Charlie Cunningham
06-03-26 | 08:35 PM
#1
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From: Point Reyes Station, California
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Charlie Cunningham
Charlie has succumbed to the complications of a brain injury from a bike accident that took place over 10 years ago. If you don't know about the pioneering work done by Charlie you owe yourself a quick internet search. There's a lot of information about his bike innovations, particularly in the early days of the mountain bike.
I won't go into the history here. I'm sure others will cover that better than I could. I want to talk bout the man himself. I knew Charlie as a fellow cyclist but I knew him better as a member of a circle of friends, including his wife Jacquie, who played music together. Charlie and my late wife Nanette were our faithful audience. Charlie was a quiet man, modest and shy, but passionate about his many projects to improve both mountain and road bikes, always striving to find that point where as-light-as-possible was strong enough. His basement workshop included everything from massive welding clamps to tiny jewelers files, reflecting the broad range of his curiosity.
It was hard watching his slow decline. I'm rambling a bit so I'll stop here. I'll miss him.
Brent
I won't go into the history here. I'm sure others will cover that better than I could. I want to talk bout the man himself. I knew Charlie as a fellow cyclist but I knew him better as a member of a circle of friends, including his wife Jacquie, who played music together. Charlie and my late wife Nanette were our faithful audience. Charlie was a quiet man, modest and shy, but passionate about his many projects to improve both mountain and road bikes, always striving to find that point where as-light-as-possible was strong enough. His basement workshop included everything from massive welding clamps to tiny jewelers files, reflecting the broad range of his curiosity.
It was hard watching his slow decline. I'm rambling a bit so I'll stop here. I'll miss him.
Brent
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"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
06-03-26 | 09:05 PM
#3
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From: PDX
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Charlie has succumbed to the complications of a brain injury from a bike accident that took place over 10 years ago. If you don't know about the pioneering work done by Charlie you owe yourself a quick internet search. There's a lot of information about his bike innovations, particularly in the early days of the mountain bike.
I won't go into the history here. I'm sure others will cover that better than I could. I want to talk bout the man himself. I knew Charlie as a fellow cyclist but I knew him better as a member of a circle of friends, including his wife Jacquie, who played music together. Charlie and my late wife Nanette were our faithful audience. Charlie was a quiet man, modest and shy, but passionate about his many projects to improve both mountain and road bikes, always striving to find that point where as-light-as-possible was strong enough. His basement workshop included everything from massive welding clamps to tiny jewelers files, reflecting the broad range of his curiosity.
It was hard watching his slow decline. I'm rambling a bit so I'll stop here. I'll miss him.
Brent
I won't go into the history here. I'm sure others will cover that better than I could. I want to talk bout the man himself. I knew Charlie as a fellow cyclist but I knew him better as a member of a circle of friends, including his wife Jacquie, who played music together. Charlie and my late wife Nanette were our faithful audience. Charlie was a quiet man, modest and shy, but passionate about his many projects to improve both mountain and road bikes, always striving to find that point where as-light-as-possible was strong enough. His basement workshop included everything from massive welding clamps to tiny jewelers files, reflecting the broad range of his curiosity.
It was hard watching his slow decline. I'm rambling a bit so I'll stop here. I'll miss him.
Brent
So sorry for your loss, I'm grateful you and Jacquie kept us apprised of his struggle and showed us so many of his parts and pieces.that clearly exhibited his genius.
He was one of a kind like no other.
RIP CC
06-04-26 | 12:25 AM
#4
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From: Santa Rosa, CA
Bikes: Bianchi Campione d'Italia, Lemond Poprad, Kona Hei Hei (converted to drop bars), Felt F1PR, Specialized Sequoia, various other projects
He was a genius in the field.
.
Ride in Peace, Charlie. You will be missed.
.
Ride in Peace, Charlie. You will be missed.
