Let’s check out this fully custom State Bicycle Co. Klunker, crafted by Klunkers.ca top-commenter “Gordon S.”
If you’ve perused the comments section of this website, you’ve very likely read some lengthy, fun and interesting comments from “Gordon S.” Well, I eventually convinced him to send in my next “Reader’s Rides” submission.
Gordon is a legit old-school Klunker from the heyday of Marin County. And this is his latest. He calls it “Cat Nip.” In his words: “She’s a fast one and will pick your wallet if you’re not lookin’.”
The Build
This is one of four State Klunker builds Gordon currently has in his garage. Here’s his breakdown, in his own words:
This one can scoot, as it sports the Stermey-Archer 2C polished hub. The bars are Flanders flat-track motorcycle racing handlebars (34 inches wide), with Salsa Hand Grips.
(This will bring the animal out of any Klunker.)
I installed a D K stem, White Industries G30 crank, 42-tooth chain ring (like stock) as well as the Stermey-Archer 22-tooth cog (like stock). I kept the low gear range as it will get you about everywhere. Plus, the 22-cog and 42-ring will drop right in… kick back into second and it puts a smile on your face!
Seat is a Brooks B-67—not too springy, saves your rear rim and most importantly your back if you plan to go fast over the rough-stuff while sitting vertical.
I put in a Kriss King 11/8 headset and an UNO 25.4 602 seatpost, in silver. (Hard to beat for the price.) What else…? TIRES! The HOLY GRAIL. The right tire can make junk look COOL. I think the rear shot of the bike shows exactly that. Tires are Surly Extra Terrestrial 27.5×2.5. They fit no problem and have a flat-resistant belt. The pedals are VP.
The Ride
Cat Nip is built for aggressive rides and set-up for popping wheelies with the leverage you get with those flat track bars, as well as laying it out through the corners with the lower height profile. The bars keep your arm weight down, which I found to provide a lower centre of gravity and more control.
Although there is no crossbar, these bars are made of seamless thicker stock, are far stiffer than they appear and can really transfer input. This is the same bar I ran on the Marin County fire roads from the late 1960s through the ’70s. As you can see, though, this particular bike is not for trail.
That covers about most of the mods. There is one important thing to bring up—if you plan to run this rear two-speed hub, you’ll need to fabricate a bracket for the coaster-brake arm.
Ride your way and have fun!
I just want to clear up the not for trail comment is that the bike is set up for dirt but what I mean by trail is the real tight between tree stuff as these handle bars are quite the clothes line. The Mone 4.5 rise with the cross bar Klunker handle bar is a very similar animal as they are only two inches less in width the rise is close and are notably pulled back as a good 👍 period correct option for a Klunker build may I add. Best suited for the brisk wide open thing not the stop and sniff the flower stuff. What is klunkin? At the end of the day it’s about meeting up with your buddies at the local Pub sipping on a sun downer telling a story about how you just dodge being a wet spot on the base of a redwood with the cross and them flowers I’ve been talkin about next to it just a few hours ago. Now that’s the true celebration of life.
Thanks Gordon! Hope you get a chance to share this post with your Klunker community.
Gordon,
RE: if you plan to run this rear two-speed hub, you’ll need to fabricate a bracket for the coaster-brake arm.
Does the State Klunker not come standard with a coaster – brake arm?
Or are you just building from the frame set?
Please clarify..
