KHS FXT Comp 2002 Full Suspension
4.5
/5
REVIEWS
4.5
QIKRATE
1.0
WEB
0.0
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USER REVIEWS
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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The frame is amazing. The Duke shock is nice since it is air on one side, coil on the other, so adjusting stiffness requires only a pump- not a rebuild, very nice.
Depends on how you ride, see below.
This is an update to my previous review. I ride some of everything, street/dh/fr/xc whatever, I try to do it all on one bike. The 4" front and 4.5" rear travel seems to work well for almost all conditions (except for really big hucks of course) I've been dialing in the bike over time. Here's what I've done.
1- Replaced the seatpost, the single bolt clamp style is bad news, trust me. Also cut it down, so I can lower the seat just about all the way down, but still raise it for XC.
2- Got 27mm Sun rims w/XT hubs. The Powertools hubs were good, just the rims were more XC oriented and kept needing to be retrued after repeated rock pummeling. :)
3- The Kore XC stem was just too long, replaced it with a 70mm RaceFace Diabolus, very stiff stem.
4- Grips twisted too much, got the ODI Ruffian lock on grips
5- Rear shock leaked right from the get go, got a Fox VanillaR w/600# spring (although I'm 185 and really should get the 700# spring I think) The on the fly adjustment of rebound via the dial on the shock is a w e s o m e. I highly recommend this upgrade.
6- The tires were a bit narrow, so I got Maxxis High Rollers, 2.35, good width and they are pretty soft, stick like mad to rocks.
Lastly 2 minor complaints: 1- I'm sure the intention of the plastic brake levers was to cut overall bike costs, although during one good endo I snapped one of mine off. 2- The cranks are definitely XC oriented, however they hold up amazingly well and have withstood a good deal of abuse, although there's no substitute for chromoly cranks. ;)
CONCLUSION:
I'm still keeping my value rating at 5 because the bike at $899 was a great deal.
My overall rating I'm leaving at 5 as well, because in spite of the things I replaced for my riding style, in its true stock form it is still a perfect all-mountin/trailbike/xc rig/whatever they are calling do it all bikes these days.
Who should buy it?
Riders looking for a bike that can handle most any terrain, though from the factory it is setup a bit more for XC.
Who should not buy it?
People doing big drops, this bike is clearly not designed for that.
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Solid frame with good welds. Incredible value at 900 bucks. Good components. Beefy frame for larger riders like myself.
Maybe a bit heavy, but at over 225lbs myself, I can't ask my bike to be a lightweight. No real weaknesses.
Great ride. As mentioned above, I'm a big rider and could produce pedal bob on a fully rigid bike, but have had no trouble with this suspension. This thing is rock solid. I've so far been happy with all of the parts. The Duke XC is nice and stiff and handles my size without complaint. I'm not looking for the crankset to last under me for too long, but at thins price, you can swap alot of stuff and still come out ahead. WELL worth the money.
Similar Products Used:
none
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Price. Disk brakes. Good name brand components. Army Green color with flames!
Handle bar is to high for XC type riding. Needs a straight bar with 0 degree stem. Comes with three spacer rings under the stem. I've since moved the spacers to the top of the stem to drop the stem/bar down.
This bike rides a lot like a hard tail. I havn't noticed any bob in the rear. It's not as light or as fast as my Cannondale, but I wasn't expecting it to be. KHS did a nice job with this bike. To bad 2002 was the last year for it. KHS should have given this model a few more years to catch on.
Similar Products Used:
1990 Cannondale SM700 w/RS1 front shock
OVERALL RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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PRICE!! The total cost of the complete was cheaper than some of the frames I was looking at. Who cares if a few components weren't up to snuff, the fact that i'm basically getting the components free with an average priced frame is good enough for me.
Deore LX drivetrain, kore cockpit parts. Junkie platforms by default, I swapped those with some clipless pedals. Also, I found a good deal on a Grimeca rear disc brake, turns out a plastic replacement part for the Julie costs only $20 less than a whole new brake!!
