Klein vs. Trek

[Sora Icefreeze]

My wife just joined a racing team and we're considering either the 2004 Trek
5200 or 2004 Klein Q-Pro XV. They are both similarly priced, and both will be available end of October. Both use Shimano Ultegra components, and both use Bontrager Race Lite wheels.

Which bike would you choose?

Thanks in advance,
PS: Some specs below:

sizes 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm color Silver Storm frame material Gradient ZR9000 w/Carbon Wishbone msrp (usd) $2,619.99 (Double) | $2,649.99 (Triple)
fork Klein Aeros 110GSM Carbon headset Klein Airheadset rear shock N/A crankset Ultegra 53/39 bottom bracket Shimano 105 deraileurs (f/r) Shimano Ultegra shifters Shimano Ultegra STI chain Shimano HG-93 wheel system Bontrager Race Lite Road tires Bontrager Race X-Lite 700x23C cassette Shimano Ultegra, 12-25, 9 speed brakes Shimano Ultegra brake levers Shimano Ultegra STI handlebars Bontrager Flat-top Race Lite road stem Race Lite 31.8 Stem seatpost Race 5mm-offset seatpost 31.6 x 250 saddle San Marco Era Luxe, CrMo/leather grips/tape Bontrager Gel Tape
FRAME OCLV 120 Carbon

FORK Bontrager Race Lite

WHEELS Bontrager Race Lite

DRIVETRAIN:
crankset Shimano Ultegra 53/39 or 52/42/30 rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra

SIZES 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm

COLORS Nude Carbon, Nude Pearl/Baja Blue (Team)

[radulsse]

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on a lot of factors.

Does she have a road bike she is riding now?
If so, does she like the way it rides?
If not, what would she change about the way it rides?

This is just the start of what you should be asking your wife before purchasing a new bike. You can get a lot of opinions on this

after spending countless hours in the saddle riding.

You can force fit almost any bike to make it work, but that doesn't represent the best solution.

[RiotRick]

This is mostly true. The only time it was not true was when the Lemond brand was purchased without any real design properties. IOW, they wanted the name and the rest would come later, so they slapped some Lemond decals on existing Trek models but measured them c-t while Trek normally measures c-c.
This made it look like the Lemond bike were "really long for the *femur*" (get over it Greg) and it worked from a marketing standpoint. In defense of
Trek, they did have Greg pen some designs (or at least have the designers use some of his published design preferences) and now they do have exclusive geometry and design AFAIK.

With regard to Klein, this company was purchased several years ago and Gary
Klein has thus far been able to maintain every aspect of his design uniqueness. This says good things about both Trek and Klein, IMO.

Still, Klein and Trek may use slightly different approaches, but they are going after the same market do their fit is not going to be terribly different from one another, but the larger scale of the Trek line does allow the "WSF" models, which AFAIK are not available with Klein.

This thread is taking a *.tech flavor, so...I suggest if it continues along these lines it should be cross-posted and or moved over. (Although I don't care, since many tech issues are race related, so whatever you dudes want).

[RiotRick]

Speaking of fit, don't forget to look at the WSD models from Trek (that might be the wrong acronym, because I think it is "Women's Specific Fit" but maybe it is "Dimensions") that are not available from Klein. If these are a better fit, then that is a definite advantage for the Treks. BUT, I do not know if the OCLV WSDs are out yet so check with your dealer about what is available if your wife will be better served by those sizes.

[RiotRick]

He is right, fit is first. They both are just as likely to be fit correctly.
They are both excellent, but as much as I love Klein, I think the Trek makes a slightly better bike, especially for an "only bike", or a first bike.
(BTW, get a frame with Campagnolo and your own choice of wheels. It will cost less in the long run and will weigh less, if that is important and I assume it is if you looked at those 2 bikes).

Anyhow, there are just a few niggling issues with the Klein compared to the
Trek. The Trek is more tolerant to impact damage (crashes or accidents during transport and storage). The aluminum is so thin in spots, it was a constantly a concern when putting on racks, etc. The plastic frame on the
Trek is a lot more durable in those situations and I think makes an excellent work horse race bike. If there are no sponsorship considerations and you can "live without" aluminum (some claim they can't) then I think you will be happier in the long run with the Trek. The only case that would not be true would be if you really fell in love with the Klein paint and finish, which is quite a bit nicer than the Trek. (This may no longer be true now that Trek produces them). You may have a favorite paint scheme and if you are willing to be careful with ding exposure and the quirky drop-outs, then it is still a great bike. Just take it for a test ride and change the rear wheel a bunch of times to be sure you can deal with it.

Have fun. They are both great frames. I once was in a spot of bother when I had to replace a stolen 5 year old Klein and I ended up opting with the Trek simply because it had Campy (I could not wait for a build) and discovered the positive attributes as discussed. I also found the comfort to stiffness ration better but that brings tire size, pressure and wheels in to play.

[Sora Icefreeze]

Can't they both be made to fit?

[Scapegoat]

Lemonds are made by Trek, and the geometry is very different -- longer top-tube, more seattube setback, to accomodate the longer femur that professional racers tend to have.

[Tazeko]

I have a Trek 5200 today and love it. I will never buy another roadbike that is not made in Carbon.

[Sora Icefreeze]

Thanks Steve! I'm *kinda* her coach, given my brief cycling career 15 years ago, and my weighlifting experience. She really loves the sport, so I'm supportive, despite the fact that she can kick my butt around Central Park!

There's definitely a continuum between the perfect racing bike, and being comfortable. The problem is it seems to take a few dozen hours of riding before you find where the like is on that continuum.

Good to hear from you!