Weaknesses: Some may view the price as a weakness, but this standard of quality doesn't come cheap anywhere.
Bottom Line:
This is by far the most enjoyable steed I've ever owned. I bought mine as a framest from my local dealer (he bought the full bike and a custom frame, swapped the parts and sold me the original frame). The frame is a work of art. Smooth welds, integrated headset, internal cable routing giving smoother cleaner looks, carbon fork, and that paint!!! Pearlescent with transferless transfers!? Klein spray the base coat, apply the transfers, spray the top paint coat, and then peel off the transfers before lacquering. The result is an indented logo with no transfer, which looks so superior to the lacquered-on transfers seen on other frames, and can never peel off.
This is one of the lightest stiffest frames available today. I was amazed at how well it climbs. Every single joule of energy input is used to drive it forward. Nothing is wasted in frame flex. Even with my not so light component set, it weighs in at just over 16lbs.
Even the least confident rider would have no problems cornering at speed on this frame. It feels so stable and sure footed on all but the very worst of surfaces
Bike Setup: Full Shimano Ultegra set, Dura-Ace BB. Easton EC 72 carbon seatpin, Selle Italia Flite Gel Ti saddle, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, Hope Ti Q/R skewers.
An incredible frame. Was in a race this week- felt like I had an upper hand whenever I needed to pound uphill or sprint. Despite its stiffness, handles like a dream on curves and downhills. Not bad at absorbing large bumps either, but will transmit vibrations to rider. Bonuses are the paint, internal cable routing which makes the frame look sooo clean, and the integrated headset. What a frame!!
This is a warning to prospective buyers of Klein Q-Pro Carbons and Quantum pros. I purchased a NOS (new, old stock) 2000 Quantum Pro with a badly installed integrated headset (apparently, Klein's quality control is lousy). Took it to my local Klein dealer for repair and they just scratched their heads. Told me they'd never worked on a Klein integrated headset before. In fact, they didn't even own the $400 tool it needs to be fixed. I called other Klein dealers and was told the same thing. No one could repair it. I wrote Klein and they were indifferent. They wouldn't honor the warranty because I wasn't the original owner. They couldn't care less that local service was unavailable. (Nor did they apologize for allowing a faulty, new frame to leave their factory.) Their only suggestion was to pay to ship it to them and pay to repair it. Thanks bunches. I even wrote John Burke, the President of Trek (Klein's owner), asking for help. He never bothered to reply, much less help. Very professional, Johnny. So, my $1600 Klein frame continues to hang in my garage, looking pretty but completely useless as a bike. My advice is to avoid Klein's integrated headset frames (and any other bike distributed by Trek), because when something goes wrong you can expect no customer service or support. With so many choices, why do business with a company like Klein/Trek?
Strengths: Incredible sprinter and climber
Stable on descents
Great handling
NO unwanted flex
God, the paint.
Solid fork
Internalized cable routing gives the frame a smooth look
Weaknesses: Top tube is horizontally ovalized, and sometimes rubs my inner thighs
Unusual steerer tube diameter-in between 1" and 1 1/8"
May be a little stiffer for lighter riders
Bottom Line:
Great frame. Probably one of the most responsive frames out there. The thoroughly manipulated aluminum transfers all energy into forward motion, while trying to minimize road shock. the integrated headset is without flaw, and saves weight. A true work of art by Gary Klein.
Weaknesses: Weird sized steerer tube (between 1 and 1 1/8)
Bottom Line:
Incredible frame/fork. Great for racer,may be too harsh for those who just want to cruise. Accel, climbs, and even descends incredibly well. Overall quality is flawless. This is a work of art.
