Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Klein Attitude

Klein Attitude

One of the more enigmatic marques mountain biking has spawned surely has to be that of Klein. It just goes to show that you can still achieve a cult following with a garish paint job. Looking at this Klein, an Attitude model from 1992, I’m reminded of why Klein Bikes they achieved that status—there’s just something about those oversized tubes, rigid forks, internal cable routing and the stem and bar combo that just looks so indomitable.

Klein Attitude
Gary Klein developed the concept of oversized aluminum frames as a project at MIT, and started Klein Bikes after graduation. There was a distinct trend in mountain bike manufacturing during the early 90s where confidence was inspired by the size of one’s tubes, and vintage MTB connoisseurs consider those the glory days.

Aesthetically, however, the clean and robust silhouette dissipated when suspension seriously arrived on the scene. The Kleins that are most highly sought are those that were handmade in Chehalis, Washington, before Trek bought the business and moved production to their Wisconsin facility.

Klein specified various paint schemes to their bikes, all equally vibrant. The name of this version is Storm, which was an option for an extra fee.

Even with a paint scheme only a mother could love, this particular Klein is a true testament to the devotion of its owner, Samu from Finland. He was the administrator of the ultimate Klein resource on the web, the now sadly defunct oldklein.com.

Bedecked with a Shimano XTR M900 group set, Nuke Proof hubs laced to color-coordinated Sun Mistral rims, Ringlé seat post and Kooka chain ring, there’s not a component on this bike that hasn’t been thought through. Right down to the anodized nipples and cable ends.

Klein Attitude
Klein Attitude
Klein Attitude
Klein Attitude
Klein Attitude