Finally, I’m getting some “Reader’s Rides” that aren’t Haros or States! Not that I’m complaining, I was just beginning to think I’d accidentally made this a Haro blog. Here’s the latest from Dave, a Canuck who has customized himself one seriously rad Klunker.
One of the coolest things about this Klunker is how Dave actually “Klunks” it. Meaning, he rides it on real trails in some of the gnarliest mountain bike terrain around—Vancouver’s North Shore. If you know, you know.
It’s actually what I’d planned on doing with my Klunker before I admitted I was more of a pavement princess.
Klunk on, Dave! Let’s hear about your bike… in Dave’s own words:
It’s a 2015 Transition Klunker. I added Oury grips, Deity Deftrap Pedals, the Hite Rite and a quick-release to make it an OG dropper post, Maxxis DHF tires front and rear, a bargain-bin used bar pad and a Roach stem guard (made by HMPL).
I love the throwback basic-ness of 26″ wheels and the coaster brake. My first bike as a kid was a coaster-brake BMX and I also owned a Norco Rio Vista beach cruiser a while back. Despite having a carbon road bike and carbon full-suspension mountain bike, the cruiser was the most fun to ride. I wanted to make it into a Klunker project but, well, fatherhood put a dent into my spare time for such a thing. I sold it and kept looking out for a Transition Klunker for a few years.
I finally found one on Pinkbike buy and sell—that was reasonably priced. The people trying to get four-figures USD for these things are delusional.
Transition is a rad company. I met Kevin Menard (one of the owners) a number of years ago at their old location and really appreciate the rider-owned nature of the company and the overall fun vibe that they put out there.
I love to ride it in Pacific Spirit Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, with my dog and son, and take it for the occasional gravity lap down Bobsled on Mt. Fromme (in North Vancouver). It is a slog to walk it up—I was considering maybe getting an internally geared Sturmey Archer hub but I read a comment on here that mentioned having to re-weld the coaster brake mount… which is enough to dissuade me and keep the frame as-is.
I had also thought about taking it up the Grouse Mountain Skyride (I had a pass for the bike park last year) and ripping all the way down Mountain Highway—as close to Repack as it gets around here… alas, an injury kept me from doing that this year but there’s always next year!
What do you think of Dave’s bike? Comment below!
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I’ve been waiting to see a post of Transition Klunker on this site. Every time I see one I get a bit choked up as I had a yellow one that I bought new in maybe 🤔 the tail end 2014 or early 2015 that I lost in a wild fire along with the rest of a large collection un replaceable discontinued klunkers of other brands. If this is a 2015 in gray then I’m stumped on what year the yellow ones were as I thought the yellow was last production run. Any way about Dave’s bike. The photo’s kind of tell or show a history of him tweaking and peaking this ride to get that tuned edge of performance he’s looking for. The pictures telling the story is kind of cool out in the woods testing the different seat post all the different styles off tires. I thought I’d put my two cents in about the Transition Klunker that the pictures don’t reveal that shocked me when I took delivery on mine. What shocked me was the frame and the forks. The more I looked the bike over the more it looked like the bike was built to use it as a dirt jumper. The lower chain stay tubes where joined near the bottom bracket tube are joined by not one but two cross tubes. I have never seen that done before. The drop out brackets on the forks are stout and we’ll attached. In short this bike was built for war a real beast and made for some one that rides like a real animal. Also from what I remember the crank tube crank set is a heavy chromoly steel crank built for heavy BMX use. The wheels tough as the bike and there is some tiny holes drilled in the handle bars I think to air out any trapped moisture that can collect that will whistle a tune in a brisk head wind. Though this ride looks like Clark Kent it’s really Super man. A forever bike you will brake before you brake it. The man of steel? Well then this is the bike of steel. Rock solid in case anyone is asking. Yep don’t mess with Dave and Under Dog 🐕 if you meet up on the trail.
Hey Gordon – looks like I got the year wrong. I think mine is a 2014 and the 2015 colours were yellow and black: https://www.transitionbikes.com/PDF/2015_Klunker.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOopZl7VUWg-LXN5Y83FqW8GoNSt9oTW2isJJhaYQD2bJ21H5hTwZ
I appreciate your other reply about the internally geared hub but I think I will keep this single speed – those hubs are pricey and I really like the thought of keeping this a minimalist build. Lord knows I spend enough money on other bikes, it’s nice to have this one be as basic and maintenance free as it can be.
