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So those zany folk at Transition have now released details of an actual Clunker new build, obviously the originals are old 'clunker' bikes ridden down trails for the craic, no brake other than the back pedal 'coaster', no gears, no suspension, there's a video about somewhere shall go find it and edit it in later, but does this thing go on over here?
Would it catch on?
Would anyone buy a bike specifically this way I wonder, they look cute quite fancy a go on one, but would I shell out four hundred quid I wonder...
And yes, I'm tasked with the job of selling them so it's kind of a leading question -
Surely a clunker is "an old knackered bike barely rideable totally inappropriate for the off road use".
Isn't a [i]new clunker[/i] an oxymoron?
would I shell out four hundred quid I wonder...
No. My clunker - which is my 'leave it at the station and don't care if it gets nicked' bike, was a tenner off ebay.
What matt said
I still have a dilemma at the station though. Since the lock cost more than the bike, should I lock it at all?
Or is the bike a sort of heavy security tag to stop crims running off with the lock?
Did anyone ever buy one of those new old stumpjumpers a few years back?
Think they were a grand a looked rubbish.
Kona's new bikes with old graphics look really good though.
i don't think bombing down fire roads is a clever idea, for other forest users.
Not easy to sell. I used to sell kona humu bikes, based on early MTBs / clunkers
They are great but not many people "get it"
But i do know how transition should sell them.
I have a plan. But I am saving it for another project.
This is a clunker video, I'll get some bike picks up in a minute if I can find them
[quote=igrf ]
And yes, I'm tasked with the job of selling them so it's kind of a leading question -
Trade member starting a thread trying to sell stuff on the forum? Do the mods know?
druidh - Member
igrf »
And yes, I'm tasked with the job of selling them so it's kind of a leading question -
Trade member starting a thread trying to sell stuff on the forum? Do the mods know?
Hardly, in order to sell them I'd have to order some first, it's a bit far fetched don't you think?
You can't buy one even if you want to right now, so if there is one place you'd get an opinion I figured here, if it offends anyones sensibilities I'm sure it'll get pulled soon enough, but right now, it's a genuine question.
Would anyone actually shell out for a 'new' old bike so to speak?
[quote=igrf ]
druidh - Member
igrf »
And yes, I'm tasked with the job of selling them so it's kind of a leading question -
Trade member starting a thread trying to sell stuff on the forum? Do the mods know?
Hardly, in order to sell them I'd have to order some first, it's a bit far fetched don't you think?
😆
There are fortunes to be made from selling retro stuff. You just need to stick a designer label on it.
In fact, I think you're marketing it all wrong. For a start, you need to triple the price.
40's Schwinn in bits, maybe build it up one day.
I bought a moden take but sadly sold on to a fellow member due to injury: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matrs/6281036104/in/photostream/
[img] 
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I invented clunkers. Back in 1908. Me and Barry Fisher.
/thread
😉
Well funnily enough we sell these things as well, but I can't imagine our product liability insurance would like the idea of our encouraging their use for trail park hump and jumping
[img] 
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Oh look - a truss fork. Oh no hang on - it's just a normal fork with a lump of chrome stuck to it.
Can you keep your picnic in the fake fuel tank?
druidh - Member
Oh look - a truss fork. Oh no hang on - it's just a normal fork with a lump of chrome stuck to it.Can you keep your picnic in the fake fuel tank?
You'd think wouldn't you, but no, it's entirely an affectation. Different type of market, different appeal they do go well in surf shops to folk who neither know anything or care much about bikes.
But these Clunker things we have to take a bit more seriously because they're part of a proper bike market brand.
Can't seem to get the [img] link to the pics accepted, think they must be maybe to high res.
[quote=igrf ]
You'd think wouldn't you, but no, it's entirely an affectation. Different type of market, different appeal they do go well in surf shops to folk who neither know anything or care much about bikes.
I know. I used to sell them....
[img] 
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[img] 
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Ah, thanks my apologies, I now see there's been another thread about it already, my bad genuinely hadn't realised.
They show me this stuff then yell if I post it on the internet, I only saw the release this morning, hadn't noticed there was a thread already, searched on the wrong spelling clearly.
Anyway it doesn't make the job of deciding wether there's a scene for this sort of bike over here any easier.
Show a Carbon bike costing six grand and you get forward orders coming out of your ears, talk about a fun bike costing under 500 quid and you get speculation, nothing more..
Will they won't they, that is the question? 😕
Clunker?
Built a Klunker 
After seeing this film a year ago i built one from a free frameset i was given, the same as in the film...
[url=
N Bars Klunking[/url]
Retro build done for £60, frame found in skip at Spean Bridge 🙂
old MTB rims, rear relaced on coaster hub, MX vintage bars off eBay, BMX chain,stem, bear traps NOS off eBay, had old DH 2.35 tyres, fun to ride 🙂 still to master it and takes a bit skill to ride at speed 😆
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6517208597_14923f7898_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastkid71/6517208597/ ]Klunker 012[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/coastkid71/ ]coastkid71[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6517232997_0c2e9fac8c_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/coastkid71/6517232997/ ]Klunker 018[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/coastkid71/ ]coastkid71[/url], on Flickr
Got to have one
Bear in mind I'm the generation that fitted cow horn handlebars to their racers
Only ride hardtails anyway, yes I know I'm stuck in the past 😀
Coastkid, love the bike very Retrotech
If they were cheap enough I know I'd end up buying one - I know I shouldn't, and I'd feel guilty afterwards, but I'd have to have one!
