Submitted by
Andthereyouare
a Cross Country Rider
from Bear, DE Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Fair Hill, MD
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Found Ad on MTBR.com
Strengths:
Very Light, Short Chainstays, there's nothing like climbing a mountain with a Klein.
Weaknesses:
Klein doesn't have a deal like "Buy one get one free".
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Mongoose, Redline
Bike Setup:
XT drive train, Sid Race fork a very sick setup.
Bottom Line:
Try this bike!! I'm 5'9" 175lbs and I ride a small frame. This is the bike for me, nothin' else to say here.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pelle Stridsman
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
The long and winding...........
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Bottom Line:
I have reviewed this bike earlier. Everything about the bike still stands. But, things have happend since then. My Attitude Race -00 frame did break. Design error with the rear mech hanger bolt placed in the middle of the lower chainstay, made the chainstay eventually break after a year and a half. KLEIN supplied me an Attitude Race -02 replacement frame, without any discussion. Way to go KLEIN!
Their lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship is worldclass.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Racer
from Bear, DE Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Fair Hill, MD
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
MTBR.com
Strengths:
Looks nice, extremely light, the geometry is where it's all at.
Weaknesses:
Paint chips, go figure.
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Mongoose, Redline
Bike Setup:
XT drivetrain, Rolf Wheels, Sid Race fork... Really to much to list.
Bottom Line:
I recommend taking a spin up a serious mountain. With the short chainstays it makes climbing a thing of the past. The geometry I'm tellin' ya don't let the fancy paint job grab ya. It's all about the geometry, this is the bike I'll have for a long time. Try one you'll see what I mean. I bought the frame and just built it up, to an insane XC racing machine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: November 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
All of them.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Bikefit
Strengths:
Fantastic frame, beautiful smooth welds and an unbelieveable paint job that everybody drools over.
Weaknesses:
??? Give me a break.
Similar Products Used:
Giant ATX 890, Cannondale M700, Giant ATX LE.
Bike Setup:
XT, XTR, Bontrager mustang rims, Monkey Lite Bar, Kore, etc., all good stuff.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely the "best" hardtail out there anywhere to be found!!!!! Climbs almost by itself, extremely quick on singletrack and Man do I love it. I used to be one of those who said " all bikes are alike ", man was I wrong. They always say you only get what you pay for and this is one of those things.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JP Smal
a Cross Country Rider
from Brussels, Belgium, Europe Date Reviewed: September 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Probike, Tervuren
Strengths:
General quality of the frame, very nice look,stiff, lightweight, ...
Weaknesses:
Icon graphite seatpost, cranks & stems. Paint job scratched after only 1 month.
This is a fantastic bike, however I broke my left shoulder after just one year of riding, this bike is made for every kind of trail, for dust & for mud, it gives you an all season ride.. A good "Tip", before you buy this bike, try to change some parts at the best price and you will have a Dream Bike. This bike is for hard riders. If you don't ride 1000 miles a year, try something else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kris
a Weekend Warrior
from colo spgs Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Monarch Crest/Tsali
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Criterium bikes Co.
Strengths:
stiff,light,awsome geom.
Weaknesses:
stiff (susp. post needed).Too pretty to scratch
Similar Products Used:
M2,cannondale, any high end alum.
Bike Setup:
Howard Hughes setup $$$ (2o.5 lbs.) Started with frameset
Bottom Line:
Best climber (short chainstays),Turns very well (low b.b.)Use susp. post for the perfect ride.As good as an alum. bikes get.If it breaks -Warranty.If its not my fault (jra).A few years they looked like Treks, now its a Klein again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pelle Stridsman
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The next.......
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
On sale at my local bike shop
Strengths:
Lovely frame, light and stiff. Bontrager Race wheels are on pair with the french competitors. Icon graphite parts.
Weaknesses:
Saddle is to soft with low quality, LX shifters & brakelevers doesn´t shine. The painting is a bit on the fragile side. Tyres work bad in mud.
Climbs like a goat. Shoots lika a rocket on pedalpower. Agile on tricky stuff. If you want your bum to have more allday comfort, change the poor saddle and go for a suspension seatpost. If you´re lucky and live in "Sun city" keep the tyres. But i you like me live in "Muddy hell" swap them for anything like the Wildgrippers.
It will probably earn the fifth Chilis after a long relationship. But for now, its a thery promising start.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Trent
a Cross Country Rider
from Chehalis, WA ( "Klein Country") Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
If it's dirt, rock or mud it'll work!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Chainwheel, ARK (used)
Strengths:
This bike is classy. It's viagra color gives it a viagra ride up every hill in Gary Klein's back yard! The XL frame geometry provides this 6'4" knuckle dragger a ride position that's better than missionary. Anyway, enough with my lust.
Weaknesses:
The paint, it chips, scratches and mucks-up pretty easy!
Similar Products Used:
Klein Manatou, Giant ATX880,
Bike Setup:
XT Drivetrain, Mavic wheels, Hutchinson Tires, Race Face headset, AVID Breaks, Walmart bottle cages for that polished look!