The State Klunker comes with a brake arm as stock. However where the brake arm bolts to the frame there is a bracket welded to the lower chain stay that doesn’t float left to right or right to left like the average coaster brake set up with a sheet metal strap as found on like your old three and single speed Schwinns. What I ran into with the Stermey Archer 2C hub was the brake arm on two different State klunkers that I installed these hubs on the brake arm was right in line perfectly with the welded anchoring bracket on the frame and did not fall to the left or right to allow the install of the bolt to hold the brake arm in place. So easily done I made a template to suit the look and function of adjustability and transferred into a drop bracket with a little offset and is fully adjustable for and aft when adjusting the chain. All it took was a little peace of flat steel a hack saw center punch and a hand drill a rattle can of black paint plus a vision plus some nice dressy stainless hardware to give it a vibe like no other. Kind of 🤩 fun for this old Hot Rodder. The other option is to remove the brake arm and put it in a vise and give it a bend to off set the supplied brake arm to accommodate the welded frame arm bracket. That is if you run into the same mounting ops tickle I did. What I found interesting is that using a three speed coaster brake Stermey Archer hub on one of my State Klunker bikes the hub with supplied brake arm bolted right up. I highly recommend putting either hub on these rides. My three speed is excellent on the hills but in high gear can keep up with traffic and in some cases pass it the bike is fast and kept reasonably clean looking 👀 with no extra un needed chain rings etc. to lug around. Too many people buy to much bike. As featured the bike above is one of my favorites nice and clean looking aggressive handling and with the two speed hub you can just get enough speed out of it, not to mention it’s comfortable to ride all day and is a pound lighter than my Wethepeople Avenger 27.5 single speed Klunker cruiser rides if you run a White Industry 30 G crank. The G stands for gravel. Anyway probably more than you need to know but I hope all out there have vision for your bomber bike and get them posted. Mine are all a blast to ride even if time is limited it ‘s fun just to jump on one and sprint down the street, pop a few wheelies hit some banked asphalt for a few minutes and put it away. Have some fun let off some steam / time out and then go back to the stuff that is in the way of fun freedom.
Thanks for the clarification Gordon.
Is the three speed Stermey Archer as dependable in your experience? Shifts the same way as the Stermey Archer Duce speed, just with an extra back peddle…
This is to Mark. At first my first ride on the Stermey three speed hub was running outstanding but after about two hours into the ride on the way home the set up started not holding gears. So I limped home. I had a strong feeling that this was nothing to do with the hub it self but the adjuster as well the cable it self. Or in plane language something simple. After inspection 🧐 I noticed doo to bumps on the trail and rough un maintained streets in my area Nor. Cal. the adjuster lock nut or for you young unns the new name is jam nut vibrated loose normally tighten the jam nut by hand after adjustment so one dose not need tools if needed to adjust do to maybe cable stretch out on a ride. Some mechanics use pliers but after a while the adjuster gets shredded after repeated adjusting. So I found if you use mechanics gloves and for me that’s what I wear when klunkin the gloves give you an excellent grip on the adjuster and jam nut to snug without buggering up the adjuster. “SO!” Problem fixed? Well sort of. The bike would shift well and then sometimes not hold either low or high gear. Do to the heat of the nice sunny day the cable housing got relaxed and developed a sag going down the lower frame tube as routed that was not like that at the beginning of the first ride with the new set up. This can cause un accurate shifting on a three speed as cable can kind of bind or not be the true position of the shifter it self translating to the hub witch gear chosen. The easy remedy was just to add a extra cable support fastener at the middle of frame tube just above the water bottle lug so tie will not be allowed to slide down the frame and the cable will stay true and straight down the frame. After just snugging the adjuster with wearing mechanics gloves 🧤 and adding the extra cable support fastener I have put on about six hundred miles of brisk riding with no problems at all dependable yes just needed a couple of simple finishing details. Things to know about three speed internal hubs is when shifting it is not recommend to peddle or putting a load on the hub until after gear has been chosen. Simply a pause in peddling like letting off the gas when shifting a car with a manual transmission. So the only down side of the three speed is that the bike is touch more cluttered looking with running the one cable but with the hub sporting a coaster brake there are no hand brakes to add more weight or clutter. Saving weight on a bike is a big deal. Think about it if one adds one pound to your favorite bike if you spin the crank a thousand times you just moved a thousand maybe un needed pounds. In the end and this is just my opinion , three speeds that cover just about a lot of different conditions no hand brakes or derailer means less weight not to mention the possibility of the chain falling off with the Stermey not likely really has turned the State Klunker bike along with other mods has really turned the bike into a whole new animal. Light in it’s class fast and aggressive. This set up says bring it on powder puffs. For some reason I could not get the images through of the three speed to the Klunkers Ca. Site. However I tried posting it on the State Bike Co. site under the reviews for the black standard model and it got through as they posted it on page eleven under reviews. Tap and scroll the pictures and you will see how I have the cable run the bike title is the Widow and also next to it is the Bandit dressed in black and gold with the theme description. Last I looked on the black State Klunker bike reviews there are about 270 reviews and 26 or 27 pages plus images good to look at to give you ideas how or what you want to get out of your ride. In the end Klunkers should be kept simple and fun, are you riding too much bike? Long answer but I hope this will help you decide witch hub the two or the three. If your only going for one build go the three speed you’ll pretty much will have it all / 18 rear cog and the standard 42 teeth up front but when possible dump that standard crank set State furnishes. It’s horrible.
