Old Klein?
 

So for the last few months, I've been interested in Klein bikes for reasons unknown. I think it's probably the engineering aspect and how it got started from a grad school project (I'm a mech. engineering) or the whole exotic, unobtanium aura from the 1990s (I've been reading old bike magazines).

That said, there's a guy in my area selling a mountain frame+fork. If the price is right (absurdly cheap, for instance), do you think it's worth a shot? I've heard bad things about the aluminium being weak and all after a few years and the headaches with the proprietary components so I'm kind of unsure about that.

I don't know much about it as it was part of a mass listing. What's a good price or should I just wait for a complete bike to come around when I have the money? Or should I just save the money and upgrade my Rockhopper with XT/R components when I finally get the money? (I have been thinking about that too :D)

Klein's are a piece of cycling history. As an ME you should understand that the fatigue life of aluminum is way below steel, carbon, and titanium. However, the engineers at Klein were not idiots and obviously compensated for this to give their frames a decent life span. I would not worry about it being weak because its old. The Head Mechanic at my shop is a big dude and there was never a problem riding his Klein hard. One of the girls who works the front rides a klein roadbike, no issues there. I wouldnt worry about it. There is a risk with any bike old or new of breaking. If its cheap you might be able to sell it for what you paid and not be out anything down the road.

I know a guy with two full suspension Klein's from the later 90's. He keeps them running with help from swap meets and eBay. They work great and he rides them regularly.

That said, he's getting a new 29er full suspension this winter.

The old bikes are great but can't compare to modern designs and parts. If you want a cool bike that can still do some damage in the woods, get the Klein and fix it up. If you want the best bike for your money, go new.

I've got a weak spot for Kleins too. If the frame is in good shape and the correct size go for it. Used parts are cheap so you should be able to do it reasonably. You could also check craigslist for a donor bike form the same era and swap everything over to the Klein. Is it a rigid fork or a suspension? When you get finished you should have a nice ride that you wont see anyone else out riding on the trails.

I'm still trying to convince myself it's a good idea to buy a Klein Mantra.

As far as price, do you know what model it is? If so check ebay, there are a few frames and complete bikes up there.

Klein did have some wacky proprietary stuff in the front end. Wacky headsets, one piece bar/stems, weren't there even one piece bar/stem/fork combos at one point? Insane!!!

I'd probably go for it if it's $40. If it's a pre-Trek Klein maybe $80. If you're paying any more I'd need to know way more about it. Got any pics you could put up on a pic posting side and link to from here? If it's in good shape I might pay a little to a lot more for the frameset.

there is a big space in my heart for pre-Trek Klein frames and the one piece bar stem combos.