I have narrowed my new bike purchase down to two finalists: the Rocky Mountain instinct or the Klein Palomino race and can't make up my mind. Anyone have any comments on these bikes or which one would be better for me. I do mostly longer rides (6+ hours in the saddle) on moderate to difficult terrain and want a full susp. bike that will climb like a hardtail but have a sweet suspension for the downhills. I also need something reliable, as having something break while riding in the Moab area can make for a long hike out. Thanks in advance for your help.
Rocky Mountain or Klein
- Thread starter artzy
- Start date
i'd recommend the Palomino, i've had a couple hours in the cockpit and i say go for that one. i've only test ridden the Rocky Mountain. i like how the shock on the Palomino is a coil/air, its very adjustable and every time you do click the adjuster on the shock it really does something.
I had a Gary fisher Suger which is a Klein trek fisher company same organisation. The bike had so many shifting issues it spent 8 of the first 21 days I had it in the shop, and they never were able to fix it.
I finally had to pitch a fit to get them to give me a refund or swap it with another bike. The LBS could have been a bit faster to offer this but Trek/fisher/klien never offered it and they had no suggestions on what to do. They did say that 15% of the Sugers have this probelm and it was still on the market! That's just plain bad business in my book. The chief engineer also told me on the phone that they had 3 full time bike engineers trying to figure out what was wrong. Yet this bike was still being sold without a solution!
I took a Rocky Mountain element race and it shifted like magic, never had a problem and I still own it to this day. It's a very well built well thought out non-prototype bike. You will be very happy with the RM brand. I'm sure they will back up any problem from the start and not make you wait a month to solve a known problem as the Trek/fisher/klien organisation would!
I've had my last one form them that's for sure! I also own a Kona Stinky Deelux and will say this about Kona. They are bullet proof and well designed also. I have 1650 miles on my stinky since Aug first and it's never had a single chainsuck, missed shift, or chain derailment. That is impressive drive train engineering!
The Kona has been ridden is deep snow, mud and just plain miserable conditions without any problems wahtever. I would seriously consider the Kona products from an insightful engineering standpoint. Those guys have built in hard use figured out!
I finally had to pitch a fit to get them to give me a refund or swap it with another bike. The LBS could have been a bit faster to offer this but Trek/fisher/klien never offered it and they had no suggestions on what to do. They did say that 15% of the Sugers have this probelm and it was still on the market! That's just plain bad business in my book. The chief engineer also told me on the phone that they had 3 full time bike engineers trying to figure out what was wrong. Yet this bike was still being sold without a solution!
I took a Rocky Mountain element race and it shifted like magic, never had a problem and I still own it to this day. It's a very well built well thought out non-prototype bike. You will be very happy with the RM brand. I'm sure they will back up any problem from the start and not make you wait a month to solve a known problem as the Trek/fisher/klien organisation would!
I've had my last one form them that's for sure! I also own a Kona Stinky Deelux and will say this about Kona. They are bullet proof and well designed also. I have 1650 miles on my stinky since Aug first and it's never had a single chainsuck, missed shift, or chain derailment. That is impressive drive train engineering!
The Kona has been ridden is deep snow, mud and just plain miserable conditions without any problems wahtever. I would seriously consider the Kona products from an insightful engineering standpoint. Those guys have built in hard use figured out!
Jojo has a Rocky Mountain, and while I wouldn't say it was a bad bike, I also don't think its that special for what she paid for it.
The Maverick I tested out last month was just one bad ass bike. Jojo is selling her RM and getting one and I'm eyeing one for myself in the future. Unfortunatley the Maverick is freakin expensive, but that is where the Palomino comes in at a lower price point.
I have experience with both and would choose the Palomino without hesitation - although I am basing this decision on my experience with Maverick. Hopefully Klein is building quality frames - but I have yet to see one in person.
The Maverick I tested out last month was just one bad ass bike. Jojo is selling her RM and getting one and I'm eyeing one for myself in the future. Unfortunatley the Maverick is freakin expensive, but that is where the Palomino comes in at a lower price point.
I have experience with both and would choose the Palomino without hesitation - although I am basing this decision on my experience with Maverick. Hopefully Klein is building quality frames - but I have yet to see one in person.
I had 3 Kleins one season. The first one had a cracked seat collar. Never got to ride that one and it was replaced the next day. The next one lasted 8 months then developed a large crack under the downtube just behind the headtube. The next replacement was stolen. But that was several years ago, Geez maybe 10 years abo now? Yikes I'm aging. Maybe Klein makes a better product today, I don't know. But back then they had a reputation as a great yuppie bike. looked good on a roof rack or in front of Starbucks, just don't ride it too much. Other friends had similar experiences back then.
Anyone with experience on a current Klein?
Anyone with experience on a current Klein?
I've got time on each, and my two cents is that both are fine products with simple ups and downs. I would love to own either.
(...but still waiting for the Blur to replace the hardtail)
Palomino:
Pro: Excellent suspension action, great climber.
Con: Weird front derailleur.
Rocky
Pro: Lighter, time-tested
Con: $$$
Either would be a good choice, but go with what fits you. Go with the dealer that you like best. You'll have a great time on either, and a stupendous time if you confidently choose one of those two.
Good luck, congratulations.
(...but still waiting for the Blur to replace the hardtail)
Palomino:
Pro: Excellent suspension action, great climber.
Con: Weird front derailleur.
Rocky
Pro: Lighter, time-tested
Con: $$$
Either would be a good choice, but go with what fits you. Go with the dealer that you like best. You'll have a great time on either, and a stupendous time if you confidently choose one of those two.
Good luck, congratulations.