Framebuilders - Clark kent road frame

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rednoodler
02-21-09, 12:59 PM
Recently I bought a used CLARK KENT Europa road frame. Need help identifying its history. I know that C-K frames were made in Denver in the 1990's, but as this one has been repainted I am not even sure if it is TI or Steel. Photos available. Clues: frame has nice tight welds, non-lugged. Unusual suspension road fork. TIG welder: "Ivo Dinklarck" or similar. Paint by "S. Soderman." All tubing round, can't tell if it is butted. Metal is slightly magnetic or paramagnetic (responds weakly to applied magnet). Would this frame be suspect as to weld quality? Would like to know how hard I can ride it. See photos. Thx for advice.

JohnDThompson
02-21-09, 02:27 PM
Recently I bought a used CLARK KENT Europa road frame. Need help identifying its history. I know that C-K frames were made in Denver in the 1990's, but as this one has been repainted I am not even sure if it is TI or Steel. Photos available. Clues: frame has nice tight welds, non-lugged. Unusual suspension road fork. TIG welder: "Ivo Dinklarck" or similar. Paint by "S. Soderman." All tubing round, can't tell if it is butted. Metal is slightly magnetic or paramagnetic (responds weakly to applied magnet). Would this frame be suspect as to weld quality? Would like to know how hard I can ride it. See photos. Thx for advice.

Here's a bit of history on Clark-Kent: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark-Kent_(Bicycles)

If it's magnetic, it's steel. Ti doesn't respond at all to magnets.
Nessism
02-21-09, 08:51 PM
Hard to be sure based on one low resolution photo but that looks like a steel frame. Clark Kent Ti frames have a propensity toward cracking so you are better better off with steel.

late
02-21-09, 09:03 PM
I remember a couple years where there was suspension on some road frames.
It must have been a fad. I wouldn't worry about it, or the frame. Would like to know what your impressions of riding it are.
russman
07-30-10, 10:44 AM
I have a Clark Kent early 90's steel road bike. It was welded by Don Herr. Awesome ride. It's still my primary road bike. I had it powder coated 3 years ago (there were some scratches on the frame that I was worried would start to rust), so the CK stickers aren't on it anymore. Mine has a carbon fork on it, not the suspension fork, but that's cool.
unterhausen
07-30-10, 10:53 AM
I see this was dredged up from early 2009, likely that the original poster will not be around to see it.
rednoodler
07-31-10, 10:12 PM
I have built this bike back and it is very impressive. Due to the weird suspension fork (still works), the bike is probably the most comfortable bike I have had. 1000 miles so far on the rebuild, no problems. Recommend suspension forks for road bikes over carbon, use ful every day. No label on this fork, but no problems.
rednoodler
Davis, CA