Submitted by
david hayes
a Cross Country Rider
from pompanobeach Date Reviewed: July 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
jim's bikes
Strengths:
cool paint job very lite 25lbs klimbs ok when its not skipping gears
Weaknesses:
front shock sucks to change front shock have to order reducer to use 1 and 1/8 because uses 1 and 1/4 steer tube not a very fast bike and drains all your energy.
Similar Products Used:
trek y3 and jammis dakar sport
Bike Setup:
all xt components fox air shox rear and manitou sx in front
Bottom Line:
i bought this bike because of looks and weight but this bike sucks tride to change front shock but found out that in order to change i needed a reducer fine but but after 3 weeks of searching foun out that only one place hase a reducer in germany and they wanted a bank transfer in euro money to pay for it about 165.00 americn dollars just to beable to switch over i decided not worth puting money into because of the ride stinks did not enjoy the ride since i had it it skips gears when ever i go up hill or hit a root took it back to the bike shop after every ride and it just got worse the bike store replaced the chain cassete,and derailer but it still did the same thing i got to the point where i did not want to ride because of the bike so took it bake bought a lees expensive bike a jammis daxar sport witch i love no problems at all i now enjoy riding again. i will never buy a klien again. do not buy this bike no matter what
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Novato, CA Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Climbs like a scared squirrel. Comfort for epic rides. Simplicity.
Weaknesses:
Headset (funky proprietary design that requires custom tools to replace). Twitchy at speed. Steep headset angle makes steering responsive at low speeds, but things get scary during high-speed technical runs.
Similar Products Used:
98 Mantra Race
Bike Setup:
'99 Fuselage and SX-Ti forks Race Lite wheels w/King hubs Avid Arch Supreme brakes/Ultimate levers XTR Drivetrain LP Composite bars, bar ends and seatpost
Bottom Line:
This has been my main bike for 2 1/2 years now -- over 3000 miles logged.
This is a great bike for XC riders more concerned about distance and vertical feet than downhill speed. You can spend the whole day in the saddle without fatigue.
Oh yeah, since you need to sit down while riding this bike, get a comfortable seat!
Overall it's a great bike but I gotta knock off a chili for the headset and twitchy geometry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Irish Mud
a
from Sacto Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$1000000.00
Purchased At:
Wouldn't
Strengths:
Makes for a great mechanism to contribute to the heat death of the universe.
Weaknesses:
Does nothing for your form, time, speed, or pocket-book. However, it may make you feel like a better rider because it looks so DIFFERENT.
Similar Products Used:
All suspension frames made.
Bike Setup:
Unjustified, and expensive.
Bottom Line:
Wiggles like a rubber-band under power. I seriously don't understand why everyone here applaudes this design. It was actually designed to get "bicycle uneducated" doctors and lawyers to kick down some serious cash for a strange looking and poor performing ride. How many do you see on the pro circuit? The uneasy feeling of frame stretch should have warned you that this was a gimmick bike. Try another design and pay close attention to the energy you retained during the ride.
P.S. Paying a ton for something does not make it better, and cute welds (that are ground!) do not make up for a poor design. You have all been suckered.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark VanderWoude
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnsville. MN Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Murphy
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Online MTBR
Strengths:
THe design of this frame is awesome. Climbs like a hardtail desents with 7" of plush travel. Sharp head angle give it great sinlge track handling. Excellent finish and attention to detail.
Weaknesses:
Because it is a Unified Rear Triangle people won't give it the time of day. They're missing out.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale F2000, GT Team LTS, Dean Scout.
Bike Setup:
Full XTR throughout, with Bontrager Asym wheels.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. People out in Seattle have known about this bike for quite some time now. It has a huge cult following out there and now I understand why. Love this ride. Lock out the fork, stand up and hammer and you'd swear you were on your road bike. Sit and spin and it's nothing but comfort. I recommend setting the rear shock about 10% over body weight to take care of any pedal induced bobing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rhett Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Fresno Ca USA Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Northern Cal (Marin)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Tri - Sport unlimited
Strengths:
I really like how it is a smoth ride and also gets the job done. How light the bike is for if you need to carriy it up a steep hill.
Weaknesses:
There really is no weakness it is a great bike
Similar Products Used:
I used a Klein Mantra. It is about half the cost and also gets the job done and is about the same wight too. It has the same design too. The
Bottom Line:
It is a good relible bike and the air shock kicks but man. it is a good bike. They put an osome paint job on it too. The hand worked bike is a big + .
