Honest question - what's so great about Kleins?
- Thread starter MiniNinjaRob
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feetabix
Retrobike Rider
I think most of us were in the position of not being able to afford the top end stuff at the time. It was the grey/yellow rc100 and klein for me....i was well hooked into the mountain bike thing in the first five years of the 1990's and the oversized cannondale/klein thing was like a drug to me.....a mate at college had a 'dale road bike with a down tube you could have slept in.....the fact that i recall it now shows the impression it made......as a grown man, father of three etc i am much more practical now, i use my hobby to keep fit and socialise.....i do feel it was the change in technology and bike design of that era that sowed the seed to keep me here 20 years down the line though.....long live my klein i say, arrogant posers status symbol or example of cutting edge racing technology.....i guess you pay your money and take your choice!.... 
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I don't think many people could argue that Klein didn't try to capitalise on that yuppie status symbol, the Porsche ads pretty much confirm that! However - would they have been as popular then or now if they hadn't had that image? Would the design/paint/ride/VFM factors have stood on their own like the other brands?
feetabix
Retrobike Rider
i think so on all counts....the porsche thing was for me a nod to the 'yuppie' era thing, and quite laughable too, it jars with me even more now given the current state of the world economy....the brash display of wealth was never cool but now seems positively embarassing!....lesser bikes were never advertised with such branding back in the day though, it was done, i think, as they realised the innovative quality of the product they had in their hands....
suburbanreuben
Old School Grand Master
Very similar to the Fat Chance advertising/target consumer profile.
Fancy paint jobs (beautiful fancy paint jobs) and effective marketing campaigns have ensured their desirability, even today.
Fancy paint jobs (beautiful fancy paint jobs) and effective marketing campaigns have ensured their desirability, even today.
Rob Atkin":3cdx4tdw said:
Well, i second that. Course Klein was a beauty and rare, but didnt shine like others, which were as expensive but much more appealing than just a fatter frame. Well, i have a really lousy memory, but I will browse some old mags to recreate the feelings. ;D
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It is a really interesting question which could be applied to many brands, bike or otherwise.
Personally for me early Klein are a prime example of skilled craftsmanship, not just in the world of bikes but in the world of all things quality. They are put together exquisitely and lovingly and painted like no other and whether you like or dislike they're a real eye-catcher.
I remember seeing one back in 1991 at a bike shop in Birmingham.. it was a Dolomite with the early box fork and I was just totally blown away. Don't get me wrong it took no shine off my 'Dale Beast of the East but I knew it was another level. It was proportioned so perfectly, everything fit and looked right. It was classy and it looked like it was meant for racing. Later on that year at the Mycycles Malvern Hill Classic I actually saw some race and I've hankered for one ever since.
I don't get the whole flashy/poncy image thing as I love them and I'm neither (I think :shock; I drive an H plate Renault 19 1.4 Energy to give you some idea. They might have fallen in the hands of a few yuppies BITD but I think most were used as intended.
I bought this one last year and sold it recently as it was waaaaay too small... if ever I manage to find one in my size I will sell a bollock, buy it and definitely use it; but out of respect I would never thrash it. No matter what your preferences I'm sure anyone that appreciates bikes or indeed anything of quality would agree that they're a bit spesh.
Personally for me early Klein are a prime example of skilled craftsmanship, not just in the world of bikes but in the world of all things quality. They are put together exquisitely and lovingly and painted like no other and whether you like or dislike they're a real eye-catcher.
I remember seeing one back in 1991 at a bike shop in Birmingham.. it was a Dolomite with the early box fork and I was just totally blown away. Don't get me wrong it took no shine off my 'Dale Beast of the East but I knew it was another level. It was proportioned so perfectly, everything fit and looked right. It was classy and it looked like it was meant for racing. Later on that year at the Mycycles Malvern Hill Classic I actually saw some race and I've hankered for one ever since.
I don't get the whole flashy/poncy image thing as I love them and I'm neither (I think :shock
; I drive an H plate Renault 19 1.4 Energy to give you some idea. They might have fallen in the hands of a few yuppies BITD but I think most were used as intended.I bought this one last year and sold it recently as it was waaaaay too small... if ever I manage to find one in my size I will sell a bollock, buy it and definitely use it; but out of respect I would never thrash it. No matter what your preferences I'm sure anyone that appreciates bikes or indeed anything of quality would agree that they're a bit spesh.
FST4RD
Senior Retro Guru
I'm in the same boat as Feetabix, although slightly different.
