Submitted by
Filip Lerch
a Cross Country Rider
from Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2008
Strengths: Beautiful frame and paint job, great design and geometry, internal cable routing
Weaknesses: components...i have replaced them already
Bottom Line:
This is my thrid bike. Previously: some steel DB and Specialized Hardrock 2006. When I first time saw this bike on the internet I was astonished by the beauty. Now I have it and I am not going to replace it, no way. It just listens to you. It can not be compared to any of my previous bikes. When I compare it to models 2003 onward, it is much nicer. It has all internal cable routings they lack. Newer models kind of lack the spark of this one. This is to be a classic for a long time as it seems Trek grabbed their know how and lets them drown.
Bike Setup: xt crank FC770, mostly XT and some LX parts , American Classic wheels, Nobby Nics
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Submitted by
Leigh
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007
Strengths: Awesome, everything about this bike is AWESOME, from paint job, to rideability, you just dont wanna get off the thing!!
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Really is the best Hardtail EVER!! Its looks almost TOO beautiful to ride until you jump on it and realise its like nothing you've ever ridden before! An out and out CLASSIC!!
Similar Products Used: Scott Comp racing, Cannondale 2005 Team Replica
Bike Setup: FSA Mega Exo Carbon crank, FSA Carbon riser Bars. Tompson stem and Seatpost, Mavic Crossmax SLR wheelset, Chris King Headset.
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Submitted by
evil geek
a Cross Country Rider
from calgary
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006
Strengths: reasonable weight, understated good looks, stiff as hell.
Weaknesses: stock components are a mixed bag, with the bb, cassette and front dl being lower grade than the rest of the bike.
Bottom Line:
This is the stiffest bike I've ever ridden. The first time I stood up in the pedals, I almost fell off the back of the bike as it leaped forward. It really does a great job of translating downward force on the pedals into forward motion. After 5 years it's still a joy to ride, and I'm just now getting around to upgrading some of the parts, starting with an xtr front dl and u.s.e. carbon seatpost.
Bike Setup: manitou sx-r fork, hayes hfx mag brakes, lx front/xt rear derailleurs, rolf dolomite disc wheels, bontrager for everything else.
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2006
Strengths: Light, Strong, and Pretty.
Weaknesses: If I have to hunt for one, it would be the factory Bontrager Crankset...But I am a Clydsdale at 6ft 3 and 240
Bottom Line:
Though I do agree that this bike does deserve some better componants...The stock product is still a GREAT BIKE. I replaced my chainset because of the creeks that a Big Biker causes on Bontrager crap, but the OOHS and AAHS that my bike gets while I'm riding up a hill, passing people on a trail, or even in the bike rack on my car while gassing up, have more than made up for that.
Bike Setup: Stock except for the Race Face Evolve Crankset and Bottom Bracket
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Submitted by
stefano
a Weekend Warrior
from aosta Italy
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004
Strengths: Weight, color, geometry.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I am very happy, i bought the frame in ebay for 250 $, and i am very happy, it is light, rigid and responsive. I lobe this bike and fron the day a bought it, i go more with my bike. stefano
Bike Setup: Fox fork, shimano XT 2004, hugi hubs, mavic rims, king headset, continental tyres, fsa stem, seatpost
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Submitted by
hans van boxtel
a Cross Country Rider
from the netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Strengths: Look as no other! Very good paint!
Weaknesses: Lx-crap. Brakes (Avid-3)
Bottom Line:
A perfect bike for fast riding, climbs very well. It just looks and feels very, very good. I made 3000 km in 6 months, in every weather condition. I never had a problem with this bike, i thinks it likes me! Buy is if you want a good, fast bike and like a great, sober, look . The price in Holland is a problem, so fo my full-suspention i have to look for a Trek. A pity!
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Duluth
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003
Strengths: Beautiful frame, decent components on the Attitude Race, stiff, light
Weaknesses: I wish it came with disc brakes
Bottom Line:
I bought a 2001 the beginning of 2002. Ive put a lot of hours on this bike the past year. Ive had no problems. I put a piece of electrical tape on the frame underneath the cables so it wouldnt rub the paint off. Thanks for the tip! I swapped out the Rolf wheels for the Cane Creeks before 24 HOA (Conyers) because I knew they could take the beating. I havent switched back yet. I just replaced the Bontrager Racelite straight bar for the Easton riser (the Easton is actually lighter!). The Mars is the first shock Ive had so I cant compare it to anything. Airshock, not much adjustability. It beats a Headshok, thats for sure. The bike rides great and gets lots of oohs and aahs at the trailhead. I like the KLEIN that goes down the back of the rear triangle, so others know what Im riding when I pass them!
Bike Setup: Attitude Race, XT/XTR drivetrain and brakes, Cane Creek Wam, Easton SL90, Bontrager stem and post, Manitou Mars, Time Alium
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Submitted by
Jost
a Cross Country Rider
from Eltville, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002
Strengths: ++ frame fits perfect ++ great paintjob ++ outstanding framequality + klein rules !! ++ rolf wheels
Weaknesses: bontrager and sram 7.0 and deore-crap !! this is a no-no for klein-bikes !!!
