Submitted by
kleinmantra101
a Weekend Warrior
from silver spring Date Reviewed: September 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
patapsco
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
cool design nice frame good uphill bike fun
Weaknesses:
downhill other than that none
Similar Products Used:
cannondale raven
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
fun bike dont listen to klein haters cool looking bike love it to death will never sell if you see one buy it!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hunt3180
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh Date Reviewed: February 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
co-worker
Strengths:
can take anything you throw at it.
Weaknesses:
random ghost shifting
Similar Products Used:
randon P.O.S. bike i have owned along the trail called life.
Bike Setup:
Stock except the manitou fork i toasted on a DH run replaced with a judy TT i had laying around 31.8 sette bar and stem upgrage, t.h.e. comp saddle, crank brothers smarty pedals, sette lock on grips, panaracer xc pro kevlar tires
Bottom Line:
i consider myself luck as a dog to grip this machine for 250 bones. Thanks Shelia!!! Unbeatable all around performance. Climbs hills like a monster truck. Kinda lacks on drivetrain components but when they break ill upgrade. Going to put Avid BB7s on the front. I highly reccomend this bike to any XC rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Panos Kazanelis
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, Greece Date Reviewed: January 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Mt Parnitha / Meteora
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
private expert d/her
Strengths:
99 model size L
lightweight, flexible, great climber AND donwhiller, firm control
Weaknesses:
heavy wheels, Manitu fork whci was replaced by Marzoki
Similar Products Used:
Scot, Trek, Ideal, Haro
Bike Setup:
Fox suspensionm Marzoki fork
Shimanos XTr V-brakes (M970), XT 9 speed M770, XT Chainset Hollowtech II M770, XT M770 pedals, XT M770 Shifter Pod 9sp
Bottom Line:
Klein's Mantra bike has been a loyal outdoors companion for some good 8 years now. The bike simply rules for all-round riding and made my 200 pounds almost "disappear" assuring great and safe control, excellent flex, smooth descends and very comfortable uphills, by far a superior construction.
Having ridden thousands of miles with it, I can only hope for two things for my next ride. Smooth behavior and firm control.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred Norrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Lower Burrell, PA, USA Date Reviewed: April 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
LBS(WA State)
Strengths:
97 model size: M solid ride. smooth. quick handling, great climber. I've ridden regularly for nearly 9 years now... never a problem.
Weaknesses:
mid-grade components, heavy wheelsets. Stock fork (manitou SX-R)sucked in comparison to Mars.
Similar Products Used:
various FS rides.
Bike Setup:
mostly OE. Manitou Mars fork upgrade.
Bottom Line:
great XC ride... not for the extreem DH\Big Hit. Quirky ride characteristics require a skilled rider. Feel much the same as Charles Rivers(previous review). Well worth the $$ spent. i have seen a few online 4-sale. Hard to pass up one that's only collecting dust.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Rivers
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Pine Mountain
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Start to Finish
Strengths:
Durability, have had it for 7 years
Weaknesses:
Some cheapo original parts: LX, some weight compromises.
Similar Products Used:
Klein hardtails.
Bike Setup:
Mostly OE, some minor mods, ie seats, brakes, cranks, weight saving components, nothing too radical.
Bottom Line:
This is an update from my last entry in 1999. Does not seem that long, but altogether been mountainbiking for 19 years now. The halcyon years of Mountainbiking seem to have passed. Even my favorite mags are no longer being published,(Zap what happened to you dude?) Klein seems to be drifting back to Road Bikes. Alot has changed. Many of my old riding buds are now riding Harleys and have sold their mountainbikes. My Mantra Comp, however, like all of my Klein products, has held up well. I weigh about 175 so maybe I am not that big of a banger. It has suffered through crashes, and culverts, but is still holding up. Have had some repairs, but nothing out of the ordinary. The frame has held up and does not seem to age. Sometimes I see some of the newer bike designs on the trail and I receive stares and then sometimes snickers from the young riders watching the old guy on the ancient Klein Mantra. One fellow in his 20s who was a semi pro "trials rider" said the Mantra was too bouncy and unsophisticated. Ya ya, until I waxed his ass climbing up the next few hills, his heavy "downhiller" kept him back. I still think the Mantra is a great loose/soft trail climber. No regrets purchasing the Mantra 7 years go. Even the LBS chain store I bought it from no longer exists. I often ride the trails alone now. My kids are grown and off to college. The wife has "outgrown" mountainbiking. But, when I climb a tall hill, peer down the other side, sit back and accelerate to 50 MPH down a screaming fire-trail, with nothing but the wind and sunset in front of me, my Mantra eating up the road irregularities, and knowing how to brake this blue monster, I become one with the universe again..... Greaaat bike, grrreaat activity! Keep on riding!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington Date Reviewed: August 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Held up fairly well.
Weaknesses:
I finally broke it.
Similar Products Used:
Many
Bike Setup:
Stock except for fixing parts with like items as they wore out.
Bottom Line:
This is an update from a post from 6 years ago. I feel that this is a good long term test ride. I had a pretty good life with this bike. It is fairly tricky to get used to the geometry and the suspension action but once you do it is a good all-around bike for xc.
The bottom line now is that I finally broke the frame. Not through abuse as I am 44 years old and don't beat the bike up but I do use it in harsh conditions a LOT. Klein has stepped up and said that they will switch me out with a new Palomino (good) but I have found out that many of my components will not switch over to the new frame (very bad), so I might have to spend big bucks. This really does upset me as many of the older items still had lots of miles left in them. I don't replace stuff because its cool or just to get the newest thing but only when it breaks or wears out. I will try to see if Klein will back their good reputation up by replacing any components that won't switch over. After all the only reason that I'm going through this is that their frame broke.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Warren, VT Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Strengths:
Lightweight; non-technical climbs and flats; looks great
Weaknesses:
Everything else
Bottom Line:
I have ridden this bike on epic Big Sur jeep road climbs, non-technical Massachusetts singletrack, and some of the gnarliest, steepest, rootiest- most rock-riddled terrain in Vermont. I just plain hate it. My riding partners have ridden it, fallen off it, and also hate it.
Terrible F-S geometry: The bike has an extremely high center-of-gravity. In addition, actuating the rear brake causes the rear end to rise about 1", thereby steepening the geometry and making the bike severely endo-prone. I switched to a riser bar, which helps but is just a band-aid. Bike handling is sketchy.
Gary Klein's 2" headset design was a market failure, leaving owners with a proprietary-design fork and no (or at least SEVERELY limited) options.
This bike is absolutely GREAT at a limited range of capabilities, i.e., non-technical climbs and flats. All others should stay away.
Bottom Line: Klein dropped the ball BIG TIME on the Matnra - it is definitely not a confidence-inspiring bike. It is my 3rd and final Klein (one road, two mtn) - I am a very disappointed owner.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John MacRae
a Cross Country Rider
from Warwick RI Date Reviewed: December 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Big River
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
private seller
Strengths:
Great climber and singletrack bike works very well in tight technical trails nice suspension bike with little or no pedal induced feedback
Weaknesses:
top tube magnifies noises from cables etc... minor gripe
Similar Products Used:
trek y bike c-dale super v
Bike Setup:
stock except for time atac pedals
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my August review. I am very pleased with the bike, I am finding it works very well in tight gnarly situations. I am cleaning sections of rock gardens and steep climbs that stopped me in the past. I am riding faster and longer with less effort. Some of the issues I mentioned in my earlier review have been resolved, ghost shifting with longer section of cable, BB noises have pretty much gone away on their own. I am still thinking of upgrading fork, but the Manitou SX has been doing OK for now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jups
a Cross Country Rider
from Warwick RI Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Big River
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
private owner
Strengths:
Light and stiff frame plush suspension great climber very good descender nice component mix
Weaknesses:
has been noisy at times ghost shifting
Similar Products Used:
demo'd trek y 33 and Cdale super V own hardtail with susp seatpost
Bike Setup:
stock except for time atac pedals stiffer fork spring on order
Bottom Line:
Have had the mantra about a month, and I am very pleased with it. The bike is very light for FS, climbs very well, and gives a nice plush ride. A lot of reviews praise the mantras climbing ability, and I have to agree, goes up hills easier than my hardtail. Have gone down some short steep singletrack, no problems so far, like any other bike you have to get back and not grab a bunch of front brake, felt very similar to my hardtail, maybe a touch lighter in the rear, but nothing like I was expecting having read some of the other reviews here. Coming down normal hills the mantra is faster than my hardtail, even standing the rear suspension absorbs bumps and gives me better control of the bike.
Have had some ghost shifting, I added some length to the r-der housing and that helped, but it is still happening. I am going to try adding some housing length to the middle section and see if that improves it. The top tube acts like an echo chamber magnifying noises. I have had some creaking from the bottom bracket, I will bring to LBS and see if they can fix it.
This is a great x-country bike that works very well on tight trails. I don't ride serious downhills so I don't know how it would work there. From what I have read here at mtbreview.com and elsewhere that is not what the mantra is for. I will update my review when I have more time on the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philip Fontana
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AK Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all of 'em
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Bike Gallery, Portland OR
Strengths:
Paint job, of course! Super plush, lots of travel. Climbs well.
Weaknesses:
That lots of travel listed above makes you feel like you're being lauched on the way back down the mountain. Feels unsteady and too bouncy going down.
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Cannondale
Bike Setup:
Stock, 'cept XTR rear and shifters.
Bottom Line:
Well it's better than other 1998, 1999 era bikes that's for sure. There's a million single track technical trails around Anchorage, and the Klein coasted over all of them. Comfortable going up, not so going down. I didn't really have other troubles other people had. URT pivot point is still tight, although the bushings around the rear shock need to be replaced every so often. Cheap and easy to do. Would I bye another Klein? Debatable. That sweet paint job you've got...well you paid a sweet premium for it that's for sure, cause the components you're getting on the Klein's are subpar for the cost. (actually i said to heck with it and just bought a Turner O2. all people should!)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Ratch
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002
2000 Giant Rincon SE, GT outpost, Diamondback Topanga, Trek Y1
Bike Setup:
Manitou SX fork, Fox FLOAT R shock, LX/XT/XTR
Bottom Line:
After many months I decided to update my first review. This is what I've found after riding the Mantra for a year. This bike rules. Its very plush rear end is great for all-around trail riding. This is easily one of the best trail bikes of all time. Its totally bombproof. The welds are incredible and make the bike super strong, and its lightweight. The frame is plenty stiff. I'm 195 pounds and it dosen't flex at all when climbing or sprinting. Mine is setup for all around riding and is excellent for it, but its still light enough to race (25lbs), this is the first lightweight bike I haven't busted up. Climbs are made easy by the Mantra's streched out top tube. The fok lockout is also a huge advantage. Decending on the Mantra can be tricky at times. The best way to ride out of the seat is to pinch the seat with your knees to keep the suspension active and use it to its full advantage. Its high bb height (13.5 inchs) makes rolling over logs and other obstacles easy. There is no fallen tree that it cannot make it over. As for the URT traits, the pedals will kick back when you hit a big sharp obsacle but it is not anything to change my prespective of this bike. In conclusion, the Mantra can be a kick @$$ trail bike, climbs great and decends like a speedin demon as long as it is weilded in the right hands of a skilled cyclist. If you get a chance to buy a good used one, do it. You will not regret it. -The RatchAttack
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lyle Domico
a Cross Country Rider
from State College Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Shingletown
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Center - Williamsport
Strengths:
Frame material and weld quality. Incredible climber.
