Klein Quantum
The Canondale I was bidding on went higher and this Klein Quantum went on this morning with a "Buy It Now" option for $500. With the shipping was about $15 more than I wanted to spend for the Cannondale but I don't have to worry about being tagged out with a minute to go by some lurker. Older model than the Cannondale, but lighter and better components. The Klein is made by Trek. It appears they make it to Kleins specifications. So, even though Trek owns/builds them the world famous Gary Klein (yeah I didn't know him either) designed it.
Suppose to be fast and it had Aero bars on it, a plus. Not necessarily a TT bike, but with the Aero's I will be in the position.
I will let you know how it looks/rides when I get it.
Thanks
5 comments:
Oh yea, only draw back was it was a triple front drive. It has the big boy at 52T, but I like the 39T option, instead of a 42. I will just have to try to stay out of the 30T, it will make me weak.
WOW! Levi made fun of your white bike helmet last summer. I'm guessing he will approve of this bike tho'.
I may insist you remove the triple, ha ha.
Can't wait to hear your full report.
Maybe we can work out a trade on the triple.
Gears. Old bike did a 53/39 12-26 (7 speed). New bike will be 52/42/30 12-25.
So the top end ratio goes 4.42:1 old bike, 4.33:1 on new bike. Not to bad because I had trouble staying in the 12 in the back unless totally flat.
Here is the dilemna, 39 26 is a 1.5:1 old bike, new bike a 42 25 is a 1.68:1. So I have to go to the 30 20 to get the 1.5 on the new bike.
My question would be is this the same or does that smaller gear in the front change the torque/force I need to supply.
There is a reason pro's don't use Triples. I have never complained about my old setup. We will see how it goes and I guess at this point I may never go pro.
Looks like a pretty nice ride, but I miss the aero-lookin' fork from one of the previous bikes you listed.
For gearing, I think you will get used to what you have with enough riding. It does take a bit of experimentation to figure out what works where, and where is the the best place to have your front and rear dérailleur at any given time, both for current riding comfort and planning for upcoming terrain. Sometimes you are better off being in the second ring and small gear and sometimes the first ring and middle gear even though they provide virtually the same gear ratio, depending on what is about to happen. In my experience with my Trek road bike, I only use the biggest gear ratio when I am going downhill at high speeds, or I am trying to draft a car or something. It's unsustainable, especially if you have high cadence goals.
I have a triple too, and the only times I use the small ring are when I am going up some kind of berm, I'm going uphill and I'm totally shot from bad muscle management or Fiona is riding on the back. But at those times, it does come in handy, so I'm not removing it.
Those aero bars look like they are gonna be nice. That is near the top of my list of things to get for my bike.
It will be cool to finally get to race bikes won't it? Have you ever successfully entered a bike race? All I remember is the crash and injury before the Kinzua Classic a few years back. I haven't done anything since my BMX days.
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