Klein Bicycle Corporation 1999 Quantum

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Any sunny day

Bike Setup:
1999 Quantum frame, Ultegra triple group using flat bar shifters etc. Chris King headset, Syncros carbon seatpost and bar. Schwalbe Stelvio tires on Mavic CXP33 rims 3X 32H double butted spokes.

Summary:
1999 Quantum frame was bought from a friend who bought the 57cm size which was way too big for him and as a result he only rode it 4 times. After stripping the parts (Shimano 105) off, it hung on his basement wall until now. He finally relented and I bought this Chehalis built classic. As I didn't want a carbon or steel frame I'm extremely satisified.

Strengths:
Stiff yet not too harsh especially with the carbon fork/post/bars. Climbs and accelerates well.

Similar Products Used:
None, first road bike in 15 years.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at A shop in Barcelona,

Favorite Ride:
Page Mill Road

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 gruppo, Rolf Vector for training and Rolf Sestriere for racing. Look pedals. Selle Italia Sphere. Icon seat post, stem and handlebar.

Summary:
This is a great frame and a great bike. I read other comments here, claiming that the 105 setup is too low-level for this bike. It’s true, framesets at such level are usually equipped with higher gruppos. On the other hand, this is what allowed me to stretch my budget just a bit and enjoy this frame.
If you feel that carbon is too soft for you, and you like rigidity and ultimate responsiveness, this bike is for you.
I have owned this bike for 4 years now, since new, and now upgraded to another Klein, the Q Pro Carbon.

Strengths:
Responsiveness, power transmission. Paint job. A top of the line frame with entry-level componentes allows you to enjoy its ride even if your budget is not sky-high. This bike is so great, when it grew old I bought a new Klein.

Weaknesses:
I never suffered on this bike during long rides, but I assume that riders that look for a smooth rather than agressive ride will not like this bike.

Similar Products Used:
Dawes

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Road Bike Review Classifieds

Favorite Ride:
W & OD Trail

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105, carbon fork, Pave saddle, Rolf wheels, Continental tires

Summary:
Fast. Amazed at how quickly it accelerates - and I'm no road racer. Very easy to keep a good pace going on inclines and flats.

Easily ascends hills and I've found it fairly smooth, stable and predictable over bumps though you do tend to feel the bumps.

The 105 components are good enough for me and shift smoothly. I think it's a great deal because the frame is so sweet.

Add to this, the fact that the frame is made in the USA by hand and not some mass manufacturing facility somewhere in Taiwan for a half dozen other manufacturers. This is a Klein frame made exclusively for a Klein road bike.

With the carbon fork, Rolf wheelset combo and the price I paid for it ($850) what more could you ask for?

Strengths:
Responsiveness, light weight frame, Rolf wheelset, good looks

Weaknesses:
None that I have come across

Similar Products Used:
Diamondback 2000 Master, Raleigh Technium (my old bike), various Giants and Schwinns

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Hutch's Eugene, OR

Bike Setup:
All Dura-Ace drivetrain, brakes. Modolo Stem & bars, Matrix ISO rims, replaced steel fork with aluminum.

Summary:
What a ride, do NOT try riding any other bike downhill at 70mph (actually clocked at 73mph), super stable. Will climb hills even if rider can't. Only regret is cannot use newer components, rear triangle supports 6 speed only. I have riden over mountains, raced it, completed centuries. Bike has 14 years and approximately 50,000 miles and it still looks and rides great. Even if I never ride again I will not part with this bike.

Strengths:
This is one incredible bike! Stiff frame, great components, rolls forever.

Weaknesses:
Could have slightly tighter geometry

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1500, 2000

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at local bike shop

Favorite Ride:
3 Bears/San Pablo Reservoir

Bike Setup:
stock, with Shimano Dura-Ace pedals

Summary:
As a full suspension mountain biker, I was amazed at the lightness, speed, and acceleration of the Klein Quantum. If you can afford it, go with quality, get a Klein. I paid $1400 (w/o pedals) at my local bike shop, after showing them that Supergo.com was offering same bike for $1299.

Strengths:
excellent workmanship, internal cabling, great paint

Weaknesses:
at this price, components should be better than 105 grade

Similar Products Used:
None