What I really enjoyed about the last build off (my 1st) was the camaraderie and the excitement of seeing the creative ways people build their bikes. I found all of the builds to be cool, unique and enjoyable. Originality is cool but I prefer custom builds, it gives me a creative outlet.
Here's my ideas for the builds I might engage in this time:
Off-road:
Far and away my favorite category bar none. I'm a mountain biker and have been since before mountain bikes formally existed. Klunker research is how I found this uber cool forum. I've been building my own bikes since I was in the single digits because my family couldn't afford a BMX bike for me so I built my own out of what was available. It was nothing special but it got me in the dirt [
heavy 20" Free Spirit frame that I bought from a guy who said I had to paint it {I now know that meant it was stolen, I was 6 or 8 so maybe I get a pass?}, Tough mags, Ashtabula fork, cheap bmx bars and a gooseneck my dad made from scratch]. I've enjoyed rolling my own ever since. So I'll be Klunking this category. It's just a matter of choosing a frame and parts group. Derailleur & gears? Probably. Drum brakes? Maybe. Vintage? Most likely. Fun to build and ride off road? Absolutely. Maybe I'll build up one of my Shelby frames or my American Flyer:
Muscle bike:
The category I understand the least. I think they do make really cool custom builds and I've seen some really amazing ones on this forum. I wasn't into them when they were still on the streets and they don't do much for me now. My buddies that rode them back in the '70s abandoned them to rust as soon as their paper route money was enough to get a BMX or 10 speed. Who knew they would be so cool and potentially valuable in the future. I'm hoping they will grow on me because they can be so cool. And I do think it would be fun to build a creative interpretation. Maybe out of this lovely obscenity:
It's already got a cool fade.
I'll probably build some bars for it unless I can find some butterfly bars for nearly free; cheap banana; I can use these on an early '70s Crested Butte style klunker build in the future. Mis-matched wheels I've got under control.
Skinny:
This one I already have mostly planned out and am really looking forward to building. Starting platform:
'30 Elgin. Apparently I like my skinnies like I like my buffalo wings, extra crispy.
I've got most of what I need for this one and tentative plans for some cool details.
Like Kingfish says, it's about building better bikes together. I think that makes it really fun so I'm looking forward to doing it again.