DiabloScott
friend
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Concord, California
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Quantum Pro all DA, Bontrager Race Lites.
Let's get this board rolling!
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Check out my bike blog! http://diabloscott.blogspot.com
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Kahuna
Forum Admin
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 162
Loc: Maui, Hawaii
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Kleins are some solid-looking frames. The words power transfer and accelleration come to mind when I look at this bike. I've heard many good things about Klein frames although a few complaints here and there about the proprietary internal headset. Can you summarize your feelings about this bike? From your `blog it looks like you put in many miles and my guess is your Klein feels like an old friend. Are there no problems with it being too stiff or harsh over rough pavement? Thanks for sharing the photo.
-K
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DiabloScott
friend
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Concord, California
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Hey thanks Kahuna - a friend (Calfee lover) sent me a link to this forum so I decided to sign up and I've enjoyed looking around. Glad to see the Klein board!
The proprietary headset is a concern but not a worry - my Klein is a '98 that I bought NOS in 2002 so it has the 1-1/16" steerer. The headset itself is very well designed and requires no adjustment at all, the bearings are fully sealed cartridge type and they install from underneath so it ought to last the life of the bike. There are readily available shims for the odd steerer if I ever need a different stem but the Klein MC3 stem is not bad at all. So far I've had no problem getting the few Klein proprietary parts from my dealer even though the new models don't require them. I have only had to replace one headset in 20 years of riding and that was crash damage (ran into a stopped car  ). If my Klein's headset ever needs to be replaced and I can't find the parts to do it then I'll still be happy for the time we had together  .
This is the first non-steel bike I've ever owned. I had a super stiff Ciocc criterium bike for eight years that beat me up on longer rides, then I bought my Eddy Merckx which was great for long rides but heavy by today's standards. I rode that Merckx for 10 years and dozens of centuries and I still love the way it handles. Most of my riding now though is UP. I ride Mt. Diablo once or twice a week and I ride about 4 hilly centuries a year so I really wanted something that excelled at climbing but not something that was stupid-light and fragile; this Quantum Pro comes through in spades.
I've always admired Kleins for their beauty and engineering - the paint jobs, the absolutely perfect welding, the internal cables and -yes - even the reverse rear dropouts. I really dislike the industrial look of Ti and welds that look like they came out of a toothpaste tube - I know lots of folks like that stuff so I'm happy for them - I like the look of smooth welds (Kleins are not filed) and luxurious paint. My frame looks jade green in bright daylight but as your angle of view changes the color changes to bronze then purple - truly awesome and that was the STOCK paint job! I get a lot of compliments on it and folks can't believe it's not a custom job. The graphics are "debossed" into the paint so you're seeing the undercoat, not a decal.
And the ride quality is superb - I do lots of centuries on crappy roads and this bike just doesn't abuse me the way some people say aluminum does - it just doesn't - it's not an issue. The road feel is definitely different from steel, but it's not harsh.
Thanks for reading my blog!
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Check out my bike blog! http://diabloscott.blogspot.com
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1centaur
journeyman
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 126
Loc: Massachusetts
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Comments on my new Klein Q-Pro Carbon Team from a dedicated carbon fiber (Calfee) lover:
Shockingly comfortable - about the same as steel or Ti frames with carbon forks/stays (only BIG bumps seem unusually jarring - no high frequency issues at all). No hesitation considering it for a century. Gigantic chain stays in comparsion with Tetra presumably aid power transfer. DA-10 makes direct comparison hard, since that crank is very smooth, but it's the first bike in my stable to be competitive with the Tetra in climbs and accelerations. In fact, it feels slightly back heavy, which lends balance to out of the saddle climbing that makes that activity more efficient than on the Tetra by a significant margin.
Having tried aluminum, I'll go back to carbon on future purchases (partially due to expected frame life), but the Klein is great to ride and great to look at - picking my rides each weekend just got a lot harder.
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"You never make a gift of Ventoux"
Eddie Merckx to Lance Armstrong
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timto
new member
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 29
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Ooh! I won an ebay auction for this same frameset last week. Due to arrive Monday. I'm so excited... I've wanted one of these for a while - and particularly one of the older pre carbon models. I hope all of the great things you, and others, have had to say are true.
Nice Bike.
Cheers!
Tim
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DiabloScott
friend
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Concord, California
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OK, it's like Thursday now... where's the photo?
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Check out my bike blog! http://diabloscott.blogspot.com
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timto
new member
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 29
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Hey diabloscott.
Just got the bike back from the shop. No bar tape yet - but submitted a pic to Kahuna anyway...
Same colors! The digital pics really don't do that paintjob justice. I like how the DT 'Klein' is painted in under the clear.