Correction State Bike Co. now has 272 so the images of the Widow and the Bandit bikes are at the top of page twelve now. It’s good to look at if for only one reason to see same that model bike with different trim color theme’s. Here on this page it’s black and blue. The Widow black and red. The Bandit black and gold. The three different images of the same model bike will give you a good idea if you want to spruce up your ride. If the bike looks cool 😎 then most likely you will want to ride it instead of collecting dust. Klunkers are about as much fun as you can get on a budget. Ride while you trick it.
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Gordon S. Will the stock State seat post and stock clamp work with a Brooks B67? Or would I need the B66. Single rail vs double?
Mark P
Yes the stock seat post on a State Klunker should work I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t as the top clamp is like the old Schwinn and the B67 was and has been the only seat I ran on my 50’s Klunkers back in the day. In today’s world the only currant production Klunker bike that comes close to the original is the State bike. Even the seat post Dia. has been kept the same as the old days. However after 2021 State changed the fork angle to a few degrees steeper which gives a less of a slack steering feel and less of a down hiller feel and more of a BMX type of technical trail handling and of course the taller wheels the frame accepts as well as wider tires which I think is a plus. If the handle bars you are running let you sit up strait then the B67 I recommend. The springs are not too spongy but will save your back from injury. That is a must if you choose to ride fast over even moderate terrain because by the time you stop a general ride your back has taken thousands of Jolts. The small Jolts add up and multiply. If you do not want a seat with springs and run the Brooks B66 than your better off with a lower flatter handle bar to save your back. However the trade off is by leaning forward with the lower set of handle bar a lot of weight and jolts are going to attack the elbows. If I ride my WTB Avenger bikes too often my elbows start protesting doo to a more MTB riding position and the stout ridged front BMX type fork. So just be aware. This is just my opinion after fifty eight years of riding Klunkers the B67 not only gives your ride the look but will keep you from pain and injury. The springs are not there just for comfort. Keep in mind doo to the rising inflation the longer you wait to purchase the seat the more expensive it will be. When I did my recent Klunker builds in 2022/23 my B67 seat cost was about 110.$ now they are 150.$ plus depending on where you buy it. But what’s your back worth? The B67 comes in men or women’s so be aware when ordering.
This is to Mark. If you are in doubt about the seat post clamp mount to the Brooks B67 rails just look up the images on page 6 the Bandit also page 9 the Widow on the State Klunker section under reviews. Tap and scroll the photos being three of each bike you will see that the lower rail sits by it self just like a B66 or like the stock seat so it should drop right on. The B67 lower mounting rail would mount like any other seat. Though I’m running the UNO 25.4×350 post on those two bikes it’s not necessary. The stock post is just fine to use. I go back to the State Klunker site to see what’s new or where they put my bikes. They have moved them a few pages closer to the front. I also noticed in just a few months the reviews have jumped from 272 to 312 so it still remains to be popular. It is good to see that many people are going back to this simple category of bike whether it’s the State or the others on this site. I wish Kona and Transition would bring their models back.
Thanks for the extensive responses Gordon. I have always ridden very narrow seats on my Kona Mountain Bikes and Diamond Backs, The B67 would be a totally different experience. My Bontrager and Kona seats have been great. Ever get to the Denver geography?
Mark P
Bontrager? Hey by the way they make great tubes. I’ m running their 27×275 tubes in my 26×250 and 27.5×250 tires and found they keep the air for a great deal of time. No flats. I have been running eight Klunkers that way. My air pump collects a lot of dust these days.🤠 As for Denver for me I’m 68 years too late. Like California it lost its COOL factor along time ago. Back in the day Colorado and California had a big time vibe, the place to be big time. Now it’s just as well to stay put. One place is becoming like another. Though I’ll bet rural Colorado is still killer. I flew over it 2008 and still looked in tacked. Anyway the next time you swap tires check out those tubes. If you get lazy about filling the those fat tires the mention above may be your ticket to a get on and go kind of day that can last several weeks.
Hey Gordon,
I just bought one of the last We The People Avenger’s on the planet.
There are still a couple up in Michigan, Santa Cruz had one too.
