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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
I test rode some bikes today. I went to a store believing that they
carried Konas and Yetis, but it turned out they dropped those lines since last year. They carry Trek, Klein, Fisher, and Cannondale. I didn't bother to ride the Trek since that's what got busted -- I know how it rides. For the record, I like the ride and the fit of my Fuel 90, and I never had mech troubles (less than a year old, though). It had a duke fork that I was already thinking of replacing, not because it was giving me trouble but because I suspect I could do a lot better. The Fisher Cake small was rubbing my crotch, and I really didn't want a bike quite that friendly, so I nixed that one. The women's versions were respectively way too small and way too large. The Canondale Jekyll 800 with a lefty was ... okay. Nothing really impressed me about it, except that it did seem to fit me well in the cockpit. It felt clunky, somehow. Which brings me to the one I *did* like ... the Klein Palomino 5. http://www.kleinbikes.com/us/mountai...o_v/index.html It was very light -- extremely easy to pick the front up while riding around. Light compared to what I'm used to, anyway. XT rear, everything else LX. They actually had a road front der (shimano 105) and I don't quite understand that ... it has a Fox float 100R as a fork. One interesting thing about this is that I can comfortably grip this bike to put it on the car. Many bikes seem to have "stuff" right where I need to put my hands. This may seem like a minor thing, but it made an impression on me. Hayes disc brakes (does hayes vs. shimano matter?). There's a 15 that also has disc brakes (shimano instead of hayes) and has full XT. Also a much nicer Fox fork. So if I were thinking of upgrading to XT, it would probably be smarter to just buy the 15. Unless, as the owner pointed out, I didn't like the new combo XT thing, in which case I could upgrade the 5 with the old XT parts. Getting the 15 would be $600 more, though, and past my "hard" limit of $2500. I understand that the palomino has been reworked a bit this year to address some of last year's complaints. I've also been told it climbs surprisingly well. This bicycle store seems competent (the owner was the one helping me), gives me a discount through my club, has low prices, and will discount all rental costs (not just one day) from the purchase price. So I'm tempted to try it out this weekend and see what I think on my normal terrain. I understand that I'd do better with a Maverick frame, but looking around, I don't think I can afford that. Well, maybe the frame, but not the rest of the bike. I'm not done looking, obviously, but I really did like this bike. The seat tube is angled back a tiny bit compared to my Trek, which I think gives me just a slightly better cockpit fit. (I tend to bend my wrists, which is probably a combination of poor form and poor fit.) Thanks for letting me ramble. I'm open to opinions and I know that most of you will hate it just because it's Klein. But if you could give me some data points to back up the hatred, that would be of interest. -- monique |
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#2
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
Monique says:
snip a bit The Fisher Cake small was rubbing my crotch, and I really didn't want a bike quite that friendly, so I nixed that one. Did you HAVE to say that? Now Sorni's going to get all excited again.... Steve ;-) |
#3
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
Monique Y. Mudama wrote:
snipped all the interesting stuff Thanks for letting me ramble. I'm open to opinions and I know that most of you will hate it just because it's Klein. But if you could give me some data points to back up the hatred, that would be of interest. There ain't nothing like the paint job on a Klein. -- Perre 2001 Klein Adept Pro. Plumcrazy |
#4
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
Per Elmsäter wrote:
Monique Y. Mudama wrote: snipped all the interesting stuff Thanks for letting me ramble. I'm open to opinions and I know that most of you will hate it just because it's Klein. But if you could give me some data points to back up the hatred, that would be of interest. There ain't nothing like the paint job on a Klein. -- Perre 2001 Klein Adept Pro. Plumcrazy ....which is why I'd hate to own a Klein MTB - I'll be all ****ed if I scratched it. I got a Klein roadie though (Q Carbon Team) with an exquisite paint job, and a smooth ride... -- - Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM) |
#5
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
Monique Y. Mudama wrote:
I test rode some bikes today. I went to a store believing that they carried Konas and Yetis, but it turned out they dropped those lines since last year. They carry Trek, Klein, Fisher, and Cannondale. snip The Fisher Cake small was rubbing my crotch, and I really didn't want a bike quite that friendly, so I nixed that one. The women's versions were respectively way too small and way too large. Heh. We won't be able to resist that. Especially in combination with your title. I bet some people would pay more for that kind of treatment, but being a newlywed you're probably already taken care of in that department. The Canondale Jekyll 800 with a lefty was ... okay. Nothing really impressed me about it, except that it did seem to fit me well in the cockpit. It felt clunky, somehow. Which brings me to the one I *did* like ... the Klein Palomino 5. http://www.kleinbikes.com/us/mountai...o_v/index.html It was very light -- extremely easy to pick the front up while riding