Well..... yet another thread about a Klein but.........

[Klein-aficionado]

I am humbly approaching this knowledgeable forum of utter retrobike lovers from around the globe in the hope that you might shed some light over some aspects, I have been fiddling with :?

I am in the very early stages of a rebuild project which includes a 1996 Klein Adroit. Being the second owner, I bought it from original owner who upgraded the bike in 2001.
My plan is to get it back to a more original state, although not totally (and not possible as you will se if you prefer to read on) as I would like to have some tiny bit of freedom.
Thing is, the bike was bought as a frame only during High School stay in US in 1996 by first owner who opted for a RS Judy instead of a Strata ( :shock: ) and no MC2 :shock: :shock: . Not much Klein fuselage left then! Later during upgrade the BB was changed for a Dura Ace BB-7700 (italian thread of course; only one that will fit....) to carry Shimano XLR M952 cranks. No Klein fuselage left at all!! Now all loaded with XTR M950 except driveline is M952 9-speed.

I bought it, because the bike was in Denmark with known history, first owner being a Dane and because it is a size XL. That is a rare beast and being 6' 4" that's what I needed I know some people think its ugly in 22", but I way prefer it this way compared to mounting a chimney with saddle on top

Sadly, it is not a real Adroit, because down tube is "only" 1 7/8 and not 2". Must be one of those 1995 leftover Attitudes that Trek relabelled as Adroits since it carries a " X" in the serial number (22X0496XXX). But I love it and its ride is like a BMW on two wheels; aggressively pushing forward and begging you to go faster and harder (Uops.... could also sound like the wife there....... )

Anyways, I have been going back and forth the past months trying to figure out, what to do with it. I have finally decided to make it a special, that I only recently discovered actually existed. In the archives the 1996 Klein Brochure lists three different "stock" versions (p. 34): XTR, Deore XT and Deore XT Tune. It is the last one that I am aiming at, thinking it could be an enjoyable build with a nice finishing touch.

So I have started collecting bits but am puzzled about two items, which I hope some of you respected retrobikers can help solve:

The specs says it has Avid Tri Align rear brake and Tune cantilevers on front. If you study the picture on p. 21 of a Mantra Pro in Deore XT Tune clothes in the same catalogue, you will immidiately notice that those front brakes are not Tune but simply Deore XT M739 V-brakes.
Next it should have a XTR rear derailleur (which must be M950) but same picture of Mantra Pro shows a M739 shifter.

Anybody who can help with info in order to clarify what and where is highly appreciated.

My guess for the Mantra Pro vs spec misalignment could be either missing parts from Tune in Germany, when deadline for catalogue approached, so fast creativity was needed. Or simply that spec was changed, when first Trek became aware of the cost of those Tune parts :facepalm:

Strangely enough it did not get the Tune Starckes Stück seat post; more strangely the Syncros 31.6 seat post never ever seems to appear available for sale :cry:

Eagerly awaiting your inputs on this


Steen

 

[unit3]

Hi Steen, that's a confusing read, but get some pictures up and it might help people to understand :xmas-big-grin:

 

[Klein-aficionado]

I tried to empty my brain in a constructive way, but made a mess........ :facepalm:

Second try on asking the forum for some guidance

Short version of original post is, that I discovered a version of 1996 Klein Adroit, that really suits my taste. To fully understand the build, I checked the specs in the 1996 catalogue and also found the attached picture of a "Tuned" Mantra Pro. Even though I am building an Adroit there are the same two differences:

Specs says XTR rear derailleur (must be M950) but picture shows XT M739.

Front brakes should be Tune cantilevers and rear Avid Tri Align, but picture shows XT M739 V-brakes front and rear.

I am wondering which is correct; specs or picture? Hope somebody can help as there is close to zero info on the internet regarding Klein Tune versions.

Steen

 

[iveto1983]

I can't help as to which is correct, but if it was me building it, then I would go with the spec cantilevers.

 

[Canuck]

I won't claim to know much about Klein's but I wouldn't follow the build according to that pic you posted. Look's like the XT sti's they're using are for canti's and not for the V's that are mounted. Imagine you could be right when you say they may have just thrown it together for the photo shoot

 

[Klein-aficionado]

Eagle eyes, Canuck!

For 1996 there were two versions of brake/shifter combos in Deore XT.

ST-M738 was intended for use with cantilevers, and ST-M739 was for the newly launched V-brakes.

Specs dictate Tune cantis on front and Avid Tri Align on rear, so I got a nice set of M738 shifter/brake combo coming in from across the Atlantic from my friend James

Have been wondering a lot about the rear derailleur for that simple reason, that I personally think, it will look strange with a XTR M950.
With M950 Shimano introduced a new finish in a grey-green tone, which would look misplaced up against Deore XT M738/739, that retained the retro silver look.

There is no doubt however, to my mind at least, that the "Tune"-version was successor to the special lightweight from 1992, which mainly had Suntour parts mixed with Dia Compe and Campagnolo. Tune being specialists in lightweight parts and selling Tune-Up Kits for weight saving purposes would make an ideal partner. The addition of a XTR rear derailleur could be for the same reason, ie weight saving.
If you think it from a business point of view XTR adds significant costs for the manufacturer :? One way to get around and still hold true to theme of light weight could be using the then newly discontinued M910 rear derailleur instead of M950. You would get looks that were more in line with the Deore parts, weight savings and you most probably could get it cheaper than a M950 as a stock clearance sale from Shimano. Only drawback would be limited stock, but I assume this special version would not be a top-seller due to price.

Let me know what you all think......


Steen

 

[Klein-aficionado]

Happy new year to all on this exciting forum.

Been lying low for a couple of weeks but would really like you input on the spec to a Deore XT Tune build before I get started.

I am especially interested in comments regarding a XTR rear derailleur. Would you think it should be M950 or as I suggest it could be a stock clearance for M910?
So far a have played safe and acquired a Deore XT M739 rear derailleur as per pic attached to thread.

All inputs are very welcome