Strengths: It's a Klein! That means it's stiff where it needs to be - transferring your power to the road, but it doesn't beat you to death they way most other pro bikes do. You can ride it for hours.
This bike flies up hills, great looks and has those rare Campagnolo Record components.
Weaknesses: The finish might be one of the best available these days, but it doesn't come close to the quality of the early Klein frames. The welds are famously clean, but not as smooth as the vintage Kleins. And the paint is cool, but not as smooth a finish as when Gary was running the show.
Bottom Line:
I've own a 1981 vintage Klein and thought it was the best ride ever. That was until a friend of mine (who had an identical Klein) showed up for a ride last weekend and surprised me by unloading his new 2005 Q Pro XX from the van. Since we have the same build, he swapped bikes with me for a couple of our rides. I couldn't believe what a difference there was between the old and new Kleins.
Sure, 25 years is a long time, but the old Klein was still the best ride of any bike I've been on - that is until the Q Pro.
The Q Pro seems to flatten the rolling hills and I was able to climb the Ballard Canyon hill at a faster pace with my heart rate about 5% lower than normal for that climb. That's saying a lot considering my old Klein is still a great climbing bike.
The Campy Record Group looks great (gotta love all that carbon) and it works just as well. The 2005 XX bike seems to be the only model offered with Campy, since the 2006 now has the "S-word", Dura-Ace components (yuck).
After two rides, I just had to have that bike! Fortunately, there was exactly one 2005 Q Pro XX left in my size at the same shop where my friend bought his. It's now being set up for me including a splurge on an ErgoBrain computer. The only question now is what to do with my old Klein? It would not sell on eBay for what it's worth, so I guess I'll keep it.
This review is for a 2006 Q Pro. What can I say...the bike just screams 'Look at Me, Ride me!'. Why Trek continues to bury the Klein line is a mystery to me. I think if a LBS put five Klein's on display for sale and next to a series of top Trek's, I'm confident Klein would hold it's own by the end of the day. Anyhow, the bike rides like higher priced Euro rides. The paint color is called Vulcan Ember, aka Ruby Red.
Strengths: Stiffness, responsiveness and a beautiful paint job.
Weaknesses: Hard ride for long trips over a century.
Bottom Line:
If you like to climb, this is a wonderful bike to take up a steep mountain. I originally had a Quantum Pro but broke the frame (seat stay, of all things!) and this was the replacement frame I received from Trek-Klein in its place. I feel like I traded up in the process. Stiff, beautiful ride when you need to go up fast. Very nice to look at, as well. I'm going to move to a Campy drive train when the Ultegra groupo wears out. I highly recommend this bike and have nothing but praise for Gary Klein's bike design.
Strengths: See above. Thanks to the the San Diego TRAK store for getiting my bike very quickly [as no one stocks a 61cm].
Weaknesses: At 6'3" [or any one buying a 61cm or greater frame] - a 175mm crank set is very typically too small based on my study of biomechanics - physics.
Bottom Line:
This is a review for a 2006 Klein QPro XX [I was not given the "2006" option. Incredible bike period. Beautiful paint job. If you are a rider that seeks a longer top tube [which many riders do but often can not find] THIS is the bike co. for you. I'm 6'3" and have long struggled with 61-63cm bikes that just were not long enough. The 61cm QPro has a 60.5cm TT. Clean lines with the internal routing of the cables - light weight - DA 10 speed.
Strengths: Beautiful machine! The Red/Gold paint turns this into a piece of art. I've yet to see other megabuck machines with this quality of workmanship. Now that I'm used to the Record shifting, it's hard to go back to DuraAce/Ultegra. Now that I'm used to the Fizik saddle, I've bought 2 more for my other bikes!
Weaknesses: Bontrager tires suck. My first 2 rides I had a flat on each ride. Swapped to Michelin ProRace and haven't had a flat in the last 1000 miles. So far, paint has not chipped on the fork like some had reported. Bontrager seatpost clamp keeps slipping no matter how hard I tighten it.
Bottom Line:
Incredible machine with top-notch parts for the money. Every piece is an upgrade from my 2000 Quantum and 2001 Trek 5500. Rides smoother, faster and has an excellent stiffness to weight ratio. I'm 5-9" weigh 188 and have sprinter's legs - no hint of flex on hard climbs or on 38mph sprints. $4k is a lot to spend on a bike, but when looking at other Campy equipped high-end bikes, this one seems almost reasonable.
Currently on offer on eBay. Klein Q Pro Carbon frame with Bontrager fork. Just my size, too.
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7123791620&ssPageName=STR Read More »
