Two Lubbock Klunkers in One Day - Woohoo!!!
Klunker #1
Look, Ma - no cables!
Two Days ago saw the maiden voyage for another Mesquite Hugger klunker. I'm stoked - this one is fairly legit by OG klunker standards: well-used frame, single-speed, coaster brake, and most parts sourced from other junky old bikes. Yes, I feel hip or hep or something like that!
The frame is cool for a couple of reasons - it's a Worksman INB - one of those oh-so-rare made in America (New York!) industrial bikes. This particular bike was (very well) used to get around a warehouse. It still has all the scars, stickers and tags from that former life.
Production!
Love the tag!
The other thing that makes it cool is that it feels big when you ride it, and comfortable. It feels like the bikes I rode as a kid. It makes me want to learn to wheelie again! I've been wanting a 26" BMX bike, but now there's no need.
And, honestly, it's ugly enough that I can't imagine anyone wanting to steal it. Win, win, and win!
Klunker #2
A nice surprise at Velocity Bikes
So, on the same day I rode the Worksman for the first time, I ran by Velocity Bike Shop to pick up a tube for the e-bike. Imagine my surprise when I ran across a beautiful, brand new, shiny black State Klunker. (Yes, that's a bottle opener for your IBC Root Beer bottles down below the seat.)
If you're shopping for a new turn-key klunker, this bike is very tempting (and you could ride it home today and have the support of a great local bike shop behind it).
At $399, it fits right in with bikes like the Schwinn Rumbler and the Sun RevMX and the really cool (and much more expensive) WTP Avenger. Only the Retrospec Sully comes in significantly cheaper, but you'd have to wait to until they're back in stock and you'd miss out on the joy of power sliding the coaster brake. (Please tell the guys at Velocity that the Mesquite Hugger sent you so you can enjoy the confused looks on their faces.)
The Wrap-Up
So there you have it - the absolute opposite ends of the exact same spectrum. Two black klunker bikes on the same day in Lubbock, Texas...who'd've thought?
May you enjoy whatever bike you ride and may you be well!
Two postscripts:
If you have any interest in klunking a mountain-bike trail in Lubbock, let me know!
New Worksman bikes
If you want a new Worksman bike, you can check them out at Worksman.com - prices starting at $409, but splurge for the drum brakes and possibly the 3-speed!
If you're looking for an old Worksman or similar frame to build, head over to the Rat Rod Bikes forum to learn more and see what's available in the classifieds section.
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