Similar Products Used:
Brakes. To think that hydraulic disc brakes would come with cheap, plastic brake levers is rediculous. Even cheap department store bikes have aluminum or alloy brake levers nowadays. The rear blade to the lever snapped on the first ride, and wimpy little snowhill.
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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read prior reviews, they are more specific and right on!
only problem I had was the crank loosining on me during a tough ride, probably my fault, should always preflight
what all the other reviews touting bikes strengths have proved true, have not found any real weaknesses. very pleased with this bike and would buy it again if I needed another, i would recommend to anyone who wants a great FS without spending a fortune. I have since looked for other great deals in this price range but have found nothing comprable. Just bought the wife an Ibex ign 2, should get it next week for just under $500, but that's another review...
Similar Products Used:
none, 1st FS
OVERALL RATING |
2 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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price you can't beat it
so far i have snapped the rear swingarm twice
both times it was in the same spot
you get what you pay for
it would be a much much better bike if they put a more durable swingarm on it for bigger drops
Similar Products Used:
none
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Frame design, Manufacturer customer service.
Rear air shock. A frame this good should be mated with a coil over like a fox or Romic.
Before I give my overall review let me say that this design is similar to the Specialized FSR frame with the interupted seat tube frame minus the horst link linkage. The 2002 model bike is virtually the same frame as the 2001 KHS FXT Comp with a different paint job and rear shock set-up.
This is probably the one of the most underated bike on the market. Because it is not produced from one of the top tier manufacturers (cannondale, trek, specialized) people overlook it and think it is built substandard. The 4-bar linkage rear shock is fully active and absorbs everything. The steering is nimble and quick and the handling is grippy around dirt pack trails and supple on rock garden terrain. The ride closely resembles the specialized FSR series, but the KHS has a longer travel and heavier burlier build. If it were compared to the specialized bikes it would fall between the enduro models and the stumpjumper models. The Magura hydo disc brakes have a strong bite and contribute in differentiating it as a non racing sled. This is due to the fact that the FXT COMP is targeted as a heavy duty trail bike with a light freerider mentality. The frame and weldments are quality and jointed with the same techniques as KHS's downhill and dual slalom models.
The debut year for the FXT Comp series is 2001 with the bomber Marzoochi fork and generic brand air shock. 2002 replaces them with a RS DUKE fork and an RS Sid air shock. I wondered why KHS fitted the frames with an air shock when the bike is tough enough for freeriding. At 30lbs the Comp is out of its league as a purebred racer, but fits perfectly as an all mountain trail bike, which 85% of us who buy this bike do. Unfortunately, the FXT series are discontinued for the 03 season and are being replaced with single pivot Dualies (I guess Santa Cruz is the frame to imitate nowadays).
In short ... Very good bike, proven frame design, respectable component selection, smooth and confident ride, single digit drop capable suspension, and fair price. KHS is the ultimate underdog that quietly goes undetected on the radar screen for producing quality products.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR stumpjumper, Norco vps fluids
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Very good handling, decent components, very smooth suspension, excellent price.
None mechanically, but some people don't like the army green color.
Rides like a Specialized FSR with great handling and no bob when climbing. Very comfortable. Great brakes. Almost unbelievable value; every bit as good as bikes selling for twice the price. Dealing with Jenson was a pleasure. The guy above who claims to have broken his rear swing arm must not realize that this is a cross country bike that is not intended to do 9ft. drops. Anyone wanting a good, competent mountain bike for a terrific price should try to find one of these. I love mine.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose, Fisher, Trek, Giant, Specialized.
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Light weight without the flex
Climbs like a hardtail
price!!!
nothing important
it's a great bike, but a little on the heavy side. it's good for intermediates, and rides much better than the specialized bikes i've tried. it climbs well, and doesn't flex much. it is suitable for light freeriding.
Similar Products Used:
specialized rockhopper pro
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
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Similar Products Used:
Don't listen to the f ucker below.