Bottom Line:
This is the only MTB any cross-country rider would need to buy. No need to upgrade the expensive pieces, the quality is here. Frame geometry and feel are very satisfying for a big guy like me. I often forsake my Klein Quantum for commuting on this lovely beast. You pick the terrain, and I'll ride it with pride on the back of my Klein!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Wester
a Cross Country Rider
from Mtn. View California Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
do I have to choose one?
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
Chain Reaction
Strengths:
Stiff frame. Very light. Exellent turning and handling in slippery conditions. Perfect gear ratio for any trail ride and all conditions. Beautiful paint job. Exellent choise of components. The perfect bicycle for me. I wouldn't ride anything else than a Klein.
Weaknesses:
I wish that I could say somthing but if I did then I would be wrong. I feel that it's the perfect bike for single track.
Similar Products Used:
None. Nothing rides like a Klein
Bike Setup:
Dead stock exept tires. They were changed to IRC mythosXC.
Bottom Line:
No other bicycle is like a Klein. I'm not saying they are any better, it's just a different feel than any other bike I have ever ridden. If you are looking for a bicycle that feels different than any other bike from handling to looks, then I encourage you to go check out a Klein and test ride it. I've found the perfect bike for me and will always ride a Klein even if the company goes under. It's not the first Klein bike I have ever owned and it will definetly will not be the last. So' if you are looking for a new bike go check out the Klein and see what you think.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G.F. Carling III
a Racer
from Southern Pines NC Date Reviewed: December 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Windridge GA
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
The Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
Frame is a "work of art" Climbs better than anything I have ever ridden. Tracks through corners with unparalled accuracy. Great warranty program. My orignal 99 model frame broke near the right rear dropout. Klein repaced it with this 2001 series, no questions asked. Try to get that at brand X.
Weaknesses:
Bontrager pedals.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Iron Horse, KHS, and Giant. None can really compare.
Bike Setup:
XTR/XT
Bottom Line:
Best bike I have ever had the pleasure to own, race and ride in the 17 years I have been an avid Mountian bike rider. Klein knows what people want and they deliver!!
this will be the only brand I will ever own. Next klein I purchase will be for my wife.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Austin, TX, USA Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Emma Long
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stiff, fast response, light, one tough bike
Weaknesses:
Lightweight tubing may dent on hard impact. Frame has tendancy to squeek at seatpost and drops.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Pulse, Stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
Manitou SX-Ti, Cane Creek Headset, Control Teck stem and bars, Mavic 121 on Ringle Hubs, XTR levers, XT brakes, Ritchie Speed Max 2.0/1.75 or Geax Sedona 2.25/2.25 tires f/r, Cook Bros Cranks, RaceFace 48/36/24, XT S.S. cassette, Look Pedals, Syncros post, Flite Ti saddle
Bottom Line:
This is my 2nd Klein and the sweetest ride I have ever had. My first Klein, Pulse Comp, broke right at the headset along a weld after years of hard use. Klein warranteed the frame with a brand new Attitude Race. KUDOS KLEIN!!! The Central Texas Hill Country has some great technical trails and never has this hardtail given me trouble. It has very fast response, stiff feel yet nimble and light. Bottom bracket height is perfect for going over large obstacles without too much work. My next bike will be also be a Klein.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: December 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Baldy Pass (Kananaskis)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Ridley Cycle and Sport
Strengths:
Ultra light weight, excellent climbing, and a great stock package.
Weaknesses:
No rear disk mounts (not like I'd add disk breaks to weigh me down)
Similar Products Used:
Fisher X-caliber, GT Zaskar LE.
Bike Setup:
Mars CL, SPOX M1 Wheels, Race face Turbine Cranks, Seat Post, and Stem. Changed all Icon stuff, to Race Face. Easton C2 Handle bar, XT brakes and levers.
Bottom Line:
Sweet ride, not the quickest going down, but the fastest going up. Changed most of the stock parts, mainly because of cosmetic reasons, and I wanted to see how light I could get this rig. The frame fork combination works!!! and works well. This frame is better than the Zaskar LE, which cost's more. I feel it's stiffer and I know it's lighter, what else needs to be said?!?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sarah
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockford, IL Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
Klein's attention to every little detail, welds, paint, everything. The bike is very light and stiff.
Weaknesses:
Paint scratches easily, but nothing with regard to performance
Similar Products Used:
various Trek and Fisher models
Bike Setup:
stock, XTR/LX and Avid brakes, Manitou Mars C fork
Bottom Line:
This bike is the sweetest bike I know of. It climbs like a dream, and even fits me just fine (I am a woman and have problems with that). I also use the bike for commuting sometimes,and it is great for that, the semi-slicks work well. It is a dream on any trail. The Mars C is an awesome fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor
a
from Cupertino, CA Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
frame stiffness, overall attention to detail, gorgeous paint. makes me climb farther than I normally could. And even with modest parts, the complete bike tips in under 25 lbs.
Weaknesses:
Well, it's hard to really blame the frame for this, but I had some really bad instances of chainsuck when I first bought the bike. And the bike shop I bought it from wasn't any help either. In fact, after their tweaking, the chainsuck was worse. I finally switched out the cranks for some RF Next. And my friend was able to set it up correctly. No more chainsuck.