I got into MTB'ing in the very very early 90's, although coming from NZ you would be lucky to see a Klein. When i seen my first one in MBUK my jaw dropped to the ground! It was like nothing I had seen before, it was a great thing of beauty! I couldn't have cared less what they rode like etc I had to have one.
Fast forward 20 odd years and I manged to come across a Rascal frame (remember in NZ this is a very rare thing) which I am building up for my partner (it's far to small for me). She has also just picked up a beautiful gator fade quantum with full original Dura-ace including stem and post in great condition! I decided to get back into road cycling and really wanted an old Cannondale, but happened upon a mint red quantum with full R600, got it for a steal!
I think for me, both Klein and Cannondale fell into the same catagory. Both had big over sized tubing, both were innovitave, both had beautiful paint jobs, what else could you ask for?
I got into MTB'ing in the very very early 90's, although coming from NZ you would be lucky to see a Klein. When i seen my first one in MBUK my jaw dropped to the ground! It was like nothing I had seen before, it was a great thing of beauty! I couldn't have cared less what they rode like etc I had to have one.
Fast forward 20 odd years and I manged to come across a Rascal frame (remember in NZ this is a very rare thing) which I am building up for my partner (it's far to small for me). She has also just picked up a beautiful gator fade quantum with full original Dura-ace including stem and post in great condition! I decided to get back into road cycling and really wanted an old Cannondale, but happened upon a mint red quantum with full R600, got it for a steal!
I think for me, both Klein and Cannondale fell into the same catagory. Both had big over sized tubing, both were innovitave, both had beautiful paint jobs, what else could you ask for?
FST4RD
Senior Retro Guru
I'm in the same boat as Feetabix, although slightly different.
I got into MTB'ing in the very very early 90's, although coming from NZ you would be lucky to see a Klein. When i seen my first one in MBUK my jaw dropped to the ground! It was like nothing I had seen before, it was a great thing of beauty! I couldn't have cared less what they rode like etc I had to have one.
Fast forward 20 odd years and I manged to come across a Rascal frame (remember in NZ this is a very rare thing) which I am building up for my partner (it's far to small for me). She has also just picked up a beautiful gator fade quantum with full original Dura-ace including stem and post in great condition! I decided to get back into road cycling and really wanted an old Cannondale, but happened upon a mint red quantum with full R600, got it for a steal!
I think for me, both Klein and Cannondale fell into the same catagory. Both had big over sized tubing, both were innovitave, both had beautiful paint jobs, what else could you ask for?
I got into MTB'ing in the very very early 90's, although coming from NZ you would be lucky to see a Klein. When i seen my first one in MBUK my jaw dropped to the ground! It was like nothing I had seen before, it was a great thing of beauty! I couldn't have cared less what they rode like etc I had to have one.
Fast forward 20 odd years and I manged to come across a Rascal frame (remember in NZ this is a very rare thing) which I am building up for my partner (it's far to small for me). She has also just picked up a beautiful gator fade quantum with full original Dura-ace including stem and post in great condition! I decided to get back into road cycling and really wanted an old Cannondale, but happened upon a mint red quantum with full R600, got it for a steal!
I think for me, both Klein and Cannondale fell into the same catagory. Both had big over sized tubing, both were innovitave, both had beautiful paint jobs, what else could you ask for?
semi-school
Old School Hero
The fuss is about the impeccable handling. On my trickiest secret local downhill, my best is 2 dabs, and that was on the Klein - bars low, seat high XC style. The tighter the trail, the better.
Yep, the ride is firm, but the stays and the geometry combine for a feeling that you can do everything faster on a Klein. Great riding position for climbing.
Then there's the finish! Like a few other builders, their painters made some art.
However, it still ain't my favourite bike. The firm ride and the committed riding position are demanding.
I can easily see why some folks wouldn't take 'em on a challenging trail ride these days. It's why mine hangs on the wall. I caught a rock on the downtube near the BB weld. Tragic, man. But to be fair, thin aluminum tubes and their drawbacks aren't unique to this one brand.
Highly recommended for type A personalities who ride on loamy soil, on tight technical trails.
Yep, the ride is firm, but the stays and the geometry combine for a feeling that you can do everything faster on a Klein. Great riding position for climbing.
Then there's the finish! Like a few other builders, their painters made some art.
However, it still ain't my favourite bike. The firm ride and the committed riding position are demanding.
I can easily see why some folks wouldn't take 'em on a challenging trail ride these days. It's why mine hangs on the wall. I caught a rock on the downtube near the BB weld. Tragic, man. But to be fair, thin aluminum tubes and their drawbacks aren't unique to this one brand.
Highly recommended for type A personalities who ride on loamy soil, on tight technical trails.