Weaknesses:
URT design is heck on landings/impacts - jerks feet rearward, bike/rider geometry is constantly changing! I've had this bike for 4 years and still can't be comfortable hitting downhill rocks or logs - I just brace for the bang and hope my knees stay together. Rear drop-out entry impedes wheel changes and I can't change rear wheel without having tire deflated 'cause tire won't clear brakes, even with brake cables totally unhooked- this is a huge pain in the butt. Top tube length too long. At 5-10 I'm right in the middle of Klein's recommendation for MED frame. However, the sharp angle of the seat post when set to my height causes me to be too stretched out even with short stem, although this arrangment does seem to be part of the bike's secret at climbing. Shift cable housings needed replaced and precisely cut to accomodate for stretch and compression by the URT causing ghost shifting.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn, Trek, Giant hardtails.
Bike Setup:
Azonic riser bar. Flite saddle. MC-4 clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
Mine is actually a leftover '97 Mantra Comp that I bought new. Would not buy again (I know, it's discontinued). I fell for the looks. I can't believe Klein stuck with this design as long as they did. Avoid all URTs, especially the Mantra.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jef fisher
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle Date Reviewed: January 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
preston or tanuem
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
oregon somwhere
Strengths:
nice ride, fast climber, not the heaviest bike out there
Weaknesses:
rear triangle weak, cheap components
Similar Products Used:
specailized fsr comp, kestral rubican
Bike Setup:
all upgraded
Bottom Line:
loved the bike hard for nine months then bushing ( rear triangle) loosened up, really irritated me, then the day before calling klien about it the rear triangle broke, daRN NOW I GOTTA WAIT, but klien said they might upgrade to an adept, i like their business style. overall i liked the bike and kicked alot of nicer bikes outta my way with it so i would buy another if it came by. by the way the riders who called this a "bucking bronco" or flew over the bars got to cum to grips with thier skills( lack of) and quit blaming your equipment. ride on
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Ratch
a Cross Country Rider
from Delhi, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Power Dam Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1599.00
Strengths:
Great frame, light, good parts, good fork, great shock
Weaknesses:
Squeaky and loose suspension bushing, no name seatpost + stem.
This bike is great. I love it. Great single track performer, good decender, climbs very well. Sweet paint job, looks great. Lightweight, fast. Also attracts alot of attention, get ready to answer lots of people's quesions. This is definetly a great bike for a recreational rider/racer who can stand lots of curious people.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Beavis Rulz
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA, USA Date Reviewed: November 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bull Mountain, Dalonega
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Free Flite, Marietta
Strengths:
Goes fast over rocks, roots and stuff.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Recently tried a couple of different high end XC bikes.
Bike Setup:
New spring in the fork to fit my weight, 195 lbs. New seal kit for the rear for normal replacement. I have now let the rebound all the way out on the rear shock. The only other change I made was when I had to replace the front duralieur after the chain nibbled on it, LX to XT. No troubles since just routine cleaning and maintainence.
Bottom Line:
I now agree that poor riding skills will make you wary of this machine. You might say, That bike's too fast for me and my balance over obstacles, bumps and jumps is not that good. After my ride today, I say, That bike's awesome because it's so capable. I just need to ride more. This year, I've been to Tsali, Yellow River, Mason Mill, Bull Mountain area, Clemson, Macon area, Chiccopee, Blanket Creek, Clinton Nature Preserve, Silver Comet off road and path, Emory, various power lines, East Carrollton, ect. The Mantra climbs very well and descends very well. Single track is my favorite. Sometimes if I'm tired, it'll turn too fast and I'll scrape trees with my shoulder or nick my helmet. What bike won't? and actually, mine has a long stem and so it's not twitchy, just fast and ready. I don't find any problem with the bike design or the ride or the way the suspension acts. I just wish I could ride more than once or twice a week. Waa. After two years, there are no loose parts or technical issues. Bontrager wheels and parts are great. Thompson seat post. Shimano, Avid. It's a great out of the box product. Till next time. Thu Beav
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Desmond Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from San Ramon, CA. USA Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Briones
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Livermore Cyclery
Strengths:
Light, durrable
Weaknesses:
I guess you could say the cost is a weakness, but once you pay for it... THERE ARE NONE!
Similar Products Used:
Trek full suspension
Bike Setup:
Mantra Full Suspension
Bottom Line:
Once you go Klein, you never go cheap again, your body won't let you. I am 33 and I must say, the days of riding cheap bikes are over.... I had a rockhopper, but it was stolen, so I picked up my Klein... I have been happy since,and that's over a year of straght riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Parker
a Weekend Warrior
from ATL Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bull MTN (backwards)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
biketown USA
Strengths:
Looks cool in Mediteranean Blu - Chicks dig it!
Weaknesses:
Dunno.
Similar Products Used:
Porshe 911
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
The bomb.com
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zack Gray
a Downhiller
from Callaway, MD, USA Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
St. Marys Lake
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Blue Wind
Strengths:
This is a great bike, I see a lot of people saying that it puts you over the bars. Sounds to me like these people just can't ride. I love the frame frame.
Weaknesses:
For the price you pay I think you should get some better parts. I have upgraded almost everything. Next time I will just buy a frame.
Similar Products Used:
GT
Bike Setup:
Everything
Bottom Line:
GREAT BIKE once you fix it up for your riding style
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C.R. Peters
a
from Austin,Tx,USA Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
All of Austin
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
scotts house
Strengths:
Awsome climber, awesome downhill and awesome looks!!! The thing just screams BAD ASS!!
Weaknesses:
Doesn't come with a hot babe! But sure does attract them!
Similar Products Used:
never had f/s before....way better than rigid!
Bike Setup:
stock, which works just fine for non-competition.
Bottom Line:
Overall, this by far is the most superior bike that I've owned and operated, however I don't race so I'm pretty gentle compared to some others.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Edwards
a Weekend Warrior
from Hickory NC USA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Any at the time
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Lightning Cycles
Strengths:
Its OK on smooth c.c. race courses if you set the supension up right( alot of rebound damping )
Weaknesses:
Catapults your ass over the handlebars every chance it gets.On the all time top 10 list for worst full suspension designs in MBA for good reason.
Similar Products Used:
Got a used Rocky Mountain Element that kicks ass. Sorry I wasted 3 years on the Mantra
Bike Setup:
Manitou 4in Xvert, Cane Creek AD10, riser bar
Bottom Line:
with all the upgrades it still throws you over the bars. Medical bills are expensive. If you are a CC racer and cant find a better FS bike go ahead and buy it, just dont pay much for it. Dont ride alot of rough down hills if you dont like to fly thru the air.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks, CA Date Reviewed: August 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Los Robles
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bikecology
Strengths:
Fun ride, good climber, Good descender. I have had some excellent rides on this bike.
Weaknesses:
The URT. Aargh! I had the bike a year and snapped it. This bike was a warranty replacement for a 97 that had the same thing happen to it. Both times it happened on a climb. My conclusion is that over time the aluminum in the URT fatigues severly in the areas most stressed by the chain torque from an uphill climb.
I keep riding in fear that the bike is going to break again and the next time will result in serious injury. Klein makes no bones about warranty replacements. That's not the problem though. My opinion is that they are either using a defective aluminum alloy, or have not made it strong enough. In either event it should be recalled and re-engineered. As great as it is to have a good warranty in place, I would prefer the assurance that my two year old frame isn't going to snap in half on an uphill climb.
Bike Setup:
XTR/XT, Manitou X-Vert
Bottom Line:
It's a great ride, but it breaks too easily.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tyson
a Racer
from seattle Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
snoqualmie ski area
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Down der at da pawn shop!!
Strengths:
This bike is super stiff and handles like a madman. It really can handle just about anything you have to dish out. Pedals as smooth as a road bike (w/XTR), but handles and like a BMX, no joke.
Weaknesses:
super heavy, which doesn't affect downhill performance at all. Could definetely benefit from a fork upgrade.
Similar Products Used:
There's really not much like it, with the weird design and all, but I've ridden the Fisher Sugar, Klein Mantra Race, and a really cool FS Huffy (just kidding)
Bike Setup:
Manitou Mars CL fork, fox rear shock, all XTR components, easton carbon lite handlebar, chris king head, so on and so on, etc....
Bottom Line:
I really love this bike. I stole it from a Pawn Shop at the price of $600. Not a bad acqusition. I've riddden it everywhere from on the road to the nastiest DH, and it can take any abuse I dish out. XTR derailleurs are a must, and a new front fork wouldn't hurt at all, but the frame is super stiff if you know how to adjust the front and rear shox, and like I said, it handles like a BMX. If you don't know how to ride, and blame the bike for being a "bucking bronco" sorry, man. But if the shox are too soft for you, take it to your local bike shop and learn how to adjust the shox. Overall, I would strongly recommend ths bike, the only knock is the weight (about 29 lbs.).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sandy
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Attracts attention
Weaknesses:
Rides like a bucking horse
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Element GT LTS Superlight
Bottom Line:
Never could get used to the suspension action on these things. Bucks like crazy at any decent obstacle, the air-shock models are worse than the older ones. Bike stinkbugs badly on downhills and sweepers. If you've ridden any other F/S design you will probably be disappointed. The unified rear triange design is obsolete and this is one of the last ones around.
If you like these and want a new one, better act fast, they're being discontinued.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken or Beavis Gilbert
a Cross Country Rider
from Decatur, GA, USA Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bull Mtn. or Hickory Nut
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Freeflite in Woodstock
Strengths:
Full squish technology. Climbs like monster. Lite enough. Great looks. Wheels have been perfect. Brakes will stop cold. Hard to break it. I love it when kids in the neighborhood yell 'cool bike, dude!' while their Dad is screaming 'You get your head back in this car window before I knock it off.' Chill Dad, your just jealous. I've seen bigger guys and little girls on these. The 'little girl' actually got away too. Shu-way. I plan to do an Olympic distance triathlon with this bike just to upset the roadies. Yes, yes I'll switch the tires.
Weaknesses:
Be careful about sudden/panic type stops. The rear shock will THah-ROWWW you over the handle bars if you have the damping off. Therefore, wear a verry good helmet. Not a weakness, just be careful. Also, not a weakness, just be sure to change your front chain and chain ring whenever you feel chain suck developing. It's due to wear of the chain ring. New ones cure it. People gave me grief about the movement of the rear triangle, but they had to replace their entire bikes when their 'more sophisticated' cantilever suspension crapped out.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing else like it. hu hu hu hu. Other full suspension bikes did not have the stiffness or light weight of this one. My hard tail budds say 'whoa, that all that is!'
Bike Setup:
I'm 201lbs @ 6"2'. I ride a large. The seat post is medium out. Flat rides wear out my hands. Climbing is the best. But downhill is awesome too. Watch the 'waterline' marks on your rear shock piston to decide whether to pressure up or down the rear shock. I've changed the front deruellier (?spln) and plan to change pedals. That's it.