Similar Products Used:
privateer, stumpjumper (you know who you are)
Bike Setup:
Stock (mostly LX/Avid, with an ornamental XTR r. der.) w/ RF Next cranks
Bottom Line:
Well, I don't want to be the one to break this string of 5 chilis,...so I won't . However, it's just a little bit heart-breaking when your LBS can't properly setup a bike, resulting not only in scratched paint, but in a severely gouged right chainstay. Buy the bike if you want a quality frame and intend to keep it for a long time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
racrXc
a Cross Country Rider
from sparta Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
everything. this is the best bike i have ever ridden for the price.
Weaknesses:
if not being able to take your eyes of it counts then i just have one
Similar Products Used:
cannondale f1000 sl
Bike Setup:
stock w/mars c(came standerd)
Bottom Line:
if u want a great bike w/good looks and an excellent ride this is the bike to get. it climbs like a dream however if u are not going to take care of it then don't buy it, it is to nice to not take care of.
i must say the value is about a 6 1/2 but i can only give a 5
i would highly recommend buying this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JNB
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX, USA!!! Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
This bike is a work of beauty, the frame material and build is exquisite
Weaknesses:
What more could someone want other than these beautiful bikes??
Similar Products Used:
Crack-'n-fail, Gary Fisher, Diamond Back, Haro
Bike Setup:
Factory + XTR CRANKS
Bottom Line:
So here's the deal. I had a '99 attitude comp whose frame sheared near the replaceable derailleur hanger where the bike is very thin. After a year and a half of racing and rides like The Death Ride in Kansas (bad ride everyone should do this!!)-- I guess this happens to the best of bikes. Anyways, after sending the bike to Klein they replaced the bike no question with the brand new 2000 attitude race. This bike is extrodinary. Internal cable routing, beautiful finish. I stood up and hammered up a hill on this bike first thing and it is so laterally stiff, I was flying up the hill. Never a better cross- country machine in terms of everything you could ever want for a bike. I have chills, and five chilis!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LEON WIL
a Cross Country Rider
from BERKS (UK) Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
BLACK PARK
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
AMAZING LIGHTNESS, AMAZING PAINT JOB, ABILITY TO GO WHERE U WANT IT TO. AND GREAT CLIMBER
Weaknesses:
NONE FOUND OF YET.
Similar Products Used:
KLEIN MANTRA COMP
Bike Setup:
XTR/LX MANITOU MARS C'S BONTRAGER RACE WHEELS
Bottom Line:
A KLEIN IS JUST A KLEIN AND AFTER VIEWING KONA,S, TREKS, AND ALL THE OTHER LARGE NAMES YOU BEGIN TO NOTICE THAT KLEIN PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL. WHO ELSE GIVES YOU A PAINT JOB ON A BIKE LIKE THAT? MY BIKE HAS THE MARS C FORKS INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL MARS THAT ARE SUPPLIED. THE FORK WORKS VERY WELL WITH A NICE BIG CARBON BOOSTER FOR SHOW. ALL IN ALL THE BIKE IS DEFINATELY A LOOKER AND JUST OOZES WITH CLASS. IF YOU WANT A BIKE TO BEAT AROUND THEN DONT BUY ONE OF THESE. IF U WANT A NICE BIKE TO RIDE AND TAKE CARE OF THEN INVEST YOUR MONEY NOW.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neon McConnell
a Cross Country Rider
from Helensburgh, Scotland Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Frame,Wheels, came with Mars Carbon for same price. Best fit of any bike I have ever ridden
Weaknesses:
Cheap headset
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8500, Specialized M2 Comp, Giant MCM,
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This was the first time I had ever ridden a Klein, and all I can say is that it was amazing. The frame was a medium, and even though just a wee bit to big, it was incredibly responsive, and just so comfortable, unlike anything else out there. I would like to try a small frame, just to compare, but it is the bike for me. Many thanks to all the staff at Alpine bikes in Glasgow, just about the nicest bike guys I have ever come across. Amazing bike! 5 flaming thingee's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Durell
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ or Sunapee, NH Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Estrella Mtns - Rainbow
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Just about everything
Weaknesses:
Tires that came stock, Brakes
Similar Products Used:
Treks, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Mtn Mix Components, Time ATAC pedals ... other nice piecesparts
Bottom Line:
It just rocks! Better than anything I've ever ridden, I'm actually a different person when I get on it, there isn't a trail I wont try, a ledge I wont shimmy, a climb to fierce
any way you get the idea ...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Floyd Bigbutton
a
from WI Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strengh, agility, feel
Weaknesses:
????
Similar Products Used:
Assorted Treks and Gary Fishers
Bottom Line:
I am 6'5" 245, and have always hada problem with breaking bikes, hell I've snapped 2 frames. This bike rocks. Feels responsive and comfortable, I've blasted the trails in WI, IL, and AZ on this thing and have done 75-100 mi rides on this thing and have no complaints comfort, reliability, or feel. This is the best bike I have ever ridden!!! Definitely worth the money!! (Hell a lot better stock than my trek that I dumped $1,500 into)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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