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
arthur krikorian
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto canada Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
seaton valey
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
looks great cat like agility light as most hard tails
Weaknesses:
have not seen any
Similar Products Used:
yes trek y bike
Bike Setup:
mix of every thing strip down to frame mavic cross max rims ritchy wcs tires sid forks 1998 syncross bb and revoloution crank (nivacrome) syncross seat post and stem tnt ti cogs race face chain rings xtr breaks and drailers stratos rear shock
Bottom Line:
22.4 pounds of ducadi yellow dream bike its a great frame to build on it is posibly Canadas lightest full susspention bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Canuck
a Cross-Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta Date Reviewed: January 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Powderface - Kananaskis Country
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
You name it - agility, incredible climber, light, ideal log-hopping swing arm design, and of course, the coolest looking bike on the trail.
Weaknesses:
Rear pivot - needed replacement after 4 months.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Super V, Trek Y
Bike Setup:
XL framesize Hayes Full Hydraulic Disc Brake (Front only) Full XTR Stubby barends XTR crankset Bontrager Jones
Bottom Line:
As a long time supporter of the hard tail and one of the greatest skeptics of XC climbing with rear suspension, I have proved myself completely wrong. At 63, 190lbs, this bike fits like a glove. If you're as deranged as me, and you enjoy the uphill climbs as much (or almost) as the downhills, this bike will outperform you. It is no surprise that this is one of the only full suspension bikes I EVER seen on the XC race circuit that actually works. Do yourself a favour - if you buy this bike, add a front full hydraulic disc brake - you'll never look back.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Chen
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bellevue, WA Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Rusty Truck & Gnarly @ Victor Falls
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Handling: Quick and agile on single-track, light, great climber.
Weaknesses:
Cable-routing (especially if you have hydraulic brakes) & Headset- weird 1 1/4 size.
This bike is cat quick on singletrack and is perfect for the kind of riding we do here in the Pac-NW. Don't expect great downhilling/free-riding characteristics (like a Brodie or Intense) as the geometry is set up for agressive cross-country racing.The Unified Rear Triangle stiffens when you pedal and/or stand, but the effect you get is dampened rear travel- pinch the seat w/ your thighs on the descents and you'll get a more active suspension action.The Fox Vanilla Float RC is so incredibly plush and buttery smooth- a contrast to the Manitou SX TI. I want to mate the FOX w/ a Marzocchi on the front but the weird headset limits my options.The bottom line, this is fast, fun, and efficient ride- plus, nothing beats the mantra pro/race in the aesthetics department. This bike is a joy to ride.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Racer
from Arlington, VA Date Reviewed: October 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Gambrill Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Climbing Powering over the rough stuff
Weaknesses:
Cable routing
Similar Products Used:
'97 Klein Mantra Comp
Bike Setup:
Stock '99 fuselage and fork (Manitou SX Ti w/ Lok Out) SRAM Shifters/Rear Der. Avid AR-50 Brakes XTR/Mavic 517 Wheelset
Bottom Line:
I waited until I had a few hard rides under my belt before I submitted this review. I was sold on the Mantra design after riding a '97 Comp last season, and now that I've upgraded to the Pro I'm even more impressed. The Pro is superior in several respects, not the least of which is the XL size, which fits my 6'3 frame just right. The Pro is also lighter. The bottom line is that this is a great bike. If you can keep your legs moving, it will climb almost anything. On flat rocky trails (with lots of roots, baby heads, and knife edged rocks), you can simply stay seated and motor, while the bike just sucks everything up and keeps on going. The constantly changing wheelbase (as the rear shock activates), coupled with the steepish headangle, gives it unusually good handling in tight singletrack. The lock out on the front and rear is useful for the pavement. Descending is great, as long as you stay back. On anything but the steepest descents I'll actually choose to stay steated, but for steep descents I'll sit back and hold the seat with my legs. The only weakness I've found is the cable routing, but allegedly this will be fixed in the Y2K model. Five big baby heads.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Giant
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: August 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Victor Falls
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good Climber Great Design Light Fast
Weaknesses:
Replaced Rear pivot within 2 months. Cable routing
Similar Products Used:
Nada Like they would fit...
