What if Klein started to sell bikes again?

[mkaavin]

I often wonder about these things... If I won like a squillion dollars, I'd liek to buy the rights to one of the old companies (klein, fat chance etc) and start making them again liek they were... but really the market would be super limited as most people want a carbon wonder bike, or us oldies want the real thing, not a ressurect thing...
And when it comes to the companies, well they would just screw it up, don't get me wrong, I am super happy with my zaskar reissue, for me its really really good, but then I can only compare to very short rides on old ones. So I guess not really screw it up, but more they would have to modernize it, so if trek were to reproduce, it would have to have disc, and have to have 4in travel, so it wouldn't really be like an old one...
Look at the Ritchey P-team, good effort, I'd like one, but still not like the old ones...

Still if they did, I'd be interested (not saying I'd buy one, but definately be interested)

Also, since Trek is big, maybe they have the pulling power, I'd like to see a limited edition, get on board with Shimano and Rockshox (ha Sram) and bring out limited edition M900 and Mag 21 Sl's... that be cool

but never going to happen (until I win those squillions...)

Then let's hope you win those squillions because limited editions of golden oldies frames AND M900 would be great!!

 

[tintin40]

why would anyone buy rigid?

Because rigid is best.

 

[T'boo Ted]

Oh, also, I never feel comfortable riding other peoples bikes, different setups don't want to crash etc. Even my own bikes will take a ride or two on a new bike to feel comfortable (why I don't have much to compare for old zaskar to reissue).
But a guy let me ride his brand spanking new attitude back in 93, took it for a 5 minute ride, and straight away it felt perfect, amazing even, it was just so comfortable and easy to ride. Now that is 20 years ago, so things change, but for many many years that was (and maybe still is) the best bike I have ever ridden. Rose tints and all.

 

[treacle]

I genuinely dont know the answer to this next questions... have never been near one..but they actually any good as a bike?

or just all about the paint job?

They used to be excellent bikes back then. It was definitely not just about the paint job.

There is a big history behind Klein bikes and Fat, Merlin, Yeti and many other Bike manufacturers that made some very special bikes back then.

Hand made bikes with genius welders and painters was sort of the trade mark for many of these manufacturers but also great innovations and serious attention to detail.

The sum of all these factors (and many more I guess) made these bikes what they were. Now they don't make them like that any more and lots of people spend huge amounts of time on this forum and other places trying to find a frame that they can build up with super expensive well used (or even NOS) M900 stuff. Myself included.

That made me think. What is it that we are really looking for? Is it our golden memories of a lost time or truly great bikes?

For me it's a little bit of both I think. I would definitely buy one new today if I could. Just because they are hand made and beautiful frames. I like high class stuff like that. For old memories...?....well I already have one for that but it's not the perfect size and if I could choose, it would be another colour.

But thats me.....I really wanted to know what other people thought about this.

^ this and/or if they were to keep the same attention to detail and quality as well as modern innovation (maybe carbon with bespoke fr suspension and mad new paint jobs) I would be keen...

 

[tintin40]

A lot of what made Klein great is on expensive mtb's now. Such the headset/fork combination. press fit BB/headset, Oversize tubes. So Klein rest in peace with fond memories.

 

[T'boo Ted]

yeah, but kleins are beautiful, niners are butt ugly...

 

[makster]

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Most sensible post so far

 

[dazzawazza]

I'd have an order in for a MC2 ridged fork before the factory was up and running.

 

[stevebe]

take my order

A personal view or two. When on holiday in LA I noticed a crowd outside a bike shop, inside was Gary Klein launching his new Adroit and Attitudes to a mesmerised audience. Coming from a land where the mtb was a new sensation I could not believe what I was seeing, painting and welding I hadnt thought possible and a price tag to match an XR3 I think $5800 for the full Campag Monty. I thought they would never catch on because they were just so strange and advanced but then the Simpsons were new.

I took the chance to take a ride on a factory Attitude and that was it for me my shag nasty Saracen had to go. I brought a shop used Attitude back home and everywhere I went it caused a stir. I sold it in a moment of insanity and had to wait till recently to get one again and, guess what, it still draws admiring looks and rides just as I remember.

As far as rigid goes I like the Judys on mine but I would run through hot lava for a set of Strata forks - why - they look right and feel great like a Spitfire really no improvement necessary.

Just see what happens when an add appears for a set of Strata - interest from around the world - for a set of bike forks you ask.

 

[dazzawazza]

Me too with the lava.... lol