Looking for info on early Kleins
02-05-07 | 04:40 PM
#1
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Looking for info on early Kleins
I just unwrapped what I believe to be a very early Klein Team Super and I am surprised how little I can find online about these bikes. I was in the Bike biz when Klein first started selling frames and I remember the buzz about these unique, uber-expensive bikes. This particular one is unusual because it has no front derailleur bracket and has 120mm spacing for the rear triangle. It has ho-hum steel fork in factory paint and the components are early-70s Nuovo Record. Obviously, the bike was built up with used parts or stuff that had been in stock for awhile, because I think Klein first started selling frames in 1976. I cannot find a serial number in any of the obvious places, though I haven't pulled the fork yet.
Can anyone shed some light on these early Kleins? The 5-speed rear spacing would seem to place this as a very early frame. Any insights will be appreciated. Sadly, this frame is also cracked, but it would be nice to know something about its history.
Can anyone shed some light on these early Kleins? The 5-speed rear spacing would seem to place this as a very early frame. Any insights will be appreciated. Sadly, this frame is also cracked, but it would be nice to know something about its history.
02-05-07 | 05:00 PM
#2
The Bicycling! article about Gary Klein at MIT was in 1974 if I remember correctly. Small chance 1973.
I rode an early one, being used by Jack Mauk (sp) at the Griffith Park Grand Prix in Fall of 1975, too big for me but, when out of the saddle I knew THIS was the future.
His was an ugly almost flat black, backwards K on the head tube, steel chrome fork, 5 block, so 120mm spacing would be correct. I wondered about how comfortable it might be after 100 miles, but no question it was the stiffest thing out there. His initial pricing I think was above what a Teledyne Titan sold for.
I rode an early one, being used by Jack Mauk (sp) at the Griffith Park Grand Prix in Fall of 1975, too big for me but, when out of the saddle I knew THIS was the future.
His was an ugly almost flat black, backwards K on the head tube, steel chrome fork, 5 block, so 120mm spacing would be correct. I wondered about how comfortable it might be after 100 miles, but no question it was the stiffest thing out there. His initial pricing I think was above what a Teledyne Titan sold for.
02-05-07 | 05:15 PM
#3
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02-05-07 | 06:02 PM
#4
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From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Originally Posted by sbarner
I just unwrapped what I believe to be a very early Klein Team Super and I am surprised how little I can find online about these bikes. I was in the Bike biz when Klein first started selling frames and I remember the buzz about these unique, uber-expensive bikes. This particular one is unusual because it has no front derailleur bracket and has 120mm spacing for the rear triangle. It has ho-hum steel fork in factory paint and the components are early-70s Nuovo Record. Obviously, the bike was built up with used parts or stuff that had been in stock for awhile, because I think Klein first started selling frames in 1976. I cannot find a serial number in any of the obvious places, though I haven't pulled the fork yet.
Can anyone shed some light on these early Kleins? The 5-speed rear spacing would seem to place this as a very early frame. Any insights will be appreciated. Sadly, this frame is also cracked, but it would be nice to know something about its history.
Can anyone shed some light on these early Kleins? The 5-speed rear spacing would seem to place this as a very early frame. Any insights will be appreciated. Sadly, this frame is also cracked, but it would be nice to know something about its history.
The Team Super was a custom frame model that may have been built as late as 1989. Can't tell you much more than that but you'll like this page:
History-of-Klein-Road-Bikes-on-my-Blog
By "front derailleur bracket" do you mean a braze-on hanger? I don't think any Kleins have ever had one.
02-05-07 | 06:12 PM
#5
While the corporate histories are useful, leaves out much. Like the Agressive lawsuits to get royalties, for Trek, Schwinn and others.. ultimately being shot down as the concept of an oversize alloy welded tube construction bike was not new, unique and patentable.
I think the bikes are great, and started a big trend, but when the lawsuits first started, I thought, I've seen guys racing on something like that already...In the pages of Competitive Cycling...(remember that rag?)
My brother has a Top Gun, still a cool bike. But Garish graphics.
I think the bikes are great, and started a big trend, but when the lawsuits first started, I thought, I've seen guys racing on something like that already...In the pages of Competitive Cycling...(remember that rag?)
My brother has a Top Gun, still a cool bike. But Garish graphics.
