I Bought Some New Stuff For My Klunker (Wanna See It?)

It’s been both inspiring and intimidating to scroll through the various feeds, checking out all of your custom Klunker builds.

Inspiring, because there is just so much creativity in this community. Intimidating because it’s shone a light on how little I know what I’m doing—compared to a lot of you.

That’s why I bought an off-the-shelf Klunker. I just didn’t have the time to build something from scratch, nor, admittedly, the skills. And most of the skills come in the form of bike-building and design creativity. I know what I like when I see it, but some of the creations out there are just on another level.

I’ve seen reproductions of Second World War press bikes. I’ve seen Caterpillar branded Klunkers—inspired by heavy machinery. I’ve seen bikes so blinged-out they blind you; and some so dark and evil they almost vanish into the night.

But then a guy named Nik, my first “Reader’s Rides” submission, sent in his Haro Klunkerson for my consideration. And while it’s definitely sick, and Nik I mean no disrespect, it was also very attainable. Mostly relatively simple aesthetics—beyond a new handlebar, front sprocket and seat. (And even those are still pretty easy.)

So, I surfed over to the Flite BMX store and dropped $100 on add-ons—upgrades, in my opinion—for my Klunkerson. Well, after eating $33 in cross-border shipping, then another $56 in UPS fees, it ballooned to a barely-worth-it $189, but that’s not Flite’s fault. UPS is mos-def not up-front about their brokerage fees. They even lost my package for a while, but Nadine at Flite was super helpful throughout.

(As always, I feel the need to say I don’t get paid for anything on this site, nor do I get free shit. I just shout-out things I like. And people too. And things I don’t like—such as UPS.)

Wanna see what I bought?

Flite Checkerboard BMX Pad Set

Essential for that classic BMX look I’m going for. I feel like these will immediately erase any “beach cruiser” vibes from my Klunker and make it look track-ready. (Even though it is more of a beach cruiser than a track bike, lol.)

MCS 3/8” Chain Tensioners

When I was checking out the Surly Lowside, I admired the cool purple Surly chain tensioners. Does that make the Lowside worth $2,100? You start to see how with a couple bucks and a few minutes of your time, you too can upgrade any bike with such aesthetic touches. (Oh, and apparently, they’re also good for tensioning your chain.)

Flite Grip Donuts

I don’t even really know why I bought these. Not like I’m racing the thing. But I just felt like, for $10, why not? And they look kinda cool.

A’ME Round Grips

Second to the pad set as the best aesthetic upgrade of the bunch. In fact, maybe it’s the best. Again, essential for that ‘80s BMX vibe. I love these grips—and they’re comfier than the stock grips anyway.

Sticky Fingers 2.0 Brake Lever Cover

Matching the brake levers to the grips gives it such a Rad look. Almost motocross-like. And since it rains a lot where I live, they’ll actually be useful. I should have bought a green pair for my cargo bike.

TNT Schraeder Valve Caps

Because why not toss a few more bucks into the pile? Matching valve caps look cool. 

Then it took me like 30 minutes to put it all on. I told my wife I’d be an hour, so I just sat in garage looking at the bike for another 30 minutes, trying to decide if it made things better or worse. To be honest, at first, I wasn’t sure.

Then, when I hung it on the wall and really got a look at the old-school BMX look to the grips and levers, plus the matching hits of blue on the chain tensioner and valve-caps, I knew I’d done good. 

Actually, my only regret is not buying some blue pedals too. I feel it’s a little front-heavy on the blue. So, I’ll be grabbing some Haro Fusion Pedals coming up. 

Oh—you probably wanna see the final unveiling? Well, I’m gonna write a new post about that. I have to milk this content, ya know—none you of you sending me Reader’s Rides pics!

(PS: Anyone know of a good source for BMX/Klunker parts in Canada? One that actually has stock…?)