Bottom Line:
Go for the gusto! Whether you get this bike or any bike that get's YOUR rocks off, you'll ride MORE, BETTER, LONGER and perhaps even get laid. Nah. But you'll love your bike. I'll get another Klein for sure. This one will only need parts and service for a long, long time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Trask
a Cross Country Rider
from Chesterfield, MO, USA Date Reviewed: December 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Chubb,Castlewood
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Mesa Bike Shop
Strengths:
Looks, component group, climes like mad, fairly light, great wheels, very,very easy on da butt.
Weaknesses:
Could be lighter (what couldn't), pedals will make you bleed, not much else
Similar Products Used:
Trek hard tail, carbon fiber frame
Bike Setup:
Stock, but not for long
Bottom Line:
This bike is great. If it were stolen I would buy another in a second. The 1999 model has better components than the 2000. The group I ride with all ride hard tails, and although I am 6'5 and 240lbs (and quite possibly the least skilled rider on the planet), I typically scream past them on everything unless we are on a flat fire road. Buy this bike, take some time to set it up right, and you will scream down the trails. If you want to be competitive and comfy, this is your ride. And the looks...nothing comes close to a Klein.
My only complaint is a pretty bad blemish on the frame where something hit it while the paint was wet. I guess I could send it back for repainting, but who wants to wait for a few months without a ride! I expected a bit more from the legendary Klein paint crew. But, its only a blemish, I wreck enough to add twenty within a few seasons.
Don’t try to contact Klein through the website, I tried twenty times and could not get it to work.
It may just be me, but I bleed almost every ride because I cannot get out of the damn pedals(see the pedal review, everyone has this problem, replace them right away). I will try Time.
I am a big heavy rider who cranks hard. I should destroy any bike I mount. Plus, I do not exactly finesse the trails, and therefore put undue strain on a bike on the downhills. The bike will not flinch. The front fork is the only other weakness, but that is because I am twice as heavy as it was designed for. I do get alot of flex out of it, but again that might not be the forks fault.
Hauling it may be a problem, but if you have a regular bike rack just buy a toptube thingy from your LBS. It works great and will not damage the bike.
Bottom line, love the bike, value cannot be beat. Stick with the comp model if at all possible and you will not have to replace anything until you wear something out.
Who should buy this bike: Anyone who wants to rock on the trails and still go for a beer afterwards and still be able to sit. Big guys who are afraid they will break a carbon or small tube fs bike. A rider who does not have special skills just yet, but want to ride like they do (this bike will make you look good, you can do about everything with style) Just about everyone really, unless...
Who should not buy this bike: If you are 125 pounds, ride three hundred miles a week training for the thirty minute race this weekend, want to look like everyone else, are very old school, only ride on fireroads, are devout downhillers, or have no sense of style. Buy the lightest race hardtail you can find and buy a good heatpad for your rear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Riverside Date Reviewed: December 7, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
Jax
Bottom Line:
I own a '98 Mantra Comp (yellow/orangey). Recently crashed and broke the rear derallier dropout mount. Klein honored their frame warranty and not only replaced the rear triangle but gave me a complete whole new frame, No Questions Asked!! Thank you Klein!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: December 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Seattle suburbs bike store
Strengths:
Excelent for climbing and very strong and kickass on downhills too. Frame strength is impressive. Excellent stiffness for a full suspension bike.
Weaknesses:
Could use better crank set and 7 speed cassete. Originals are ok to beat up for a while but after 1 year it's worth it to pay $100 for an upgrade to Shimano LX or higher.
Similar Products Used:
Tried everything and only one that came somewhat close was one of the schwinn bikes..........but not close enough.
Bike Setup:
Stock originally, but now upgraded to XT crankset and cassette
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike overall. Was hesitant about the price originally but with the ammount I ride and the radical trails I go to it was well worth it. Awesome stiffness for a full shock bike, great design (I can't believe the new Mantras look like all the other bikes..........big screw up Klein).
Great pivot point location. IMO the rear shock is excellent since it makes the bike a full shock on uphills, but when not sitting the bike is as stiff as a front shock bike which makes the downhills less bouncy (like most bikes........specially Cannondale).
Amazing on uphills and rocks on downhills. First ride on it was Slick Rock and Purcupine Rim in Moab and the bike behaved perfect. On the downhills you just have to be very loose, don't touch the brakes too much and unless you're stupid the bike will give you a trip of a ride down.
Love the bike. Great ride. I don't want to ride anything else. Oh, by the way, I just had it tuned up for the first time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bill woodson
a Cross Country Rider
from rockport, ma Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Dogtown
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$825.00
Purchased At:
mtbr.com marketplace
Strengths:
Excellent feel, good geometry, climbs like a mountain goat, looks cool.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy and the front derailleur is a too close to the rear tire.
Similar Products Used:
G.F. HooKooEKoo, G.F. Sugar, G.F. Big Sur, RockHopper, Trek 830.
Bike Setup:
Marz. Superfly Z2 front shocks, Time Atac pedals, Carbon Fiber Monkey Riser bars, XT everything, Bontrager Kevlars.
Bottom Line:
This bike has an awesome feel to it. This is my first suspension bike and I love it. I read all the reviews of this bike and most of them have some validity. The bike is amazing in technical runs, singletrack, and climbs. Downhills take a little bit to get used to but it does them just fine. You need to take the time to tweak the shocks to get the most out of the bike, because it works different than all other FS bikes.
All in all it's a great bike. If you can get a used one that has been upgraded and has been taken care of you can get a tremendous value. It's a shame that Trek seems to be phasing this model out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: November 12, 2000
weight (although the components are more to blame than the frame itself), unable to sprint due to frame flexion
Similar Products Used:
hardtails only
Bike Setup:
stock, with IRC mythos
Bottom Line:
I got stuck with this bike (my other half's) while building up a new bike for myself. For the gentler XC rider, or somebody who prefers a very comfortable bike, it is excellent: really looks after your butt and back. It went extremely well in a recent 24hr race. However if you race more intensely, its weight and flexibility could cost a you few placings. It could be raced with lighter components and a stiffer rear shock but a hardtail(plus suspension post for those all day/night rides) would beat it for my money. Overall an expensive but comfortable ride, more of a range rover than a WRX for a loose automotive comparison. We scored well buying this bike hardly ridden but they are very pricey from new. A great frame but with lighter components and an adjustable rear shock, it would be vastly improved.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Fargo, ND Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Lutsen
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Trek Store
Strengths:
Very light feel for a F.S. bike. Climbs like mad, but handles great bustin' ass down hill.
Weaknesses:
Front fork, SPD pedals, Cable location on underside of main tube.
Similar Products Used:
'98 Schwinn S-30, Cannondale Super-V 500, etc.
Bike Setup:
Original: XT, Avid 2.0, Bontrager everything.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs awesome for a Full suspension bike. Unless you're insane and don't like brakes, stay at home on a muddy day, with the cables running under the main tube.
Throw some Time ATAC pedals and a SID on this thing and it would be perfect.
I recommend this bike to anyone on a budget that wants a great frame, and decent components to start with. Be ready to stick some money into it and get the good stuff eventually.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lenny Sweet
a Cross Country Rider
from Stephenson, VA Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
big blue
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Trek shop
Strengths:
full suspension design, rims, basically everything
Weaknesses:
not many, had problems with front derailure but that not a problem anymore, and shock isn't great
Similar Products Used:
ride with a friend that has a cannondale and i always find advantages of this bike over his
Bike Setup:
full suspension, doesn't everyone know what the answer to this is
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass. the float r in the back is great. plan to get a new fork then it will just be the best. i've heard it's design isn't great but i haven't seen it happened and that came from a mechanic that sells cannondales so i think he might be lieing. basically it rules. and i got it half off so can't go wrong there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christian Catinis
a Cross Country Rider
from Bburg Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Still OLD PHARM
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Lateral stiffness, plush responsive travel, little to no bobbing on flat land and climbs, no multilinkage dong that wares up and needs maintenance
Weaknesses:
I can't seem to figure out a freakin way to get this thing on a rear mounted car rack (no top rack, I have a convertible) ANY IDEAS?????? maybe cut the top tube long ways in half? :)
Similar Products Used:
Klein Karma 98(they stopped making em), Some full sus GT (heh), i think that's it....
Bike Setup:
DH riser bar (a MUST), etc etc
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for some time now and I just like it more and more, even tho I am STILL trying to trade it for an Ellsworth Dare.... Anyone? Anyways, Here's a hint for going downhill on this bike, put your seat ALL the way down (You might need to cut the seat post at the end so it doesn't hit the frame, this could DAMAGE you URT!!!!!)...
Anyways, put your seat post ALL the way down, this allows you to be on your seat most of the time going downhill, which means your suspension will work a little better... Also, putting the seat down makes me feel more confident as far as flying over the handlebar is concerned.... Just go get a quick release for your seat post and try it, if you know you're hitting a LONG DH, take a sec to stop, push that seat all the way down and you'll notice yourself going a lot faster down that you would normally....
My friend (J) FINALLY convinced me to get clipless pedals a month ago and I just hit the trails on them...(Yes I ALWAYS believed in Freestyle platform pedals and laughed at people in clipless pedals when they fell in the river)... clipless pedals wil help you pedal a LOT more efficiently, but man they are not for steep slopes, going up OR down.... I had to walk some of the technical stuff and was glad no one was around to laugh at me :)
Anyways, hope I'll get used to them a little better.... I already know what it feels like to fall becaus eof them so I don't think it could be nay worse really....
MAX chillies for the Mantras ALWAYS..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from California Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Cattletrail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Craftsmanship, great climbing ability, quickness, looks, etc...
Weaknesses:
The original brakes. A little loose on downhills.
Bottom Line:
Just wanted to give you a long term point of view. I have a 1997 model, and like I said it is a little loose on downhills at first. But I soon adapted and have been enjoying it ever since. I also had to upgrade some, making a great bike even better. I rode a 1999 model and found it to be set up very nicely right from the shop! I've had no problems with the frame. I have no idea how I could "bang my knees." And at 6'1", 200lbs. I have not broken anything major. Just normal wear and tear. I would recommend this bike to anyone (XC or DH riders). once you adjust to its unhaltered quickness on downhills, you realize what a sweet ride you have!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Lodi Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000
The bike is a blast to ride, but, the customer service is the worst it could possibly be. I waited 4 months to get the correct frame after I broke the swing arm in half just below the main pivot. The Trek reps were the worst, they basically accused me of abusing the bike. I didn't get any satisfaction until I threatened them with legal action. Finally after 5 months and $300.00 later I had a new frame. I cannot recommend this piece of garbage to anyone. 0 chilis
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Racer
from colorado Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
climbs like there's no tomorrow, light, great in tecnical situations
Weaknesses:
This bike bobs. Alot. If you stay seated it is usually pritty good, but if you stand to sprint you might get sea sick.
Bike Setup:
full xtr, racelight wheels, 99 sid sl
Bottom Line:
great for the northwest (where it was made), but I was expecting much less bobing. Great Kein craftmanship. But I dont really suggest it to the hardcore xc racer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, MD Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
I first reviewed this bike when I purchased it Aug/Sept '99. I really liked what I had, but wanted to get back with an updated review. By now there probably aren't too many '99's left on the showroom floors for sale, but resales what the are - and my appreciation for the bike, I wanted to follow up.
