Hi there, I'm currently looking for a new bike. I'm a big rider, about 6'4", so 61-62cm frames seem to fit me best. I have currently looked at a 2006 Trek 1500, 2005 Raleigh Competition, 2004 Fuji Roubaix with full Campy Veloce Gruppo and a 2005 Specialized Allez Triple Elite.

Today, my friend at a bike shop informed me they had a 1998 or 1999 Klein Quantum Pro 61cm road bike arrive asking for about $1000 after negotiating (it has chameleon-like paint going from green to blue to purple). The bike looks in very good coniditon outside the normal chain-slip scuff marks. It also has a full Campy Record gruppo.

My biggest question is, the new bikes I was looking at have aluminum frames with carbon front and rear forks as well as carbon seat posts, while the Klein Quantum Pro is straight aluminum. I road all the new bikes but will not be able to test the Klein for a few days. My main question is, do the carbon forks make that big of a difference? As I haven't ridden the Klein, I can't make comparisson in my mind yet.

In general, do you all feel the Klein is a good deal? And if not, which of the bikes above do you think would be best (I know there will be a lot of personal preference). Having all bikes in the $1000 +/- price range is making it hard on me.


Thanks a bunch!

The Klein Quantum Pro is a great bike, I had a 99 model and now have a 2005 model. Super stiff and strong. My 99 Klein Quantum Pro was the same color, 59 cm and came with a carbon fork, an Aeros to be precise. I should have kept it. If the used one that you're looking at doesn't have that exact fork and proprietary headset, I'd look elsewhere. Is the Campy gruppo a 9 speed? If so and it's in good shape, that's a plus. What about the rest of the bike? Wheelset? How many miles on the bike and can you talk to the original owner?? These bikes need to be original to be worth anything in my opinion.I'd keep looking unless the bike is in pristine condition because it's a fast machine and has great handling. There's a lot out there to choose from at LBS's trying to get rid of NOS and on RBR and ebay, too.

You can get a new 2005 Klein Q-Pro (with carbon stays and fork) for about $1300-$1400 if you search. It may come with 105 or Veloce/Centaur and they do come in 61 cm. Klein's have long top tubes and short head tubes so be positive you like that combination, it's a racing bike.


Good luck!

I just built one of these up. I paid 600 on ebay for the frame. I'm not sure what year it is but it is that color. I put Campy Chorus stuff on it. I just took it out for a ride yesterday around the block. seems like a very stiff ride but not too harsh. I did upgrade to an Easton Carbon Fork. No experience with the OEM fork but it seem really heavy with the steel steer tube (1" head tube). It builds up to a beautiful bike.

i have a 2003 specialized allez elite it my 1st road bike i love it .it is fast and fun to ride i belive the carbon forks absorb alot of vibrations and if i had the choice id go with a bike with more carbon than one with less id also go 4 the 1 that was newer even if it came with lower componants as these can b replaced

For a lot of folks I'd tell 'em to worry about the stiffness of the Klein, but perhaps that will be less of an issue for a larger rider. Those late 90s Kleins were oversized thin walled AL tubesets that could rattle one's fillings (a la certain Canny models). Beautiful paint, crisp and responsive, with the "stiffness" tradeoff.

Nevertheless, even with a full Record gruppo (I assume this is the original gruppo, so probably 8 speed if it is a 1998?) I think the price is a little high. The used bike market is pretty soft, and frames and components have definitely changed a generation since 98/99. I'd say $850-$900.