earlier Klein differences

[Maxipedia]

Hello, fellow Retrobike users and lovers!

It was about time I confronted my own ignorance what Kleins are concerned. The issue is the following:

I have difficulties understanding which is which, except blatant mid 90's models, such as the Attitude, Adroit and the Pulse. So what is the deal with the older models. What separates a Pinnacle from a Fervor and Rascal? Ia there any trustworthy source with a decent overview on the Klein timeline during the years? Or is anybody willing to detail differences and evolution of models?

One more thing, if you please. A friend of mine acquired the bike below somewhere in Germany during his time as a bike mechanic there, swears it is a Klein and I have no reason not to trust him. As far as I know, it has a 1.1/4" steerer, non-detachable derailleur hanger, normal welds and outside routed cables, just like a Pulse, and vertical dropouts, combination that confuses me quite a lot. My friend also says that the cable routing is detachable, that the rear end is very wide and can accept a very high volume tire while still giving clearance and that the BB is some press-fit 83 mm. Do you know what it could be? Fork and stem have been left in Germany in the bikeshop that he worked for.

Here are some pictures. Not the best, but still.

Thank you for reading this!
Mx

 

[Ianus]

Klein never made a downtube cablerouting outside the tube.

 

[Maxipedia]

This only adds to the state of confusion. My friend says the bike was painted blue and pink, that's what I can remember. I also know that he is no idiot and had no reason to lie. He doesn't try to act like a big bike connaiseur and doesn't see any value in this bike, except him riding it. So this is why I'm curious about the bike.

Could it be that this frame was a model mixture, things that happen every now and then with certain brands? When saying this I recall reading here a while ago about Adroits that were sold as Attitudes and I also remember that certain GT Avalanches from 1997 were made from 6061 alloy, not 7005, maybe because of a Zaskar overproduction a year before.

So you say this bike can't be a Klein or that it's a real odd one?

Mx

 

[mkozaczek]

That bike is not a Klein, wrong dropouts, wrong geometry, no such thing as a 1 1/4" headtube on a klein.

It 'resembles' a Pinnacle from 10' away, but so does a Cannondale or something like that...

Mt. Klein = first Klein mountain bike
Pinnacle = Mt. Klein evolved
Top Gun = evolution of mt. klein w/ new tubing and horizontal dropouts
Rascal = Top Gun
90 Attitude = Top Gun w/ MC1 integrated headset/fork/MC1
Adroit = Fancy pants Attitude with many tubing, finish, etc differences
Fervor = Rascal; with less fancy paint and decals
Pulse and Pulse II = MC2 attitude w/o MC2 system (no integrated fork/heasdet/MC2)
Pulse Race/Comp = Trek

 

[sylus]

I love the big chain ring but will agree that is not a klein

 

[mkozaczek]

Klein never made a downtube cablerouting outside the tube.

Of course you meant that aside from the Mantra which doesn't really have a top tube or down tube klein never made a MOUNTAIN bike with externally routed down tube cables, right???

 

[Maxipedia]

Thanks for your replies, guys! I really appreciate your honesty and that you share your experience here.

I just called my friend to ask him if he's sure that the bike was painted with a Klein logo and he said "yes" and that he remembers the rear being pink and fading into blue on the main frame. He also said fork and stem were painted matching to the frame, but didn't remember to have "Klein" written on them. I asked him if he thought the frame had original painting before he stripped it and the answer was that he's pretty sure it had original paint on it.

I guess I will need to take some detailed pictures of the bike and to post them here.

What do you guys think about the smooth welded rear plus normal welded main frame combo? Or the press fit BB?

Thanks again for taking your time!
Mx

 

[Ianus]

Of course you meant that aside from the Mantra which doesn't really have a top tube or down tube klein never made a MOUNTAIN bike with externally routed down tube cables, right???

yes

 

[mkozaczek]

CANNONDALE painted like a Klein

 

[Ianus]

CANNONDALE painted like a Klein

But i think they didn't had a 1 1/4 headtube...