What a great ride. I griped in my last review about the front fork. It just does not balance well with the super ride the Fox Vanilla R shock gives. I recently added the Atom 80 (2000 Marzocchi) and all is very very well, my friends! More on that later.
Let's sum it all up:
Bontrager Revolt ST-2 Tires - awsome! Lean it, climb it, love it. Avid 2.0 Brakes - love the levers, breaks work very well, original pads wear fast. Replace with a better compound. All in all, as good as my '98 V--brakes. LX front der., shifters, crankset, cassette - not bad, but finiky. Keep it clean and you'll be OK. May just be the 9-speed. A little on the heavy side. XTR rr der - say no more. A real champ. Thompson seatpost - looks great, ez to adjust, strong as an ox. Dia-comp Headset - no problems at all. Better than the Klein version on the Race. Bontrager Race Wheelset - light, asym rear, rims are wearing evenly. Compares well to my old XT/Mavic 517 set. Manitou SX fork - not a bad fork, but does not allow the beast to come fully alive. Considered a SID for a lighter option, but decided on performance and durability (imagine that on a mountain bike). The Marzocchi Atom 80 is as good as the reviews say. Balances very well with the rear now. Go faster? YES. Best $$ I've spent on an upgrade. Shop this website for a good deal already. Frame - the BOMB. Looks great and is as strong as you hoped. I have never had a pivot problem riding the technical singletrack we have here on the east coast. I weigh 170, so maybe that helps. Rear swing arm makes for a great mud-catcher in wet weather and the water bottle placement is crap (for my battery). Stay home in wet weather like you're supposed to!
The ride - I said it was a blast. We already know it climbs well. It's somewhat more upright position combined with the plush rear allows you to stay in the saddle longer - less fatigue for sure. You don't feel the bike's weight since the ride is so sweet. Downhill? No face plants yet. I can feel what some of the other reviewers elude to, but we all ride differently. Our technical DH's make for slow going - picking your way along the trail. I would imagine on open fast steep fireroads it may get a little twitchy, but that's not what I ride here. I roll over some fairly spooky stuff from time to time - and I always hang off the back anyway. This isn't a bike for DH assaults - but neither is the Specialized FSR XC or the Schwinn Rocket 88, and so on.
Whether a Mantra Comp, Race or Pro, the geometry is pretty much the same. Follow your pocket book and be prepared to enjoy the ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FraserFras
a
from SK, CANADA Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
POWDERFACE
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
CLimbing ability, "light" feel to the ride, nimble response. Looks pleasant. Klien warranty.
Weaknesses:
Like someone else mentioned, I hit my knees on the top bar too, have bruises on the inside of both knees for the whole season.
Stock with fatt maggie bar ends mounted inside the grips and hot S michelin red rubber.
Bottom Line:
Klein has finally put some decent components on their bikes and actually lowered prices. Must by TREK's influence, don't know if that's good or bad. The bike is a quality product. Quick, light(for FS) rides like a 24 pound bike, but wieghs about 28. Klien takes care of their customers. I had a paint problem and got a re-paint. They agreed to let me pick a color but sent it back wrong. The new paint job is original and unlike any other mantra. It's grown on me. I had a problem with the pivot at first but they replaced it with the re-paint. It squeeked. I rode everything I could after I sold my tank of a Y-3. The rocky element didn't handle that well and was heavy. The FSR is more downhill. THe klien is incredible on single track and as long as you're good, it great on descents and at high speed. You gotta have a riser and learn how to ride way behind you're seat. Almost to the point of NUT grazing. Be carefull. I can descent as fast as anyone I know, maybe faster on this bike. I'm glad I bought this bike, the only thing better would be a carbon mantra. I would definately buy this bike for a free-ride cross country machine. It kicks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Furness
a Weekend Warrior
from Barrie,Ontario,Canada Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Walls wall
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The Mantra is the best full suspension bike Ive ever riden. I found that with a few modifications such as a riser bar and slightly relaxed seat angle with some Tioga factory DH tires, the Mantra can descend as well as it can climb. Ive climbed ski hills and then turned around and bombed them at speeds of 75kph+ at the fullest confidence. IF its fun that your looking for with out sacraficing the ability to climb like a fish in water, this is the bike for you.
Weaknesses:
replacable derailur hanger
Similar Products Used:
Klien Pulse Comp.
Bike Setup:
LX,XT bontrager wheels with amoeba riser bar and Tioga dh tires, Manitou SXe
Bottom Line:
Good alround bike with right adjustments.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john
a Racer
from middleburg, va, usa Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
the woods
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
sleek design, climbs like a banshee, resonsive handling, nice seat position over rear wheel
Weaknesses:
mega 9 set-up is awfully touchy, rear derail. hanger replaced 3 times, cable housing under beam and exposed to crud
Similar Products Used:
gary fisher joshua, specialized fsr
Bike Setup:
stock mantra: mega 9 lx shifters, avid brakes, lx cranks, lx front derail, xt rear derail, manitou se front shock, fox air vanilla rear
Bottom Line:
ride this bike for one day and get back on a hardtail to get the truest sense of its competence. the rig climbs beautifully and floats over technical, rocky, and steep descents. like others, i am a bit hesitant on fast, steep downhills. i get that ejector seat feel, but it could be i am chicken sh@t.
i am 6'5" and 225 and tend to beat the crap out of equipment. the mantra has taken every beating with a smile. technical descents are a dream. the frame absorbs rocks like a sponge and you can really hang your rear over the rear wheel to sluce. log-hopping is a blast as well. the bike is light and nimble and easy to ride over big timber.
tall guys need to be sure to get a stem which goes up and out. get a decent seat post as well. there is a lot of post between saddle and frame, even on a xlg bike, so you need strength. the post is a 31.6, and my thompson has been great.
i have broken 3 rear derail. hangars and one xt rear derail. i am not sure if the bikes design picks trail trash up or i am just unlucky, but do not crank through a 1 inch stick, you will pay. also, the mega 9 drive train is a bit touchy. keep it well-lubed and free of waste.
i am having my first major overhaul at this time. some slop in the pivot, but no other frame problems. my shop warrantied the work.
overall, this is a greaat bike and i would recommend it for both beginner and advanced riders. i got mine for $1299, definitely worth the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Buys
a
from Asheville nc Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mt Laurel
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
It's weakness
Weaknesses:
It's strength
Similar Products Used:
FSR xc, Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
dh bar, shorter stem
Bottom Line:
It's been said in other reviews that the mantra is nothing more than a hardtail with a suspension seatpost. I don't feel this is true. The high pivot point seems to literally inch worm, pogo, push you up the hill. Making it more efficent than a hard tail, much more so than a hardtail with a suspension seatpost. Unfortunately that same pogo applies to the downhill. Some reviewers have claimed that if you really know how to ride and make the neccesary adjustments, you can avoid making a pepperoni pizza of your face. I'm sure there is some truth to that but even if Travis Jesus Le mond Dunlap Brown hit the front brake at highspeed on a downhill there'd be an ejection. Three other comments. Shifting. Thanks to the reviewer who suggested the longer cable housing on the rear deraillieur. It eased some of the ghost shifting. Though I haven't heard of anyone else having this trouble, I've had some trouble knocking my knees against the high pivot point. Lastly, standing and wailing on the pedals is like riding jello bike and contradicts the strength of the mantra. In sum, if you want a full suspension bike that climbs and you like to take it easy on yourself and the downhills this is a good bike for you. On the other hand if you enjoy scorching downhills you ought to ask your dealer to throw in a neck brace and always ride with a buddy who has a cellphone and the organ donation hotline number.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christian Catinis
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
OLD PHARM
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Responsitivity, Weight, STIFFNESS!!!!, Looks, lots of SMART travel!!!!
Weaknesses:
Flat bars and Kleins just don't seem to work right together.... GET A RISER BAR!
Similar Products Used:
Klein Karma ATB98, tested a Kein Mantra Comp99 (OWN A 98)
Bike Setup:
DH bars, RockShox Jusy T2 fork, Fox Vanilla R Shock, Gorilla brake boosters, LX combo, Bontrager wheels, Thomson Elite Seat post, Bontrager saddle, freestyle pedals coz I hate clip pedals and laugh at people when they fall coz of em :), a nice Primal jersey and lots of Gatorade in the Camelback
Bottom Line:
I am reviewing the 98 Mantra comp....I got the original frame and fork through a Trade for the 98 Karma.... Compared to the Karma, the bike geometry is very similar, but the handling is very different.... The Rear suspension offers a lot more travle and isn't as plush as the karma, which makes it more responsive to bumps. The Mantra doesn't throw you straight back up after a bump like the Karma does, The Mantra effectively absorbs the bump and then just slides you back up gently.... Which makes it a little stiffer than the Karma, but the etra 2 1/2 inches of travel compensate.... DO GET A DH bar unless you like flying over the bars.... Some people talked about the Mantras' "Ghost Shifting".... Get a longer cable housing from the frame to thr rear triangle... The bike has ghost shifting (i.e. shifts by itslef when hitting a bump) because if the cable to the Rear Derailleur is too short (nothing to do with how tight!), then when the suspension flexes the cable gets pulled and the bike shifts..... The way to get rid of that is to make the (rear derailleur) cable housing from the top tube to the rear triangle longer so that when the bike flexes, the housing flexes and absorbs the elongation.... Make it so that that piece of cable is long enough to bend a little when the bike is unsprung.... So ghost shifting is a Mantra problem, it's a cable setup problem..... ALSO, longer cable housing does NOT mean less tension of cables....
Other than that, the Mantra Comp 98's color really gets attenbtion.... It's dark blue but light reflections on it make it Purple, Yellow, Orange, Golden and Green.....
Over all I give this bike an Excellent rating , Looks GOOD, Weights GOOD, rides GOOD and just FEELS GOOD when on it...
Christian =)
Well also, since I have to say this,.... Heavy riders,this is NOT a bike for you..... This bike's suspension system depends a lot on the rider's weight and form... Make sure you get the right size bike....
