Stevens Klunker

[St-Pedali]

Found this piece on a fleamarked. Looks like a Klunker, but seems from the early 90s. I like the retro design and would be happy about mor information and pictures. Anyone?
Here are a few details:
Dia Compe Power Control 7 levers
-Shimano STX RC brakes
-Hubs Shimano STX RC
-Derailleur Deore LX
-Crank Alivio 3x
-Gripshift shifter
-Sun Rims CRE 16 rot anodized
-Seat post Ritchey

 

[d8mok]

Steven likely wanted a Newsboy

 

[Caj Remtiw]

Stevens was the brand name for the bikes produced/ sold by my German distributor (out of Hamburg) back in the early/ mid 90's. I distinctly remember that bike at the EuroBike trade show +/- 1994. Yes it has some Newsboy "influence as well as CBR 3-bar and So. Cal. "strand" riding because I let their main designer (that is seriously a push) hang with me in Laguna and the OC coast for about a week back in '92.

My bet is that the geometry is a little "goofy" because they were still going after the eastcoast US and euro MTB markets with too steep of a headangle and a cramped front end.

I'd bet you could make a KILLER Klunker, Strand cruiser, Pub Krawler by adding Proflex forks and a mild rise set of BMX bars. Myself personally, I'd build a rear wheel with an internal geared hub (Shimano Alfine) and Conti CrossKing tires.

Oh , and don't forget to remove the Stevens decals! The company was TOTAL A-holes to deal with!

 

[jimo746]

Beach Cruiser vibes

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Stevens was the brand name for the bikes produced/ sold by my German distributor (out of Hamburg) back in the early/ mid 90's. I distinctly remember that bike at the EuroBike trade show +/- 1994. Yes it has some Newsboy "influence as well as CBR 3-bar and So. Cal. "strand" riding because I let their main designer (that is seriously a push) hang with me in Laguna and the OC coast for about a week back in '92.

Thanks Jack that's some seriously excellent info.
Some more history on the cantilever frame style, was developed by Schwinn in 1938, one of the most copied bicycle designs of the 20th century.
Plenty of pics and reference here:
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/1938-schwinn-cantilever-b607.224821/


Hey, how did pictures of Ingola's 50s Corvette, and (a much younger) Duck Norris get in here?

 

[grantoury]

Stevens are still around with a typical German range of bikes; road, mtb, trekking, hybrid, e-bikes, I never saw a model like this.

 

[Caj Remtiw]

I bag'd this picture from CABE because it shows how your "funk-a-idilic" Stevens could be turned into a really fun ride. Definitely a conversation starter when used for pub crawls!

 

[St-Pedali]

Hi everyone, hello Jack (Caj Remtiw), well thanks for that rememberance concerning that Stevens designer guy visiting you and the west coast. I'm curious: Do you have his name? What was your occupation back in the days? Oh man, please specify on those 1992 vibes.

Also: What was the difference between the east coast/european approach to the west coast design principles? I agree: The front end looks a bit cramped. But the ride is fast and fine, the bike feels light and agile.

My interest in Stevens is somewhat natural, scince I live in Hamburg and their headquarter is not very far from my house. To my understanding the founders are from the von Hacht family, who have a history in road racing in cyclocross. If you want to specify on that "total A-hole matter" feel free and go ahead. I'm not related to them in any form and only own this "newsboy-klunker-wannabe".

Stevens reputation here in Germany is quite good and they claim to be an innovator in the bike industry. True or not, I thank you for Proflex-Alfine-upgrade-suggestion. Looked up proflex forks on ebay already, but couldn't find any so far. I guess fork tube has to be 1 1/8 inch, right? And should I go for elastomere or steel spring?

Many question, but sorry, you got me hooked on these oldschool MTB matters and the personalities involved. Would be too nice to see a picture oft the bike at the 1994 some 31 years ago at Eurobike in Friedrichshafen.

 

[Caj Remtiw]

I don't remember the kids name. He like most of the young European riders at the time that visited the west coast and thought they had it "all going on"... That was until I/ we took him on some of the famous Laguna Canyon trails and he got some serious "air time".

In the beginning of the Mt. bike trend bikes from up in Marin were "a little" geared toward steeper terrain with more of a slack head & seat angles and with lots of rake in the forks, and not a lot higher BB's, east coast (Fat Chance)"tightened things up a bit for less steep and more twisty trails, the first "euro" bikes were also quite similar.

In the mean time we (the Laguna Cyn wingnuts) were experimenting with less rake, a little steeper head angle (70 deg) higher bars, with a much larger "cockpit" and "crit" bike seat tube angles, super tight rear triangle, and 12"+ BB height... Excellent for long fast fire roads and even better for going over rockdrops. I probably welded up ( rode and broke) 6+ framesets before i got it right. Most of my old buddies still have the original bikes I built for them back then in their collection.

My occupation? Not much really, I just hug around/ rode with some of the "famous" people at the time, Hans Rey, Dave Wonderly, Joaquin Suave, Andy Schombes, & was in the first handful of the guys that became the infamous Mt. Bike club "the Laguna Rads". I guess I'm most famous for pioneering (first rider of a trail) "Telonics", "Telephone Company", and "Dead Mans Lunch Box" and about a dozen more that I don't remember. I was probably more famous at the time for selling the best quality weed & stealing several guys girlfriends!

Yeah thats right! Von Hacht, was the distributor, they were always "whining" about something.

some 31 years ago at Eurobike in Friedrichshafen.

I guess my disdain for the Von Hacht executives endeared me with the companies underlings (probably because I didn't put up with their "elitist bullshit), so when the show closed at the end of the days the workers grabbed me and said "Okay Jack... Now we go hunting for Helga's"!