A few months ago, I added some shiny new pedals to my Haro Klunkerson and proclaimed—or at least suggested—that I was done. But you know that’s B.S., right?
However, there’s no denying that every mod I’ve added to my Haro Klunkerson has been cosmetic. Just for looks. And looks are good, but it still basically rode the same. And, as I mentioned in my (number-one Google-ranked) review—there are a couple things I’d like to change.
Ultimately, the bike just barely fits me. At 6’2″, I always felt a little hunched over. I also never LOVED the 4.5″ rise handlebars. I like a bigger bar—and a bigger bar would totally change the fit of the bike too.
Plus, despite my original intentions of riding trails on my Klunkerson, I never really have. So the knobby Kendas it came with aren’t really the best tire for my urban cruising.
So, I picked up a couple of new items from Harvester Bikes. (No affiliation.)
First up, was the Salt 9″ Pro Handlebars. Classic two-piece chromoly bar—and fully twice as much rise as the stock bars.
Next up, I went for the classic urban assault tires—Maxxis Hookworm, 27.5×2.5. These are a bit fatter than the stock 2.35″ tires on the Klunkerson, but not enough to really worry about any fit issues.
Plus, because I needed to hit $200 to get free shipping, I added one other purchase too. See if you can spot it on my bike in the below photos!
Installation was a breeze of course, as this isn’t a major operation. The Salt Pro Handlebars are the exact same circumference and basically the same width as well. A little WD-40 and the Flite grips flew right off.
I even added a little “gansta lean” to the bars—pushing them forward a touch to both better fit my monkey-arms and add some ’80s style.
Next up, I swapped out the Kendas for the Hookworms—which fit like a dream. I even loosened my chain a bit when I made the swap. I find that single-speed chains are often a bit too tight off the factory floor. Just a touch.
The results? Well, aesthetically, you can decide for yourself by perusing the gallery below. But as far as the riding experience—WOW.
Exceeded all expectations! The 9″ bars not only fit my reach better, but allowed me to raise the seat a bit more and not look out of proportion. Combined with those ultra-smooth and grip Hookworms and I feel like it’s a new bike. Yeah, I know they’re kinda ape-hangers now, but I like them.
I love it. I’m already riding it twice as much as I had the week earlier. I truly believe with these mods it’s crossed the line from a novelty bike to a true cruiser.
What do you think? Win or lame? Comment below!
I guess you may want to know what it looked like before? Well, this is the previous version. I think it’s a major improvement!
Anyone wanna buy a Klunkerson Bar and two used 27.5″x2.35″ Kenda Kruisers? (LOL).
And if you noticed the cobalt blue seat clamp upgrade, congratulations, yes, I added that to get to the free shipping. A nice touch I think!
Well, so ends another post about my Haro Klunkerson. At this point, it’s fair to say I’ve done far more marketing for this bike than Haro ever has. Hey Haro—hit me up! Can I get a free hat or something?
(Kidding. Unless you’re gonna do it.)
Pingback: Haro Klunkerson Update: Haro Fusion Pedals For The Win! - Klunkers
The handle bars are way too tall. The bars on Nick’s Sick Haro would or should have been max. Hears why. Oh and by the way there is Nick’s handle bars are not the SE big Honkin handle bars but the other model listed the SE Super big Honkin handle bars. I can tell by the bend plus I’m running the same bars on my Sunday HI C. The Big Honkin are an inch lower. I thought l’d put that out there if someone plans to run the same bars and so they order the right ones. Back to the hight being too tall. With anything on wheels the lower one can keep the weight / center of gravity the better. One inch in many cases can tip the scale. The taller the handle bar the more flex and the more disconnected you become with your ride and can lead to a crash. I get your trying to get the ride to fit as I go through the same thing at 6’3 but there are limits and when broken your kind of shooting your self in the foot. If you’re just going for a gangster street cruiser then what you did it’s all good but if you want to stay Klunker it’s best to regather and back pedal. Shed the monster 👹 lock put it in a pack when needed. Too much clutter. Remember for every pound you stick on a bike for every pound your pedal revolution your moving. 1 lbs. plus 250 revolutions = 250 lbs. I get tired thinking about it. Now your tire choice for how you plan to ride was the best mod you could have done. I know your bike now rides like something you hardly recognize in a good way. I know as run Hookworms on five of my rides and are good on the hard packed dirt also. They roll and with the oval profile they are blast to corner at a fast pace but to get the control and full effect get some lower bars or split the difference and stay connected. Never run a tread that is more aggressive than needed. That’s like getting more gas mileage out your body.