I would have never been able to afford this bike but it ended up in my hands through a trade so hip hip hourray! DO miss my Karma tho..... :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Saskatchewan Date Reviewed: February 13, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Frame Stiffness, Spyder R fork, Klein service, ride, handling
Weaknesses:
Stock Sugino Crank was a Piece of $%$#, as well as the seatpost, but Ididn't expect much more at this price range. Fox Vanilla was also a joke
This isn't meant to be an apprasial of the 99/2000 stuff, I have a 98 Mantra and thought I could give you guys what the things like after two years of hard riding. The bike still impresses me with it's ability to climb damm near anything. Point it anywhere and it hooks up and goes, kinda weird when you climbing and your in quite a small gear than what you think. Efficieny is the strong point of this bike and it's noticed, now ride about 2-3 rings smaller on the rear than what I did on my Schwinn. Overall I wasn't expecting much out of my Spyder R front end, but I was blown away by the way this fork worked. Being at around 225lbs, the Spyder was plenty stiff in both ride and flex. The rear Vanilla X could not be said the same for. Shock was seriously underdampened for my weight and the thing pogoed big time, trying to craft my own dual rate spring from two smaller fox springs made no difference. Then at the end of last year noticed fluid was leaking, ala my seals were shot. Made the big (expensive) switch to the Cane Creek AD-10 and would never have anyhting else hung off the back of this bike. I can't explain how well this rear shock works on this frame, plus the thing is around a pound lighter than my Vanilla was, with the benfit of adjustability yet. There were two other problems as well, first, not more than being a month old, on the front derailer, I snapped the bottom ring in half, stripped out 4 bolts, and busted a chain in one pedal stroke. I wasn't a happy camper, lucky I was just monkeying around town. My local shop was super and swapped it out for a STX-RC unit. I know it ain't the best, but it's built heavier than either the LX or XT units thus I feel better with this one. Secondly, coming off a curb, yeah a curb, I bent my Taiwaneese seatpost back about 3 inches and it bubbled out where it came inot the frame. Local guys again were super and swapped it out for a Thompson Elite which is a night and day difference in stiffness. If ya get the idea I love my bike your right. Mom was kinda pissed when she found out I spent that much on it, but heck it was well worth it. If I had the choice again I was gladly buy another Klein, welds are super smooth, thing rides awesome too...but since you get crappy components a this price value can at most be 4 stars..probably woulda change dif they gave me a air shock off the start
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Gretchen
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, B.C. Date Reviewed: January 29, 2000
This is a longterm update of my trials and tribulations with the Mantra Comp as I have now ridden it almost 6 months. Well, I wish I could say I am happy but the past 3 or so months have been a pain in the ass. I have broken 2 rear ends at the right rear dropout and have experienced continuous slop at the main pivot. I am a heavy rider (235 lbs) and the shop and Trek/Klein have been unable to correct the problems I have been having with the rear end, so I basically asked for my money back... not something which a product manager likes to hear. After much bickering and a load of bullshit from Trek/Klein I (along with my shops help) have been able to negotiate a credit for the frame and various parts which I am switching over to a new frame (nothing from the Trek/Klein lineup mind you). This is too bad really because I love the ride of the bike, but the durability for a heavy rider is questionable, especially if you ride a lot like I do. Let's face it, its a lightweight frame and if you are over 200lbs you should be riding something else. I am going to a Rocky Mountain RM6 in the hope that the extra few pounds will get me a trouble free ride.
Lightweight doesn't necessarily work for everyone...my own fault for buying in the first place, I guess?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gregory Loder
a Cross Country Rider
from North Royalton Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Most anywhere
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very good design. Long rear travel. One giant rear pivot. Nice paint job. Good handling.
Weaknesses:
Stock specs are so so. Buy design first and worry about parts later.
Similar Products Used:
Sling Shot. Paramount hard tail.
Bike Setup:
Manitou X-Vert front shock, RaceFace stem, XTR front derailer, XTR cranks & rings, padded grips, Time Atac Pedals and Specialized comp seat.
Bottom Line:
I simply like the way the Klein functions and rides. I plan on keeping this bike for awile and ruled out linkage FS bikes. I don't have to worry about rear slop with that giant pivot. Most of my riding is single track and the bike performs very well. Climbing is top knotch, but climbs best with rear end on the seat. After riding for five hours I feel very good. I really don't get beat up and the better I feel the more I ride. The most critical matter with this bike is making sure you have the right balance between front and rear shocks. I'm still experimenting with the X-Vert shock. Little too soft at the start, but its winter and have to wait for spring for final setup. Also, make sure your properly fitted for the bike. Its based on seat to handlebar reach.
$2,200 is sort of high for the stock bike, but I walked into the bike shop at the right time in October and bought the bike for $1,350. At that price it's one hell of a deal and justified upgrading my bike.
Gary you made the pefect bike for the trails I ride and I thank you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hank Barta
a Weekend Warrior
from Winfield. IL Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Palos forest preserves
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Plush ride
Weaknesses:
low BB clearance, lousy cable routing
Similar Products Used:
previous bike is a CroMo hard tail
Bike Setup:
factory Mantra w/ 8 SPD SRAM ESP shifter and rear der.
Bottom Line:
This is an 'initial impression' after riding a few hundred miles. This is my first FS, and now I know what they mean when they say plush, because the ride on this bike is incredible. I got it for smoothing out the bumps on the local trails, but it even makes riding in the prairie path feel like riding on a cloud. However, the BB is lower to the ground than my previous ride, and I find my pedals hitting the ground more than I would expect. Both derailleur cables and the rear brake cable run under the 'beam' and are open for about 6 inches, so they pick up plenty of crud in messy riding conditions. I already have problems with the rear brake cable freezing solid. I'll have to replace it with a solid housing from lever to noodle. In any case, the brakes don't seem to be so hot in the first place. Or maybe I just need better brake pads than what Avid supplies.
One more thing... It seems that the factory substituted lower grade parts for whatever reason than the parts they list in their web page. After I had ridden the bike a couple times, I discovered that it was spec'ed for an LX crank, not the STX-RC it came with. My dealer made good on it, but probably took a hit on it since the take offs were no longer "new." Later on, when I changed the tires to semi-slicks I discovered that it had steel beeded tires from the factory and not the kevlar beaded tires that Klein lists on their web page.
But anyway, if it sounds like I don't like the bike, that's not what I meant to say. My first impression is that this is a *great* bike. Its nice and comfy for my old bones and what little single track I've done with it, its done well. I chose the low end model with the thought that I'd eventually upgrade parts and now I have to get busy wearing some of these things out so I can do that.
I'm giving it a 5 on value because I think I got my money's worth and cutting it to 4 in overall value because of the cable routing that's already leading to problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ukiah, CA Date Reviewed: December 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the one out my back door
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Well made, the XL size fits me well (over 6'3), XTR Rear Der.- never miss a shift
Weaknesses:
Racing Type Saddle not for everyone, E-type mounted front der. tricky to adjust. Not for the really fast downhill crowd.
Very good bike. Climbs far better than any hardtail. Has expand my trail options since it is fun to ride on any type of trail- even the ones that look like rock gardens.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan C.
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Diego Ca. Date Reviewed: November 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Nobel Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Frame design. High confort level. Climbs as good as my Canondale hard tail.
Weaknesses:
Manitou Fork, Avid Brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Canondale, Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher.
Bike Setup:
All XT. Englund Total Air Cartrages. Mavic Crosslinks wheels, Vilociraptor tires
Bottom Line:
I bought the basic Klien Mantra, because I new I was going to upgrade. I'm not a real aggressive rider and at 50 years old, I was looking for comfort. I found it! The best thing that I did to the bike, was install the Englund Total air cartrages. They are a perfect balance to the Fox Vanilla rear shock. It is the best $100 you can spend on the bike. I don't know how the bike handles on fast down hills ( I don't do fast down hills). I do know that it is great on slow technical down hills. It will go over anything. If your riding is anything like mine, this bike is for you.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Bane
a Cross-Country Rider
from Maine Date Reviewed: October 26, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
XL Frame great for my size.
Weaknesses:
Too much front brake can launch you like a bull rider. Water Bottle Mount. Rear Hub has lots of uncorectable slop. Manitou SX-E is too light for 240 rider.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale M-800
Bike Setup:
Still working on that.
Bottom Line:
Too soon to say anything definitive. For the most part, I love the bike. I am new to FS and have a lot to learn about FS setup. I was disapointed with some of the noise (creaks and clicks) that I heard from the first time I rode it. Good to hear that I am not the only one that has these problems. The biggest thing that angered me was that Klein still has not responed to any of my e-mail questions. I would like to know where to get one on the Bottle Bosses that the owners manual talks about.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neil Fones
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey,England Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Box Hill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
design/look, XC ability,weight, ride
Weaknesses:
LX comp
Similar Products Used:
Marin East Peak/
Bike Setup:
Pace RC 36 forks/Hope pro discs (F/R)+Hubs /Syncros stem(crap!) now have a Race Face,Syncros straight bar,XT shifters,Chris King Headset
Bottom Line:
It took almost 8 months for me to choice a full sus. after riding a hard tail(P7) for some time. I was never convinced-even after the first few months of riding the Mantra, thought I had made a mistake, however now we are one!!!!!Getting the right set up has been tricky ie stem angle/seat height...but now i feel very confident, after a few twitches over the front bars originally...and also getting the correct pressure in the front and rear shock has paid dividends!Climbing was never as easier, even on the hard tail. And none of my friends come close when it comes down to the weight, which seems to help it flow, particularly over general trails. Rarity value out on the trail makes it look the DB,s too.Fron mech.is crap-LX-apparently Shimano made a batch of faulty ones, with poor bushes-mine is loose. Also the headset needed chnging soon after I bought it-but no surprises there.I,m 100% happy with it, even when I now see big discounts coming through at the end of the season!!!Wonder how it will look for 2000????????????
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Maywood, NJ Date Reviewed: October 4, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Ringwood
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Manitou SXE FOX LX & XT mix
Weaknesses:
LX crank 'clicking'
Bottom Line:
Mine is a Kline Montra plain (not comp, not race) On sale $1,299. Bike is great ! Climbs real well, no problems on down hill I weigh 210 lbs, suspensions works great. I am disapointed in the front LX crank making a clicking sound, I will upgrade this winter.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bhaba
a Weekend Warrior
from Blacksburg, VA Date Reviewed: September 21, 1999
Great bike... I was a little bit worried about downhilling on it after reading reviews. I played it safe and kept a lot of weight on the rear-end...no problems. This machine wants to climb! Full-suspension rocks! It took care of the annoying little jolts of MB-ing. Overall components are all great. The front LX derailleur is a bit cranky (pun intended ;-) but EVERYTHING else is sweeeeeet. 4 chillies!!!!Would've been 5 'cept for the LX component :-(
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Columbia, MD Date Reviewed: September 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
The dry ones
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Weight Plush Rear Great Tires Very Clean component mix Head-turning Looks
I've been looking at Mantras for years - just couldn't afford one. Given the opportunity I went for it and am glad I did. With the damn hurricane gone I went out for the maiden voyage today. - WOW. What I have heard and read is true! This baby will climb - and likes the rough stuff. Rocky technical singletrack get's gobbled up. Coming from a HT, this was a real pleasant experience. While I did not list a weakness, I will be keeping a close eye on the front shock (SX). I will be adjusting the internal compression dampening soon and will keep you posted. The Fox shock on the other hand has worked out very nicely. The adjustable rebound is a real plus! It will make you happy.You will read in other reviews things like - over the bar feeling and twitchy downhill. I say BS. Set the bike up right and you will get it goin on. Even on one of the steeper decents on a favorite trail - no problem and no uneasiness. I think if you want to stay seated on a steep, then you will definitely feel like you're going over - because you should be standing! Hug the saddle with your thighs and ride it out - just like always. Also, you've gotta be sure you adjust the rebound on the rear shock properly. Have it returning too fast on the wrong terrain and it will feel wierd - like it wants to launch you. Use some common sense and adjust accordingly.Twitchy? Nope. The 0.7 degree steeper head-angle is actually the same as the great Klein HT's. Steeper would be refering to the more mainstream MTB geometry. The head-angle lends itself very well to working the tight east coast singletrack we encounter daily. Again, know it, feel it and use it to your advantage! I had no problem carving at speed - try it!I had been worried about the LX shifters and front derailler, but they've worked like a champ. The XTR rear changer snaps to attention every time.As time goes by, I'll keep you posted, but this one is a winner. No regrets!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Chandler, AZ Date Reviewed: September 12, 1999
1999 Comp w/ stock items except: Time ATAC pedals Serfas saddle w/ Ti rails, kevlar Avenir Ti bar ends
Bottom Line:
I really like this bike. The only item that is a little hard to get used to is the bike rising up under high speed breaking. The ride is great, I just wish the fork felt as smooth & plush as the rear.Great climbing & handling. Excellent on rough, high speed terrain. I would definitely buy it again! (purchased for $1699 on sale)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Puzman
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wallingford, CT Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999
twitchy handling on downhills brake jack effect crappy component spec on 97 (99s are definitely improved in this area) cable routing
Similar Products Used:
GF Joshua Diamondback FS C'dale SV900
Bike Setup:
97 Mantra comp 98 Manitou SX-R w/ X-Vert spring, ext compression adjuster SRAM 9.0 rear der XT front der, BB, cassette Panaracer Fire XC Cane Creek AD-10 Avid Flak jackets
Bottom Line:
For those of you looking to buy a new Mantra, this is intended as a long-term owner's report. In two seasons of hard riding, the pivot is still performing like new with no maintenance- I mean zero. The rear end is quite stiff. The bike climbs amazingly well, and probably has no equal on steep, technical climbs (for long fire road climbs, a light hard tail will probably out climb it). It has great handling on rolling singletrack, and gives a very plush seated ride. It really swallows up the roots and rocks here in New England. The suspension is still active, though less so, when standing. Definitely NOT a complete lock out like Tubby, er, Jubbi suggested below. The CC AD10 is the best upgrade of many I've put on the bike. I imagine the newer Fox Air shocks will give similar performance. The bike does have some quirks, however. When you hit the brakes hard, the rear end will jack up. This is most noticeable on level ground. This can be countered by cranking up the rebound damping on the shock, and by keeping your weight back when braking (which you'll probably be doing when descending). It also has a very steep head angle, which makes for somewhat twitchy handling on steep, fast descents. Here, a riser bar, stem with more rise, or a longer travel fork might help. Its definitely not the bike for you if you do most of your riding at ski areas. The cable routing blows. I'm still in the process of replacing the STX crap that came stock on the bike. I don't think it warrants 5 stars; maybe 4.5? But it is a great singletrack bike with very low maintenance in the long haul. I'd buy it again, while knowing that it will require some tweaking to get the most out of it. I like the fact that the Y2K Carbon Mantra's have internal cable routing- if only I could afford one!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zane Moses
a Downhiller
from Anchorage, Ak Date Reviewed: August 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Johnsons Pass
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
This bike is at home on tight single track or technical climbing, also seems to excell at eating up tree roots.
