Klein/Schwinn ??

I would get the Klein if it fit.

Klein is definitely not a low-end brand. Klein was, up until maybe the late 90s or so, a very sought after indie bike brand. The Trek bought the brand and you don't here from them much any more.

Nothing wrong with Klein or Trek if it fits (or Schwinn, if it's one of heir higher end brands).

Apples and oranges.

Klein was a premium brand, noted for their great welding, alumimum frames, and killer paint jobs.  The lowest-end Klein available during their heyday came standard with Shimano 105, much better than the Schwinn lower end, plus an awesome frame and paint.

In, say, I'm guessing, 2001, Trek bought Klein, no idea why. They produced a 2002 model year of bikes that were in line with Gary Klein's vision, then *poof*, they were gone.

As I talked to bike insders buying my 2001 klein, I asked the same questions you are...and the response was unanimous. You buy a Klein for the frame, it will stand the test of upgrading over time. It's that good. Provided that's what you want out of a frame.  I'm in the process of taking my 2001 Quantum and getting it to Ultegra with some decent wheels, and cannot wait to go fast on it.  I'd have no qualms whatsoever of buying a 10 year-old quantum, race or pro, and knowing it'll get the job done.

Best of luck.

Agreed. Gary Klein knew how to design a killer frame. His pre-trek frames were no compromise racing machines. They beat the crap out of you, but they were fast. Once Trek bought the brand and he started making the carbon frames, the ride smoothness improved a lot, and the handling stayed mostly the same. My brother rides a Q-pro carbon and it is probably the sexiest looking, riding and handling bike I've ridden. I have an adept race mountain bike and I'm impressed with how it rides every time I take it out. I often feel like I don't deserve to be riding it.

The coolest thing ever about my Klein though was when I first bought it. I had a question about the rear linkage, so I emailed the company. Gary personally replied and answered every questions I had. I was really hoping that trek would try and bring Klein back since it dropped Lemond, but apparently that's not going to happen.

Thanks so much for all your replies.

 I did go down to look at both the bikes this afternoon, and the bike in mention is a Klein Aeolus. Not sure on the year yet, I'm having a hard time reading the tag.  The paint job is insanely ugly though!
The guy who had it probably knew as much or less than I do about bikes. The frame is too large for me, but I snatched it because it was free. And I believe I can make it work.. I'll take it to my LBS this weekend...
I took it for a spin around the block, and my god it was fast ( you see I came from riding a crapy mountain bike).
I'll definitely have to buy a bike in the future, but free is good, especially when you're just learning!

Thanks again, I feel a bit better now...

You got it for free? Awesome!

I did some digging. That bike is definitely pre-Trek and was their stab into the Tri market. It does have a steeper 78* STA and quite possibly 650 wheels. So it is definitely 'retro' in the tri-world.

I'd first make sure that it doesn't fit you. It could just need some tweaking. If you figure out that it really is too big though, I'd look at selling it on the classifieds here or on ST. You can probably find a Klein geek who will give it a good home and make enough to put a sizable dent into the purchase of a new (or used), properly sized frame.

Yeah, I did a little more digging as well after I posted here last night... The thing is huge, I'd have to put the saddle all the way down to even make it work. But good God it's light as a feather and fast. I've got to go out of town this week to do some scouting, but as soon as I get back I'll take it down to the LBS..
I was feeling a little foolish this AM for grabbing the Klein because I think the Schwinn would have fit me better, and it was in good condition.  But I think if nothing else, I can sell the one I got if it wont work for me.... Otherwise it will definitely need a paint job.  I can can hear it now..... "Look at that girl on that big psyc-a-delic(bright, ugly) bike!" lol....

Thanks again!

Nooooooo! You can't paint it! That paint is part of its mojo.

Trust me, some people may look at it and cringe, but those in the know will think it's awesome.

Most Klein owners, like myself, are very offended to have our bikes compared to a Schwinn (unless it's a Chicago-made Paramount with Nuovo Record. Klein was a top of the line brand that made aluminum frames exclusively. It was acquired by Trek and Trek was not interested in catering to the small, but dedicated Klein owners. Mine is the pre-Trek Quantum model.

What size is the frame?!

If you're looking to make a dent in a different bike purchase, maybe let me know. Heh.

58 cm frame

And the color is growing on me... I dug up some pics of what the original paint job looked like.... Not bad when its fresh...

Here's some pics (if I can get them to work!!) These are of the bike when I first got it home, as is.







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Klein aeolus.jpg (37KB - 126 downloads)
IMG_0847.JPG (43KB - 6 downloads)

Did my first couple tris on a Kleain Aeolus, nice fast little frame. The one Iborrowed had a blue/green fade paint job and was actually pretty sharp looking.

You see them pop up on ebay occasionally, complete bikes for a couple hundred. I'm always tempted but dissuaded by the 650 wheels.

Man...it's my size too. I think the 650's would be worth the retro-factor, and the fact you can find 650 Zipp and Hed wheels dirt cheap

I'm 5' 11" and my pants inseam is around 34". Don't remember what it actually measures. I ride a 58 road frame, so now I think aboutan a 58 steep frame would possibly be a touch stretched out

I had a '95 Aeolus and absolutely loved that bike. I was drawn to a new bike with all it's shinyness and insane deal, but regretted it.

The bike is probably a 57cm (under the BB may have the size & year) as they were all odd sizes and the 59cm had 700c wheels. I do have a pdf of the Klein "manual" for this bike. PM me with your email and I'll send you a copy if you want one. IMO, the only downside to this bike is it's got a pressed in BB and I'm not too sure how many shops still have the tools and know-how to replace the bearings if need be.

Oh, and I am 6'1" with a 34" inseam and felt a tiny bit stretched out on my 57cm.

 

The tag is too warn to see the actual year/size etc...  I measured it quickly the other day to see the frame size and rounded down, my actual calc was 58.42, and it does have 700 wheels Thats what I get from getting my directions off the internet, and not taking it to LBS... Live and learn, now I know.
I sent you am PM. thanks for the Manual..