My first Klein
 

Anyone know much about Kleins? I picked this up with a box nice parts for a pretty good price. It looks really similar to a similar colored Cannondale that I once had. I am probably not going to keep it, but will ride it for a while to see what the ride is like. Input would be great!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1...1000000153.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5...1000000154.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...1000000155.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...1000000156.JPG

It sure looks like an ‘83/’84 C’dale frame. What makes you think it’s a Klein?

The previous seller said it was a Klein and I see remnants a "K" on the downtube.

Perhaps I should have titled this thread "is this a Klein?"

It may be. On second blush, the welds look better brushed.

Pretty sure it is not a Cannondale, because of the rear rack mount on the seat stay, the lack on dent on the chain stay, the cable stopper, the top tube cable guides and the panto on the fork crown. The last owner should be on a much bigger frame.

I just noticed the curve in the top of the seat tube. I don’t think C’dale would have put that superfluous detail in. Why do people always seem to turn their bikes into SS these days?

In that last pic you can clearly see the fork crown sports a Klein "K" in each side :)

Ah thanks. I didn't realize that was a Klein logo. I tried to find it on google images, but no avail.

I am guessing information on specific Klein bikes are difficult to find?

I was going to say the same thing about the fork - definitely a Klein - http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...cals/Klein.jpg

What size is the frame? The other question would be trying to identify the year. You could try the Old Klein website. Not sure if it would be of help. Does it have a pressed bottom bracket?

I guess 1989 Performance. Serial number is probably under the rear dropout.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...252520001B.jpg

This is a 1990
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U...252520001A.jpg

Here's my page of Klein photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/1081129...SerialNumbers#

Here it is all fixed up with various Shimano parts:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p...0/DSC02983.JPG

This is a blast to ride. Stiff, but it is a rocket! I would keep it if I weren't trying to downsize the stable, so it's already up on CL. Don't really know how much I can fetch for it...

Wow, it looks alot better with a proper stem and the seat brought down so a human can ride it!

Yeah, aluminum frames can be pretty stiff, but they are rockets IMHO!!

Thanks! I'm totally a steel guy (although I have a modern alu bike...), but these alu frames have an inspiring ride in their own right.

Although newer than yours and I've only had a chance to ride it outside once (MN weather) I'm loving mine. On the one outisde ride (I'm working on fit on the trainer), yes, very stiff...and that's what Gary Klein was going for in the design of his frames.

BTW, good Klein catalog resource at vintage-trek: http://vintage-trek.com/trek-fisher-klein-lemond.htm

2001 Quantum, 2011 Shimano 105 group, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. Post-Trek but pre-move to Wisconsin so still a Washington made Klein.

I lack the tires on the way from PBK and the bottle cages, which arrived yesterday.

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/im...in/almost3.jpg

Not C&V but it's gonna get the !@#$%^&*() ridden out of it.

Word has it...from a well known member, Kleins and Cannondales are 'EPIC' rides(especially the XXXL sizes).

Kieth, nice work.

I thought they were just Cannondale STs and NOTHING else.

Lol. Yep, you are correct. I would almost bet that all of his posts have 'epic' and 'Cannondale' in them, along with 'junk' and 'steel'

Thanks. I know it's stiff as @#$%^&*. When I have it on the trainer and get out of the saddle there's far, and I mean FAR less flex than when I have one of my Fuji's in the trainer. I'm very anxious to see what the road feel is like when I can actually get it out on a road. For now, the trainer works for fit (somewhat, road IS different).

Keywords: epic, cannondale, ST, junk, steel, BOB, Jan Heine, Grant Peterson

This is sounding like a CL ad...

LOL!

On a somewhat related note, I did some work at Gary Klein's house recently. Struck me as being a regular guy. His wife even brought out fresh baked cookies for the guys.

Keith, your aluminum bikes are getting newer and newer. I bet if you sold one or two of those steel bikes you could fund a CAAD9...

Kidding aside, that Klein is freaking sweet!

Nice Kleins guys!

Put them in the aluminum bike lovers thread - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=aluminum

Heh...with the Klein, no CAAD9 needed. I've had a CAAD9 before I got sucked into C&V. Thus far I think the Klein is a better frame.

The nice thing about this 2001...no funky headset (well, a Cane Creek S-2 Aheadset), no funky BB, 1 1/8" fork...all standard stuff.

With the addition of this, the Black Lightning will likely go in the spring after I put a few miles on it. I don't need two modernish aluminum bikes. Doing anything to the Black Lightning like I did to this would be a complete travesty.

She sometimes posts on the Klein Lover's Facebook page too.