Interview with Joe Breeze, Charlie Kelly & Billy Savage
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The Cleland Lineage
:!: Joe Breeze on the subject of Cleland Cycles... "I think Geoff Apps and his Cleland bikes have evolutionary linkage. Not to Marin, but he had (has?) a following in the UK. His line might even precede the Marin lineage." :!:
In reality the two lineages ran separately until about 1981 when Geoff read about what was happenning in the States and made contact. The early English movement was later to be swamped by the import of cheaper US derived bikes. Today the tradition is continued by a small group of enthusiasts who appreciate the unique character and ethos of these bikes.
It's not just a retro-tradition based on nostalgia either, as these bikes work extremely well. Geoff Apps and others continue to develop and improve them by creating and testing new prototypes. If you suffer from back or wrist fatigue or are simply fed up with: muddy wet clothing, mud damaged components, and the hassle this creates, the Cleland may be the ideal design solution for you.
:twisted: One problem is that a bike industry that makes lots of money from worn out parts, is not keen on low maintenance practical designs. :twisted:
So the Cleland is one of only a handful of mountain bike designs that did not develop from the 1970-'80s' Marin bikes. Instead it evolved from the English green-laning tradition known as the 'RoughStuff Fellowship' which was founded in 1955 From this handful of parallel designs, the Cleland lineage is the only tradition that continues today. An endangerd bike species, yes! But extinct no! Not as long as they're still being ridden.
Check out this link for the history of Cleland Cycles and the beginnings of of Mountain Biking in Britain.
http://www.james-walters.net/cleland/cl ... story.html
:!: Joe Breeze on the subject of Cleland Cycles... "I think Geoff Apps and his Cleland bikes have evolutionary linkage. Not to Marin, but he had (has?) a following in the UK. His line might even precede the Marin lineage." :!:
In reality the two lineages ran separately until about 1981 when Geoff read about what was happenning in the States and made contact. The early English movement was later to be swamped by the import of cheaper US derived bikes. Today the tradition is continued by a small group of enthusiasts who appreciate the unique character and ethos of these bikes.
It's not just a retro-tradition based on nostalgia either, as these bikes work extremely well. Geoff Apps and others continue to develop and improve them by creating and testing new prototypes. If you suffer from back or wrist fatigue or are simply fed up with: muddy wet clothing, mud damaged components, and the hassle this creates, the Cleland may be the ideal design solution for you.
:twisted: One problem is that a bike industry that makes lots of money from worn out parts, is not keen on low maintenance practical designs. :twisted:
So the Cleland is one of only a handful of mountain bike designs that did not develop from the 1970-'80s' Marin bikes. Instead it evolved from the English green-laning tradition known as the 'RoughStuff Fellowship' which was founded in 1955 From this handful of parallel designs, the Cleland lineage is the only tradition that continues today. An endangerd bike species, yes! But extinct no! Not as long as they're still being ridden.
Check out this link for the history of Cleland Cycles and the beginnings of of Mountain Biking in Britain.
http://www.james-walters.net/cleland/cl ... story.html
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Ken McGinn
Dirt Disciple
Here is a link to a retrobike post regarding Cleland Cycles
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 2774#42774
QUOTES FROM THE PRESS REGARDING KLUNKERZ
VeloNews, April, 2008
"How the West was won"
"Next time you see someone pedal by on an old Schwinnn cruiser, picture yourself riding it down a Redwood forest trail. You're wearing jeans, steel-toed boots, a flannel shirt, and a mesh baseball cap. You're bike has one gear, a coaster brake, and no suspension. Now you've got an idea of how mountain biking pioneers rolled during the off-road discipline's embryonic era in Marin County, California, duing the 1970s. It was a period of camaraderie and innovation that has been loving and masterfully documented by Billy Savage in his film KLUNKERZ, named after the modified cruisers mow recognized as the original mountain bikes. The film ends right around 1983, just prior to the first NORBA nationals, as mountain biking was exploding. The rest, as they say, was history."
The Bicycle Paper April 2008, reviewed by Sara Kovich
"KLUNKERZ is a funny, informative journey from beginning to end. Being an avid rider myself, I thoroughly enjoyed Savage's work, and most documentary aficionados will find it interesting as well. Although KLUNKERZ does focus on biking, the social environment of the period is also examined enough to keep a non-cyclist's curiosity piqued until the closing credits. If you like bikes with a bit of history and craziness thrown in, this movie is a must-see."
