Klein rankings

[firedfromthecircus]

If I understand it correctly there is also a bit of anti-corporate feeling in there against the Trek era Kleins. Trek bought out Klein, and then changed things that in some peoples eyes diminished the brand. Then when they stopped selling so well just shut the brand down.
That doesn't mean that Trek era Kleins were bad bikes, but they certainly don't have the cache of pre-Trek Kleins.
You can find the same in many brands that have been bought out by the big guys, it's just a bit more magnified with Klein.

 

[chrisv40]

Re:

Was there really any need for the bad attitude, OP asked a simple question that I too am quite interested in, having no knowledge of Klein other than what I've gained from being on here.
If every member went off and gained all the the info themselves there wouldn't be much of a forum left would there. He only asked for more knowledgeable members input!

 

[mattr]

TBH nothing intrinsically wrong with trek itself, they just completely failed to understand the Klein market (and lemond, and bontrager) people will pay premium prices for a bike handmade in the US by a known, named craftsman. Or by his company. They won't pay that same premium for a mass produced frame, even if it is a better frame. (For a given value of better)
They also got rid of much of Kleins brand identity/USP at the same time. Which was daft.

It'd be like mercian announcing all their frames would now be made in Taiwan. Some brands can handle it. Mercian couldn't.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Didn't Trek just buy them and others to pinch the tech with no regard to the brand or history?

 

[Rampage]

Re:

^ probably.


There are also some Adroits that are looked down on by the Klein people as they are considered rebadged Attitudes.

 

[troje]

Re:

I would love to see a Trek insider posting here about the reasoning inside Trek to purchase Klein that time. Was it really the corporate push? Buy the strongest brand no matter what? Did the genuinely have interest in Klein or saw the company for sale for in their eyes pockey money and thought... What the heck? What was the long term idea? Was there any plan anyway? And how much have they written off of their investment?

BTW Is is me or is it really aways the Klein threads that derail by anti social nutters? Glad to see it on rails again though.

 

[brocklanders023]

I thought Klein was in trouble before the buy out so not a case of buying the top brands? I'm sure I have read on here that they wanted some Klein patents and knowledge for the rest of the Trek empire. Just like them buying Bontrager for the man, rather then the company?

I could be talking guff as I don't have much knowledge on the subject.

For me the golden era Kleins were the late 80's early 90's, before suspension and when they were still works of art. I remember thinking they were gorgeous back then but can't remember them being very relevant or represented after 1993 or so.

 

[KDM]

Re:

I always felt it was Trek being insecure in their stack em high sell em low style so sought to gain "kudos" and "royal connections" by buying the elite and established. A bit like tata buying range rover.

Where I think it went wrong with Klein for Trek is once they had knicked all the good stuff they realised they could never replicate class so like a spoilt kid with his own football Trek simply said if it doesn't work for me I'm taking my ball away or in Kleins case, they simply shut them down and held the name.

The only problem I have with Kleins is that they look so lovely I would be afraid to ride one in anger and that might be why I keep looking then backing out :facepalm:

Love the info though guys, thanks

 

[highlandsflyer]

My last regular rider Klein was an early Attitude stripped back and polished, though

Very few people recognised it. Great stealth bike for my needs at the time.

I have a stripped Pulse now that is as good a ride, and even better with suspension on the front.

The early Trek Kleins were real Kleins, if that means anything.

Snobs and geeks will always make them something more than they are.

They are pretty special none the less.

 

[mattr]

Re: Re:

Didn't Trek just buy them and others to pinch the tech with no regard to the brand or history?

nah, the American way is to steal it, patent or trademark it, then sue anyone who disagrees.



(Still not got over the hilarity of trek claiming OCLV as their own.........!)