Forget your carbon fiber dream machines and electronically-shifted everything. The future of fun in cycling? It’s got fat tires, one gear and a whole lot of attitude.
We’re talking Klunkers, baby! And trust us, these vintage beasts are poised for a major comeback.
If you found this article via SEO, you might be scratching your head. Klunkers? Aren’t those the bikes your grandpa used to bomb down fire roads? Well, yes and no. They are the granddaddies of mountain bikes, cobbled together from old Schwinn cruisers and a healthy dose of ingenuity. But they’re also so much more. They represent a raw, unfiltered joy of riding that’s been missing from cycling for too long.
So, why are these relics about to become the next big thing? Here’s the lowdown:
1. Simplicity is King (and Queen): In a world of increasingly complex bikes with a million adjustments, the Klunker offers a refreshing dose of simplicity. One gear, simple brakes and a whole lot of leg power. No fiddling with derailleurs, no worrying about battery life, just pure, unadulterated riding. This back-to-basics approach is incredibly appealing to riders who are tired of the tech overload.
2. The Thrill of the Ride: Let’s be honest, bombing down a hill on a Klunker is an experience unlike any other. The lack of suspension and the coaster brake demand a different kind of skill and attention. You’re forced to be more engaged with the terrain, choosing your lines carefully and relying on your body weight for control.
3. Style for Miles: Klunkers ooze cool. They’re a statement. They’re a middle finger to conformity. From the iconic bullmoose handlebars to the fat, balloon tires, these bikes have a vintage charm that’s hard to resist. Plus, they’re a blank canvas for customization. Think custom paint jobs, vintage accessories and personalized touches that reflect your individual style.
4. Accessibility for All: Let’s face it, getting into modern mountain biking can be expensive. Klunkers offer a more affordable entry point. You can often find vintage cruisers for a steal and the parts needed to convert them are relatively inexpensive. This makes Klunkers a great option for riders who are on a budget or who are just looking for a fun and accessible way to get into off-road riding.
5. A Celebration of Cycling History: Riding a Klunker is like taking a step back in time. It’s a way to connect with the roots of mountain biking and to appreciate the ingenuity and passion of the pioneers who paved the way for the sport we know and love today. It’s a reminder that cycling is about more than just speed and performance; it’s about community, adventure and the simple joy of riding a bike.
So, there you have it. Simplicity, thrill, style, accessibility, and a connection to cycling history—the Klunker has it all. Get ready to see these vintage beasts rolling down your local trails. The Klunker revolution is coming, and it’s going to be a wild ride! Now, go find yourself a vintage cruiser and get ready to Klunk!
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Check out. BEHIND THE BARS SHINY SIDE UP INC. 2013 bike show history park San Jose Ca. Video Here’s why. What’s a Klunker? It’s an old Schwinn or Schwinn type style bike that has been the most copied bicycle on the planet and has been the most customized bike on the planet as well. What’s a Klunker? It’s this old balloon tire early Schwinn that has been Frankinstiened in to anything you imagine it to be or has been used as a work horse for decades as transportation at many factory yards. A message runner bike the original used in San Fransisco before the fixed gear bike caught on. Why so popular? The style of the flowing lines designed by a human we relate to or simply art we flock to. There are more accessories for this type of ride than any other as can be seen in this video. Just endless. A sixteen minute video that says it all. There is a couple sitting in some folding out yard chairs where the husband explains what this type of bike represents / FREEDOM/. The Klunker can be built out of vintage junkyard parts found at a swap meat or brand new custom parts. It can be a Rat Rod, flat black paint red wheels with some Donald Ducker white side wall tires to a Barn Burner Dirt machine to a Freestyle pave pounding modern Street machine as shown on this site WRAPPING IT UP by simply throwing some fat burly freestyle tires and a set of BMX bars. Your good to go. If you get tired of your Klunker set up one way you can simply remodel it another way with a completely new look and feel with a imagination a few dollars and a flip of a wrench. You can get a lot out of your Klunker bike dollar for dollar and fun memories. A simple bike in a complex world most of us want to escape from on our free time and that’s why the Klunker Shines. That is why it still remains popular and will exist as long as man will. No other bike will meet the sheer utility of the Klunker, Beach Cruiser,News Boy,Original Down Hill Racer, The Low Rider, you name it a bike with many faces that has served us well in style. RIDE ON
Shopping for the modern day Klunker? That’s easy because there is a limited amount of companies out there building these rides worth buying. Oh Boy I probably Just started a campfire argument. That’s good. We all might learn something new. There are hand full of modern ones two out of production. Before I get started I like to say I’m happy to see sites such as this that may spark some manufacture to put out a production quality chromoly frame complete Klunker with rear disc. front optional with fork ready. The closes bike that I just put out there would be the Klunkerson. Almost perfect but the frame falls short of the one size fits all category but I think that was intentional to capture the BMX market and kept the frame small for maneuvering freestyle tricks not to mention the shorter frame tubes keeps this bad boy stout. This one has a targeted purpose know what your buying and at an attractive price of 600.00 and some change if you fit this one it would be foolish to pass up if your in the market. Second currant production would be SBC’s Klunker offered as frame fork kit at 199.00 or complete bike starting at 420.00 one size fits all category and as close as your gonna get to the original but runs the larger 27.5 wheels. Pluses a strong frame traditional flow top tube to chain says welds are nice. Minuses not offered in Chromoly and no disc brake hook ups. There is bike out there called the Rev Klunker that looks identical and has the same specs but kind of has faded away. Third no longer in produce but available used at a premium the one and only heavy weight champion, the Rocky Balboa of the modern day Klunker, the Transition 100% chromoly bare bones raked out to keep one behind the bars rather than over the top on a brutal down hill hand numbing running Klunker. As just featured in the recent READERS RIDES. Pluses one tough cookie 🍪 heavy for what it is very stout built for war. Minuses you will brake before you brake it. Buyer be ware. The last Klunker the most recent manufactured but now out of production and also may I might add very limited of the last two here on the list is the WTB 27.5 Avenger. Pluses very high end construction 100% chromoly frame juice disc brakes and nice parts. I would rate this one as a semi custom. A bit of love went into this one. Next to the Klunkerson this is more expensive but where I would rate them equal dollar for dollar you get a lot for your money with both. The WTB has a long top tube be aware and is more of a mountain bike where if your hunting more of a Klunker you’d be better off with the Klunkerson. Again do your home work before you buy, frame specs and geometry know what your buying.