Anxious to get it set up. First Disc breaks ever! Are they a pain to maintain? My came from the East Coast.
Happy Trails!
Mark
Con. – Grad. Mark Yep a bit more fuss with the disc brakes and with the ones on your ride should be flushed about every couple of years being hydraulic. I should do that myself but when that time comes I let the local shop do that as well as inspection because they are more savvy about it and brakes are a safety issue anyway. It’s cheap and doesn’t cost much plus a peace of mind that a pro did it. Like to hear the feed back, your thoughts after a few hours of riding the WTP Avenger. If you like those big blocky nylon pedals it comes with but want to go metal I highly recommend the Race Face Atlas model in black they are killer for this unique ride. God must have made those pedals just for this bike. They not only belong on it but you can really lay some power to the ground with that big foot print they provide plus they look dam good on it. The down side to those pedals is the price but the performance you get is worth it. I did not care for the green trim on mine such as seat post clamp crank collars and stem spacers. I felt it needed something more to tie the visual in. So I ordered two sets for both my WTP AVGR’s of tricked green plated handle bar stem bolts from Dans Competition. That so little did so much and made the look complete. A cheap fix.🤫 One thing I may be wrong about is being limited to the 2.35 width tires. The forks have room for a wider tire. But the rear you might as well if you install a half link on the chain to get more clearance as wheel will naturally need to be moved to the rear a touch. If you ever plan to go bigger. For me I decided to keep running the stock width to keep the weight down. I like how the bike performs at that weight. WTP says it’s a bike for a little of everything I agree what about you? When I want to ride something different I grab the Avenger. It has a vibe of it’s own. Not easy to come by. Kind of a collector. The twenty twenty one models didn’t hit the States until mid twenty four and not many. A very limited run.
Gordon,
I have the stock WTP Avenger bike built up and ready to roll. I will give you a report when I get some rides in. I have been sick with something that was making the rounds and am just getting out again and have been riding my State Klunker after some snow and slop not wanting to have to deal with slopped up drive train and disc rotors till I acclimate and get some transitional rides in!
Do you have the SHIMANO “BL-MT200”, hydraulic disc brakes on your Avengers or the CLARKS CLOUT MODEL.
Mine shipped with the Clarks.
The Race Face Atlas pedals in black
are a work of art! Maybe I can swing em soon. Got to lay low on spend with my wife for a season!
My typical rides on my State Klunker is about 20-26 miles out and back 4-6 days a week. What can I expect in added effort with the Avenger’s 42T x 18T over against the State’s 42t Crank with 22t gearing?
I love my State but often quickly outrun and max out on top speed on flats.
Looking forward to having more capability and sustain when passing and holding off the roadies…
Expect some WTP AVENGER feed back in the near future..
Mark P
Hey Mark! Been avoiding the sight because it makes me want to ride but have a small terrier in the meniscus left knee. However Surgery in two weeks will remedy that. Been there with the other thirty plus years ago. So this is what I recommend if you plan to stick with one State Klunker Bike as follows. What is more important to you the clean look no cables or a shifter more than gearing than the (two speed kick back hub with the 22cog and keep the chain ring 42,) hands down I’m sure you will agree If you chose the two speed after riding it. You will get a lot out of on those two gears. Now the (Three Speed Coaster) If you can put up with one cable and one shifter a little less of a clean look though it’s not bad then the three speed will turn this bike into a bad ass (keep the cog a 18 and the chain ring the 42) with this set up ( three speed 18/42 gears this is what you get performance wise) your first gear will be a tiny bit lower than it is now as a single spd. Will make a wheelie bike .Second is noticeably taller but won’t break the bank climbing a moderate hill, a good cruising gear. (Third Gear) Third gear on the flats with no head wind or a tail wind will turn heads like what the ? That or a slight down hill a old guy like me can keep up with auto traffic or tail gate road bikers 🚴 oh what fun. If you can put up with that small amount of hardware and want a bike that can sing this is what you want. It is important to make sure the cable on this system to not have sags / bow running down the lower tube as shifting and adjusting can become inconsistent and drive ya nuts adjusting though simple was not but figured it out. Just added one more black plastic pull tie and that is history a year of riding have had no need to fuse with it just run cable true to the frame tubes no big bows. Check out State Klunker bike reviews The Widow tap and scroll images run the cable as you see it. Last I looked State Bike had my bike more to the front within the first 16 pages. One last bit of advice if you go three speed coast when you shift than pedal like you would a car with a clutch. I think the three speed dose about everything a seven dose in a smaller lighter hub and that’s the key.
