I missed this bike on my “looking at today’s models” post. I’m gonna make up for that.
My second-most popular post is a roundup of factory Klunkers and Klunker-adjacent bikes, which I posted last year. (My first is my Haro Klunkerson review, which is undoubtably how you found this site.)
But I missed a bike. And I’m not sure how. It’s the Sully Klunker Bike, from Retrospec. Now, to be absolutely clear, I have not ridden this ride or even seen it in person. But I wanted to give it a shout-out, lest I be accused by the some 150 people who visit this site every month of playing favourites.
So here goes. (All pics from the Retrospec website, hope that’s OK my dudes.)
| FRAME | Klunker-style, high-tensile steel. 2 sets bottle mounts, 2 sets rear carrier mounts, 18″ | GRIPS | Retrospec 125mm w/end plugs |
| CRANKSET | Aluminum 170mm x 42T w/aluminum chainwheel guard | SADDLE | Retrospec Tuck ‘n Roll, black |
| FREEWHEEL/ CASSETTE | 22T | KICKSTAND | Center-mount, aluminum |
| RIMS | Retrospec aluminum double-wall 32H, precision machined brake tracks | STEM | Aluminum 4-bolt face, threadless, 50mm, 22.2 handlebar clamp |
| TIRES | 27.5 x 2.30 Multi-Purpose small-block knobs | PEDALS | Low-Profile Platform, Reinforced Nylon resin, 9/16″ |
| HANDLEBARS | Moto-style high-tensile steel, 750mm width x 140mm rise | HUBS | Aluminum, ball-bearing 32H bolt-on |
My goal is not to evaluate the bike’s quality or ride. I haven’t held one in my hands. I’m just gonna think some thoughts.
First off, the price is right. Listed on its US-based website for $299, and selling in Canada for about $100 to $150 more than that CAD, it’s one of the cheapest Klunkers I’ve seen. Which is very Klunker-esque.
And I appreciate the product description on the website. It tells the same story that got me to buy the Haro Klunkerson: this is the bike you wanted as a kid; this is the freewheeling, all-fun vibe you need now. Yep. It really is.
I love the bike’s moto-style handlebars and 27.5″ tires—and the 42/22 gearing is on-point. The saddle looks super comfy too, without being a grandpappy-saddle. And they even tossed on a rear-rim brake, which is more than State did.
But with low prices come compromises. The nylon pedals. The ugly plastic chain-guard. High-tensile steel (rather than sturdier chro-mo).
No deal breakers here, though. All in it’s a fine package. I actually like the handlebars better than my Haro!
It comes in three colours, and even has two bottle mounts and two rear-carrier mounts—meaning this thing is likely gunning for the beach cruiser crowd as much as the hardcore Klunkers among us.
Nice work, Retrospec. I hope to see one in the wild soon.
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