around. Light compared to what I'm used to, anyway. XT rear, everything else LX. They actually had a road front der (shimano 105) and I don't quite understand that ... it has a Fox float 100R as a fork. One interesting thing about this is that I can comfortably grip this bike to put it on the car. Many bikes seem to have "stuff" right where I need to put my hands. This may seem like a minor thing, but it made an impression on me. Hayes disc brakes (does hayes vs. shimano matter?). There's a 15 that also has disc brakes (shimano instead of hayes) and has full XT. Also a much nicer Fox fork. So if I were thinking of upgrading to XT, it would probably be smarter to just buy the 15. Unless, as the owner pointed out, I didn't like the new combo XT thing, in which case I could upgrade the 5 with the old XT parts. Getting the 15 would be $600 more, though, and past my "hard" limit of $2500. I understand that the palomino has been reworked a bit this year to address some of last year's complaints. I've also been told it climbs surprisingly well. This bicycle store seems competent (the owner was the one helping me), gives me a discount through my club, has low prices, and will discount all rental costs (not just one day) from the purchase price. So I'm tempted to try it out this weekend and see what I think on my normal terrain. I know a couple of people who ride those. Most like them, and one guy broke his, but he's probably harder on his bikes than you are (except for getting them run over - but few bikes can survive that). I remember the front shifting being a big problem due to the design. Hopefully that's a thing that's been worked out. One of the people I know with one is the LBS owner's very petite wife and she really likes hers. I understand that I'd do better with a Maverick frame, but looking around, I don't think I can afford that. Well, maybe the frame, but not the rest of the bike. I'm not done looking, obviously, but I really did like this bike. The seat tube is angled back a tiny bit compared to my Trek, which I think gives me just a slightly better cockpit fit. (I tend to bend my wrists, which is probably a combination of poor form and poor fit.) Thanks for letting me ramble. I'm open to opinions and I know that most of you will hate it just because it's Klein. But if you could give me some data points to back up the hatred, that would be of interest. One reason is they are made (and owned) by Trek. So that's the kiss of death for some. It's definitely not a XC race type of bike, but it doesn't sound like that's what you need (you can still race on a non-race bike, just not as "seriously"). I'd go for the XT group, but I'm kind of a snob when it comes to that stuff. Matt |
#6
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message
http://www.kleinbikes.com/us/mountai...o_v/index.html do da shocks lock out? |
#7
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
I've got the prior generation Klein (Adept). I had real reservations when I
got it since it felt too light, but I got a screamin deal. Now that's been through some minor skirmishes, I really like it and my confidence level is much higher. Climbs great, very nimble and feels much like a hardtail until it needs to go to work. The paint was already nicked up, so that wasn't an issue. It was one of the Chehalis made models, which was a nice touch. I'm not a freerider, but like the singletrack techie riding of north and central Oregon. After nearly a year of XC riding, it's still working well for me. Some component work to be done, but that's the Shimano stuff starting to fail. My buddy is hot for a Palomino as well. (ere, you know what I mean). I thought the dramatic slope of the seat tube would make the cockpit too long for his shorter upper body, but apparently not. For the money, I think they are (or were, at least) excellent bikes. "Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message ... I test rode some bikes today. I went to a store believing that they carried Konas and Yetis, but it turned out they dropped those lines since last year. They carry Trek, Klein, Fisher, and Cannondale. Which brings me to the one I *did* like ... the Klein Palomino 5. |
#8
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
Monique Y. Mudama wrote: I test rode some bikes today. I went to a store believing that they carried Konas and Yetis, but it turned out they dropped those lines since last year. They carry Trek, Klein, Fisher, and Cannondale. snip Klein is actually becoming respectable again. I guess Seinfeld had to go away for a sufficient amount of time. I would go for the all XT and upgraded Fox fork. -- o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o www.schnauzers.ws |
#9
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
Zilla wrote:
Per Elmsäter wrote: There ain't nothing like the paint job on a Klein. -- Perre 2001 Klein Adept Pro. Plumcrazy ...which is why I'd hate to own a Klein MTB - I'll be all ****ed if I scratched it. I got a Klein roadie though (Q Carbon Team) with an exquisite paint job, and a smooth ride... This one? http://home.san.rr.com/billsornson/Bikes.jpg (large file warning; clueless digital here). Just got back from a 45-miler...WHILE wearing my AM-B headband! Bill "blasphemer" S. |
#10
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Please abuse me (I like a klein)
On 2004-06-04, Stephen Baker penned:
Monique says: snip a bit The Fisher Cake small was rubbing my crotch, and I really didn't want a bike quite that friendly, so I nixed that one. Did you HAVE to say that? Now Sorni's going to get all excited again.... Of course I did =) -- monique |
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