Hey Mark again ! The question on the brakes supplied with the 2021 Avenger almost slipped my mind as I got side tracked with the plumber at the door CHU- CHING $$$$$$$🤬🤯😫😢 OUCH they pride of being home a home owner. Anyway all 2021 models were supplied with the Clarks brakes. Both of mine are running Clarks. These days because of the desperate economic world it is hard to keep up who bought sold or owns the makers of bicycle parts. Is Clarks a SHIMANO licensee’s or part of SRAM ? Who knows. Now ya got me goin and might have ta dig up the answer. I know back in 2017 SRAM had their hands in a lot of bike parts that did not use the name SRAM. Your question has been on my mind for a while when I got the first one June of 24. Bottom line the bike shop that found it and ordered it for me thought and were very impressed with the quality of components and the overall bike for the price. They are a little fussy so if they like it I know it’s a deal. But just for fun if I find out who what. I’ll let you know what who.☃️💨☔️⛄️ Don’t blame ya for not wanting them brakes rust. I’m no different.
To MarK P. WOW to my surprise CLARKS is its own company and has been making bike parts since 1943 and disc brakes for quite a while. Sounds good to me. Now I’ll sleep better. Always good to hear back. Hope things dry up your way.🌤️
To Mark P. So I just looked up State Bikes Site and they moved my three Speed Widow Klunker up closer to the front on the State Klunker reviews.To page 5 tap and scroll the pictures will give you a idea what your bike would look as a three speed along with the way shifter cable is routed with fasteners / blk. Ties I wonder if this is State biggest seller – 318 reviews?
Gordon,
Thanks for all the great input and insights on maximizing my State and We The People Klunkers. I have been putting some miles on my new WTP Avenger. Initial impressions is that it is well balanced. As you noted, it is a versatile and capable bike. The frame is well balanced
and seems like an extension of my body. I can ride without hands on te bars when stretching or drinking from my water bottle on a bike path.
Sign of a good balanced ride.
Also accelerates and sustains speed once obtained. Kinetic power is there now without slicks or or low resistance treads.
Glad I bought it! Still can’t believe that it won’t handle à standard or 22 /24 ounce water bottle based on where they put the bottle cage bolts!
I had to buy a small, study, 15 oz Camelback Podium water bottle to accommodate the pre-drilled bottle holder placement on the seat tube!
It’s those little details that nag at ya.
I love my Black State Klunker and it delivered in spades ♠️’s. Best value and bang for the buck with a solid bike to upgrade and build on.
No complaints, period. I do need to deal with the stock seat as it has been cockeyed since I received it. Straightened the listing rail with a steel bar, but time to replace it.
Not sure about the Brooks B67 or something sleeker like a WTB Volt.
I always liked the narrow, thin line seats vs the more bulky, comfortable John Deere tractor butt slings…! Maybe it’s the Spartan in me.
Lastly, have you checked out the FAIRDALE TAJ 27.5″
Translucent Winter Blue – $599.00
Or Fire Engine Red – $649.00
BMX roots like the WTP Avenger,
Nice basic, components in the stock build.
Klunker, beach cruiser, BMX, mountain bike hybrid…
https://fairdalebikes.com/
I will be interested in your feedback on the Taj!
Mark P.
Gordon,
What is your recommendation for a bike floor stand that can accommodate 27.5” up to 29er’s??
I see you are using em!
Mark P
(Why a narrow seat👍?) Ever notice most road bikers that mainly stay on their seats for a 80 to a 100 mile ride not to mention race on such a punny purch? A wide seat after a long period of riding or vigorous long rides can interrupt the circulation in the rear portion of the legs by bitting in with each pedal stroke. The longer more intense the ride the more likely many riders run into leg cramps. Not to mention the smaller seat saves weight that is a riders worst enemy. Fat seats best suited for low intense casual cruising like beach bikes. How ever for me I run trimmer seats on my beach bikes as well because trim seats give an aggressive racy vibe to any ride. Everything custom. When you walk through your man cave don’t you prefer every thing on wheels while parked appear to be goin a 100mph? If you are a tall guy and have to raise a seat more than 6.5” running big seat your rig begins to look like one had plumbed a toilet seat to it. The only time a wide seat may appear cool is slammed over a bike with fat tires and pull back vintage news boy bars. Like a BAR HOPPER VIBE. That Harley in front of Dive Bar look 👀 saying REBEL⛓️🔪⚒️☠️🤡👺 Seat with springs will save your back. If you sit vertical over the rough stuff even on the streets. Back pain woohfffff nasty.