If anyone is diggin Dave’s ride or the hype I put on what the Transition Klunker really is check out pink bike as these bikes pop up for sale on that site though not many and demand a premium. Iv’e been tolling this site for three years and almost pulled the trigger on one untouched in show room condition but at 1,500.00$ bucks if you have half a brain ?????? put the brakes on. Originally these went out the door for seven hundred taxes and all dressed up like Clark Kent. What I mean by that is this bike so bear bones not even a single rear disk brake. As of today Nov.15/25 there is two nice examples one like Dave’s and a green one dressed in gold trim posted on Pink Bike for you guessed it 1,500.00$ CLAMS. Both are from the same seller. Some scratches not too bad. If anything check em out because the images will show the two cross tubes welded up just behind bottom bracket tube that I mentioned above previously. These bikes are one tough cookie (unique) in it’s own way. That explains the premium price. Because of the scratches though not horrible I would put them at 900 to 1,250.00. If you the reader wants one don’t let the price stop you just try to bargain times are tough. Think about this. Some people pay Pilots good money to jump out of plane. It’s their sport and Klunkin may be yours. If you get a lot of jazz out of this ride then it’s a life experience. One last thing if your thinking of buying a Transition Klunker an it’s a WARNIG. Because this bike is not cheap consider this first before you buy. I owned one for five years and came across many people that bought one that just could not bond with it and turned around and sold it or road it once and parked it for ever or out right hated it. Why because they just did not understand what it is. I did and dug mine but will agree or attest to their complaint or what they just couldn’t compute as follows. First study the photo’s. Do you see it. Some people buy a bike to ride. This bike was built to be ridden. A single speed stiffed up non flex brutal raked out forked down hill all business brawler. It will never be comfortable. You will never make it comfortable. Know your limits. If your a bit of a powder puff you will hate it save your money. But if you like bikes built to be ridden you may love it. ARE YOU IN? I tell you what ever since I lost mine in the wild fire I wanted another. If I didn’t have to explain it to my better half the green one for sale would be gone. I really am beginning to get sick and tired of that half of brain maybe the rest of it will leak out the ear holes l’ll buy the green one and claim at my age I don’t remember how it got here as the FedEx truck speeds away. In my defense. Or as the saying goes after the purchase. Quit your yelling June Bug I’m so broke I can’t pay attention. 👩⚖️ 🙃 🚴😈
This is to Dave regarding the idea of the Stermey hub swap. There is no need to butcher your frame. I’m with you on that thought. The hub deal is an easy quick clean solid fix if needed if so it’s no big deal if you have a vise hack saw center punch hammer and a hand drill. Also a near by hardware store for a peace of metal about an inch wide and about a 1/8 to 3/16 thick generally sold in a three foot length steel not aluminum. Also some adequate bolts and rattle can of paint for the extension bracket you may or may not need to fuss with. First build the wheel and install. The brake arm may just match up like your factory wheel. Some of my swap projects did. If not what you will find is the brake arm will be in line with the welded on mount on the frame. So simply make a bracket / a straight peace of metal with a few holes for mounting that will bolt either right or left of the frame bracket as needed once you see what’s going on. You can also go to the State Bike Company site tap the Klunker section go to the bottom to the cheapest plain black model look below that a the two frame sets for 199$ you’ll see the black frame tap the reviews. There should be 3 at present you see my finished Klunker,a left hand side photo . If you have a way to enlarge the bikes picture or zero in on the area of the brake arm to mount you will see what I did. The heading of the review is Don’t forget the bottle opener. If you see that your at the rite bike. The bracket takes about a half hour to make. After your happy with fit that means bolt it on remove and paint. The longest part is watching paint dry. Ever do that? Don’t I swear when you watch paint dry it never will. Enjoy!
Dave I agree. This is one of those bikes that if you do too much you’ll ruin what it is. The only thing I did to mine was installing a 350mm length seat post, Race Face pedals and Maxxis Holly Roller tires. The only strange thing I noticed about this bike was I would go through a set of hand grips about every six rides. They were shredded to death. I must of got a little too happy on my rides on this one. This bike kind of lures you in on doing things you wouldn’t normally do. Oh yes and be sure keep some bandaids in your pocket as thy may come in handy. This bike is a animal and when riding it you become one.👹