Weaknesses:
1.Brake dive: grab a hol of the front brake and feel the ass end of the bike reach for the sky-very disconcerting. 2.Broken Swingarm:After one season of riding my swingarm cracked in half at the weld just below the main pivot-not a fun ride out. 3.Non-balanced ride:It seems that Klien refuses to believe that it's plush frame deserves a fork that can be made as plush, the stock manitou blows everyone knows who has ridden it. 4.Noise:My Mantra makes a rather anoying amount of creaking noises. I am a shop mechanic and I can ussually solve most noise problems but this frame will not stay quiet! 5.Speed: Downhill is not the Mantra's friend. High speeds make it twitchy and death drops on this bike will make you want to get off and walk around. no fun.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Level Betty GT XCR 2000
Bike Setup:
98-99 Mantra comp, Marz. Bomber Z1 Bam Magura HS-33 in back with a Magura Louise disk in front. Mavic 321 in front and a 521 in back. everything else is 99 XT.
Bottom Line:
The Mantra is a geat woods bike but it's limitations in handling and it's questionable durability make it a bike that does not seem to compete in a world of linkage equiped bikes that will do everything the mantra will without the scary handling or down right frightening noises
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: August 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the dirt ones
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
ascending, descending XC
Weaknesses:
no QR on the seatpost
Bike Setup:
custom QR on the seatpost, barends, incredibell
Bottom Line:
After having a full rigid for the past 10 years (an excellent Fisher) I went for the full spendy. WOW! As a rider that loves XC, bombing downhills and singletracks, and views the climb as payment for the honor, this bike fits me like a glove! It has made me a better rider and makes me want to ride more. An excellent climber, the rear finds traction my other bike would lose. With the aid of weight distribution I climb things I should spin out on. Shifting is excellent compared to the old SIS thumbs. Downhill it took some time for me to get used to front suspension. On the rigid the limits of traction are immediately apparent. Now that I have it sorted I have gained confidence and don't feel the OTB syndrome. To combat that twichy downhill feel, weight distribution is key. I lower the seat and stay back in almost a tuck, close to the bike. I love the brakes! One finger stopping is a definite advantage. When shopping for a new bike I wanted full spendy. I looked at many designs. This was the cleanest and most elegant looking. I have a piece of art hanging in my home. This design is also very efficient and has few compromises with frame design, and no new technology to make it work and avoid other's patents. After half a year of riding it all around Colorado's trails and taking up commuting to work on it, I attest to this bike's sound performance. I have had no mechanicals. I did once have to stuff my front tire with skunk cabbage leaves so I could get back to population- but that was presta stem failure and my fault for not having a spare tube! If you are looking for a full spendy, give this bike a try before you buy. You might end up as happy and having as much fun as I am (what a world that would be!) The maximum rating has been earned!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Gretchen
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, B.C. Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Hornby Island
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Climbs like goat on steroids.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found one yet
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Sweet Spot
Bike Setup:
1999 Klein Mantra Comp, mainly stock groupo with the addition of Hayes Disks and Rolf Dolomite Disk Wheels
Bottom Line:
As a technical climber and tight singletrack bike I don't think there is a better choice. This bike rocks!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick King
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hershey PA Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bike Setup:
Hayes disks and Rolf Dolomite Disc wheelset, I also have put stiffer springs in the fork as the bike tends to nose dive under hard braking
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my lasts post, I've just snapped the rear A frame were the disk brakes attached looked like a bad weld to me. Any way the LBS got a new frame in and fitted it, the bike looks as good as new I'm going out to night to try it out.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross-Country Rider
from WA Date Reviewed: August 13, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Climbing, balance, fit
Weaknesses:
Can be twitchy at speed & on downhills-adjusting my technique after a couple of minor falls helped somewhat.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR a lot, many others test ridden
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Contrary to a previous reviewer who probably works for K2 this bike is fantastic. There is a reason that K2/Proflex always has lots of extra bikes from previous years still for sale at cheap prices and Klein's are hard to get and sell at retail. Simple supply and demand. As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter how much somebody else likes my bike it fits me and my style far better than anything else. Ya gotta go with what works for you and my Klein works for me.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jubbi
a Cross-Country Rider
from USA Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
all tech trails are my favorite
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Looks, build
Weaknesses:
Design
Similar Products Used:
Many full susp (k2, specialized, trek, schwinn, santa cruz, cannondale--and they're all crap except K2/proflex--get the original, it's still the best)
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
The floating drive train on this bike amounts to making it a high price seat post suspension system. The bottom bracket and pedals attach to the swing arm, and the distance between your feet and butt change as you ride. I can get a good susp seat post for $150, why bother with this horrible design? I think the only advantages might be when you climb out of the saddle to go up very steep hills. But you shouldn't have to do that much if you are a good rider and know how to slide on the seat to keep pressure on the rear.Don't be conned folks. Two chilies for looks and good front shock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Whoomp
a Cross-Country Rider
from Farmington, CT Date Reviewed: July 26, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Flume Trail, Lake Tahoe CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Quick, precise steering. No suspension bob on climbs. Relatively lightweight. Cool paint job.
Weaknesses:
Twitchy steering on fast descents (ski parks, etc). Lame water bottle positioning.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Atom Bomb fork, Fox Air Vanilla RC rear, XT brakes and f. der, ESP 9.0sl shifters, r. der, and levers. Titec bar & ends, King headset, XT/Mustang ceramic rims, WTB SSTK-Ti saddle. Jones front Team Master rear.
Bottom Line:
An excellent full suspension bike for XC riders. Quick, precise steering, which is great for twisty singletrack. Amazingly enough, it climbs better than my hardtail on steep technical climbs! It seems like the suspension is designed so that the rear wheel pulls through the suspension sag on the climbs, moving the r. wheel forwards. This places your center of gravity farther back above the rear wheel, increasing traction. At least that's my theory. This thing flies through the singletrack! Downhillers need not look at this bike. It's not optimized for ski area downhills. The quick steering makes the Mantra twitchy on bombing downhills. I also still feel a OTB tendency if I don't keep my weight back behind the saddle on steep downhills.Other comments? Get a hydration pack, because the frame-mounted bottle holder is inaccessible when riding offroad, unless you have exceptional balance and gorilla arms. I don't have a seatpost bottle holder.Maintenance required so far? 1) After my 3rd ride, I bent the rear derailleur hanger when I klunked the derailleur on a branch. Although the replaceable hangers are designed to fail first to protect the frame, I didn't have to hit this one very hard to bend it. Replacement cost is ~$16 USD. 2)The frame developed a creak after 2 months of riding, which was diagnosed as squeaky aluminum bushings at the upper and lower shock mount points. The LBS said that they need to be disassembled (easy to do) and lubed when they creak.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Three Rivers Ca Date Reviewed: July 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Lost in the wild
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Super for up hill climbs
Weaknesses:
Change the bars for downhill.
Bike Setup:
Hellbent downHill Bars
Bottom Line:
I still have my 98 klein and still love it, the main thing to note is if your do'en any downhill change the bars. Your face will thank you. other then that just a few miner upgrades will do. Over all I love the bike and only had one problem with it, the seal around the riser bar needed to be upgraded,kept comeing off. the bike shop took care of it for me..
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from PA Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Climbing Tight Singletrack Low Maintenance
Weaknesses:
High speeds Downhill
Similar Products Used:
Proflex K2 Razoback Specialized
Bike Setup:
98 Base Model with Manitou Spyder R
Bottom Line:
This is for the 98 Model, bought since the 99's are similar, I think my comments still apply. Plus, I've owned the bike for over a year, so I am pretty familiar with the +/-'s and can attest to the maintenance factor.The bike took some getting use to, especially if you've ridden hardtails. And especially on the dropoffs. I kept thinking I was going OTB. It can be twitchy on high speed downhills, so if you want to race down ski slopes, skip this bike. A riser bar and some experience helped with the dropoffs. Still twitchy on fast downhills.Where the bike shines is climbing. You can stay seated and the suspension will soak up all the bumps and give you traction on just about anything. It climbs better than my steel HT, even if it is heavier. I imagine the lighter models would even be better.Where this bike really excels is tight twisty technical singletrack. You can stay seated the most of the time and just rip through it. The bike handles great at medium and slow speeds. Very fast handling.As for maintanence, no problems. The pivot is like new, and the frame has survived a few nasty crashes. Just have to make sure the bike is set up properly when you get it.To sum it up, great bike for technical singletrack (my type of riding), but if you are looking for something more surefooted on fast DH's, look elsewhere. A solid 4 stars.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol,VA Date Reviewed: June 8, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very nible bike. Great on single track.
Weaknesses:
No standard bar ends.
Similar Products Used:
GT, Nishiki
Bike Setup:
I replaced the manitou with a rock shock sid xc. Added Coda xyz barends.
