Klein Bicycle Corporation 1999 Quantum Pro

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
The Alps

Bike Setup:
55cm Frame, Dura Ace complete, custom-made wheelset (lighter and stiffer than any comparable system), Syncros seat post, Selle Italia SLC, Ritchey handlebar, Syntace stem, Speedplay pedals - about 7kg

Summary:
Starting with Klein MTBs (Pinnacle, Attitude), I quickly purchased a Klein Quantum in 1993 and rode it and rode it and rode it. Since its presentation I’d like to own a Pro, and at least I got my hands on one. Though I thought the Quantum was nearly perfect and the Pro would be at least lighter, I learned that the Pro is a quantum leap ahead. I never had a smooth and fast ride like the Pro before or after, even when tested modern carbon rigs.

Strengths:
Very responsive, accellerates very quick, perfect handling (like a scalpel), beautiful looks, excellent quality

Weaknesses:
Some may say that these are weaknesses: the rear dropouts, the internal cables and the unusual steerer. But I think even a monkey can LEARN to handle the dropouts and changing the cables, and if you take a look at modern carbon rigs you can see that Gary Klein was just 10 years ahead of his time.

Similar Products Used:
Rode a ’93 Klein Quantum for several years; tested recently Cannondales, Treks, Principias, Specializeds, Pinarellos, etc. - and only Cervelo’s R3 and Canyon’s F10 were able to top my Quantum Pro in performance though not in appearance!

Price Paid:  $40000.00

Favorite Ride:
the chilterns

Bike Setup:
Full Campag record 10 speed except; zero gravity brakes, lots of titanium fittings, no viagra, carbon stem bars and post, reynolds carbon wheels, tune skewers, Flite SLR saddle,

Summary:
This is one awesome piece of kit
It looks great and rides a lot better. I have turned away a lot of people who want to buy it. I have ridden it for 200 miles in a day and loved every mile. It copes with rough road surfaces better than any bike I have ever had. I have had sex with more women because I have a Klein than because I have and aston martin

Strengths:
Light weight, stunning looks, comfort, precision handling, total confidence at speed, nobody has one, everybody wants one, women want a Klein rider more than anything else

Weaknesses:
The rear dropouts and internal cables. Not really a weakness, with acquired skill and patience they are no big deal, but if you can't be arsed to learn something new and idiosynchratic go and by something else with the same set up as everyone else.
The babes will notice though

Similar Products Used:
Nothing, there is nothing on the market quite like it. I have a lot of bikes, but they are all too different to be compared to a Klein. And none of them pull women like a Klein

Price Paid:  $2900.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
craig creak

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
At first I really loved this bike. Unfortunately, 5 years later, klein's unconventional design has started to become a problem. If you want to replace things like your seat post, head set or stem, it is a hassle.

Strengths:
light, stiff, handles well for racing, makes you want to ride fast.

Weaknesses:
If your integrated headset goes bad you are pretty screwed.
you have to change your own rear wheel if you flat in races because of the horizontal drop outs.
It's hard to find other 31.6 seatposts if you want to replace the thompson.
either you have to listen to the bike shop complain about your internal cable routing, or fix it (and complain) yourself. Steerer tube is an unconventional size, so you can't replace the stem

Similar Products Used:
old trek aluminum

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Richardson Bike Mart

Favorite Ride:
MS150

Bike Setup:
All DuraAce componentry.

Summary:
Like riding on RR tracks. It is by far the smoothest ride I have ever taken. The DuraAce components make it ever so effortless and crisp to switch gears. The paint job is worth it alone with a dual tone-blue and lavender(depending on your perspective of the bike)

Strengths:
Smooth
light
well built

Weaknesses:
They have got to do something about the internal cable routing. It causes a lot of noise while riding over bumps etc...

Similar Products Used:
Colnago
LiteSpeed

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at bike shop

Bike Setup:
dura ace componets, zipp wheels, 42/52- 11-21,michelin axial pros, thompson seat post, sella italia flite saddle, 3t handle bars

Summary:
this is one smooth ride. i'm a little guy 5'6 140 and i ride in the vertically challenged state of florida. although flat its always windy and this bike just flies.i've also taken this bike with differnt gearing and road 300 miles of the blue ridge parkway and its just as smooth riding up mt mitchell or granfather's mt. as it is cornering on the descent. if you can spare the extra change you will not be disappointed.

Strengths:
awesome paint job. the bike looks good clean or dirty. the ride is smoother than the carbon fiber i had before this bike. its quick in and out of the corners and very responsive in a sprint

Weaknesses:
i think that the top tube is to short compared to other bikes i've owned

Similar Products Used:
previous owned bikes nishiki -steel 5 yrs. trek 2500 carbon fiber 5 yrs