Submitted by
Mike Rizzo
a Racer
from East Lansing, MI USA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004
Strengths: This bike is frickin' awesome. Just hate it when I chip the paint, think I am gonna send it back to get a new custom jobby done on it at Klein.
Weaknesses: NONE - too bad Trek ruined the company otherwise I would get a nice new shiny one, but I love my cables in the frame
Bottom Line:
This is one super sweet hardtail, I cant see myself ever buying another one. Just wouldnt know what to do if I had cables outside of the frame. Just wish they made IS mounts so I wouldnt have to have the adapter, but oh well.
Similar Products Used: GT Tequesta, Ellsworth Sub 22, K2 Zed Team, Trek Fuel 98
Bike Setup: Thomson Post and Stem, XTR rear, XT everything else, XT hyrdos, Brake Therapy disc brake adapter, Crossrocs, Maxxis Ignitor Race Tires, Crank Brothers Candy Ti and Ti Egg Beater Pedals, Litespeed bar, ODI Ruffian lock on grips, Selle Italia Flite Ti Saddle, Avid Flack Jacket Cables
Strengths: Light weight, excellent paint, internal cable routing, super stiff on the climbs.
Weaknesses: When the paint gets damaged it sucks.
Bottom Line:
Purchased the bike on Ebay which had been lightly used. I don't know why Klein insists on putting crap components on such a great frame. When kitted out with great components this bike rocks. It's agile in the single track, stiff for climbing and is super light (sub-22lb). It's a hardtail and it's a little hard on the butt, switched to a Bontrager padded saddle and it all went away. This is a solid all-around XC bike and I understand the ZR9000 has 5 times the fatigue strength of aluminum.
Similar Products Used: Klein Adroit 96 and Kona Explosive
Bike Setup: Chris King wheels, XTR Group, Thomson, Speedplay, Easton EC90 and Rock Shox Team Carbon
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Oli Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2002
Strengths: FRAME! Cane Creek Wheels - don't know if they are standard.
Weaknesses: durned Bontrager componenets and cheap shox.
Bottom Line:
I got an unusual bike in Hong Kong. Not spec at all, but I paid about $600 less than i would have if it had been kosher. Anyway, I was angry about that, at first, but after riding it from Hong Kong to Bangkok i have absolutely no regrets. Even with dodgy hong kong replacement parts the frame and overall setup is awesome and the ride is stiff and resposive - far better, in my humble opinion, than the Big Sur. A real utilitarian bike, able to stay upright over just about anything. RAH!
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Big Sur, Trek 4500
Bike Setup: Not standard: Sugino Impel crank, Deore XTR front and back, Judy XC Fork, SDG Comp Seat (hard)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nate Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2002
Strengths: Frame weight, quality, stiffness, and Klein reliability.
Weaknesses: Still searching
Bottom Line:
I was a little apprehensive at first due to the price of the bike, but the fact that it came with the Race cranks, Rolf wheels and had the Klein reliability that had been recommended to me by many riders. Some don't like the stiff frame, but I haven't had any difficulties yet. I wish there was less Bontrager on this bike but time will change that. The weight and control are excellent and I opted to get a front disc wheel for added stopping power in wet and muddy conditions. I would recommend this bike to anyone with the budget. It is worth the extra money.
Weaknesses: poor factory component choices with respect to brakes and drivetrain
Bottom Line:
this bike rocks. the components will require upgrading but i will probably wear the factory setup out first, or at least wait until i can reaonably afford the upgrades i want to make. the attitude screams to be ridden. i cant walk by it without wanting to get on and ride it down my stairs and into the world it likes to conquer. the upgrade issue does not bother me (being somewhat of a gear/tech head), i actually look forward to doing the mechanical work when i upgrade. i know that i will never want another frame. this one is just too good (yes i almost cried when it got its first scratches, but hey, i call it customized paint work). if you are considering the attitude, just do it. this bike just talks to you!
Similar Products Used: trek 8000, stumpjumper m4 comp
Bike Setup: factory set up as listed in specs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bret Stephan
a Weekend Warrior
from Canal Fulton, OH
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002
Strengths: Purchased the bike because of the superior quality frame, which has flawless welds and show quality paint finish. Bike handles beautifully under all situations and rides extremely well.
Weaknesses: The Klein Attitude has a very mixed component quality range, which is disappointing for a company of this caliber. Bike came with an Italia chain on a SRAM cassette and Bontrager chainrings for its drivetrain. Also, the combination of a XT rear der. and basic Deore for a front der. is very odd. BB is a basic heavy Shimano unit. Basic Deore shifters are out of place. Tires, wheels and fork are acceptable for the Klein's entry level hardtail.
Bottom Line:
The Klein Attitude is a great bike with alot of class. Hopefully in the future, Klein will equip their bikes with components equal in quality level.