06-04-26 | 06:16 AM
#5
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
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Thank you for sharing these memories. I found this piece very useful in detailing Charlie Cunningham's remarkable contributions to the development of mountain bikes; truly an innovative pioneer,
Now THAT Was a Bike: Charlie Cunningham's Prophetic CC Proto - Pinkbike
Now THAT Was a Bike: Charlie Cunningham's Prophetic CC Proto - Pinkbike
06-04-26 | 07:13 AM
#6
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From: NorCal
Last edited by Steel Charlie; 06-04-26 at 07:16 AM.
06-04-26 | 08:35 AM
#7
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From: Marin County, California
Bikes: Breezer Repack 650-B, 2011 Gary Fisher Rumblefish II, Gary Fisher HiFi 29er, 1983 Ritchey Annapurna, 1994 Ritchey P-21, 1978 Breezer #2, 1975 Colnago, Ritchey P-29er
I found this old slide of Charlie, so I scanned it and sent it to Jacquie.
Her return email had the bad news.
Her return email had the bad news.
06-04-26 | 08:52 AM
#8
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From: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Bikes: 2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1992 Paramount PDG Series, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1969? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I
One of a kind. May his memory be a blessing.
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2025 Lynskey Elysium, 2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I, 1969? Falcon San Remo
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
2025 Lynskey Elysium, 2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I, 1969? Falcon San Remo
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
06-04-26 | 09:08 AM
#9
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From: Central Virginia
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My condolences to his family and friends. I’d kind of knew who his was but only learned of his true impact on cycling last year. A true groundbreaker. I’m sure he’ll be missed in the Marin community.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, 81 Masi Gran Criterium, 81 Merckx Pro, 89 Cinelli Supercorsa, 83 Bianchi Specialissima, VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, 92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
06-04-26 | 09:15 AM
#10
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From: Point Reyes Station, California
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06-04-26 | 09:22 AM
#11
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
The wikipedia page about him was just revised. I'm reading it now. Thank you, Charlie.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
06-04-26 | 11:31 AM
#12
very sad news indeed. I had been getting some info from Jacquie via the GoFundMe she launched for him, but then it stopped (which I had not registered happening but now we know why).
RIP to a real Pioneer!
RIP to a real Pioneer!
06-04-26 | 04:37 PM
#13
seņor miembro
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Pac NW
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06-04-26 | 05:01 PM
#14
My bike's better than me!
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From: Northern Colorado
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, 'Dale T2000, DB Response Comp, '98 G. Fisher HKEK, '89 Panasonic DX-6000, '88 Fisher Montare XT, '83 Nishiki Int'l, '72 MB GR, '75 MB GJ, '77 MB LC, '85 Centurion Ironman, '82 Miyata 710
Rene Herse (Jan Heine) wrote a nice tribute:
https://www.renehersecycles.com/we-m...ie-cunningham/
They're also doing a bit of a fundraiser for Jacquie (I hope it's kosher to link it here):
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop.../issues/bq-29/
https://www.renehersecycles.com/we-m...ie-cunningham/
They're also doing a bit of a fundraiser for Jacquie (I hope it's kosher to link it here):
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop.../issues/bq-29/
06-05-26 | 07:07 PM
#15
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From: Da Bronx
Bikes: '89 Fisher Advance; '88 Miyata 1000
I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. I first heard of Charlie Cunningham in the mid-80's when I started mountain biking. The wrenches in the shop I went to referred to him as the "Mad Scientist of Marin". I never met the man, but I enjoyed reading about him, his inventions and his contributions to cycling. It was devastating news to learn of his bicycling accident in 2015 and the TBI he suffered. My thoughts and condolences go out to Jacqui Phelan and his family and friends.
06-05-26 | 07:54 PM
#16
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
I love the photos of his shop. Crammed to the gills, yet somewhat organized in a way that presumably worked for him. My own workspace is very cramped, so I get it. 
The pictures of old equipment are great, as well.
I once again feel the pain of losing "a good friend I never met." Thank you for all the posted memories, everyone!
The pictures of old equipment are great, as well. I once again feel the pain of losing "a good friend I never met." Thank you for all the posted memories, everyone!
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