Bottom Line:
This a great bike. Extremely agile and a very good fs climber. Very happy with the suspension and the compenetry is great. Pretty boring review but this bike is just solid hard to find major flaws.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
HFS
a Cross-Country Rider
from Glen Summit Pa Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Incredible ride. Very agile. Simple, hopefully low maintenance design.
Weaknesses:
Can tend to endo.
Similar Products Used:
Proflex, Cannondale, specialized
Bike Setup:
Essentially stock.
Bottom Line:
This is a wonderful product. Beautifully made it rides magnificently, yet it is as maneuverable as a high-end hardtail. Nicely adjustable suspension, even, to an extent while riding.Keep your weight back on the downhills... you'll have a ball.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick King
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hershey PA Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Camp Mack
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
excellent climbing
Weaknesses:
there is some noise when climbing
Similar Products Used:
trek VRX500 Cannondale SV 900
Bike Setup:
I upgraded the brakes to Hayes disks and Rolf Dolomite Disc wheelset
Bottom Line:
Great bike overall, don't like the squeaks! but then I'm 200 lb's and an aggressive rider. I was unsure about the forks at first but they seem to work fine.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CODY BUSH
a Cross-Country Rider
from LUBBOCK, TX Date Reviewed: May 21, 1999
STOCK SHOCKS, EVERYTHING ELSE IS HIGH-END AFTERMARKET
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this is an awesome bike. it climbs better than anything i have ridden and looks better too! The handling is suberb and it corners like its on rails. Klein is known for the quality of his bikes and the '99 lineup certainly shows it. Having worked at a bike shop, i have had the opportunity to ride a lot of different bikes and talk to a lot of riders. This is the best bike i have ridden (with the exception of the Mantra race and pro -- they are a little lighter) and all of the people that i have talked to love them. I am 6'3 and weigh 200 pounds and bought an xlg. It could be a little longer in the cockpit but otherwise fits fine. I have had no problems with the rear shock except the occassional creak and loss of air, which is to be expected. I got rid of the 99 lx f der and replaced it with a 98 xt. It works sooo much better. The wider cage also helps prevent rubbing when going to the extreme gears while in the middle ring. And no, there are no problems with using it with a narrow chain (if you can set it up right). The one thing that has really bothered me about this bike is all of the extra cable housing. It makes a helluva cacophony whenever i hit rough terrain. I suppose that comes with having an fs bike. If you don't already have one, GO OUT AND GET ONE!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Kline
a Cross-Country Rider
from Waldorf, Maryland Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999
Klien Mantra Comp: Answer Manitu SX and Fox Vanilla
Bottom Line:
One of the best crosscountry bikes on the market. Almost compares to the alsome Cannondales. Light frame makes climbing alot easier and faster. Handles alsome... Would recommend to anyone who wants to ride better......
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Beau Barnett
a Weekend Warrior
from Constantly Changing Date Reviewed: May 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Many
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Incredibally smooth ride Great climber Good handling on corners, it bites in well Draws many stares from other riders
Weaknesses:
None that I have seen so far
Similar Products Used:
On a very limited basis, Fisher, Specialized, Trek, Cannondale
Bike Setup:
Standard
Bottom Line:
I just purchased this bike. I must say that I was overwhelmed by it. Having seriously ridden only hardtails, I was skeptical about riding a full suspension. I went straight to the trail and was amazed. This bike rides through rocks and roots, and climbs as well, if not better than my old hardtail. This is the best bike I have ever ridden, and It hurt when the sun started to drop, and I had to call it a day. The design is amazing, and the bike just does the work for you. Anyone who is skeptical about making the switch to soft should try this bike out. I love it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Rivers
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkeley, Ca. Date Reviewed: April 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Pine Mountain
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame; Craftsmanship, XTR rear D; most of the parts
Weaknesses:
LX Gruppo; OE should be XT
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Raven; SC Heckler; Trek Y
Bike Setup:
Stock/OE: ManiSX-TPC
Bottom Line:
Lots of hype over the years about this bike. Some calling it the best overall fs bike on the market.My two teenage sons currently ride a Klein Fervor; Klein Pulse Comp; my wife a specialized A-1 comp. My previous bike was a DB Axis TT- all XT. I loved the quality and handling of the Kleins, but swore off fs since I subscribed to the old cc maxim: use your legs for cush... well, I've been riding for just about 12 years now and I'm not getting any younger. Read all I could on the internet, brochures, mags, etc.about FS bikes. So three days ago I went to the Start to Finish in San Francisco (SOMA location) and did what I had to do.The Mantra Comp was there in my size. First ride this am. 20 mile loop in Tilden Park off of McBryde. Lots of steep hills, rutted sweeping fire road descents, etc. The Mantra: AMAZING. I am not in peak condition yet, but because of the Mantra Comps attributes, I did not feel all that fatigued and wanted to ride more after the 20 mile loop. My two teenagers were bonked. Maybe it was the energy saved by not having to suspend my arse with my legs and focusing on efficient spinning instead. IT DOES CLIMB like a scared mountain lion. No biopacing, no fuss, no muss. As far as earlier criticisms about it's downhill capabilities, this blue beenie SCREAMS. On a two mile fire road drop I cleared trail junk/ruts I would not on my DB. Very manuverable at both high and low speed. As far as dive during severe breaking, as one writer suggested: sit back and counterbalance! Rides like it weighs 21 pounds. (LBS Scale: 26.75 lbs) Best damned bike I've ever ridden or owned!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Net Stock Trader
a Weekend Warrior
from Arkansas Date Reviewed: April 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Womble Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
It is not a Creakingdale
Weaknesses:
None found
Similar Products Used:
Creakingdale, (it sucked)
Bike Setup:
Manitou X-Vert, Avid Arch Supremes, Race Day Saddle
Bottom Line:
Best damn bike in the world, period. I love it to death. It corners like a dream on single track. Climbs like a Pissed off mountain Lion. Soaks up the big bumps on the downhills. I am 6' 1 and weigh a bulky 230 and the rear suspension works fine when set at 275 psi. A tip for tall guys, buy this bike. The X-Tra large size was made for us. Best of al,l It is quiet. No creaks, pop's, or farts. When I first got it there was a squeeking sound but It was the Rear shock. The LBS replaced it and now it doesn't make a sound. I give it five flaming terds.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
weight, design
Weaknesses:
Me
Similar Products Used:
Trek y-5
Bike Setup:
Stock see other reviews
Bottom Line:
I am very impressed with the agility and handling. I found when I hit the drops the bike sticks on landing like off road baja racers. Ride is very smooth and cloud like. I like it and am very impressed. Some of the components could be better but that's my personal preference. After purchasing and riding I feel I couldn't have gotten more for my money. No second thoughts. 5 hot ones from me.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul B
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterford, CT Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Excellent design concepts (NICE JOB GARY!!!)
Weaknesses:
Stock rear suspension not built for larger riders.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Instinct, Trek VRX400, and Gary Fisher Joshua F3
Bottom Line:
I give Gary Klein's Mantra five chilies for the well thought out design and efficiency. On other FS bikes, the crank stays in a fixed position and when the rear shock compresses, the movement of the back end is different than on the Mantra. On the Mantra, the front crank moves with the rear triangle upon compression. The distance between the front crank and the rear axle remains constant. This would give a similar to scooching upon your saddle an inch or two during a climb and thus better climbing efficiency. I take one chilly away after I test rode one this past weekend. There were only two down sides to this bike that I could find.1) The stock rear suspension setup was not made for us big guys (6'4, 295 lbs). This can be easily corrected by upgrading to a coil over design.2) To effectively compete with the Rocky Mountain's and the Trek VRX400, I would have liked to see disc brakes . Both the RM and the Trek are siimilarly priced and have discs.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GUY
a Cross-Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
It handles amazingly. Quick and responsive.
Weaknesses:
It's lighter than most FS but I want it lighter
Similar Products Used:
Trek Y-3, Rocky Mountain Element Race, 1998 MANTRA comp
Bike Setup:
Stock except michelin Hot S tire. Really sets off the bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike is incredible. It rides perfectly, climbs with very little bounce, and descends nicely. I'm sooooo glad I didn't buy that Rocky mountain Element. Everything is smooooth.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jade Barton
a Weekend Warrior
from Logan, UT Date Reviewed: April 14, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
I love this bike!!!
Weaknesses:
Weaknesses???
Bike Setup:
Klein Mantra Comp, Manitou X-Vert, RaceFace cranks, Shimano XTR drivetrain, Avid brakes and levers, Mavic 517 ceramic rims, Chris King hubs and headset, etc. etc. etc.... My bike ROCKS!
Bottom Line:
When first switching to a full suspension bike I though I was going to lose a lot of climbing power, I don't know why but this bike helps me climb. Bombing down hill is soooo smooth. Everything works so well together. I love my bike!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fuzz
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mt. Airy, NC Date Reviewed: March 25, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Climbs as well as most hardtails. Good compontents.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Joshua F3
Bottom Line:
This bike just fits great. It handles flawlessly. You get the best of both worlds - climbs great and cushions most trail roughness. When you stand to pedal you don't seem to lose much energy as you do with many other full suspension designs. The pivot point is really the key. I highly recommend this bike if you have tried a full suspension bike and hate the loss of effeciency and handling. Don't think you will be disappointed. I also love the rapid rise XTR rear derailer. Worth the $1900
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith Brooks
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura, CA Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon in the Laguna Mountains
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Great design... Going from a Klien hard tail to the Mantra Comp forced me to focus my power over the pedals more and sit on my bum less. Otherwise you pOgO. Once you get the hang of it, it's a new world of speed.
Weaknesses:
I upgraded to a stiffer rear spring, but still get bucked occasionally when going through a rock garden. Maybe going to a gas shock would solve this. Anyone with solutions???
Bottom Line:
Great bike... My local bike shop stopped carrying it because it outpriced the mom-and-pop market they serve. For the price you should get a better component set.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelvin klein
a Downhiller
from Singapore Date Reviewed: March 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the 1 behind my house
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
strong frame for its light weight. can be able to with stand impacts
Weaknesses:
too active at the rear
Similar Products Used:
klein mantro pro
Bike Setup:
fox
Bottom Line:
it is a very good bike and its apperace its super.....whenever ppl sees it they go....*Woo!!*
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Arteriopath
a weekend warrior
from London, England Date Reviewed: March 13, 1999
Bottom Line:
Bought this bike yesterday ; I've never been able to offroad at such speed with such stability- even in heavy mud on steep downhills. I haven't had such fun since my early teens - not fully dressed anyway. The ride is plush-issimo even with standard spec and the rear XTR is schweeet. SUCH a difference to the hardtail with SRAM ESP9.0 I was on. I was seriously apprehensive about the appearence of the crowbar risers it came with but NO MORE - these make steep climbing pleasurable. The bikes obesity problem is noticable but not enough to stop me giving it five full calibre, freshly laid, steaming big ones. Incidentally, does anyone know why all French velo-riders are mudguard +ve?