Bike Setup:
XL framesize Marzocchi Z1 Bam (stiff springs) Full XTR Chris King Wheelset LP barends 150mm Control Tech Stem Easton Monkey light Carbon fiber riser bar (cut to 24) Thomson 410mm Seatpost 180mm XTR crankset. Mud setup: Velociraptor (Rear)Bontrager Jones (front) Dry Setup: Bontager Race tires (stock)
Bottom Line:
First Off...I LOVE THIS BIKE! I couldn't disagree more with Jubbi below, I am in AWE that he can give such a thorough and well thought out (please..) review after riding one of these bikes around the parking lot of some local bike shop. This bike design was made for the Northwest! It excels in muddy, rooted, technical, riding and climbing. I think we all know what he can do with his suspension seat-post theory! I am a VERY tall rider, 6'8 225lbs which will explain my setup above. I was unsure of how well this bike would fit me since I am not your average rider, but my setup fits me great. The longer fork adds weight (XLBike =27lbs) and changes the front geometry but certainly doesn't slow me down (I am used to a slower steering setup). I have ridden a Klein hardtail here in the Northwest for the last 6 years and finally pulled the trigger on this Mon$ter since I wanted to go to full suspension. This bike does climb well especially on technical climbs and doesn't bob like I thought it might. The suspension seems to kick in only when you need it, and when it does it is very plush. This bike tracks well and allows you to be very fast on singletrack and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it accelerates out of corners and in general. There are a few things that I have had to workout with this beauty. 1) Bikeshops (WA & OR ) have been setting up the cable routing so the rear brake cable runs OUTSIDE of the rear triangle..NOT A GOOD IDEA!… Your leg will rub on the cable housing with each pedal stroke. I had my mechanic reverse the shifter and brake cables and run the brake cable housing inside the RT. NOTE this will cause hotspots on your frame as the bike flexes! My mechanic attached small aluminum plates where the cables rub to avoid wearing through the carbon fiber We also tossed the shimano macaroni and put on a rollamajig so it would work smoother since the cable was now coming straight back to the brake.. 2) He also replaced my rear pivot as the bushings loosened up after 2 months of riding. Blame it on my size but you have to love Klein's lifetime frame warrantee.. they replaced it w/ no questions. 3)Come on…where are the bar-ends? I actually got to talk to Gary Klein the other day here in Seattle. He said that they are trying to redesign the cable routing so they will be internal in the future and he seemed pretty jazzed about the new XTR disc brakes that Shimano is supposed to come out with next year. He has a prototype set that he has been using. I also noticed that he had a very cool Rolf wheelset on his Mantra Pro. I asked him about the Bontrager Race Lights (I replaced them with CK's) and he agreed that they might be a bit fragile for a heavier rider. Overall, very cool and very SMART guy. So there you go… more than you ever wanted to know about my bike. I am going to give this 4.5 chilies since they cable routing needs to be redesigned and yes Gary you should put barends on this bike. But mostly since this isn't perfect right out of the shop, for the money I guess I unrealistically expect it to be. If I was just judging for bike design it would be a solid 5.PS….This is as unbiased opinion as I can give since I have the feeling that nobody wants to trash a bike that they spent so much ca$h on. I wish it wasn't so expensive but I don't have any regrets with what I have got to ride and show for it. Thanks to Tall Drink for his insights and e-mails in the Mantra Race posts.Any Tall riders need help with setups..e-mail me!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jubbi
a Cross-Country Rider
from USA Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
all tech trails
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Looks, components
Weaknesses:
design
Similar Products Used:
Many full susp (k2, trek, specialized, schwinn, klein, cannondale, santa cruz--they're all mostly crap, except K2/Proflex--get the original, it's still the best)
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 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 somewhat decent front shock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dean
a Racer
from Michigan Date Reviewed: August 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
North Country
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Climbs like a ape
Weaknesses:
squeaky shock,150 mm stem
Bike Setup:
Mantra Pro, full XTR with RF cranks/rings and American Classic Ti BB
Bottom Line:
Climbs like a dream. The bike is made for riding with slicks. Perfect for cross country racing. After a couple x country races and a 12 hour race I am pleased with the mantras performance. Steering is a bit slow. Partly due to the large frame but a major factor is the stock 150 mm stem that it came with. After a couple of seasons on Klein hardtails this ride is a savior.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
yoda
a Cross-Country Rider
from Quebec City, Quebec Date Reviewed: July 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anyone at Bromont or Mt St Anne
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Climbing ability (like a goat!) light weight awesome racelight wheels
Weaknesses:
no bar ends!?! paint may chip easily (and i loved that paint job...)
wassup peeps, well all i have to say is that this bike is rolling! it climbs wonderfully, handles deftly in singletrack, and soaks up the bumps wonderfully. the whole package is very nice and light (medium approx 23 pounds) and it would be really easy to remove some weight from this bike with aftermarket accessories, which i will do once my bank account rejuvenates itself from the shock of buying it (almost 7000 of our canadian pesos..) on the minus side, this bike screams for bar ends for this much money its kind of hilarious that there aren`t any included. as well, be wary of your paint job!!! i know a bike is meant to be ridden and thrashed, but the disconcerting ease with which the paint detached itself from the carbonfiber upon various impacts left me practically crying.....but hey, these are minor gripes, they don`t affect the the overall quality of the bike, and i recommend anuyone to take out a personal loan, or use thier student loans on this bike! you won`t regret it.....
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Cranberry Lake Anacortes, WA
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, High Quality, Beautiful Paint, Great Climbing ablility
Weaknesses:
Where's the Bar Ends for a product of this expense.
Similar Products Used:
Own a Specialized S-Works Hard tail.
Bike Setup:
All Factory except the LP-Bar Ends.
