What Happened to Klein Bikes?

Do you remember Klein? Since the name stirred the market with bike lineups, how long has it been?

Some of us still own a bike from this company that is almost as old as three decades. Wow, time is cruel! However, their retro-style, which was a common color spectrum at the time, is still a good feat among the old-timers.

Many speculations were brought forth regarding the brand, but what happened to Klein bikes that they ceased out of this planet entirely?

How It All Began?

How about a little history lesson before discovering what happened to the Klein bikes?

It was the year 1973 when Klein and a few fellow students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) built their first bicycle. It had frames/tubes from aluminum that provided a larger diameter.

After several tests and experiments, they chose 6061 aluminum alloy for the seamless and sturdy frame construction.

Then in 1980, Klein began production runs that focused on road bikes. However, his successful venture into the market led him to begin mountain bike assembly in the mid-80s.

What Was Special About Klein Bike Frames?

While aluminum alloy is lightweight and considered risky to replace steel in bikes, Klein’s ingenious idea made the models super convenient for the users.

The frames were welded into larger diameters, and at the same time conveying a thicker structure. This allowed the bicycle to be 15% more lightweight than a conventional bike made from steel.

Plus, these bikes are known for their custom paintwork. Each signified exceptional design with simple maneuvering features.

Noteworthy Klein Bike Models

If it is the first time you hear about Klein bikes, you would wish you had one back in the day. They are economical and weigh less.

All the models are best for the upbeat paint job that still seeps into today’s trendy competition. You can say what we call retro these days was the normal halo for Klein bikes in the 80s.

Here are some distinguished bike lines that the users favored the most:

• Klein Quantum II: Suitable for on-road rides; often regarded as light off-road tracks.
• Klein Quantum Race: The bike is one of the most remarkable in 1997 for a meticulous finish, perfectly proportional tubes with large diameters, and top-notch ride quality.
• Klein Adroit: A mountain bike that won UCI Grundig World Cup at Mont St. Anne in Quebec, Canada, in 1993. The racer was the iconic David ‘Tinker’ Juarez of that era.
• Klein Attitude: The bike has an enigmatic concept following the oversized aluminum alloy frames. Everything about the ride is vibrant.
• Klein Attitude Dolomite: It is also a mountain bike that relays innovative design structures that we see in many models nowadays.
• Klein Attitude Nightstorm: The Nightstorm is an unmistakably gorgeous mountain that stands atop the rest for vintage appeal.
• Klein Pinnacle: This mountain bike is a statement of art and vision due to the color scheme, flawless tubes, and immaculate build. It has gained quite a status at the time.

What Happened to Klein Bikes?

Let me cut to the chase and tell you that Klein bikes eventually went out of business. However, it did not leave the chapter in failure.

When Klein realized the hardship of running the bike lineup without a larger company sales network, he decided to sell his to Trek Bicycle Corporation in 1995.

Well, that was when the name Klein gradually began to dissolve. All the production procession moved from Klein factory to Trek headquarters in Wisconsin around 2002.

Although most bikes from the company still got sold under the Klein tag, the distribution and sales eventually ceased from 2007 to 2009.

It was a big blow for those who purchased and esteemed the bikes since the models were no longer in the making.

Final Words

Now you know what happened to Klein bikes. One thing is sure, though. No matter how long ago the company vanished from the surface of the Earth, it has left behind many fans.

Besides, people who are into vintage bike acquisition and have a keen sense of conceptual marvel still admire the work Gary Klein has accomplished in a short time.