MovieMaker Magazine, April 2008
"With films from studios' "independent" divisions coming to replace genuine independent cinema in the minds of many, it's nice to know there are still moviemakers out there willing to max out their credit cards to get their first feature made. William Savage is one of those moviemakers. For his directorial debut KLUNKERZ, a documentary that chronicles the creation and ascent of the mountain bike in Marin County, California, Savage reached into his own pocket (or rather, the bank's own pocket) and is doing his best to market the film and pay off the loans. Documentaries of this nature always appeal to a very niche audience, but KLUNKERZ is just as enjoyable for those of us who aren't cyclists."
Mountain Life Magazine, Spring 2008
"If you're into mountain biking, you'll love this documentary. Following the creation of the sport by guys such as Gary Fisher and Tom Ritchey, this film documents everything from the early races to the evolution of the technology. This movie will have you dying to bomb a hill on a one-speed coaster-braked beach cruiser."
Movie Magazine InterNational, reviewed by Heather Clisby 3/7/08
"Engaging documentaries come about when a filmmaker is especially passionate and intensely curious about just one thing. Director Billy Savage deeply loves the bicycle, and generally spreads it around in KLUNKERZ, a small but important film that traces the history of modern day mountain biking. Savage is the craftsman who weaves this all together with one part pride, he's a Marin local after all, two parts awe, and three parts love. KLUNKERZ is a thrill ride and a throwback to a simpler time when bored youth went outside and invented fun. Still, one thing remains the same, a good day can still be measured by how much mud you have in your teeth."
USA Today 1/29/08
"Recycling the Past, Pedaling into the Future"
By Reporter Sal Ruibal
"Billy Savage's mountain bike film "KLUNKERZ," documents the wild and wooly formative years of American mountain biking. Savage's funny and often poignant film looks at how a bunch of semi-stoned hippies in Northern California developed a unique style of off-road bike riding through collaboration and competition. KLUNKERZ is worth checking out, even if you're not a bike nut."
The late Prof. J.F. Scott's induction into the MTB Hall of Fame
The late Prof. J.F. Scott's induction into the MTB Hall of Fame on Sept. 24th during InterBike. Professor Scott, or 'Finley' to his friends, was a fascinating man and a tireless advocate of all things cycling. I hope you'll be able to attend so we may honor this amazing man who was taken from us far too soon.
To get an idea of how far ahead Prof. Scott was, take a look at the images below. The 'Cow-Trailing' bicycle drawing, completed in 1950, basically outlines the carbon fiber cross country bikes that wouldn't come along for another 40 years...and check out that parts spec! This illustration was found on his property by Vance Sprock of the Cupertino Bike Shop, after Finley's passing.
http://www.xtremecanada.com/bicycles/WO ... 201953.jpg
The second image is that of his 'Woodsie' bike, completed in 1953 while he was attending Reed College in Oregon. Flat bars, multiple gears, good breaks, fat-tires...it had all the elements that the pioneering KLUNKERZ of Marin County wouldn't discover for another 20 years.
..">
Prof. Scott was also the first investor in the first mountain bike company in the world, cleverly called MountainBikes. It's high-time John Finley Scott was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 2774#42774
QUOTES FROM THE PRESS REGARDING KLUNKERZ
VeloNews, April, 2008
"How the West was won"
"Next time you see someone pedal by on an old Schwinnn cruiser, picture yourself riding it down a Redwood forest trail. You're wearing jeans, steel-toed boots, a flannel shirt, and a mesh baseball cap. You're bike has one gear, a coaster brake, and no suspension. Now you've got an idea of how mountain biking pioneers rolled during the off-road discipline's embryonic era in Marin County, California, duing the 1970s. It was a period of camaraderie and innovation that has been loving and masterfully documented by Billy Savage in his film KLUNKERZ, named after the modified cruisers mow recognized as the original mountain bikes. The film ends right around 1983, just prior to the first NORBA nationals, as mountain biking was exploding. The rest, as they say, was history."
The Bicycle Paper April 2008, reviewed by Sara Kovich
"KLUNKERZ is a funny, informative journey from beginning to end. Being an avid rider myself, I thoroughly enjoyed Savage's work, and most documentary aficionados will find it interesting as well. Although KLUNKERZ does focus on biking, the social environment of the period is also examined enough to keep a non-cyclist's curiosity piqued until the closing credits. If you like bikes with a bit of history and craziness thrown in, this movie is a must-see."
