Submitted by
John Robins
a Cross Country Rider
from Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2006
Strengths: Frame: Strength, handling and build quality.
Weaknesses: As mentioned by all other reviewers the paint, I bought mine 6 months old immediately stripped it and had it professionally painted, Klein sent me free frame decals the first time, 10 years later when I gave it another complete refurb they sent the same decals out again, free of charge. Manitou's aren't fantastic,
Bottom Line:
The bottom line? I've had this bike over ten years now! I use it virtually every day for training. The frame is flawless, the welding is superb, the guy who mentioned the welding was poor obviously doesn't weld, is blind or had a bike that wasn't a Klein with Klein stickers on it!
Bike Setup: XT/XTR throughout, Avid brake levers, Mavic rims, Variety of forks!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001
Strengths: The frame on the Pulse Pro was inspired by God. Light, climbs like a mountain goat, decends like water flowing downhill, and corners on rails. This bike is a dream to ride.
Weaknesses: Paint sucks. Original component package isn't the best, but lasts forever. The manitou pro forks are soild, but outdated.
Bottom Line:
If you can get your hands on one of these frames, do it. I have tested comparable products from the 2000/2001 prodcut lines of Rocky Mountain, GT, Schwinn, & Trek... while the component packages are better today, no one comes close to the frame rigidity and responsiveness of the 97' Pulse Pro. If you are conisdering a new bike, make sure you ride the Kliens, I mean really ride them. This is a huge purchase, the biek shop should let you take the bike out for a good ride, if they don't... find a new shop.
Submitted by
Janne
a Cross Country Rider
from Helsinki, Finland
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000
Strengths: A truly excellent frame - lightweight, stiff yet responsive. Unbeatable climber. Good wheels, they're lighter and stronger than you think - Bonty rims and butted DT spokes and nipples on average LX hubs. Cool looks, unmatched quality. Race-ready geometry.
Weaknesses: The Manitou Pro fork is not on the same level with the rest of the bikes components. The wonderful frame needs a more adjustable fork, like a SID for example. The stock tires are good only on dry surfaces. The WTB saddle and the TREK post are way too heavy. In fact the seatpost weighs 395g!! - on a 23.9 pound bike...
Bottom Line:
After having ridden a newer bike for a couple of months the top quality of my old Klein has become more and more evident. The ride is something special - the bike can be hammered uphill, downhill or on flat surfaces, and it does well everywhere. The frame is ultra-stiff and still very good on the technical stuff. If you are a serious cross-country rider and still can find a Pulse Pro somewhere, especially as a frameset, don't think twice - buy it. You won't be disappointed. My Pulse Pro is not for sale though!
One more thing. DO NOT!!!!! DO NOT!!! use a pressure washer on this bike, not even a slightly powerful hose. Or you will notice that there were a lot of black chips in the dirt you washed off. High pressure eats the paint right off this frame!!!!!!
Submitted by
Rome
a Cross-Country Rider
from Diego Garcia
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999
Strengths: Light weight, legendary Klein ride
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
This bike Rocks. It is light and stiff, and easy to portage when necessary. It draws rave reviews and jealous stares everywhere I take it. I always wanted a Klein. However the bike shop in Virginia Beach lied about it's age. They said that it was a 98. Oh well. I love it anyway. I will upgrade the 97 Manitou Pro to a 99 Z2 Superfly, though. Happy riding!
Similar Products Used: 1991 Cannondale SM800 Beast of the East 1991 Trek 830 Antelope 1999 DBR X2
Bike Setup: Purchased as a frameset with 97 Manitou Pro fork in Virginia. Performance Ti flat bar, SRAM Plasma 9 speed shifters, XTR brake levers, Titec Lil Al stem, Titec shorty barends. FSA XLII aheadset, Thudbuster seatpost, Flite saddle, Kooka Bonnie cranks on FSA Ultimax Ti BB, Xt derailleurs, GT CNC/Mavic 217/DT Revolution wheelset, 1998 Ritchey WCS Ti pedals, Odyssey U4 Ti brake boosters on Avid 10 brakes- 23lbs
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999
Strengths: Stiff Frame Good Acceleration Light Beautiful Chainstays
Weaknesses: Welds are unsightly POOOR Paintjob
Bottom Line:
a great performing frame . Good platform for upgrades . However , it could do with a bit more compliancy . I like the geomtery .... long , great for the climbs . However , I would find the headtube angle a tad too steep . Its sketchy on the downhills because of that . One bad thing about this frame is its paintjob . It peels too easily ... and it wont last . Although it wouldnt affect performance .... but its irritating to see the paint peeling . YUCKS . Overall a billiant chassis ..... just that the paint job lets it down .
