Tell me about Klein

[BrentYYC]

Dr S. I see from your signature that you're looking for an old steel Campagnolo Nuovo Record headset. I have one from a late 70's Colnago road bike that got pretzeled when I was hit by a car. I'll take a look and see if I can find it, if you're interested.

 

[Dr S]

Great stuff. I'm loking for a really perfect one though. Its for a trophy wife and she needs to look hot!

 

[sinnerman]

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.

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.

 

[Neil G]

Never ridden one so can't comment on that

I do know that the early 90s Klein Attitudes and Adroits were the stuff of dreams for a 15/16 year old

Hopefully one day I'll own one!

 

[BrentYYC]

Great stuff. I'm loking for a really perfect one though. Its for a trophy wife and she needs to look hot!

No blemishes and no cellulite. You'll love it.

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.

 

[Little Mark]

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......................

 

[sinnerman]

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..... always loved the way the real klein decals were done too.........just classy.

 

[Little Mark]

I have a light blue 1998 Pulse
And yes, the paint is falling off everywhere! Still love it though.......

 

[Neil]

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

Most excellent wit!

One of the gems of the forum, that post.

 

[marky2484]

NONONONONONONO :evil:

Klein = Liz Hurly

Cannondale = Kerry Katona


( Kona = Liz McDonald off Corrie, you know you shouldn't, but........)