Bottom Line:
when i saw the klein at ebay (offered by a bikeshop) i really had to buy it. price was very fair and i fell in love with it on first sight. even the poor component-combo could not stop me from purchasing. i tried a 2001 stumpjumper pro too (same price) but it did not thrill me at all.
my recommendation: when you ever have a chance to get a klein (for this price): go and buy but spare some cash for the parts your klein is built for (take a look on my setup)
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Chagrin Falls, ohio
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Strengths: Cult following, frame is art (beautiful beed), the finish, bontrager saddle is comfortable, Rolf satelite wheels
Weaknesses: pricey for the componets, front LX derailure and LX brakes needs constant tinkering, bontrager cranks flex a little
Bottom Line:
When i was just kid about ten years ago, I would drool over pictures of the klein adroit in moutain bike magazines. I got away from the sport and when i decided to buy a new mtb instead of borrowing friends, i couldn't resist the klein. It didn't hurt either that i got it on sale as it was a 2001 model. The bike really is eye candy and I love the feel of my size small. I'm about 5-9 and have no problem with the small frame. And as i weigh about 225, it is still super stiff and flickable. The bontrager seatpost, while heavy, is plenty stiff as well. The rolf wheelset is a serious bonus- light and durable. Buyers of the 2002 get stuck with bontrager all around (for the extra cash, i'm not so sure the 2002 is worth it though you do get some upgraded tubing and rock shox). Anyhow, you buy the bike for the awesome frame. And chics dig the paint.
Strengths: Really sweet paint and a really soild rider on the trails and road.
Weaknesses: Components!! why the hell does a 1200 bike come with bontrager, lx crap when my buddies schwinn has xtr sh@t stock?
Bottom Line:
Great bike but would have purchased a race or comp for better set up, or would have purchased just the frame and bought a blow out schwinn for donor parts.
Weaknesses: Too flashy, LP-27 BB (still working thou), Bontrager cranks (too soft, suck chain), cheap brakes. Cables rub against head tube.
Bottom Line:
This is my first serious mt bike and it's great BUT I do think my Klein is too flashy for a mt bike. I am not sure if paying so much for a nice-looking frame is a good idea. Every time I crash I see more scratches on the frame. Also, I noticed that the cables rubbed the paint off the front tube so I wrapped it in scotch tape.
The Bontrager cranks are known to be bad. They suck the chain in way too often (damaging the chainstay tubes - of course I have a lizard skin but it doesn't really help for chainsuck). Also, I had to straighten the big chainring - pliers work fine since it's so soft.
The freehub in the rear wheel had to be replaced after I raced at Downieville, CA. But that place is evil so I guess that's ok.
Since this is my first bike I can't tell if my Klein rides so much better than say, a Moab 1 but I think I would choose a Moab now. At least, I wouldn't have to worry about the paint and of course I would get better components for less.
Similar Products Used: trek al hardtails, specilized stumpjumper, gary fisher mt tam
Bike Setup: 2001 attitude race frame custom painted, full xtr, tompson stem and seatpost easton carbon bars, SID race king headset and hubs
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Medford, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001
Strengths: Quick & light.
Weaknesses: Frame - none at all. Components - the only thing I can complain about it the fork. Not that its all that bad. I upgraded to the Manitou Mars (an air fork). This fork has a very quick rebound. I'm guessing thats just the nature of an air fork. If I didn't care about the weight, I'd go back to a Marzocchi...
Bottom Line:
I'll never have to buy another hardtail again. This frame is awesome. I never remember being able to climb like this on my old GT. Going over rocks, logs, and waterbars while clibing on this bike is so easy since the front end is so light. I'm glad I replaced the flat bar with a riser, I love the riding position that it puts you in.
I'll pump up the tires on the roads and this bike is so quick. I can go on 25 mile road rides pretty easily. Although my next purchase is going to be a road bike. Basically if you want a light hardtail with discs, go with the Klein. It is a little rough on the behind on those rocky and rooty trails, but what can you expect. Of you want a cushier ride, go with a xc fs.
Similar Products Used: 1997 GT RTS I also test rode the Fisher MT Tam and a Cannondale F900 SL
Bike Setup: Stock with fork upgraded to a Manitou Mars. Hayes discs Swapped out the flat bar to a Race Face low riser bar
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Submitted by
Pimp M. Daddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Lubbock, TX 79415
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001
Strengths: What can you say, it is a Klein! Nothing in the world rides like it, and nothing ever will. Excellent attention to details and solid geometry make this a great buy.
Weaknesses: Paint is too beautiful to scratch, so the riding is less than all out. However after the first chip or two, you loosen up and enjoy it to the fullest....
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike for the money. The components that come with the bike are pretty good and will handle the abuse for a long time. The bike climbs like a dream and will not get too sketchy on the downhill sections either. I love the bike and plan on using it for many years to come!!!!
Similar Products Used: 2000 Klein Attitude Comp, Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: 2001 Attitude Comp. Full XTR setup Thompson post and stem Race Face cranks and headset Hayes hydraulic disc brakes Rolf Dolomite wheels ODI grips Hutchison Python Lite tires
Weaknesses: Attention to quality. My bike shipped with a $1.00 seat post clamp. Seat post would not stay fixed, got an upgrade. Shocks come stock for 160 - 180 lbs ride, had to pay Answer for extra springs. Not Klein/Answers problem they said though it was not documented.
Bottom Line:
For the price you pay your not getting good value. The shock and seat clamp issue really bothered me. Without the proper fit kit for the shock the bike does not handle well.
Otherwise, nicest ride I've ever had, is fast and responsive. If purchasing have the shock springs fitted and seat post clamp replaced before you pay.
