Mountain Biking - Klunkerz the movie...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eWs5qt7%2BL._AA500_.jpg
Director: William (Billy) Savage


I've wanted this DVD since it was announced back in 2005-2006. I'm not sure when it hit the market, but I missed my chance back in 2008 when I saw it on the shelf for $29 in a shop in Austin, TX. All of the sudden, it disappeared man!:cry: I was watching eBay and Amazon and had it on my Christmas list every year since '07, I think. I thought I'd totally missed my chance b/c the website has a "Buy DVD" option, but it redirects you to Amazon. It's been sold out for eyons.

I picked up a package to open on Christmas morning this year and I somewhat assumed it would be another freeride video (which would have been just fine too). I love watching bike vids. When I shredded the wrapping open, I was blown away...it was Klunkerz.

I gotta tell ya...if you're at all into mountain biking, you have got to watch this movie. It's one of the most enjoyable and refreshing bike-related vid's I watched in a long time. There are very few references to modern day shredding in the entire video...think of it as a history lesson with some content that is at the top of your list of interests.

I was most impressed with the group camaraderie and lack of competition for ownership of the sport. The interviews showed no sign of spite or drama...nobody appeared to be fighting for recognition.

It was just a bunch of like-minded people creating what we take for granted.


To CK: Thanks for being a member here and thanks to you and your friends giving so much over the years.

Everything is cool until Mike Sinyard sent the "Mountain Bikes" he received from Gary to Japan and copied Tom Ritchey's frame. I just watched it today for the bazillionith time. I don't think it's made anymore so finding them is a bit difficult now. Even if your not a mountain bikes person and just a bicycling person in general it's still worthwhile. I'm a road bike guy and I still love the movie. They all started out racing road bikes!

This is a fun documentary. I rented it from Netflix and also saw it on PBS.

I agree about Sinyard. The guy stole Gary Fisher's and Tom Ritchie's mountain bike designs. And now he is suing a couple of former employees for stealing his ideas? What a hypocrite.

Yeah...but ya gotta admit. They gotz the schizz. Specialized bicycles makes some of the best bikes in the biz that the mortal man can still stomach the coin for.

I've always had it in for the big boys to some degree, but I gotta give them credit for making nice bikes.


No matter what...the movie is really well done. I've watched it 4-5 times already.

[story about how impossible it is to find this movie anymore]

I gotta tell ya...if you're at all into mountain biking, you have got to watch this movie.

:notamused:

EDIT: Just saw Johnny's comment about Netflix:D

An old saying on here: Specialized sucks. ;o) Yes, S is a juggernaut but their bikes are fantastic.

I love the movie. Brings me back to my counterculture days. Now I'm just another old fart.

Charlie Kelly is cool. Also a piano mover and roadie for Sons Of Champlin.

ETA:.... Check out Charlie's website. Thanks, Charlie!!!!!!

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm

This is a fun documentary. I rented it from Netflix and also saw it on PBS.

I agree about Sinyard. The guy stole Gary Fisher's and Tom Ritchie's mountain bike designs. And now he is suing a couple of former employees for stealing his ideas? What a hypocrite.

I find it funny that when Specialized tried to sue Fuji for using the horst link, Fuji turned right around and counter sued for use of the Roubaix name on a road bike.

Alan Bonds' website isn't as snazzy as Charlie's but it's got a lot of the actual bikes they rode or reproductions. Kind of like the repo of Gary Fisher's bike that Gary had him build.
http://clunkers.net/

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/repackrider/avatar235.jpg (http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm)
2retro4u (http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm)
Marin County



An old saying on here: Specialized sucks. ;o) Yes, S is a juggernaut but their bikes are fantastic.

I love the movie. Brings me back to my counterculture days. Now I'm just another old fart.

Charlie Kelly is cool. Also a piano mover and roadie for Sons Of Champlin.

ETA:.... Check out Charlie's website. Thanks, Charlie!!!!!!

http://sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/mtbwelcome.htm

Thanks for noticing and putting up the link.

This has been linked here before (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVWP6VaLtvw), the original video of "Repack" race shot in 1979 by a professional CBS camera crew and the source of some of the Klunkerz footage.

More info from Gary about the bikes: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=GJW8j37t_jI

Sorry about the lack of availability. Due to legal problems I don't have distribution anymore. I finally got the rights back and I m considering doing another run of 2500-5000 DVDs. The problem is two-fold: (1) Where do I stash 1000s of DVDs so my wife won't kill me, and (2) Is there enough interest to warrant my out of pocket. I don't think Sinyard will partner with me on this one, but if you've any ideas I'm all ears. ;-)

What about selling them through iTunes instead of having the physical inventory to worry about? It's another option.

I'd buy a copy. Then you'd only have to store 2499 in your house. Problem solved.

Pretty good stuff. I was just watching a modern video the other day from transition about a group of guy going klunking (were using old frames with only a rear coaster brake). Looks like a fun as hell time.

I'm usually pretty generous about lending my DVD's to people...(knowing that probably at least 25% of the people I lend them to have the knowledge to rip a copy) Stuff like this though...just doesn't leave the house. I've got a friend who plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar. Tours all over the world. Heck...played on Grobin's Xmas album. His albums don't leave my house either b/c I know that it's hard to break even as an individual but super easy for an individual to pirate media. I let people listen, but if they want it, they gotta buy.

Same with Klunkerz. I'll let people watch it at my house, but if they want it...they'll have to buy it. Maybe if billster gets enough email requests or pre-orders, it will help him decide to do another run. We gotta get vocal, people. Copy the trailer onto every bike forum you know. Get the word out. Facebook it. Whatev's.



(OPEN INVITATION TO ALL BF'NET-ERS: MOVIE NIGHT AT ED'S HOUSE)