It was in great shape and I got a wicked deal. Very happy. Just hope it rides nice!
Cheers
Tim
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DiabloScott
friend
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Concord, California
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EXCELLENT! You will love how the bike rides. On my first ride I thought the steering was a little too aggressive but I got used to it quickly and now it's completely natural. The responsiveness and efficiency of power transfer will really surprise you. Mine weighs about 17.5 pounds as seen in the photo (but that's just with my bathroom scale so who knows?... I should get a better measurement someday).
I got mine on eBay also - actually I went to the guy's house because he was local - it was a bare frame that had never been built up and I got it for $525 - grand total of about $2300 for an all-new all Dura Ace bike that went for about $3500 (sans pedals) when it first came out.
I'm interested in how your Campy Record works with this bike. Mine has the shifter adjusters right next to the hoods where the cables come out but since Campy has the cables under the tape I can't figure out where you'd put them - does your bike have any shifter barrel adjusters? I think some of the newer Kleins have downtube barrel adjusters but I like having them right up front. Looks like you must have the steerer shim to use that stem too - no big deal, right?
In addition to the big tubes (quite a bit bigger than Cannondale if you get a chance to compare), and the beautiful paint, I really like the clean look of all hidden cables. I had never used CO2 inflators before but I couldn't bring myself to strapping a pump on such a gorgeous frame so I made the switch. I suggest you do the same if you haven't already. Also get a wireless computer… of course.
Congrats Tim! Welcome to the club. The Klein website has a .PDF tech manual you can download for year 2001 that covers this bike. I'm pretty sure yours is a 1998 model - you can tell by the serial number under the bottom bracket: mine is 55 X01 98 037 P which means it's a size 55 made in '98, I'm not sure if the rest of the numbers mean anything, but I'd be interested in what your bike's serial number is.
Scott
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Check out my bike blog! http://diabloscott.blogspot.com
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timto
new member
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 29
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Hey dude.
I got the frame too for 500. It came in great condition and I'm really pleased. The shop built it up without shifter adjusters! Without the barrels, the only option was to go with the cable mounted ones like you mention but nearly impossible with the campy set up as there is little room on my tiny frame from when the shifter cable leaves the bar tape to where it dives into the frame. I'll just have to make sure it is in tight working order.
I'm really jazzed to ride it! I'm coming off a nice steel frame but would like to see how this thing flies when stomped on.
I'll take you up on the advice about C02 and wireless computer too. Mavic makes a neat computer that uses the skewer as part of the set up.
My serial is 53x0498027?
Cheers man!
Tim
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rossRED
new member
Reged: 01/11/04
Posts: 10
Loc: Leeds, England
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Just bought a Klein 2003 for a silly bargin price after reading there is no difference between that and this years frame.
Currently i'm waiting to get my money back on a Ridley frame i almost bought so im unable to dress the Klein in what it deserves...Record 2004!
I'd like some recommendations from u guys for the following;
Saddle
Seat Post
Stem
Handlebars
Wheels (training wheels)
Pedals
This is what i decided;
Saddle = Fizik Airone
seat Post = Record 2004
Stem = Deda Newton Oversized
Handlebars = Deda Newton Oversized
Wheels = Mavic 2004 Equipe
Pedals = Look 5.1
Im not on a budget here and dont mind spending!
Have to wait though till Friday till i get my money back, pick up my frame and order my groupest and the rest! After reading the reviews im soooooo lookin forward to hittin the road!
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DiabloScott
friend
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Concord, California
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Welcome rossRED!
I'd say all that stuff is of the correct caliber to put on your new frame! Watch your seatpost selection though - I'm pretty sure you'll need a 31,6mm diameter... you can check your owner's manual or the Klein site but "as big as you can get" has been Klein's philosophy regarding seatpins. Anyway, I'm not sure Campy Record comes that big. Thomson Elite is what I picked but you can also get Bontrager and maybe a few others.
Also make sure you get the Klein specific downtube barrel adjusters or you won't have any at all with a Record gruppo.
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Check out my bike blog! http://diabloscott.blogspot.com
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rossRED
new member
Reged: 01/11/04
Posts: 10
Loc: Leeds, England
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hello thanks for ur comments. Please can u elaborate on Klein specific downtube barrel adjusters? U've lost me there?
thanks!!
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DiabloScott
friend
Reged: 12/30/03
Posts: 35
Loc: Concord, California
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Sure but let's get some new threads going here rather than just this one "catch-all" thread.
BTW, "burning poinsettia red" would definitely be my first choice of the color schemes currently offered! I like that Nightstorm too though.
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Check out my bike blog! http://diabloscott.blogspot.com
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