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jimbeau
a cross-country rider
from California Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
Schaaa-wheat! I'm VERY pleased with the bike and it's performance. Am VERY disappointed with the Manitou SX (re-bound knob broke off before leaving the shop; lock-out doesn't work; rebound knob does nothing -- all the way in/out makes no difference); bike back to shop trying to get it fixed by Answer. Climbing: Like a hard-tail -- very close....maybe even better when the going gets ruff, rutty and/or rocky. The bike feels like it wants to leap out from under ya. Handling: Precise and extremely quick. Can you say two-wheeled Porsche? Yes, it is indeed twitchy on the downhills and at higher speeds. Blast through the single-tracks. The more technical the better. Ride: Excellent (even with a fork that's not 100%). Weight: Rides and handles more like a 25 pounder (instead of the 26.8 indicated on the shop's scales). Misc: It took some time to get accustomed to the handling but, once ya get the knack.....hang-on! Once I made some minor adjustments to the levers, brakes and rear derailer, the bike performed flawlessly (with the exception of the fork...but, this ain't a fork review).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik B.
a weekend warrior
from Conway, AR Date Reviewed: March 6, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have to begin by saying that this bike is the SHEEEAAAAT!!!!!! I recently made the decision to go squishy and man did I make a good choice. I have only put about 100 miles on since I bought it but no complaints yet. The bike is stock except for the wheelset (517 sunsets with michelen rubber), and Gore-Tex cables. Climbing truly is easier on this bike. This bike also makes it a lot nicer on my arse! I would recommend this ride to anyone! Not only does it awesome! on the trails, but it is also a work of art. Everybody looks at the bike, cause its SWEET! Kudos to KLEIN
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a weekend warrior
from nj Date Reviewed: February 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
i'm 6' 4 and 240 lbs. not an easy size to work into a full suspension bike. in '98 i was set on buying the mantra comp and checked out the reviews at this site first. the basic jist that i found was that the bike would not work for a guy my size, but i bought it anyway determined to fit myself into the ride. and i did to a degree, but on radical downhills i could not get comfortable. most of the reviews in '98 said that learning how to recover from an endo was job #1. which was absolutely true. #2 -- big guys would feel cramped, also true, but i learned how to ride sitting on the back half of the seat. anyway, i think gary klein must check out the reviews here himself, because in '99 he has introduced the XL version. he fixed everything that was wrong with the '98 (for clidedales). needless to say, i unloaded the '98 and bought the first '99 mantra that www.cosmicwheel.com sold. everything that was wrong with the '98 L for me, has been fixed for me in the '99 XL. i can truly say that i have found mtb nirvana with the '99 m.c. XL.i don't understand how frame geometry effects the ability to climb, but i am literally a 50% better climber on the mantra than i was on my cannondale f700. the '99 is worth a test ride. the bigger guys *must* upgrade to the rear air shock. the spring version which is stock on the mantra is just way to soft.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Noah D
a weekend warrior
from Wisconsin Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999
Bottom Line:
Ive had my 99 Mantra for a little while now, and must say its the best bike I've ever rode! But, thats because I've upgraded to all XTR components (and I mean everything right down to ZTR cable housings), Rock Shok SID front and rear shocks, carbon fiber bar and bar ends, Ceramic rims W/Titanium spokes! It is awsome, thank you Klien!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Red Fish
a weekend warrior
from Oakland, CA Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999
Bottom Line:
OK so I got my 1999 Mantra Comp about 3 weeks ago, I've been riding it over all kinds of stuff and here is my report.After riding a few bikes around, I'd narrowed my decision down to Klein and Specialised hardtails, and Klein and SantaCruz full suspensions. I perhaps didn't do as much riding as I might, but then I did read other people's experiences and opinions extensively on mtbr and other sources. I was split between a ht and fs, especially as early fs riding indicated an increase in weight and corresponding sluggishness, and I wanted the bike to be light and nimble. When I first tried the Mantra though, it seemed taut and responsive, rather than feeling like there was a load of stuff hanging out of the back of the bike like other fs designs.On the 98 Mantras however, I could definitely feel the shortness of cockpit and a vague sense of front-to-back instability. I found the 99s on the http://www.chainreaction.com web site (great site), heard that the geometry was slightly different, and decided that I wouldn't buy a bike until I'd had a 99 on my familiar trails to check it out. Unfortunately I heard that the Klein factory wasn't churning out Mantra Comps in my size (medium) at that time, and that 99s in general were in short supply until February, so I resigned myself to a wait. Roundabout this time I rode the SantaCruz Hecklers, I thought they were very stable, but a bit heavy, and the light ones are big bucks.Then I went to Start to Finish in SF, and found exactly the bike I was looking for. I talked the guys in the shop into letting me have it on approval for a day or two, and then went trail thrashing. After day one, I knew it wasn't going back.Equipment is LX, apart from Avid 2.0 brakes and 1.9 levers, and an XTR rear derailleur. Shocks are Manitou SX front, Fox Air Vanilla Float R rear. Tyres are Bontrager Revolts - OK but I think I'll swap the rear for a Velociraptor soon. I upgraded the pedals to Shimano M545s and switched the stock 9 degree Crowbar out for a lesser angle Richey Pro Rizer.I should point out here that I'm no professional. I got back into biking after about a 10 year absence 18 months ago, and started offroading about 6 months ago on what is now my street bike, a rigid 93 Stumpjumper. A suspension bike was necessary in order that I could make more and faster progress getting better at this lunatic activity without getting my arse busted all the time (it's working). Also should say here that I'm a funny shape, about 5.7 but my legs are shorter than they should be, sits me a bit lower on the saddle, something which might make the Mantra geometry work a bit better for me.Anyway, the difference between this and the Stumpy is amazing. On the test drive, I was expecting the going to be much easier due to the difference in weight, but it wasn't. I was confused - then I realised I was riding a full chainring up from my usual gear! There's a tough hill on my regular morning ride, I went up that more than a chainring up. There's a couple of rutted descents on the same ride, I went down them at about double the normal speed. And this was after being on the bike about 15 minutes. Unbelievable.Also did lots of singletrack on the test ride. The increase in confidence was enormous - I could just barrel down rough stuff or, in low speed corners, feel the bike helping out as I unweighted the front to turn tighter etc. Went down a few downhills that scared me before, bike took everything in its stride, no problem. I don't know whether the changes in design have helped on downhills or what, but there's no sign of instability or the just-about-to-go-otb feeling that people have reported.Riding since has confirmed my initial impressions - the bike is very stable and composed over just about anything. Went over serious on some fast downhills last weekend, great fun. Most of the time, if I bail, it's my fault for not being confident enough to go sufficiently fast over something to keep the bike on track. I have no excuse to blame the bike any more! :-|Climbing is easy - sit down, pedal, the bike goes up the hill. I'm still getting used to standing up in the rare occasions where it's necessary, have to sync the pedalling action with the rear shock action - I was crap to begin with but once I realised I had to go up a few gears to get the rhythm right it got a lot easier. I was never really that happy standing up on any bike I've ridden, in any case.Shocks - I'm a newbie to the shock game so I decided to go with the stock setup and see how it went. The front has a handy lockout and seems to work OK, got me out of a few steep drop-off holes, though I've yet to fiddle with it extensively. The rear was too soft to begin with, I firmed it up a bit and it's better now, and I'm glad it's there. The freedom to sit down over rough ground if I want to is priceless IMHO, and if I stand up going downhill the shock action keeps the rear end from bouncing around too much. But only time will tell on the shocks issue.Problems - nothing serious. I think the LX front derailleur is a bit weak, I've bent it a couple of times and it sometimes needs two pulls to go up a chainring. If I get any more trouble I'll swap it out for an XT/XTR. The bottom bracket squeaked a lot to begin with, but a regreasing at the LBS and a dose of decaulkant sorted that out. The bottle mount's in a silly place, which means you drink a lot of the time, but there's nowhere else for it really. So basically the verdict is that it rocks for me. I'm really happy with it, it makes riding a LOT more fun and saves my arse from a major kicking all the time; that's what I wanted the bike to do. And given the wet weather we're currently having in Oakland, getting covered in was never this much of a blast.Five steaming turds for the 1999 Mantra Comp.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nigel Halsted
a cross-country rider
from Vancouver, BC Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have owned my Mantra for about six months. All things considered, I am pleased with my choice. The Mantra is a phenominal performer on tough, steep, wet, rooty climbs. It sprints like a hardtail and is very competent and plush on descents. The only time the Mantra struggles is on long paved acsents, and even then it will do very well if you can spin. I've got the weight down to a light but strong 26.25lbs with full XT, Fox Alps5R and Pro Carbon fork. The Mantra frame is stiff, light and no maintenance. Nobody else even comes close!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian S
a
from Wenachee Wa. Date Reviewed: January 12, 1999
Bottom Line:
I rode the entry level Mantra and was not impress with the dealers setup on the rear shock it was extremly low on air and almost bottomed riding off a curb. The SX E fork on the bike was a piece of junk it felt just like the indy on my old trek. The wieght of the Mantra was a porky 28.6 pound in the large, I was thinking that this would be a good race bike but it would have to lose a 2 or 3 pound to be reasonable light.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike D
a cross-country rider
from Detroit Date Reviewed: December 15, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've received several pieces of e-mail regarding my earlier review, so I thought I would post a generic response. I don't actually own a Mantra yet, I'm waiting until after Christmas to try and save a few bucks more. The model I rode is not the Comp, but the entry level Mantra (LX/XT combo with a silver/white/black paint scheme.) It retails for $1400, as opposed to $1900 for the Comp. The Mantra is still the best full susp. bike I've tested. The geometry beats any low pivot design out there. I'll post a full review once I've taken it on a few real trails. Side note: If you're on a tight budget, check out the killer full susp. gravity bike for $200 at Target stores.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Linzer
a weekend warrior
from Phoenix, Arizona Date Reviewed: December 10, 1998
Bottom Line:
I spent 4-5 months shopping for a full susppension bike in the under $2000 range. I rode '98s and then '99s. This bike excelled in every category and, as said above, will renew your interest in riding--trail, canals, bike paths etc are nothing but fun. Nice job Klein.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gus Aguirre
a weekend warrior
from Miami, Fl. Date Reviewed: December 8, 1998
Bottom Line:
How fast will you dare to go? Well, this bike will not slow you down! It eats up roots and rocks that litter the trails in Florida. I can't wait to take to the extreems in the mountains. After being an avid hard-tailer, the part that apreciates this bike the most is my back. Great design job Gary!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike D
a cross-country rider
from Detroit Date Reviewed: November 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
I recently test rode several full suspension bikes, all around $1400 with nearly identical XT/LX setups. The Mantra was far and away the best handling, lightest and fastest feeling of the bunch. The Fisher Joshua F3 and Cannondale SV 700 (though both very nice) felt stiff and heavy in comparison and the Trek VRX 300 (my 2nd choice) was too squishy for the kind of riding I do. The Mantra felt the most sophisticated and perfectly balanced. The air rear suspension has just the right amount of give and rebound and the geometry design is perfect for riding up and over obstacles. The shock pushes the wheel down and forward on return (as opposed to down and back like most designs) for max traction. It may not have the macho good looks of the VRX or the Super V, but for my money the Mantra is where it's at.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Newman
a weekend warrior
from West Hartford, CT Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike for a few weeks now. The bike has renewed my interest in cycling, I can't get enough. The bike handles well and I have hos no machenical difficulties. I rode just about every bike in the $1,000 to $2,000 range. When I test rode this bike, I knew it was mine.
Overall Rating:
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