Both the Fairdale 27.5 and the Sunday Hc 29 are built under the same umbrella frames are close . I think the Fairdale came before the Sunday . The seat post tube just shy of 18” will take a rider from 5’6” to 6’1” mmm maybe 2”. If you’re just over6’ and want a light chromo steel free style thrasher for far less money then a Big Ripper these both are worth checking out . Both run good hardware but for some the seat post may be short a longer 350mm did the trick for me on my Sunday HI C. I came across an Easton post, really well made that can adjust the seat angle to suit and easy to get just a killer post for under fifty. Off set with full seat pitch to perfection not always that easy to find in every size.😺 Check out (All Bmx) or a few suppliers sites to bounce back and fourth to compare both models to see the one that may suit your needs. Check the specs. The seat post clamp is trash that would be the only valid complaint to mention, a cheap fix. The Fairdale has a front brake the Sunday N/A. The Fairdale has little shorter TT than the Sunday the difference is moot. I went with the HI C because of the 29” wheels me being a big guy and 29” wheels is admittedly a bit different and roll better and seem to cover real estate faster. But if you’re planning to pound away on one of these rigs the 27.5 wheels naturally are more stout. Though both the Fairdale and Sunday’s frames are almost the same seat to pedal and size frame the smaller wheels will allow a shorter rider to touch the ground on the Fairdale. They both use the same handle bars. Good ones I liked them. But I changed mine to the SE Racing Super Big Honkin Bars because I’m an APE. 🦧 but even at that the bars are just fine for me as furnished. So to rap things up I have been riding my 2021 HI C since Dec. of 2020 new model Christmas and all and now 2026. Zero complaints the wheels still true with this 240 pound ape rollin on those pore things, never touched . I haven’t had to really fuss much with the chain it seems to be a tough chain. These models are so closely matched and of great quality one can not go wrong with either and kind of the same bike that sit at two different height’s off the grown to fit just about anyone and won’t miss out on many hours of fun. I had two Big Rippers great bikes but best for shorter riders as the seat tubes are only 15” and some change as I remember them. The Ripper has a brutally built aluminum frame, but for me the old saying is steel is real and a Chromoly frame is the best material for a bicycle frame. A for ever frame. The Ripper is 2 pounds heavier and you notice it and weight is a bike riders ENEMY. So what do I like better on the Big Ripper after owning both. The Big Ripper has more flash. However once you jump on either the Fairdale or the HI C being lighter faster yep faster I don’t miss my Rippers at all plus a peace of mind with a steel frame. Probably the best value in it’s class . Quality Light Fast and Strong Nice handlers and shouldn’t brake the bank. What more can you ask for. Oh yeh the seat ain’t bad either ENJOY. There you have it Mark
One real important detail I left out and because we order bikes shipped to our door unseen due to the way we shop since Covid is before you pull the plastic out to burn between six to seven hundred bucks U.S. is the reach to the handle bars. Both the HI C 29er and the Fairdale 27.5 er wear a short reach Handle bar stem. That means if you have a short reach the Fairdale hands down will be a buyers best choice as the top frame tube is shorter to grab the bars.(shorter reach). I’m big and have a longer reach than average and my Sunday HI C 29er is beginning to scratch the limit for me so keep that in mind if your reach is below the average. The HI C is kind of a big guy’s bike it fools you small parked by itself but when you park it next to another bike it leaves ya scratching your head. You realize what it is. Big BMX
Hey Mark I’ll get back to you on the display bike stand brand name in a couple days. Had Knee surgery on the seventh for a minor meniscus tear I did while shredding on the Avenger five months back just before Christmas. Got to say that gift was a DUD from heaven I could have took a pass on. I guess the economy ain’t to good neither what ever that means up above. I would have been happier blessed with a flat tire for Christmas. A few stairs I am whim-ping out on to get to the MAN CAVE to read the Label on the stand , the Doc. GOT ME ON LOCK DOWN TOO. So the stands them selves come in many widths most of mine are for a 2.5 width tire that works just fine down to a2.3 tire really feels like a luxury to have them.handy when you have bikes with no stands attached . I know they go as wide as 5” width because My Surely Ice Cream Truck had 4.8” width tires and was using the same brand stand. Now the other thing I do if I have a bike with a tire too narrow I’ll cut to length some half inch pipe styrofoam insulator tube peace’s to just snap on the stand to narrow the gap for the lesser tire. The stand is handy to do maintenance in many situations with out dragging out the mechanic stand. Really helps for storage. Life is much easier with those stands. Well worth the investment if the toy room grows. It is not uncommon where there is almost year round wether to ride to have eight to fifteen bikes if that is your passion. (Bikes ) Road – Mtn – Beach – Klunker Bmx Dwn- hill -Track they collect like golf clubs if you lost your mind.🤯
Hey Gordon,
Glad you got the surgery out of the way and are on the mend! Definitely follow the doctors aftercare instructions to the T. You will be back to max power soon enough!
