Honest question - what's so great about Kleins?

[richmog08]

Thats a great response feetabix. Thanks!

I'm trying to think about what my ultimate bike was BITD. I really can't remember many top end things. Strange how the only ones I remember was the Manitou FS (comedy money for the frame - visited sShockwave in Nottingham to see it but oddly can't remember the other bikes they had there) and the Pace RC100 in Castle Cycles in Newark. They are the only ones I can remember apart from the Dave Lloyd in my LBS.

Maybe because I knew there wasn't any chance of me having that kind of cash I never really thought about it.

So your saying that you went to sShockwave and never noticed my Carrera Quattro Comp sat in the corner awaiting another of their incredibly exclusive (according to them), but overpriced upgrades? Oh how we fell for the sales talk!

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

Thats a great response feetabix. Thanks!

I'm trying to think about what my ultimate bike was BITD. I really can't remember many top end things. Strange how the only ones I remember was the Manitou FS (comedy money for the frame - visited sShockwave in Nottingham to see it but oddly can't remember the other bikes they had there) and the Pace RC100 in Castle Cycles in Newark. They are the only ones I can remember apart from the Dave Lloyd in my LBS.

Maybe because I knew there wasn't any chance of me having that kind of cash I never really thought about it.

So your saying that you went to sShockwave and never noticed my Carrera Quattro Comp sat in the corner awaiting another of their incredibly exclusive (according to them), but overpriced upgrades? Oh how we fell for the sales talk!

Never bought anything from there - it was the only way to see the boutique bikes (no Internet!). What did they sell you?

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

I can see both sides of this too, they look good and are a quality product but I'd not pay the money they fetch.

 

[theredchili]

Like allot of people in the early 90s, the dolomite Attitude really grabbed my attention, it was in MBUK allot which brought it to everyones attention, seeing them at the Malverns they really did have the wow factor,I wanted one .......... when it came down to buying a dream bike back then,I could have brought a Klein,Fat, but I went for a Pace, seemed more local to buy one than a fancy US bike.
It wasn't until 96 I finally brought a Klein, a bright red Fervor,had white Porcs on it and it looked the dogs ! ride was good, but I preferred the Pace if I'm honest.I can see the attraction, if a Dolly came up I would consider it,but then so would allot of people

 

[richmog08]

Thats a great response feetabix. Thanks!

I'm trying to think about what my ultimate bike was BITD. I really can't remember many top end things. Strange how the only ones I remember was the Manitou FS (comedy money for the frame - visited sShockwave in Nottingham to see it but oddly can't remember the other bikes they had there) and the Pace RC100 in Castle Cycles in Newark. They are the only ones I can remember apart from the Dave Lloyd in my LBS.

Maybe because I knew there wasn't any chance of me having that kind of cash I never really thought about it.

So your saying that you went to sShockwave and never noticed my Carrera Quattro Comp sat in the corner awaiting another of their incredibly exclusive (according to them), but overpriced upgrades? Oh how we fell for the sales talk!

Never bought anything from there - it was the only way to see the boutique bikes (no Internet!). What did they sell you?

Orange Rambars, Mavic Headset and Bottom Bracket, Shocktech Forks for my Carrera and my mate had a DeKerf with White Industries Ti bottom bracket. :shock:

 

[brocklanders023]

My only real memory of them from bitd was from flicking day after day through the 1990 Freewheel mag. Looked beautiful, cost loads so very important to a 12 year old lad. Had no chance of getting one and the local shops didn't stock them so didn't think about them too much.

Must admit there's loads of bikes on here that cost a fortune but I just don't get. At least the fade Kleins look real puuurdy (not the Dolomite though, looks nice but nothing too special imo).

I'd like a Klein and would have one over loads of other lusted after bikes but would never spend the required amount on one. I'd prefer to spend less on a bike I want more (aqua fade Yo for example) although I can see why they have a following.

I've realised I prefer the ride of my mod*rn bike in general ( ) so my passion for retro is more about the memories, the looks and the build then how they actually perform. I guess others might feel this way so can understand why Klein's are popular.

 

[Anthony]

I like the look of them, but the thing that is most noticeable is that although I quite often see a Klein mtb ridden around town, I never see one out on the trails.

Add in the fact that they are very expensive and you get the feeling that they have a very strong following, but people mainly want a Kein to look at it, rather than to use it as a mountain bike.

And then you get into the whole issue of some retrobikers collecting bikes as garage queens, whereas others own bikes only to ride them. And I suppose if you have paid a vast amount for a bike, and a lot of its value lies in the paintwork, that does mitigate against taking the risk of riding it off road.

Not for me then.

 

[hollister]

take money out of the equation

what if you could have one on the cheap?

 

[brocklanders023]

take money out of the equation

what if you could have one on the cheap?

I'd defo have one then, even if it was just to see what the fuss was about.

 

[BoyBurning]

But it does seem to be the brand that the money-is-no-object group of lawyers, doctors and architects seem to have come to the consensus is the one they want to impress each other with, to go with their Pinarello road bike and their S-works modern MTB.

Ah yes, those 10 Architects who do actually have the money the myth suggests they have...

The vast majority of course earn less than a teacher, but hey, let the stereotypes prevail!

Until you ride a Klein [both rigid and front suspended] you can't really appreciate them other than superficially - how could you of course...

But this isn't a Klein-only phenomenon...

For many the same myth exists around FAT. I have never ridden one so never comment on them TBH, but people whose views I respect ride them and claim them to be fantastic.

One day I will see for myself, but for now I can say that the two kleins I have [one rigid, one front suspended] are the best bikes I have ridden to date. They are accurate, sharp, agile [or is that me] and nothing like as unforgiving as myth suggests they should be...

In terms of the internal cabling, yes I imagine it could be a pain in the arse, but being the ridiculously minted Architect that I am I simply pay a gopher to do such menial tasks for me...



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