NOS Klein Adroit - gator linear fade

[jimihendrix]

If it's never been used why has it got those horrible bar ends on it ?, means there will be marks on the bars where the brake levers etc have been clamped further in :roll:

Picky, but if i was spending that money i'd be looking for it being perfect.

 

[greenZ]

what do you base your judgment on the performance of all those bikes on?

Carsten

Well, if my a$$ was the judge, Klein, like many alu frames I've ridden, are too stiff, unforgiving, and not lively. Kinda like strapping a jackhammer to your a$$. I remember seeing a lot of rich amateur racers buy them because of the shiny paintjob and lightness.

Also, Klein doesn't feel very stable as my old Bonty, Xizang (which I regret selling), and Seven Sola. It doesn't handle very well on technical courses. I'm faster on the Bonty and Xizang thru the climbs, singletracks, and decends. And my personal criteria for a good bike is one I can whip/throw around with confidence, like a rag doll from under me during an XC race, and not be afraid of falling. Kinda like "being one" with the bike. Knowing how the bike will react. Klein is not one of them bikes. Maybe it's their funky geometry. (personal opinion)

I've ridden a lot of Cannondales during the 90's (because our University Team was sponsored by them) and that's what riding on a Klein felt like. When our team was sponsored by GT the following years, our Zaskars were stiff as hell, plus the triple triangle made it even more stiff. The difference with the Klein, is that the GT geometry fit me better and I can control the bike well, especially on fast technical descends. (again, personal bias).

Lastly, a Klein and a Ti Fat cannot be put in the same sentence (oops, I just did). Riding a Ti Fat is like magic, if you know what I mean. I remember riding on my friend's Ti Fat on a few Saturdays rides. Let's just say, I tried offering my old Acura Integra for his bike.

I will save the mechanics/racers horror stories about broken Klein frames for another day. Cannondales are the worst. Typical front triangle headtube/downtube failure. And servicing the headset/tube and internal cabling were nightmares.

I apoligize in advance if it seems like I'm degrading your Kleins. My reasonings are all subjective. Plus I cannot get rid of the idea that a superior and proven Ti frame (with many racing accolades) can be had for less. I guess, "to each his own..."

I do like looking at Klein porns (paintjobs)

 

[konahed]

I wouldn't pay £150 for that frame, would much rather have a Kilauea frame or something similar tbh.

 

[Archangel]

I wouldn't pay £150 for that frame, would much rather have a Kilauea frame or something similar tbh.

"to each his own..."

Adroit vs. a kona - right... :twisted:

 

[Crell]

Pointless, personal, subjective debate. Been there, done that. Each to their own.

Neither will convince the other. We have our own preferences, prejudices and budgets.

The fact that people have to spend more to obtain a bike with a funky paint job rather than the "most winningest Ti frame" shows you where the market is...and how many races did a Ti Fat win on any circuit? That Juarez bloke...who was he on that coke can special?

In the 90's the bike was a borderlne irrelevance. A world class rider on a rigid bike was a world class rider regardless of what thy were on, designs were so similar at that level (71 / 73 blah).

/non Klein owning person who likes Ti Fats who just likes to see balance in favour of "personal subjectivity" bias postulated as a balanced opinion.


"You pays your money, and takes your choice. .. Wink" ...bang on...to the point of respecting the choices that others make for their own motivations rather than your own. [/though anyone with Spins on a bike should be shot ]

 

[greenZ]

I assumed people here should know which Ti bike I was implying....

Anyway, there's nothing wrong with buying a Klein frame or collecting them. They're beautiful bikes, definite head turner, so-so on the ride, in my opinion. Go buy one if you can. I love looking at them.

Now, I'm just flabbergasted that someone would spend $4400 on a used aluminum frame. That's just being stupid, period. I like to shake the seller's hand if that transaction went thru. On the other hand, I question the buyer's state of mind, if he knew what he was doing. Did the paintjob do all the talking/bidding? For me, the look is not as important as the ride itself, from a racer's point of view.

It's hard (for me) to believe that a Klein can command a higher price than a nicely welded/crafted retro titanium, solely on the paint used. All bike companies, big and small, should make note of this.

Man, if only I knew that people today are suckers for fancy paintjob, I would have used my bikeshop employee discount in the early 90's to pick up all the Adroits and Attitudes.

 

[pinguwin]

...I remember seeing a lot of rich amateur racers buy them because of the shiny paintjob and lightness........I would have used my bikeshop employee discount in the early 90's...

My memories of Kleins was a grad student who carefully saved his money to buy one because of their lightness and kick-ass ride. After testing 20-some bikes, including fats, he decided that it was the best ride out there. Of course, that's just my memories.

As far as buying Kleins in the 90's, guess you should have, but didn't.

 

[greenZ]

Hindsight is 20/20

coulda, woulda, shoulda... :cry:

 

[Shamus]

Gone with BIN :shock:

 

[Defiant]

Gone with BIN :shock:

i did that to end the discussion!