Introducing Clyde

This time it's a relatively modern klunker/cruiser finding its way home.

I know I still need to paint and finish the second Monark that's lingering around the workroom, but I haven't done it, and sometimes a new project just jumps out at you.

Which is what Clyde here did. Apparently the Trek Clyde was an early 2000s klunker/cruiser thing Trek did. I'd never heard of one before this week, but it's sort of a 26"-wheeled precursor to the highly sought-after Trek Sawyer.

As found, it had two flat tires, was pretty filthy and was completely unrideable. And there was a cable lock on it that no one knew the combination too.

Well, my Harbor Freight angle grinder made short work of the cable lock. After the world's laziest wash, some quick air in the tires and lowering the seat to something closer to my abbreviated stature, it was ready to ride.

So what have we got here? An aluminum frame and fork that -- at least at first glance -- seems remarkably similar to the mid-40s Monark. But there are also some nice modern-ish upgrades. Aside from the aluminum frame, you've got a modern bottom bracket, a smooth shifting Shimano Nexus internally-geared hub, a modern threadless headset... this is not grandad's cruiser.

It does remind me of the Monark a lot, though. It even has the same unusual seatstay treatment. From a very brief try-out ride, I think it may be more comfortable (for me at least) than the Monark was.

So now I have to figure out how I want to build it. Part of me wants to do another electric cruiser like the Schwinn Speedster. Another part of me wants to build it up as a fat-tire bomber.

I also have a lot of cleaning and polishing to do, and I don't know if I can salvage the matte black paint or not. We'll see.

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