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from North Potomac, MD
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999
Strengths: Stiffness, FAST, great tubing
Bottom Line:
Great bike! I havent ridden a stiffer bike. I love my bike - Klein isn't as popular as Specialized or Trek but they should be. I wouldn't trade it in for anything.
Bike Setup: 97 Pulse Pro frame, Zoke Atom Bomb, Full XT, Race Face BB and cranks, Crosslink wheels, Tektro Booster, Flight Deck.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sholin
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma City, OK
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1999
Strengths: This bike is an excellent choice in the aluminum bike category. It handles better than any bike I've ridden. It rides stiff, but not as bad as cheapo aluminum. Geometry is spot on, but I shortened up the stem. Light, responsive, and very agile. ESP 9.0 shifters work extremely well, but you'll need to keep the rear deurallier clean.
Weaknesses: LX front deurallier doesn't cut it. I upgraded to an XT. Bontrager mustang rims good for price, but I have an XTR set on now. Ride still a little harsh compared to my Trek 970 OXIII bike I used to ride. Manitou Pro front fork is the price comprimise on this bike. It has loosened up on me so the extremely crisp handling the bike had when it was new has become more sloppy. This is my next upgrade.
Bottom Line:
Excellent frame that can be upgraded to a world class bicycle. You can get leftovers cheap now. Might also want to look at an Attitude or Adroit if you like fast handling bikes.
Bike Setup: Then: Klein Al frame, full LX w/ ESP 9.0 rear der. and pods. manitou pro's, bontrager mustang rims and stem and handlebars, Panaracer Duster 2's (suck) Now: Klein Al frame, LX: crank hubs v-brakes, XT: front deraileur, ESP 9.0: pods and rear der., 99 Judy Xc's (sweet), Michelin Wildgripper Lite S (sweet)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chicago
Weaknesses: bad standard tires (but that's not Klein's fault)
Bottom Line:
Although I enjoy riding in the french alpes, I just don't get out there with my bike all that often. On a daily basis I ride this bike in the streets of Chicago, where you really need the shocks considering the quality of the roads here. This bike not only looks really cool but rides really cool. Everything is firm and reliable, I've never had to repair anything, and it had to suffer: I got in a car accident with this bike, and guess what: I wrecked the car (door out of hinges, front panel loose), not a scratch or bend on the Klein. Need I say more?
Weaknesses: I find it too stiff, coz I still use the entry-level Manitou Pro 97 that it came with: An upgrade to a bomber is on the way!!
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It's absolutely bombproof yet light. I hope to be able to keep using for many years to come. As it is, it's a great platfom for upgrading of parts. Definitely 5 chillies. This bike is my baby!
Similar Products Used: Diamondback Apex, Voodoo Bantu, Cannondale M800, Team Marin, Iron Horse ARS600
Bike Setup: Pulse frame with Manitou fork, Shimano LX/XT drivetrain, Kore stem, Bontrager handlebar and mustang rims, CODA barends, WTB saddle and Panaracer Duster II tires
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
archie
a Cross-Country Rider
from broussard,La
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999
Strengths: agile light cool fast good brakes
Weaknesses: at top end(for me) becomes unstable -crank(or B.B.) flexes
Bottom Line:
light fast nimble Once onthis bike I found somthing out ... a bike has a power band! WOW I never knew that! Good at slow speeds , RAMS in the midrange, ok with a little instability on top. Reminds me of a Dirt Bike review. I found this really cool. I love it. Perfect for X-C racing. Rare that you hit 30+ mph in a X-C race, or at least not me. so this bike is perfect.
I saved my pennies for a long time, kept going to the store asking if there were any closeout Kleins. Finally, lo and behold, an XL Pulse Pro was found in storage! Yellow, ESP9.0, Judy XC, even a Cane Creek front wheel! I bought it without even riding it, in the box, $850 smackeroos, what a deal! The bike rides SUPREME! I feel like I'm on my tri bike sometimes. Take me to Xterra, baby!