These running rear hub brakes? Could be v interesting down a muddy surrey hills trail!
Not a clunker but got that '30's motorbike look about it.[img]
[/img]
If they were cheap enough I know I'd end up buying one - I know I shouldn't, and I'd feel guilty afterwards, but I'd have to have one!
Agree with that ..
.. I will take one at trade price to get you started 🙂
wwaswas you got a link to that bike? looks ace 😀
just needs the wooden frame box full of tattie mashers
I suspect mine would fall apart at the first jump
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
coastkid any better?
[img] 
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It's a shame they used to have a far wider range - lots of them far more like '30s m/c's.
[url= http://www.hawkclassic.com/ ]http://www.hawkclassic.com/[/url]
2010
[img] 
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It has a suspension fork because I`m soft....and brakes because I value my teeth!
needs a bit more seatpost showing, I'd say.
Some real (UK) Klunkerz [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mndphotography/sets/72157627114892992/ ]here[/url]
I have all the ingredients for one in the shed, be just like coastkids, nice by the way... but it would overlap quite a bit with my Big Bmx.
Mines Blue though & original gearing was a bit feirce with the child seat on, so dropped to 33-16 now. £300
[img] 
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🙂needs a bit more seatpost showing, I'd say.
Those Transitions look lovely but appear to be missing a brake of any kind!?!?!
Are they not just single speed fully ridged bikes - so anyone can convert their existing bike to that spec for the winter. Some of my mates do just that.
Sure, its got a rear brake - which wont do much in the wet muddy UK.
They do look fun, when riding downhill, but you have to get them up hill first. So if your not a singlespeeder the novelty of pushing them back will soon wear off.
I dont think they will sell here. But they do look fun on the video, like most things marketed to us.
Clunker racing at its best. There is flying bark in that picture somewhere.
[img] http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9922&d=1246818720 [/img]
[img] http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16533&d=1277833830 [/img]
[img] http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=9924&d=1246818760 [/img]
This chap got a rod brake lever stuck in his side...
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First one appears to be about to kick himself in the ear?
I'm pretty sure this is a gag aimed to promote Movember, but it wouldn't be the 1st time I was wrong.
I'm desperate for a klunker. I'd prefer an old schwinn one I think. Whilst I like the tranny, it doesn't look right. Tubes are too straight. Colours are all wrong. They've nearly got it but not quite. The Trek Sawyer looked right but were completely wrong.
I just want one for knocking around on, going to visit mates, pubs etc
Klunkers will be perfect as MTBers pub bikes.
You may get some bites at £400 but not a £500 I wouldn't think.
Mine was one of these Schwinn SS cruisers with the tyres, bars, stem saddle and pedals swapped out with stuff for £20 ebay/found in parts bin, and way cheaper 🙂
[url= http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Typhoon-Cruiser-26-Inch-Wheels/dp/B00279A0CU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350569667&sr=8-1&keywords=Schwinn+Cruiser+SS ]Schwinn cruiser[/url]
Sure some googling will find them in UK 🙂
Where you based wrecker?
I got a Schwinn SS, trouble is its mint, bought it home from the states 10 years ago & ridden it about twice, so not sure its fair on it, I also have some DMR wingbars that would make it directly into a clunker.
Its the same as this but just black tyres.
[img] 
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What you looking for tinsy?
PM me if you like
They look awesome. I want.
Modern take on the clunker theme:
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I started riding it for a laugh, but it gets taken out more than my 456 now.
Wrecker, Didn't know if you wanted my Schwinn.....
Maybe....I'm bristol based. Sorry i didnt put that very well, what sort of price are you looking for?
dunno, I will PM you tomorrow, am based in Essex though & dont fancy posting it.
I can be tempted with swappage for shiny MTB bits better than cash!
Not seen any video of people riding them uphill. Do the cool kids dump them at the bottom and buy another at the top?
mattjg - Member
Not seen any video of people riding them uphill. Do the cool kids dump them at the bottom and buy another at the top?POSTED 1 HOUR AGO #
Those early Klunkerz were ridden over Crested Butte at 12,700 ft 😉 some of those hippes were race snakes 😀
great film, proper riding and at real altitude too
Those dogs in the film were ace new exactly when to slot in with the bikes awesome!
Oooooo I want one, here is a link to my Gary Fisher klunker, it's my main ride and is so much fun to ride, so much so the full sus bike hasn't been used in ages
http://www.oldschoolmtb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4451&start=10
Well nearly four months have passed and they're due in today and surprise surprise quite a few folk liked the idea and wanted one, notably BMX types that view mountain and road bikes as the province of old men.
So, anyone here waiting for one they'll be in Transition stores early next week and I look forward to seeing vids of Klunkermen beating up tubby Audidrivng full sussers at trail parks.. 😉
And the list of trail users who get pi$$ed off with braking bumps at every corner will grow accordingly..