Oh, and I should also add the angle at which I took those photos exaggerates the bars… check this post for what it really looks like: https://klunkers.ca/haro-klunkerson-long-term-review-wrap-up/
I forgot to mention what where all that top heavy weight comes from with tall handle bars. It’s what ever your arms weigh. The higher the arm position is kept the worse your bike will handle it’s all about keeping the center of gravity low as possible but tweaking the bike to fit. On all four of my State Bike Klunkers I was running the SE Racing handle bars like Nick’s Sick Haro with one of them being the lower model. Noticeably the lower Big Honking Handle bar set handled better but almost too low for a long ride but for 6’1 or shorter person they are probably perfect. Over some time of riding that lead me to go to a handle bar that would split the hight difference. So I went back to the Flanders Flat track motorcycle handle bar I ran yester years ago as shown, readers rides Cat Nip. Cat Nip has a sister bike that I sent pictures to this site but I don’t think they got through. This bike is now featured in State Bike Company in the Klunker section under the frame kit selection the Black one. Just tap the reviews. The tittle will read Don’ Forget The Bottle Opener this bike though is the same as the Cat Nip it’s trim color is different the images just tap and scroll there are three pictures are far better and the details of the bike are easily seen. It’s better to take pictures of bikes on a over cast day I just learned. State Bike Emailed me back with the message Hey Dang Gordon that is one good looking Klunker when I sent the review about building a frame set. So they posted it. So it might be worth it to check out for the color scheme if anything to give a fellow Klunker build ideas for there ride. I hope every month to see new builds here don’ t be shy bring it on. Happy 😊 Trails The Big G
Hey Gordon, I know the bars are tall but realistically this Klunker is a cruiser, so it’s fun and comfortable this way. I made the choice to turn it into something I’m just rolling to beach, cruising around the city, etc. Maybe my next one, I’ll make a serious dirt ripper… in which case, I’ll use the Klunkerson bars on that!
On, and for the lock, man, I live in an area where they’ll steal your bike practically while you’re still on it. I gotta have a serious lock on me at all times. Thanks, to each their own—that’s what makes Klunking so fun!
Pingback: Haro Klunkerson: Long-Term Review & Wrap-Up - Klunkers
Got it. I was wondering if those handle bars in real life look lower than than what the darn camera dose as the images of my rides all look like my seat post is a inch up and the handle bars especially the chrome set look a inch wider. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but as recall the specs on the Super Big Honkin handle bars have a 8” rise which should be only an inch different. The camera definitely needs some choice words thrown at it. Sorry about the lock situation. It’s more practical to have it always available in today’s world that I refuse to accept. But at least color coordinates with the color accents and that’s a good thing. Don’t mind me ever since 1963 when saw a copy of Hot Rod Magazine at the age of seven and a few months I saw a race boat that year at Lakeport Ca. Called the Purple People eater I all to off tend forget the word above and get bitten. Better to play it safe.
Actually I retract the comment on the bars. I kept studying the pictures and the one that blew by me that is a little separated from the rest plus I’m operating on a tablet is the picture taken by the graffiti SUCKER that caught my eye and stopped me in my tracks. Hum? I enlarged the picture and discovered the handle bars to the seat hight are not to out of place if at all. With those Hookworms and the Salt bars this ride would not out of place trashing a skate park. In fact between the wheel base and the handle bars it might be the ticket or one of the best big guy’s bikes to manual on just look at it. Can you? If that’s what your target is after seeing that picture, BMX freestyle vibe you nailed it. Looks fun that’s why I keep the Sunday HC around for just that. Your lucky the Haro fits the Hookworms my Sunday no way. I also picked up on your close ups the lower frame tube has a gusset to the head tube plus the seat tube joint looks to be anchored well. I wouldn’t be shy about running this one hard.