behind door number one. But first crumble a hundred dollar bill and flush it down the toilet and if you’re fine with that you qualify to look but hide your thoughts from your significant other or you might need an Attorney. Better find a place to hide this Klunker or face child support also. That closet with 20,000.00 full of high heels never worn is all right but a Merlin News Boy that will be ridden and well love how ill responsible are you dude.
I have put over a couple thousand miles on my State Black Klunker with nothing but stock parts so far. I also just picked up a We The People, Avenger which I have only about + 125 miles on thus far. I am over 5’ 8” and change. The Avenger fits me well, but the State is probably better for riders for down to 5’5″.
When I contacted We the People out of Cologne, Germany I was told that the Avenger could accommodate a rider down to 1.70 meters (5ft 6.93in.) up to 2.0 meter – 2.1meter.
I am definitely more stretch out on my Avenger and it handles like a dream.
I have been very impressed with both bikes and am now starting to consider some upgrades and changes to my State Klunker.
Gordon S.’s posts on this site has a ton of useful suggestions on upgrading the States, Ashe has a fleet of them!
I should have replaced the State’s stock seat by now as it has been off center from the first month. (bent or off kilter rail) Looking at buying the Brooks B67 Saddle or maybe giving the WTB Volt Steel Saddle a try first as I typically like a narrow profile saddle.
The State has been an incredible value and ride. Initially I had to replace the stock seat post clamp as my seat kept shifting sideways.
I also crashed into a steel barrier fence at about 20 mph and bent V-Bar handlebars with a replacement set from State. (My Bad!).
Also have replaced three spokes and the original chain.
I ran into an interesting bike last week that looks to hold a lot of possibilities.
It is the Fairdale Taj 27.5″ with a 100% Track Certified Chromoly frame and handlebars! It has BMX ROOTS and definite Klunker lines.
Stock parts seem quality and MSRP is $649.99, without shopping it hard! The Translucent Winter Blue is stunning and the 27.5″: is sized for riders 5’4″ height and up!
I have added one to my future buy list!
Mark P
Is anyone else aware of or had experience with the Fairdale Taj ?
https://fairdalebikes.com/
Also, I seriously understated the actual annual miles I have rode on my State Klunker and it was over 3952 miles per year. Over (7904. I had only multiplied monthly instead of my weekly!! Duh! The point being that I have cranked out both dirt and concrete bike trail mileage on the State Klunker and it has performed well.
Mitch R.
Did you pull the trigger on a Haro?
What did you decide on?
I DID! I bought it a few weeks ago I haven’t had time to get to the warehouse ti pick it up. Hoping this weekend.
Mitch R., How is the new bike?
🚲 Have you made any upgrades or are you content with the stock build?
Have you had any harrowing or Haro~ing rides?
Mark P
Hey Mark have you ever seen images of the Meerkat State Klunker Builds? As I remember I think there were two. One of them was raffled off at the Sea Otter Classic at Laguna Race way in Monterey California. The images might give ya some Idea’s. The good thing about the black frame it adapts to what ever color you choose if plated parts are to be installed red blue gold etc.
My, you are a Communicative bunch!
Mark Pilgrim – thanks for the heads up on the Fairdale Taj – looks like a really great bike. My bike is the Kona Humu from a few months ago. This blog/community doesn’t update on the daily, but that’s the beauty of it to me….just chillin’ and hangin’ out when we get a chance *cheers*
Mike H, thanks for the note! Just making sure I was the lone survivor of a zombie apocalypse or such!
I absolutely am a big Kona fan. I own a Kona Jake the Snake cyclocross in fluorescent green which has only about 130 total miles on it. Hope to sell it off this spring as I don’t plan to ride it as I originally intended… cyclocross/ endurance.
It will make someone a great commuter or gravel machine.
Also have a 1995 Steel Race Light Hahanna which I absolutely love.
Your Kona looks sweet. I was glad to see the original Kona founders reaquire their company. They are the keepers of the flame 🔥!
Kona use to have very eclectic parts and seam against the tide of conformity. Hopefully we will see great new directions. But I digress.
Reread your ride profile. I had never heard of Reeb Cycles before – the Hooptie looks interesting for sure.
Looks like they are in Longmont, CO.
May need to swing by.
Happy Trails,
Mark P, Out!
Was NOT the lone survivor….
NEWS FLASH!!!
The Return of the Humuhumunukunukapua’a
Kona just reissued the Huma Huma!!
Cruiser/Klunker/MTB WITH Butted cromoly frame and fork with twin top tubes, 32T x 18T single-speed drivetrain or standard HG cassette body for easy multisided conversion
And Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.
crossbar
WTB GROOV-E 29 x 2.25″ tires on WTB ST i30 rims
$1,699.00 MSRP.
Insane paint job featuring Gloss Clematis w/ Near White, Bone, Nectarine & Fjord Decals!
200 numbered, limited-edition bikes!!
Good luck locating one.
Check it out!
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Dudes! Hurley has a bike series called the Hydrous, and they look klunk-tastic! There’s 3 models: a 24, 27.5, and a 29 electric. The bikes are hard to find and didn’t get a whole lotta press or reviews. The good news is I got the klunklord 27.5 model on order and I’ll write a full review when I get it!
Mark P thanks for the heads up! Again! That is totally unexpected to see the next Humu Humu iteration. And the description on Kona’s website is spot on. I used to live in Colorado and enjoy Oskar Blues beer and visit the brewery, hence the name *reeb* (beer backwards) cycles.
