Porschefan

Here's another bike that has a lot of visual appeal, but I know nothing about. It's a "Klein Quantum" with Dura Ace running gear. He's lowered the price to $850.00, so I'm suspecting it might be overpriced, but asking wiser heads here.

STP

Scooper

THIS ONE went for $499 on ebay.

I think $850 is significantly overpriced.

thinktubes 

Agree

b00dah

I may be a bit late on the draw for this one but just chiming in nonetheless... It is somewhat of a sad day that a lot of items are procured and plopped on ebay and craigslist for a fast, and often unrealistic buck. That bike as pictured is in no way worth $850. Only in the head of the seller in this case, in which they are dreaming (of a payday). Cut it in half and then you should jump, but I'd be hesitant to do such a thing.
Good luck.

zukahn1 

I would say overpriced also in most markets on CL a seller just isn't likely to get much over $400 on a road bike that is presented incomplete and not ready to ride. As presented I would say only $300 or so on this one. If it was complete ready to ride fully serviced $450. While really nice bikes Klein is mainly known for mountain bikes and most buyers are looking for steel or carbon fiber on this level.

Porschefan

I just noticed the two recent responses adding to the consensus of the Klein Quantum being overpriced.

So I checked the ABQ CL to see what the status is and it's still there (big surprise). AND...there's ANOTHER one, also with Dura-Ace offered at $1,100 (!!). IIRC, the second one has been on CL several times in the last few months. Given the opinions expressed here, no surprise.

STP

RoadGuy

This 2nd bike you found (Quantum Race) is not exactly the same as the first one you posted (Quantum). Looks like the Quantum Race was a more expensive model (larger diameter threadless steering tube). The most important thing is that the bike fits you if you are going to ride it, and are not a collector. The bikes you supplied links for a two different sizes.

A bike that fits you is worth infinitely more than a bike that does not, and a bike that you can't ride is no bargain at any price.

If you want a inexpensive bike that rides like a Klein, without the Klein price, look for a Schwinn 564, 684, 753, or 974. These were the last US made aluminum frames Schwinn bikes, and Klein was the advisor to Schwinn at the time these bikes were designed and built by Schwinn. If you look at the frames, they even look like Kleins (without the amazing paint job and colors). I bought my 1989 Schwinn 754 as a leftover from a Schwinn Dealer in the early 1990s for $300. My 54cm 754 weighs about 20 pounds. You can occasionally find them on CraigsList and eBay for $300-$500. I've been watching a stripped frame that's been advertised on CL for months for $75.

Porschefan

Update: this bike is STILL on local Craigslist. Price is now $500 for complete bike. $300 for frame.

STP

big chainring 

Sometimes I overpay for a bike because I really want it. Maybe someone out there is looking for a Klein and is willing to pay for it.

I've seen bikes on Chicago CL that are listed for years. A few months is nothing.

Frankly I'm kinda tired of "giving" my bikes away at low prices. I'd like to see a boost in prices. In this economy, or whats left of it, its not likely.

mstateglfr 

Since I am never going to make a living at fixing up and selling bikes, I would rather the market prices as a whole stay down.

This really only applies to the low, mid, and mid high end bikes. Nothing collectible or historic.

They were meant to be used- keeping the prices attainable allows for more transactions and use.
Seeing World Sports listed for $250 just pushes everything else up in price. And for what?...very few are into vintage bikes to make money.

DMC707

You ain't kiddin' ---- pretty disconcerting to put 5k into a bike and its barely worth a G-note in a few years , even in excellent condition

--- or worse , in the case of this Klein , $500 bucks because its missing a seat and bar tape -- geez (but presentation is everything , - a take off seat from the bike shop plus some bar tape and the dude could ask more $$ on ebay ) . Klein is a nice bike ----- as a pop history lesson, the mountain bike hanging in Jerry Seinfeld's apartment with the backwards stem is a Klein Attitude --- but around year 2 or 3 of the show, bike was a Cannondale for a while --- later on, the Klein was back
--- There was kinda' sponsor dollar war over there i imagine

Klein was always the "boutique Cannondale" of sorts ---- same type of bike , but with a better pedigree

Stucky

GROSSLY over-priced for an older Quantum eith DT shifters. That bike, as pictured, would be questionable at $200. I saw one of those older-style Quantums on Ebay a while back, priced at $900 (!!) and the guy kept it on there for over a year and a half! (I guess some people can't accept the true value of what they're trying to sell; even when no one out of 80 million Ebay users is willing to pay their price....)

The Quantum Race on the other hand, is a MUCH better bike- but still, most of them on Ebay are over-priced. I got my '97 ('97-c. 2001 or whenever it was that Trek bought them out, is the sweet spot for Quantums), with updated Dura-Ace brifters and RD, and in mint condition, shipped, for $700.

To take exception with what another poster said; Klein wasn't just know for mountain bikes. These Quantums (late 90's ones, anyway) are renowned for not only being stiff, capable road/race bikes, but also for having an amazing ride for aluminum- as they ride like carbon fiber. They weigh right around 19 lbs. (and could easily be made quite a bit lighter), and the late 90's ones sold for around $2300 when new. AMAZING bikes! They have a cult-like following- and are very popular in Germany.

As you can see in my signature, I have a 97 Quantum Race, and a '13 Venge. The Venge has NOTHING on the Klein! Both bikes ride beautifully- but believe it or not, I think I'd actually give the edge to the Klein as being superior.

If you come across a reasonable deal on a late 90's Quantum Race....get it! You won't be disappointed. One of the best bikes ever made, IMHO. Oh, and they look amazing, in-person; they were known for their awesome paint-jobs- and pictures can't do them justice.

Stucky

It's not so much the missing seat and bar-tape, and pedals, etc. per-se, but rather, what those things say about the bike and the seller- i.e. that this bike is either owned by someone who doesn't have a clue about/doesn't care about bikes; is just a collection of parts; or was picked up as something that was being discarded for what ever reason, and the seller just has it to try and make a buck on it, without knowing or caring anything about it. Those things would indicate that it is likely in poorer shape, than one that was owned by a loving owner, and which was gently ridden and kept in nice shape, and maintai9ned and ready to be ridden.

jet sanchEz

I think a Klein would be a really fun bike to have if you can find one of their really rad paint jobs. This is a Jamaican Gold Quantum Pro, it hits all the right buttons

DMC707

Oh - look at those beautiful Shamal wheels That , or one of the old Team Z Lemond's would look awesome hanging in my bike shop ! (bike shop is the term my wife uses for the room off my garage where i toil away at my hobby -- not an actual bike shop)