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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Castro Valley, CA, USADate Reviewed: April 7, 2008
Strengths: Light, responsive, tunable. Killer paint job ( sedona orange ) Frame geometry.Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet. Still getting used to downhill at speed. Way more fun than my hardtail, not ready to commit to high speeds.....yet.Bottom Line: Was always worried about climbing with a full suspension bike, but with 250lbs of air in the shock, not a problem ( I'm 6'1", 180 lbs. ) Rapidfire shifters needed flushing, the Non release lever ( thumb levers ) were slipping.
I'm going to play more with air pressure and carry the pump, keeping 250 for climbs and dropping the pressure for downhills. Would like to see how a newer shock with lockout would work, probably more convenient. I used to change my tire pressure with terrain changes, now I'll probably play more with front fork rebound and dampener and air shock pressure. Lately have been doing long grueling climbs and recapturing the elevation with one long curvy rutted downhill.
I haven't compared to other full suspension geometries but whether I'm on the seat or on the petals ( and I've got the same pressure on the bars ) the weight transferred to the rear wheel is the same.
Note: I don't do huge drops!
Favorite Trail: Mt Watson Tahoe
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At: craigs list
Similar Products Used: First full suspension bike, been on steel hardtails for years. ( early 80's, probably should be labeled a Luddite!) HAH Got the mantra instead of a 29er hardtail I demo'd
Bike Setup: stock, except for frog g3 pedals. wtb velociraptors
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Submitted by
Odi Tsagaris
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GreeceDate Reviewed: May 27, 2004
Strengths: Looks like Claudia SchifferWeaknesses: Outdated designBottom Line: Three years down the line....
Not a competitive design anymore despite the fact it was a superbike when it was introduced in 98.
The rearwheel problem has been solved and it is now problem free.
The Dolomites are light but flexy wheels, not for heavy riders like me. But they have withstood the abuse.
The downhill preformance is hairraising with the bike acting like a hardtail when off the saddle with the extra twist of the frame constantly changing wheelbase and castor angle depending on the brakes. Goosebumps!
There is no suspension standing up, you must sit down. But who sits down going over the roughs?
Not a bike for technical downhill singletracks.
It bucks and bobs like a hardtail on rough terrain and the poor fork is inadequate.
Uphill, on the saddle it transfers power adequately. Just dont get up. And the front end will lift by mind control.
I paid for a FS bike but ended up with a hardtail for more money and with extra weight to lug along.
Nah wouldn't buy it again, even if it were still in production.
Im now looking for a steel hardtail with a 100mm fork (Cotic soul, Cove handjob etc)
Now ask me if I would sell the Mantra!
No way Jose.... its too beautiful in Sedona orange and I believe it is a classic bike that will gain in value as time goes by.
After all its the little quirks and niggles that give an inanimate object its soul.
I will hang it on the wall when my new HT shows up.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: Klein Dealer
Similar Products Used: Hardtails mostly Ideal safari, Klein Attitude, Storck Rebel, Corratec Bow Team, Corratec FS
Bike Setup: Stock XT LX, Manitu SXR, Magura HS33, Ritchey WCS 2.1 tyres
100mm WCS stem, SRAM halfpipes.
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Submitted by
evan
a Cross Country Rider
from paducah, kyDate Reviewed: July 9, 2002
Strengths: awesome climber!!! not another bike on the trail looks like it, also has some baaaaad paint! very light, almost as light as my xtr equipped trek 8900. did i mention it's an awesome climber?Weaknesses: it scares me to death while brakeing. feels like i'm riding on a henge.Bottom Line: one awesome bike. if you like fast downhills AND being able to climb, it's for you. it's so cool that i'm selling my motorcycle to buy it. dont tell your trek dealer that you want one, they get jealous and try sellin you a fuel 100. if they only knew...
Favorite Trail: North South trail
Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At: WOOD-N-WAVE, grand rivers, ky
Similar Products Used: kawasaki kdx 200, klein mantra comp, trek 8900, trek 930
Bike Setup: bone stock, 150 lbs in rear shock
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Trent Munson
a Cross Country Rider
from Manassas, VADate Reviewed: March 22, 2002
Strengths: This bike rocks...Have had no troubles yet with the rear hub. Have only had it a week and a half though and hope not to see what the previous post had witnessed. Frame and suspension are set up for very fast down hills. I mean Exilerating downhills. All out drop offs have tested this bikes stress level. Stock seat also deserves praise. $1350 paid for alot of bike.Weaknesses: Upgrade to XTR components and slap on some Spinergy rims.Bottom Line: Great bike for the money I paid. Plan on Riding 24 hours of Snowshoe this year with it. I will more than likely upgrade to Spenergy rims and possibly upgrade to a Manitou Black fork. Over all Bad Ass Bike for the money. Was considering a Giant MRS 2 as my second runner up.
Favorite Trail: All over
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At: B.P. Cycles
Similar Products Used: Raleigh Chill, GT Aggressor, GT Avalanche, Bianchi Grizzly.
Bike Setup: Added high rise Moto Ace Salsa Stem, and Bar ends.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Odi Tsagaris
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GreeceDate Reviewed: November 6, 2001
Strengths: Light(ish) responsive bike, nice to pedal on climbs and really flies on downhill trails.Weaknesses: High price, low spec components and Rolf dolomite wheels from hell.
Also takes some using to the motion of the rear suspension braking the bike in two halves.Bottom Line: The Rolf Dolomite wheels give Klein a bad name.
The first rear wheel was faulty even before I took the bike from the dealer.
The hub and freewheel were so loose there was 1cm play at the rim.
The Klein dealer in Athens changed the wheel and delivered the bike.
I rode it once for 40miles on an easy trail and guess what...
Rear hub trouble.
Back to the Klein dealer. Two days later my bike is back with a washer somewhere in my rear hub and no play.
Five street miles later the rear wheel is playing up, badly.
Back to square one.
Problem is I paid a fortune for my Klein and for the money I could have bought myself something with better components and at least as decent a frame.
I feel totally betrayed and do not recommend to anyone to buy a bike with Rolf wheels as standard, despite the fact that the Klein dealer here in Athens is doing his best to rectify the situation.
Shame!
I am seriously looking into my legal rights if the wheel situation continues and they are not replaced with others from a decent manufacturer.
Now the bike.
It looks solid and beautiful. Rides well, accelerates nicely and doesnt pump much when off the saddle.
One design fault I find irritating is the distance between saddle and pedals varies constantly when underway requiring you to set the seat really high, in order to have a decent pedalling position. Then when its time to go back downhill and you want to lower your saddle - oops no quick release. And if you produce the right hex and do in fact lower the saddle, you find that the low position makes you pedal with bent legs.
This gives me a hint why it was discontinued.
Never mind, I blew the socks of a triathlete friend who used to run circles around me with his TREK 8500 on my first ride.
Never been on a fully before and it is turning into a revelation.
Shame about the wheels, I expect Klein to set this straight.
They seem to be standing behind their products.
Favorite Trail: Vassilika
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2260.00
Purchased At: Kinisi, Klein Athens
Similar Products Used: Ideal safari, Grisley, Raleigh mirage (all hardtails though)
Bike Setup: Stock, no changes yet. But looks as it will not stay so for long. Badly needed tires, brakes and NEW WHEELS
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