Need to correct myself the Merlin site I first look up msrp posted around six thousand for the the New Merlin News Boy But just ran across a couple posted brand new frame sets for around a thousand on EBay the frames are titanium and that’s what the big deal about the frame set. The News Boy is set up for suspension forks. The original News Boy as remember hit the bike shops in limited production around the Late Nineties Early Two Thousands as I saw a complete News Boy with Rox Shock forks and sold for five thousand and some change and ran twenty six inch wheels at Mikes Bikes San Rafael Ca. Marin County. So the new frames on EBay state that the frames are for Twenty Nine inch wheels so we Know they are new. As brand new a 16.5 “ frame and two 18” available . Even at that the frame that needs everything else is not going to be cheap. Ok it looks to come with a seat post clamp that is the good news. There is something worth talking about is if you are on a budget like most of us these days if you plan to build or modify your Klunker , I have found that EBay is the best place to start for brand new parts. I have saved thousands however you spend a lot of time looking. Or Brand New hard to find stuff the site is a help. I like spending at the locale bike shop but in this new desperate world since Covid and a world ( Horrible Economic Shutdown) you may find in many cases your bike shop don’t stock it or cannot get what you want so to finish your rig the Bay is a great option. I have had good luck 100 % but really do your home work and if you are not comfortable with the add and something don’t feel right it is better to walk. Titanium sounds cool and may make you feel like you are King of the hill but don’t feel bad if you cannot afford it because in the end the best material for a bicycle and or motorcycle frame is chromoly over any other material. Chromoly is lighter than regular carbon steel a little stiffer than regular steel but not brittle like so many other materials bike frames are made of that fail over a short time. In the end high tech bikes give bragging rights but a good middle of the road bike gives you many years to a life time of service and a sound investment. But a Titanium Klunker? I don’t Know???? My Kid is about to jump into the pit of fire that’s how I found out about the revamped News Boy 29er. The pit of no return.
So did more digging the 1,000 dollar Titanium News Boy is a Carver. I have never heard of before a copy of the Merlin but not the same. Unfortunately the Merlin is the big bucks at 6,000 bucks. If my kid goes ahead with a Merlin Build I’ll try to get him to put it on readers rides. He usually goes through with his thoughts.
Hey Mark are you aware that Merlin bike frames are built right in your back yard of Colorado. Yep the News Boy Klunker is built right there. Built in the U.S.A. and that explains the price as the Carver News Boy for a thousand is built over sea’s. How ever I did catch vid review on the Titanium Caver News Boy frame and looks to be a quality frame like are Avengers. Though the Avengers are Chromoly the welds are way better than I expected on a thousand dollar bike , what about yours? The knee is combing along and cannot wait to ride the Avenger’s again. With those Race Face Atlas pedals you really can dig in and you also get extra leverage to man handle the bike when ya get a little happy on a ride do things a cop might pull you over for being reckless for pullen air on the city sidewalks on the way to the trail. So you just posted the Kona Huma come back and my son just brought to my attention that Merlin is bringing back the Titanium News Boy and Carve has they’re own Titanium News Boy model I guess Klunkers are making their way back. I am kind of excited as my kid and I were talking and he plans to order a extra large Merlin News Boy Titanium frame soon. No expense will be spared on this one. He has wanted one since he was 14 and just turned 42 this month. This build will be well earned.
Gordon,
I had never seen the Meerkat State Klunker before. I looked it up and took a gander. The Meerkat Klunker: Night Sky Edition which was apparently a joint venture with Dynaplug is a keeper!
Thanks for the heads up.
Mark P
Sorry! Got that wrong got mixed up it is Reeb Bikes is Colorado. The Merlin factory is in Cambridge Massachusetts . Too bad it is listed as a limited production the News Boy model. Remember calling Reeb Bikes around some time in 2022 but weren’t taking orders for the Hooptie at that time and began chasing the WTP Avenger that was not easy to get either. Might call Merlin to get the order details tomorrow the head is spinning if it is not a big deal to get ordering one might not be off the menu but hands down will be the last bike I’ll ever buy at the six thousand dollar mark for a frame only. I have worked a lot of different metals but at the price of the News Boy Titanium might take more care to form a set of frame tubes to be like a Klunker bike probably by their Master Frame Builders. Titanium is not as forgiving to work with as chromoly I hear so a A1 frame comes with a price tag. When it comes to building chromoly frames there has been a argument since at least as far back in the seventies is that brazing chromoly for bike and motorcycle frames makes a better stronger frame than tig welding the joints. Looks like Monē Bikes brazes his frames / interestingly. Decisions-decisions keeps life moving.
Hey Gordon S.
I grew up in Maine and have a lot of family still in the geography.
You mentioned Carver Ti News Boy!
If it is the Carver up in Maine,
Carver Bikes
115 Main Street
Woolwich, Maine 04579
Carver, Bath Cycle & Ski / Bikeman, Woolwich….
Bath Cycle is the local retail shop and service bikes. Bikeman is their online manifestation, and Carver is their in house, brand. They do some very interesting work and projects.
If you be looking for a hard to locate part of product, they may have it down in the “basement”.
I currently have two nephews working and wrenching there and had two more nephews working there in the recent past! They know bikes and have didn’t just fall of the turnip turnip truck! I will be asking about the Carver involvement with Klunkers now! They have also put a lot of Kona’s through the store.
I know Carver works with Titanium on a lot custom frames and parts!
Small world indeed!
Mark P