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General
Charlie’s first mountain bike was completed in 1979. Between 1980 and 1995 Charlie built about twelve custom mountain bikes a year, for a total of about 175. The frames, all made with 6061-T6 aluminum, were heat treated with a sophisticated process that he developed, resulting in amazingly light, strong, long lasting bikes.
Models
Stock Cunninghams were available in three mountain models and one hybrid. The mountain bike models were the Indian, Racer and Wombat (Little Peoples Bike pre-1989). The hybrid model was the Expedition (Cyclocross/Multi Purpose Bike pre 1987).
The Indian was conceived of as a less-radical frame which followed the Marin-geometry more closely. The 1987 Infopac describes the Indian as being designed with moderate angles and wheelbase which makes it an excellent, practical all around bike with very forgiving handling qualities.
The Racer was a shorter frame with slightly steeper angles giving it quicker handling. While a sloping top tube and oversized seatpost were available on the Indian, these features were more common on Racers. The Indian often had a Type I or Type III fork while the Racer came with a Type II.
The Wombat was designed for people unable to find a proper fitting mountain bike because of their smaller stature. The Wombat was not heat treated and was therefor less expensive than the Indian or Racer.
The Expedition was a rugged skinny tire bike built for tires up to 35mm wide. It is efficient on pavement but tough enough to go anywhere.
Charlie built custom bikes for customers whose needs were not met by the stock models, provided that (a) he had time and (b) he felt the request was reasonable.
Serial Numbers
Cunningham serial numbers exhibit general trends though there were odd-ball numbers sprinkled through Charlie's build history. A general outline of Charlie's periods follow:
Number Bikes
These first bikes are from late 1981 through 1983/4. Steve Cook convinced Charlie that people might want to buy the bikes that he had been making for himself, but Steve ended up with production number 2 while his brother ended up with number 1.
1, 2, 3, ...
Alphabet Bikes
From 1983/4 through 1985/6.
A, B, C, ...
Three Digit Bikes
From 1986/7
001, 002, 003, ...
A Series
Timing unknown
B Series
Timing unknown
C Series
A number were sold in 1988, a year that Charlie took off from building.
From 1987-1989
D Series
Charlie's final run. Approximately a dozen bikes were built, including Charlie's personal bikes. Charlie considers these his most refined.
1991/2
Strange Ducks
Otto, Jacquie Phelan's personal ride.
TD, Todd DeAngelis's road bike.
LPBxx, the Little People Bikes (later Wombats). Less than a dozen were made.
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