MovieMaker Magazine, April 2008
"With films from studios' "independent" divisions coming to replace genuine independent cinema in the minds of many, it's nice to know there are still moviemakers out there willing to max out their credit cards to get their first feature made. William Savage is one of those moviemakers. For his directorial debut KLUNKERZ, a documentary that chronicles the creation and ascent of the mountain bike in Marin County, California, Savage reached into his own pocket (or rather, the bank's own pocket) and is doing his best to market the film and pay off the loans. Documentaries of this nature always appeal to a very niche audience, but KLUNKERZ is just as enjoyable for those of us who aren't cyclists."
Mountain Life Magazine, Spring 2008
"If you're into mountain biking, you'll love this documentary. Following the creation of the sport by guys such as Gary Fisher and Tom Ritchey, this film documents everything from the early races to the evolution of the technology. This movie will have you dying to bomb a hill on a one-speed coaster-braked beach cruiser."
Movie Magazine InterNational, reviewed by Heather Clisby 3/7/08
"Engaging documentaries come about when a filmmaker is especially passionate and intensely curious about just one thing. Director Billy Savage deeply loves the bicycle, and generally spreads it around in KLUNKERZ, a small but important film that traces the history of modern day mountain biking. Savage is the craftsman who weaves this all together with one part pride, he's a Marin local after all, two parts awe, and three parts love. KLUNKERZ is a thrill ride and a throwback to a simpler time when bored youth went outside and invented fun. Still, one thing remains the same, a good day can still be measured by how much mud you have in your teeth."
USA Today 1/29/08
"Recycling the Past, Pedaling into the Future"
By Reporter Sal Ruibal
"Billy Savage's mountain bike film "KLUNKERZ," documents the wild and wooly formative years of American mountain biking. Savage's funny and often poignant film looks at how a bunch of semi-stoned hippies in Northern California developed a unique style of off-road bike riding through collaboration and competition. KLUNKERZ is worth checking out, even if you're not a bike nut."
The late Prof. J.F. Scott's induction into the MTB Hall of Fame
The late Prof. J.F. Scott's induction into the MTB Hall of Fame on Sept. 24th during InterBike. Professor Scott, or 'Finley' to his friends, was a fascinating man and a tireless advocate of all things cycling. I hope you'll be able to attend so we may honor this amazing man who was taken from us far too soon.
To get an idea of how far ahead Prof. Scott was, take a look at the images below. The 'Cow-Trailing' bicycle drawing, completed in 1950, basically outlines the carbon fiber cross country bikes that wouldn't come along for another 40 years...and check out that parts spec! This illustration was found on his property by Vance Sprock of the Cupertino Bike Shop, after Finley's passing.
http://www.xtremecanada.com/bicycles/WO ... 201953.jpg
The second image is that of his 'Woodsie' bike, completed in 1953 while he was attending Reed College in Oregon. Flat bars, multiple gears, good breaks, fat-tires...it had all the elements that the pioneering KLUNKERZ of Marin County wouldn't discover for another 20 years.
..">
Prof. Scott was also the first investor in the first mountain bike company in the world, cleverly called MountainBikes. It's high-time John Finley Scott was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
REtrouble
Cleland Fan
Search "Finley Scott" on YouTube for an interview with him, very interesting.
Klunkerz Q&A in L.A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPMqx4eWDYU
Klunkerz Q&A in L.A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPMqx4eWDYU
Joe, Charlie and Billy
After reading this, i would just like to say thank you, !!!
"thank you" for sharing your experiences, and info, but mainly "thank you" for venturing into the unknown and pioneering the "mountian bike..., bringing us together, in the camaraderie that we all share today.
Legends..!!!
After reading this, i would just like to say thank you, !!!
"thank you" for sharing your experiences, and info, but mainly "thank you" for venturing into the unknown and pioneering the "mountian bike..., bringing us together, in the camaraderie that we all share today.
Legends..!!!
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Great Article 
and thanks for sharing
I hadnt even heard of the VCCP boys, pretty impressive stuff.
hope im ok to link to the MBHOF site
http://www.completesite.com/mbhof/page. ... emberid=90
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pVj2--iSPA&e
seems that the mountain bike spark has been around for a long long time, just looking for the right set of circumstances it found in Marin to ignite
Thanks to all
and thanks for sharingI hadnt even heard of the VCCP boys, pretty impressive stuff.
hope im ok to link to the MBHOF site
http://www.completesite.com/mbhof/page. ... emberid=90
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pVj2--iSPA&e
seems that the mountain bike spark has been around for a long long time, just looking for the right set of circumstances it found in Marin to ignite
Thanks to all
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