How the Wheel Was Re-Invented…Literally
January 20, 2009 by Carl Martens
Filed under Industry News
A video entitled Klunkerz documents how in the late 1960′s a handful of hippie cyclists literally re-invented the wheel. The film was written, produced and directed by William “Billy” Savage who I contacted in order to receive a copy of the DVD. The film documents modified pre-war balloon tire bikes known as klunkerz, the precursor to the modern day mountain bike.
First off, the video is excellent! What surprised and captured my attention most is the use of actual photos and video from the late 60′s early 70′s depicting the Klunkerz in use. It isn’t often that such events are documented providing witness to the birth of something so revolutionary. I have often heard that the birth of mountain biking took place in California, but didn’t know much more beyond that. The video provides a much more in depth look into how the sport came to be and the different groups involved and their relation to one another. To say one person invented mountain biking would not be true, but rather it was a collaborative (and competitive) effort of different groups working together all wanting another way to enjoy the nature that surrounded them.
Klunkerz were created by taking old balloon tire bicycles (built before 1945), preferably those with high bottom brackets such as the Schwinn Excellsior and removing the fender, chainguard, kickstand and tank (if it had one) from the bicycle.
It began as a “party in the woods” on Mount Tamalpais, a mountain 2600 feet above sea level, known to the locals as Mt. Tam. Groups of adventure and thrill seekers would get together as a way to have fun and goof around. The gatherings were usually organized by Fred Wolf who is well remembered for inviting riders with a simple, “wanna go out on a klunk?”. From joy rides down Mt. Tam to the competitive races at Repack the spirit of mountain biking is captured in this documentary.
Really cool are the interviews with the founders of mountain biking; Fred Wolf, Charlie Kelly, Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Tom Ritchey, Otis Guy, The Larkspur Canyon Gang, The Morrow Dirt Club and others. It is easy to forget that mountain biking has really only been around for a little over 30 years. The interviews provide a unique look at the creation and history of the sport.
The film is well edited and entertaining providing and will provide a greater appreciation to the sport and its pioneers. After watching the video I found myself somewhat embarassed at calling myself a mountain biker, not really knowing the details and individual contributions of how the sport came to be. I would encourage any mountain biker to order a copy of the DVD, it costs just a little over $20.
Watch the movie trailer below.
The beauty of mountain biking is in its beginnings…groups of people looking to have a little fun and goof around. Thankfully for those enthusiasts, not much has changed since those early days.
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This post was written by:
Carl Martens - who has written 67 posts on Mountain bike product reviews, bike builds, trail reviews, forum, and tips – MTOBikes.com.
Carl H. Martens is founder of Made to Order Bikes, Inc. Originally from the burbs of Chicago, IL he now resides in the city of Roswell which is located just north of Atlanta. He enjoys riding Big Creek which is just down the road from where he lives.
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