I did end up pulling the trigger on the WTB Volt Steel Saddle, and it has made a huge difference in the ride quality on my State Klunker.
Also no more lower right side back pain tweaks. The original Stock saddle is now in a landfill or recycling center somewhere in Colorado!
I am now considering the Volt Medium Titanium Black Saddle for my WeThePeep Avenger. Lighter and the Ti should absorb trail and road bumps. The whale tail back adds more leverage and power when climbing.
Thanks for sharing your encyclopedic knowledge and expertise in all things Klunking!
You’re the man.
My most recent ponderation: Bike Chain lube! Are you running dry lube on your chains or wet?
I have been using Boeshield T-9 Bicycle Lubricant applying one roller link at a time. But CO is dry and I pick up a lot of dirt and dust on my chains (black slimey chain) and am rethinking dry vs wet for my riding routes and practicality etc.
Just don’t know if applying dry everybody ride is worth it!
No high humidity orbits wet Mount Tam in my vicinity! (My loss!)
Been there only once with the family and was bikeless that trip!
Mark P
Well Mark Got the stitches out and hit the ground running🤩. ———😬Ouch! After two days of REGRET I”ll take your’e advice and act my age. Patience will pay off after a surgery. Anyway got the brand name for the bike display stands you asked about. Look up wwwWillcox.com SUPER STAND These things have made life much easier for me. Got too much stuff. The MAN CAVE looks like a bike shop. (Chain lube) Man two things I Hate is first mud esp. CLAY MUD and dirty gritty chains/Chain rings. Wet oily chains really collect the salt dirt and grit teeth grinding sand ridding around the Ca. Mendocino coast. I use the YELLOW BEEZE WAX / ROCK&ROLL chain lube. For a ton of reasons though good for only about 100 miles. Before you have to lube again. Rock&Roll goose on wet , sticks to the chain as it dries to dry breeze wax film that keeps chain sealed from rust plus lubes at the same time. Because it dries it keeps dirt / sand collection to a minimum. Goose on wet and will loosen old lube and dirt after a few minutes wipe off extra lube by spinning the crank keep wiping as the new will clean off the old crud. My chains always looks new with the use of this product. Never have to fuss much with chain adjusting. That tells me the Yellow bottle of Rocken Roll beeze wax chain lube is doing it’s thing. The bike mechanic at Off The Chain Bikes Hollister Ca.who races gravel bikes Recommended it as he uses it so I tried it. Well! That is the only chain lube I’ll use for the above reasons. GOOD STUFF Always good to hear back. Hope your having a blast on your new RIG.
Gordon,
Glad you are on the mend! Soon you will be back in the fray and approaching maximum riding capabilities by late summer ~ Fall when the riding is premo!
As Jack London once quipped, The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.
I use to go to Santa Cruz and the surrounding geography every August for a week back in my technology days. Stayed on the U of California, Santa Cuz campus.
Love it all. Half Moon, Napa, Scott’s Valley, Mount Tam, Muir Woods, San Francisco..
Thanks for the heads upon the Rock&Roll Yellow lube. I will buying some on Amazon. Never heard of it before but I planned to move to à dry lube and you helped me solve this problem! Also the floor stands.
🚲 NEWS FLASH!! 🚲
Check out Kona’s reissue/
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.
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.
Specs and pics at
Konaworld.com
Mark P