Bottom Line:
I can not believe the ride! Climbs like a dirt bike! I went over every obstacle I came apon (Roots, Rocks, Logs, Stumps) hoping to get blown off.....didn't happen! Amazing! My friend has a Light Speed Titanium FS. I was following him through the woods and looked at his back wheel and saw it dancing all over the place (but still staying on the trail effectively), but my ride seemed smooth, as if I wasn't hitting the same obstacles he was.....but I was! Incredible! This is the Bike! No doubt about it!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ivo
a Weekend Warrior
from St.moritz , Switzerland Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
4 WEEKS AFTER THE DELIVERY IN THE USA I GOT MY BIKE. IT'S A WONDERFUL FEELING. THE BIKE HAS GOT THE MOST SPECTACULARY COLORS I HAVE EVER SEEN. ALTOUGHT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AGES I AM VERY SATISFIED. THANK YOU GARRY AND PEOPLE, ONLY NEXT TIME TRY NOT TO BE SO LOND WITH DELIVERING.....
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CHRIS
a Cross-Country Rider
from TOLEDO Date Reviewed: April 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
I LIKE MANY OTHER KLEIN CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY 99 MANTRA PRO FUSELAGE SINCE 98. TREK HAS TOLD ME SEVERAL TIMES NOW THAT IT WAS ONLY ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS, STILL NO FUSELAGE!I SUPPOSE JACK IS CORRECT IN SAYING THAT TREK WOULD RATHER FILL COMPLETE BIKE ORDERS AND THOSE PRECIOUS EUROPEAN ORDERS AND PUT THOSE OF US WHO CAN ONLY AFFORD A FUSELAGE OFF TO THE SIDE!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dermo
a Racer
from Bedford, NH Date Reviewed: April 7, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, responsive, very forgiving, loves to climb
Weaknesses:
$$$
Bottom Line:
I only have about 75 miles of trail on this bike. I am very impressed at this point. I would normally wait a few months before reviewing this product, but I am very dissapointed that there are 3 reviews that don't belong here. This bike the 99, not the 98, is light (XL 24lbs). This is a sweet looking bike that is very functional. I haven't raced it yet, but I will report back with some results next month. So far it deserves lots o chillies. If you don't own the bike, please don't post the review!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jo B
a cross-country rider
from New York Date Reviewed: March 3, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have a 98 which my Klein\Trek dealer wasn't thoughtfull enough to tell me a 6'4' 200lb person is too big for a Klein large, guess their greed factor came into play. Attempts to get suggestions from Gary Klein in Washington State have gone unanswered, I've ordered a new for 99 XTL but think I'll look at some other brands instead. The 98 Matra Pro is great on climbing up hills really sticks to the trail, It just on the downhill can you say endo. I'm told the XTL for 99 cures all the downhill problems for big people. Trek/Klein have a lot to learn about customers, they don't come back.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a
from cross-country rider Date Reviewed: February 13, 1999
Bottom Line:
Mine is a '98 Mantra Pro and it is, without question, the nicest riding full suspension bike I have ever ridden! When pedalling, you don't even realize that it has rear suspension, except that you don't lose traction when climbing rough trails. Kudos to Klein for coming up with an elegant frame design that actually works! I only wish that Klein had gone with the Manitou fork in '98 (they seem to have learned for '99) as the SID mine came with is a bit of a pain. Nice and light, but leaks air from a variety of places. Anyway, as for the Mantra, I heartely recommend this bike - in any of its component group incarnations. It is NOT a downhill bomber, but for XC trail riding (either open or technical single track), and for racing, this bike is primo.
I'm posting here in hopes that someone at Klein/TREK will read this and help me/us out. You see my racing compadre and I smacked down a $grand each and placed orders for two 1999 Mantra PRO fuselage's at our LBS Champion Cycling and Fitness in JAX, FL way back in October,1998 in hopes that we would be one of the first to get the new bikes and be ready for the 1999 Florida Race Series. However, Gary and the folks at Klein/Trek have decided it was more important to fill complete bike orders first before filling the fuselage orders even if the fuselage orders came in first - like ours. I think this stinks!!! The only reason I did not order the complete bike was because I'm not to hip on this new 9spd idea and had a 98 8spd XTR groupo lying in wait for such a bike. I do not think it is fair for Klein/TREK to penalize us because we did not order complete bikes. It should be first come first serve - agreed? So, if some one reads this that can help us out in getting us our new Mantra PRO Fuselage's we sure could use it. The race season here in Florida starts in March and we'll need time to build the bikes and get some riding time in. Thanks to who ever can help us... The five star rating is for the 97 Mantra Pro that I borrowed and raced for a day. Man, that bike was awesome, and I'm sure the 99 Mantra will be even better... Sincerely, Jack Newby
Overall Rating:
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