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Submitted by
Klein Rider
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Super light, race-friendly geometry, sharp handling, responsive, superb frame craftsmanship, great climber. | | Weaknesses: | Thin-wall frame means it's relatively easy to dent - but that's the price you pay for a top-end lightweight race bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridgeback, Saracen, a few others, but never turned back after buying the Klein. | | Bike Setup: | XT components, with various upgrades over the years. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review of the 1999 Attitude, the version that features external cabling, rather than the annoying internal cabling of earlier models.
This is an awesome bike, truly deserving of its legendary status. The frame is so light (2.8lb / 1.3kg) that if you match it with good lightweight components, the overall weight is not far off a top-end carbon hardtail (around 23lbs / 10.4kg).
The responsiveness of this bike is inspiring, it has laser-accurate steering and you really feel every part of the trail. The stiffness of the frame can make some trail sections a little uncomfortable, but the pay-off is immense acceleration and amazing climbing ability. It just makes you want to ride faster and faster. Downhill handling is composed, and twisty singletrack is a joy - it just destroys them all. On even the slightest downhill gradient it picks up speed immediately and seems to ride itself!
The thin-wall frame can be dented fairly easily, but this is not specific to this bike - it will happen with any thin-wall alu frame.
The micro-rear dropouts have never caused me any problems. People have talked of their rear wheels popping out during a ride - they're obviously not tightening them properly!
Summary - after riding this bike, you will never be able to ride another 'normal' bike again. You will be stuck wanting top-end hardtails that can match the responsiveness, character and speed of this bike. Better start saving up! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
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