Tell me about Klein

[Archangel]

Best for riding are 94-96 Pulse and first Attitudes with 1 1/8" headset

Agree with Samu. Basically a '97 Attitude is "best bang for the buck". It's the same as 94-96 Pulse but with threaded BB shell and cable routing for V-brakes. Paintjobs are bit simpler that before but still very nicely done and build quality great.

One can get those '97 models very cheap since they're Post-Trek era bikes and people do not keep them in high esteem because of that.

Then again, Pre-Trek Kleins are sooo sweet with their special details - I should know since I own two Adroits...

As for the ride - Kleins were made to be ridden from A to B as fast as possible and with their short chainstays, they're great climbers. Comforwise not so great as they're very rigid, especially with aluminum forks.

 

[kaiser]

Excellent info folks the pre/post trek thing doesn't bother me, I'm not really wanting one because of the heritage or the paint job if I'm honest. I've started a weight weenie project and can see the frame maybe being replaced by a Klein at some point, out them all its always been rascals that caught my eye. Like this

though the magenta fade and the black/green fade are top of the list

 

[tintin40]

weight weenie project. great. keep us uptdate. This project can be fun.

 

[mikee]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127152

thereya go tony

 

[kaiser]

weight weenie project. great. keep us uptdate. This project can be fun.

Its here

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 469#958469

and here


http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127152

 

[Archangel]

Ahh, Klein and lightweight... One could get especially Adroits well over 10kg very easily. My '96 with XT M737 and some blue alu bolt tuning weighs 9.42kg.

Truth to be told, pre-92 Kleins (except Adroit) were quite heavy since most of the tubing was plain-gauge. Of course they were still light compared to steel frames that were the prominent force in the market BITD.
1993 and especially 1994 onwards, the tubing got much lighter.
For weight weenie project, I'd prefer Pulse (note: not Pulse Pro, Comp, etc. but proper 94-96 Pulse) instead of relatively heavyish Rascal.

In addition I'd like to give one comment about Post-Trek undesirability: as years went by, Trek did not invest too much on Klein product development and as aluminum frame manufacturing got better in bike industry, Klein lost its advantage. Very few were willing to spend extra money on Klein when you got a Trek 8-series frame for much less and still that Trek frame was of as good build quality and weight was the same as well. Basically only big differences were a bit fancier paintjobs and internal cable routing on Kleins.

 

[tintin40]

I got my 93 19'' Atititude down to 20lb. lovely bike.

 

[Dr S]

I always think of Kleins as the Cheryl Cole of mountain bikes. Cheryl Tweedie is the Cannondale of mountainbikes. Both are the same but one got a better makeover and is therefore considered more desireable, whereas your common 'Dale will give you the same kicks but up behind the wall behind the chippie for the price of a few doubles down the pub.
Like Cheryl, Kleins look fantastic, with a healthy shine, but you wouldn't really want to live with one on a day to day basis, due to the fact it will leave your battered wrists weak, limp and lifeless. She/ they probably don't ride as well as you would imagine too i suspect.
Finally, just like Cheryls marriage, cracks soon appear followed by complete and sudden failure.

I have yet to see a Klein doing terrible shampoo adverts in a terrible regional accent though so the above could be complete bollocks.

My advice would be to continue knocking one out when you see one rather than getting personally involved. Its only going to be expensive and a dissapointment that will end in tears.

Si

 

[BrentYYC]

Just be aware of the cracking-seatpost syndrome.

Seat posts can be replaced, or did you mean seat tube?

 

[BrentYYC]

I always think of Kleins as the Cheryl Cole of mountain bikes. Cheryl Tweedie is the Cannondale of mountainbikes. Both are the same but one got a better makeover and is therefore considered more desireable, whereas your common 'Dale will give you the same kicks but up behind the wall behind the chippie for the price of a few doubles down the pub.
Like Cheryl, Kleins look fantastic, with a healthy shine, but you wouldn't really want to live with one on a day to day basis, due to the fact it will leave your battered wrists weak, limp and lifeless. She/ they probably don't ride as well as you would imagine too i suspect.
Finally, just like Cheryls marriage, cracks soon appear followed by complete and sudden failure.

I have yet to see a Klein doing terrible shampoo adverts in a terrible regional accent though so the above could be complete bollocks.

My advice would be to continue knocking one out when you see one rather than getting personally involved. Its only going to be expensive and a dissapointment that will end in tears.

Si

I used to go the UK a lot on business and I miss the sense of humour over there. Thanks for the good laugh. It made me think of my old mates.

I was thinking of the Klein more as a trophy wife/mistress. It looks hot, and you bring it out now and again to show it off or give a ride, then you put it away until the next time. My Santa Cruz is what I live with.