Is Klein a good bike brand?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by avilabrands, Aug 26, 2011.

  1. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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    /\ WOW, awesome photo of a great bike!

    Honestly, I normally appreciate old mountain bikes about the same as I do old personal computers (even though I still have my old Texas Instruments TI-99-4A if any of you older people remember those). But I certainly appreciate the quality and workmanship of the old Kleins. And although I didn't like the wild paint schemes back then, they sure seem cool now.

    I really like this thread.
     
  2. Beowulf Shaeffer

    Beowulf Shaeffer Titanium reinforced!

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    Esmeralda...British Racing Green:
    38778099.DSCF0001.jpg
     
  3. ahimanic

    ahimanic Victim of Karate Monkey

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    Thanks for the tip! Although I'm not really clear on which part of the Judy you are keeping and which part of the SID you are suppose to cut?

    Am I keeping the steer tube from the Judy by unbolting the crown? Where exactly am I suppose to cut from the crown on the SID? The steer tube?

    Actually, my Bomber has a removable, pinch-bolt crown so I have a removable 1" steer tube (see post# 27).
     
  4. jcw

    jcw New Member

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    I've messed around with this Judy crown swap thing a few times.
    The older Judys with the bolt on crown/steertube are going to be your platform to mount a SID, or newer Judy lowers, on your bike.
    The centerline of the fork stanchions is the same for these forks.
    You just remove the 1" crown/steertube assembly by unbolting it form the fork stanchions.

    With the early model SIDs, the crown/steertube is bonded to the stanchion tubes, rather than bolted.
    You will actually cut the crown at each stanchion so that you can remove it.
    You can do this carefully with a Dremel type tool, with a small cutoff wheel, or if you're steady handed, a good hacksaw.
    You don't even really need to go all the way through the aluminum crown to the stanchion tube.
    Once you're close, a large flathead screwdriver can be used to "twist and split" the opening to free the stanchion tube.
    The cut will mimick the "split" that is on the bolt on style crown.
    The crown from the SID is now junk.

    Bolt the Judy crown/steertube to the SID stanchions, and you're ready to go.
     
  5. ahimanic

    ahimanic Victim of Karate Monkey

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    Got it and thanks! Now does anyone know if the Mag 21 has the same stanchion centerline so I can use that as the steer tube/crown base? I think that one also has the pinch bolts for the stanchions.
     
  6. jcw

    jcw New Member

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    The Mag series forks DO NOT have the same centerline as the SIDs and Judys.
    The Mag series stanchion tubes are closer together.
     
  7. K6Rrider

    K6Rrider New Member

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    Thanks for the info. I have 91 rascal and still ride it with my buddies brand new Yeti SB66. I bought it because it was light( at the time) and the frame was different than anything else I saw out there. If Gary Klein is going to get back into making his frames, his way, that would be great.
     
  8. GBall

    GBall New Member

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    Man, this takes me back. I got my first Klein mountain bike in 1993 and rode the hell out of it until around 1997, when I gave it to a good friend. He still has it, and it still rides great - whenever I visit him I ride it.

    The pre-Trek bikes are some of the best ever built, and I would not hesitate to ride a low use one today. Even the early Trek ones are pretty good.
     
  9. danmtchl

    danmtchl danmtchl

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    Why does Trek do that to bike companies like Klein, Fisher, Lemond. I know they bought Klein for it proprietary frames. But Fisher and Lemonds, why stop making them? They put perfectly good bike companies out of business? I know Bontrager is parts but he was really only making frames and rims that I remember. Seems Trek does not like competition.
     
  10. GBall

    GBall New Member

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    Man, I have been wondering that for a long time now.

    - Bontrager steel frames were the tits. Now just reduced to a house-brand parts producer.
    - LeMond road bikes were super comfortable and tons of bang for the buck. Gone.
    - Fisher was a pioneer and always built a solid, no-nonsense bike. Now its the "Gary Fisher Collection" of Trek branded bikes.
    - Klein was everything already discussed in this thread. This one breaks my heart: after my first couple of Cannondale mountain bikes I rode Klein mountain and road frames for years until Trek ruined and then ultimately deep sixed the brand. I have personally even given some thought to buying a classic Klein, but I have not found the right one yet...I need a 22" and they seem to be damn rare.
     
  11. speckledtrout

    speckledtrout Active Member

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    I know that at least with Lemond, he and Trek had a very contentious relationship. Trek canned him and discontinued the Lemond line of bikes about 3 years ago.
     
  12. 4xdave

    4xdave #228

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    Saw my friend Jerry tonite, he still has his Klein hanging in his apartment! :)
     
  13. martink

    martink New Member

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    Here is my Adroit

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Pickettt

    Pickettt New Member

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    If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em. It happens everyday in every type of business.
     
  15. marshal

    marshal New Member

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    Just what I've been thinking...
     
  16. nailknot

    nailknot Member

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    I knew JCW would like that post.. He wears Klein underwear!
     
  17. danmtchl

    danmtchl danmtchl

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    I know but it sucks, let them go sink or swim as their own company not because Trek does not like competition. Some buyouts are good but these in the end were not.
     
  18. RGO

    RGO New Member

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    Yes, a Klein will last. I've had my 1992 Quantum road bike since '92 and have over 14K miles logged. Best money I ever spent on a bike!
     
  19. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Timely response to 7 year old post!
     

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