Tell me about Klein
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highlandsflyer
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I have gone through a dozen high end Kleins without any failure of any kind in the frame.
You are no talking about near twenty year old bikes often ridden hard early in their lives and perhaps abused it terms of being ridden by riders who really should be on a bigger frame and are not compensating with a longer stem but instead sitting way back beyond the design intention and putting unpredicted leverage on the seat post clamp area.
Often not using an extra length seat post too.
I remember a lot of riders doing this, it was the style to ride a bike that was too small, using it like a BMX.
As an ex BMXer myself I can remember the feeling when I got on my first Klein Attitude, which was a small frame and I am 6 2, it was so damn flickable and responsive it begged to be abused!
Not making excuses for the old Kleins, but they were often put to uses they just were not intended for, jumping and such like.
The cracking seat tubes are still the exception rather than the rule, and wholly preventable and once noticed easily addressed.
As far as the riding qualities of these bikes, there is a good reason they are legendary, their myth is based in fact, like most great myths.
They were some of the best cross country bikes ever made, in terms of quality, suitability, geometry and sheer innovation.
If one or two near twenty year old super light Al frames are showing some signs of wear it is no surprise, until relatively recently these bikes were sought out by riders not collectors, people who used them in anger not as wall art.
For general information I spent around ten years dealing in them, and the only 'faults' I would say were more common than most other makes were easily dented main tubes, as well as the results of being worked on by bike shops without the specialist knowledge and tools they required.
Can you tell I love them?
You are no talking about near twenty year old bikes often ridden hard early in their lives and perhaps abused it terms of being ridden by riders who really should be on a bigger frame and are not compensating with a longer stem but instead sitting way back beyond the design intention and putting unpredicted leverage on the seat post clamp area.
Often not using an extra length seat post too.
I remember a lot of riders doing this, it was the style to ride a bike that was too small, using it like a BMX.
As an ex BMXer myself I can remember the feeling when I got on my first Klein Attitude, which was a small frame and I am 6 2, it was so damn flickable and responsive it begged to be abused!
Not making excuses for the old Kleins, but they were often put to uses they just were not intended for, jumping and such like.
The cracking seat tubes are still the exception rather than the rule, and wholly preventable and once noticed easily addressed.
As far as the riding qualities of these bikes, there is a good reason they are legendary, their myth is based in fact, like most great myths.
They were some of the best cross country bikes ever made, in terms of quality, suitability, geometry and sheer innovation.
If one or two near twenty year old super light Al frames are showing some signs of wear it is no surprise, until relatively recently these bikes were sought out by riders not collectors, people who used them in anger not as wall art.
For general information I spent around ten years dealing in them, and the only 'faults' I would say were more common than most other makes were easily dented main tubes, as well as the results of being worked on by bike shops without the specialist knowledge and tools they required.
Can you tell I love them?
Archangel":3pf0d1u2 said:
the trek klein collaboration.......when trek got involved, it made the front end of the pulse frames, and the rears are kleins made in chehalis. all the pulse range of frames under trek rule, were the same, regardless of pro, comp etc, the only difference were how they were spec"d into full bikes etc, from low spec shimano, to xtr range topper. If you had a base pulse model (in blue), it even came with an shimano alivio chainset, with a retail price of £599.
No blemishes and no cellulite. You'll love it.Dr S":2xl6z1kf said:
Not sure if I have it with my stuff here or whether it's at my parents place, 1,000 kms away. I'm going there for a visit on Saturday, so either way I'll be able to look for it. It's not doing me any good sitting in a box, so I may as well let someone else enjoy it.
highlandsflyer
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kms????
that is treason!
that is treason!
Little Mark
Retro Guru
I have a 2001 Chehalis Attitude that I built to my specification and it is simply my dream bike. The ride is compliant and super quick, super responsive, weighing in at just under 23lbs with disc brakes and pedals.
I'm going to put my head on the chopping block now, but has anyone actually considered what would have happened to Klein in 1995/6 if Trek hadn't bought them out? I'd wager that there was financial pressure on Klein and Trek offered a way out. Trek got the tube technology they wanted and Klein got financial security and Gary was still able to pursue his own ideas - at least for some time at least. For sure, the final years of the Klein brand in Trek ownership wasn't particular auspicious, but I think in all fairness Klein possibly survived as a brand far longer under Trek ownership than if they has attempted to stand alone in the late 90's and into the noughties.
Anyway - here is my bike......................
I'm going to put my head on the chopping block now, but has anyone actually considered what would have happened to Klein in 1995/6 if Trek hadn't bought them out? I'd wager that there was financial pressure on Klein and Trek offered a way out. Trek got the tube technology they wanted and Klein got financial security and Gary was still able to pursue his own ideas - at least for some time at least. For sure, the final years of the Klein brand in Trek ownership wasn't particular auspicious, but I think in all fairness Klein possibly survived as a brand far longer under Trek ownership than if they has attempted to stand alone in the late 90's and into the noughties.
Anyway - here is my bike......................
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Little Mark said:I think you have hit the nail on the head there, and i certainly agree, im very confident thats what happened. And certainly the later years of klein, the trek/pulse range were and are very well put together frames, ok they didnt have the signature smooth welds, or the internal cable routing, but the product as a frame was very well put together for the cost,certainly. I do remember the very poor quality paint finish on the light blue base model though, after a month or so of normal off road riding, we saw, dozens coming back, with massive paint flaking issues, all were replaced under trek warranty though. obviously the chehalis made frame with there beautiful and very expensive paint finishes were just clear works of art, and i also agree with others comments...... only to be compared to the most beautiful of women.....
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