2006 Don McClung #37
Don McClung has been a fixture of the cycling scene in Colorado for decades. In collaboration with Mike Rust, Don was building innovative bicycle frames and antique high-wheel bikes out of their Colorado Cyclery shop in Salida through the 1980s. Many of the bikes built were known as Shorty bikes because of the tight geometry which minimized the wheelbase. Don was a strong climber and felt this was the best design for the steepest terrain of Colorado, and his fearless descending ability quelled any doubts about the bikes being a liability on the downhills. With the introduction of 29er tires in the early 2000s, Don again started to build bikes the shortest chainstays possible, but this time with a retro frame design modeled after the 1934 Pace Arrow, and single speed gearing. It proved to be a popular combination that handles rough terrain with style and has a dedicated fan base.
McClung frame kits are delivered without a stem, allowing the owner to tailor the fit to suit their riding style. While many of the early bikes were built with long cross-country stems, recent examples have seen short stems and cross-brace riser bars. Inspired by Don's personal, all-roads monster cross bike, the Workshop built a custom high-rise stem to optimize drop bars for off road use. Conveniently, the chrome struts have an integral brake cable stop to run cantilever brakes. The gearing was selected to be a little higher for covering more distance with less technical demands. McClung frame kits are also delivered without a head badge, so the original owner of the bike worked with Jen Green to have a custom badge made which features the Backyard Bicycle Company illustration.
More information about Don's bikes can be found on the McClung Archive page.
McClung frame kits are delivered without a stem, allowing the owner to tailor the fit to suit their riding style. While many of the early bikes were built with long cross-country stems, recent examples have seen short stems and cross-brace riser bars. Inspired by Don's personal, all-roads monster cross bike, the Workshop built a custom high-rise stem to optimize drop bars for off road use. Conveniently, the chrome struts have an integral brake cable stop to run cantilever brakes. The gearing was selected to be a little higher for covering more distance with less technical demands. McClung frame kits are also delivered without a head badge, so the original owner of the bike worked with Jen Green to have a custom badge made which features the Backyard Bicycle Company illustration.
More information about Don's bikes can be found on the McClung Archive page.
The Build
Year: 2006
SN: 37 Frame: McClung Double Top Tube Fork: McClung Bi-Plane Stem: Workshop Special Headset: Chris King Bottom Bracket: Shimano XTR M952 Handlebar: Nitto B115 Shifters: None Front Derailleur: None Rear Derailleur: None Brake Levers: Dia Compe Gran Compe Front Brake: Shimano XTR M900 Rear Brake: Shimano XTR M900 Crankset: Shimano XTR M952 Chainring: 32T Boone Titanium Pedals: Suntour XC-II Hubs: Chris King Single Speed Rims: Weinmann Tires: WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55 / Exiwolf 2.3 Wheel QR: Bolt On / Salsa Flip-Off Seatpost: Moots Titanium Saddle: Brooks B-17 Grips: Cinelli Cork Cog: Shimano 16T Chain: SRAM PC850 |
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