Submitted by
Killlian
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002
Strengths: Solid yet forgiving, Klein frame fame in all it's glory. Extremely responsive. Frame, frame, frame. Oh and the finish/color is gorgeous.
Weaknesses: Hey I could have bought the Attitude Comp if I wanted the instant component upgrade -too many people complain about the components and I'm one of them. For the price would like to have at least XT front; High instead of low density tubes (pinch flatted on my first curb) as stock. Oh and the finish/color is gorgeous.
Bottom Line:
I'm almost 6'4" 230 and I totally agree with the prior two posts about twitchyness - especially so for me. The first few times on it and it felt like I was constantly falling forward and too off-center to a slight extent, but once control settled in the bike just wants to GO and gives you all the tools to manage it's demands. You cannot go wrong with this bike. I credit all of the control to how the frame fits, it's simply perfect.
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Shelby
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002
Strengths: Bike is really solid, but not as painful as most aluminum. Paint job is awesome.
Weaknesses: For $1100 the components on the bike are mediocre. Compared with other bikes in the price range you don't get very much, but you are paying more for the frame.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great. It is one of the best riding bikes i have ever been on. I agree with the other rider that the bike seems twitchy at first because of the short wheelbase. Once you get used to it the bike climbs like a champ. I also had problems with my seatpost moving but i tightened up the quick release bolt and that seemed to help. Klein seems to have well thought out the bike and added little things like a color matched sticker to protect your frame from chain slap. Despite the poor component selection the bike is a good deal and you really are paying for the frame. I ended up swapping the cranks and shock at the bike shop. The paint on these bikes is amazing. I would recommend this bike to anyone. I also tried the gary fisher's but the long genesis geometry didn't fit me right.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Mt. Tam. Specialized StumpJumper
Bike Setup: Replaced the shock with Manitou Elite Air. Replaced cranks and bottom bracked with shimano xt splined. Put on Shimano XT V brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Grant Blankenship
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA USA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002
Strengths: Light frameset. Shorter than most top tube. Intelligent cable routing; derailleur cables run through to p tube while brake cables are on the outside but completely coverd in housing where corrosive Southern boy sweat could hit them. The parts package is also quite good. Shimano XT rear derailleur, Deore front with avid levers, Deore v brakes and Deore shifters. The crankset is Bontrager of some ilk and seems to be holding up in teeth dragging logs.
Weaknesses: Tires and seat post. The seat post keeps dropping on me in rides (I weigh 185 lbs.) so that I find myself wondering why I'm not getting full leg extension. Usually notice on a climb. The tires (Jones AC) are not terrible, but not great either.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I have a short torso, so the Trek geometry always seemed kind of spread out to me. The Attitude has a slightly shorter than most top tube, so though I have your garden variety flat bars, I feel like I am spread out just enough (not straight up, not racing 100 of my best friends either). The wheelbase is short, too, so the bike might feel twitchy at first. After a few rides, this is a good thing as difficult turns are a breeze. At 26lbs, the bike is a fast accelerator, and I have found myself climbing in gears sometimes two rings faster than normal on my 930. I can honestly say, too, that after coming from a cro-moly bike to aluminum (both hardtails), that this aluminum frame isn't really punishing me any more than the steel. I can tell it's more stiff, but I haven't experienced any jackhammering into my isches as of yet. This bike is great, and I would definitely recommend it overthe Stumpjumper M4 at the same price or the Trek 8000 whicih is a little more. Buy it if you ride all the time but will probably never race. Tis a serious, serious bike.
Similar Products Used: Test rode Trek 8000, Specialized stumpjumper M4. Previous ride was 1998 Trek 930.
Bike Setup: Shimano XT rear derailleur, Deore front with avid levers, Deore v brakes and Deore shifters. The crankset is Bontrager of some ilk and seems to be holding up in teeth dragging logs. It all works really well. Also, nine speed rear cog. Shimano m515 clipless pedals work like pedals. Rock Shox Duke C fork (no tuneable rebound damping).
Just thought I'd share.
Seems that Klein was still doing custom jobs as late as 94/95. This bike not only came equipped with a Strata but also had the previous owners name debo Read More »
For those of yall that have been for awhile know how good of a frame this was. Made is the good ole USA, light and climbed like it had hoofs! Well, I have one that probably has l Read More »
Any suggestions on where to start with converting my bike? Here are some pictures of the way it sits as of now.
[ATTACH]655887[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]655891[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]65 Read More »
I am refurbing my old 2001 Klein Attitude.
It has internally routed cables. There are (at least parts of a) liner lining the cables where they exit at the BB. It is my underst Read More »
So here it is.
I have found out more about it.
The fella I bought it from raced road bikes in the mid to late 80's and was friends with a Klein Factory Road Racer who also work Read More »
