Altezza999

Hello All,

Between a 2000 Klein Quantum Race and a 2011 Specialized Tarmac Pro SL3, both being all stock, if you had to keep one, which will it be? As most may already know, the Klein's frame is of aluminium while the Tarmac is of FACT 10R carbon. Both bikes are in pretty pristine condition. I'd like to get your opinions and suggestions. Thank You.

Ironfish653

What color is the KLEIN?

Altezza999

It's a green-blue fade color. The Sp. Tarmac is matte black w/ blue accents.
Thanks.

terrymorse 

The Tarmac. It’s a superior bike in every respect.

jadmt

keep the one that you would jump on tomorrow and do a 100 mile ride.....

roadcrankr

I would keep the Klein. Very unique and super nice ride.
We see those Specialized Tarmacs all over the place.

Steve B.

Agree. Not a common bike and by far, the best riding aluminum ever made with wonderful paint schemes.

cyclezen

The reason you see a lot of Tarmacs is because they are exceptional bikes for many riders, but not the only ones...
Components? Wheels? Size/Fit?
We all have our preferences... color of my bike is the last thing I'm thinking about at 80 miles into a long, hard ride. You're '80' may certainly bring different Qs to your mind...
WHEELS !!!! ?
Ride On
Yuri

Altezza999

I see. Thank you Terrymorse.

veganbikes

Kleins are neat bikes but potentially the Specialized is a more sensible option it is a newer bike but it all comes down to fit and condition. If none of those bikes fit it doesn't really matter or if the bikes are in poor condition.

Now if it was a pre-Trek Klein you might have peaked some more interest but the same above rules apply.

Ironfish653

That's a weird comparison. It almost sounds like you're trying to decide which bike to buy, rather than which one to keep?
The KLEIN was a state of the art bike 20 years ago, the Tarmac was state of the art 10 years ago. The KLEIN also was designed with a little more style and panache than the all- business Tarmac.

If you're chasing peak performance; the Spesh; if you enjoy riding nice bikes, the KLEIN

Altezza999

Thank you for your input. The 2000 Klein has a badge indicating that it was made in Chehalis, WA. It use to belong to my uncle, but I did not know so much about the brand until a few years ago.
Both the Klein and Spesh fit me very well, with the Klein being slightly heavier of course.

Altezza999

I did some research and discovered that Trek bought Klein back in 1995, but the Chehalis, WA factory was still making Kleins until 2002 when Trek moved everything to WI. My bike has the Chehalis,WA badge. That is a really good thing then. Thank you.

Steve B.

Pretty sure every Klein was made by Klein, even after Trek had purchased the company. I do not recall that Trek built any frames branded as Klein. I do remember it was early 2000's Trek had finally run out of frames available for warranty replacements, is why they offered me a Lemond titanium as replacement for a Klein with a failed seat post binder.

himespau 

Does one of them have fewer proprietary parts (or is more upgradeable to modern components should you wish)?

70sSanO

Probably a major consideration is component condition and your ability. The Specialized should have 10 speed Dura Ace 7900. If the components are in great shape and the gearing works for you, (you don’t need to go compact and wide range), it would be a foolish choice to choose a defunct niche brand over the Tarmac.

Even moreso if the Klein has 10 more years of wear. Those old shifters aren’t going to improve over time and you’ll never find replacement hoods for those 9 speed Shimano shifters. I can’t imagine anyone picking a fat tube aluminum bike so every 6 months someone can say, “Wow, a vintage Klein.”

John

Ironfish653

Not to derail the thread, but other than possibly the Klein -specific BB on the early bikes, there's no reason the "defunct niche brand" Quantum couldn't be brought up to 'modern' 10-sp, rim brake specs. Pretty much every other component is what would have been on any other bike at the time.

Off the rack? The Tarmac is a better performer thanks to ten more years of development.
And, since the BeikForums motto is "Practicality Uber Alles;" if the OP's mom is only letting him keep one bike; he should get rid of the Klein. Sounds like he likes his Spesh better, anyway.

Outrider1

Tarmac all the way. I'm sure the group set is a step or two up.

Germany_chris

Between those two I'd ride the Klein because of the looks.

livedarklions

I honestly don't think you'd have any reason to care about which one I'd choose, but if I had to choose, I would choose the one I most enjoy riding. Do you have a strong preference?

I passed on buying a really beautiful 2000-era Klein for a decent price because I couldn't stand how it felt when I rode it. I usually don't mind aluminum, but I felt every bump on the road way too much on that one.

TiHabanero

While I am no fan of Specialized as a company, I did work in a Specialized shop for 30 some odd years and will say the Tarmac is one heck of a good bike to sit on all day or go crit racing. The Klein may look better in the paint department, however my choice is clearly the Tarmac. Add to that 10 speed shifters work nicer than 9 speed.

mstateglfr 

...except for looks.

DMC707

I made my choice a while back


-------- I still have the Klein that is - and note the strategic placement of the Tarmac by the garbage can



(I'm making this in jest - Specialized was sold to fund a high end mountain bike build that i get much more use out of - it was a wonderful bike though. -- So is the Klein, but they are completely completely different bikes -- The Klein has style for miles while the Specialized is pretty boring - and i genuinely like the flash and flair of the older rig for the rides that i do , which are mostly just small gropup rides for fun here lately - not head down 170 heart rate death marches )

Maelochs

In either case you would mostly be keeping the frame .... everything is else is replaceable and sooner or later, would need to be.

The oddity of these posts, though .... "Which one do I like better?" If you don't know, sell them both and get something you really like.

Iride01 

You might consider getting rid of both... or just hanging them on the wall for artwork. And instead just get a new bike.

I do endorse the suggestion to keep the one that will be your first choice for a long ride or the rides that you normally do. Choice by color appeal comes in a close second.

However I will say that my new, or fairly new 2020 Tarmac is the most fun bike I've ever ridden. Not that my other bikes weren't good comfortable rides, but the new bike is like a sports car compared to luxury sedans.