Bike Setup: XT components, Titec, Marzocchi Bomber Z3
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Submitted by
chefluke chefluke
a Cross Country Rider
from Nelson New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001
Strengths: I like climbing and so does the bike. Very stiff when cranking in, and out of the saddle. Nice and light. Cool looking. Feels good on the road. Strong, I've hammared this bike for over a year and it loves it!
Weaknesses: None so far, but I'll let you know if I find any.
Bottom Line:
This bike can climb virtually everything. It loves meduim to fast single track, not bad when the going gets really steep and technical, might try a short stem though.
Similar Products Used: KHS Team hardtail, KHS FXT Pro softail, Haro escape (don't buy one.
Bike Setup: 19 inch frame, Mazocchi superflys, all XT groupo, everything else is titec, IRC Mythos carbon 2.1's. 23.5lb's
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001
Strengths: climbing.
Weaknesses: dents easily
Bottom Line:
Holy Sh*t, this bike will win all of the hill climb competitions. All of them. if you happen to be at the starting line of your "hill climb" and the guy next to you (or the guy next to that guy has one of these frames, bow down right there and start worshipping this frame because it will kill you instantly. If i owned KHS, i would rename this bike "The Best Climber in the World," or maybe "Anti-gravity," or maybe "Melvin." i dunno. But anyway, you might as well buy this frame and automatically start laughing at all the hills you ever see because they are nothing. and neither is any other bike when it comes to ascending. Bow Down to the King of the Hill!! DO IT NOW!
Similar Products Used: Trek 7000, Schwinn Homegrown Factory full suspnsion, Scott Summit, Specialized (something) Expert
Bike Setup: Trek 7000 with some upgrades
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Submitted by
Night Owl
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000
Strengths: An update review after handling this Alite 4000 (1999) for almost 2 years now.Reliable, light, quick steering, replaceable rear mounting. Strong frame, nothing cracked or gave way, despite 175 lbs.weight pounding on dry crust and potholes, singletracks.
Weaknesses: I got used to the poor paintjob. The more scratches the better it looks!
Bottom Line:
Great bike, no regrets still, any rear suspension cannot give me the climbing power of this hardtail. Perhaps I may try a cromo or titanium for a little more comfort next. Reliable and nothing broken on the frame. The new Alite 3000 looks OK but I cannot get used to disc brakes, so KHS please allow for non disc in the mounting points. I changed to another lighter Marzocchi Bomber X.2, nothing wrong with the first one. Have taken it for road climbs with road tyres (Hutchinson Gold) with a spare set of XTR hubbed Mavic 138s and found nothing inadequate. Could keep up with the roadies.
Bike Setup: 19" frame weighing 24.5 lbs, mainly Shimano LX except 747 spd, XT front derailler, XT bottom bracket, XTR chain, XT rear cassette, XT headset, Mavic 517s with XTR hubs, Kore Lite 130 mm stem, Koobi split seat
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Submitted by
Chet
a Cross Country Rider
from Charleston, WV
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000
Strengths: Very lightweight, love the geometry, climbs very well.
Weaknesses: Easton Elite tubing dents very easily. (but that's the price you pay for a 3lb frame)
Bottom Line:
Built up pretty light for a 17" - 24.3 lbs. I love the bike, I race it about every 2 weeks and can say it beats the pants off my old full suspension XCR. I've beat it relentlessly and it just begs for more.
Similar Products Used: Gt Rebound, older Bianchi Osprey hardtail.
Bike Setup: Crosslink wheelset on GEAX Hook and Warp, Full XT Group, USE XCR Shockpost, Ritchey WCS Ti saddle. Sid XC fork, Time ATAC pedals.
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Submitted by
Marco DeAngelis
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirksville,MO
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Strengths: The KHS frame is super light and very responsive on the trail. Climbs like a monster!!! For the price, I don't think there is a better frame out there. Cool polished finish, and sweet welds. On the trail, it corners real well, and likes to be thrown around. Accelerates quickly!!
Weaknesses: The Easton Tubing is a little harsh on the back.
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass for anyone looking for a fast race bike and is on a budget. You can pick the frame up right now from universal cycles for about $330. It is usually $600 or $700. I've got my bike down to about 24.5 lbs, and that is with a lot of average components. If someone took the money to trick this bike out, they could easily have a race bike between 21 and 23 lbs!!! Pretty damn good. On the other hand, if you are just a weekend warrior, and are looking for a comfortable, forgiving ride, go cro-moly or dual suspension. This bike could really use a suspension seat post for the back.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Ziggurat, Scott Summit, Trek 7000
Bike Setup: Mavic 517's built around lx hubs, Manitou Pro C (Crap!!), Avid 1.9 levers with Arch 40 brakes, FSA Afterburner Crankset, 535's, Plasma shifters, XT derailuers, club roost go fast xc riser bars, and a specializes s-works stem (0 rise, 130mm).
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Submitted by
Filthy McNasty
a Cross Country Rider
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2000
Strengths: light, tough, good looks polished aluminum frame looks great Easton Tubing
Weaknesses: Aluminum can wear you down on long rides (harsh)
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs very well and tracks like a dream. THe bike is very light and easy to manouvre. The frame is super stiff and can throw a rider around pertty good, stay alert. Recommend a suspension post, or ti post at least, something that will be a little more forgiving on long rides.
Drop offs, descents and jumps are not a problem. This bike can really take the abuse. I've had no mechanicals to speak of. KHS has built a steel replacable hanger, good idea, better than some of the aluminun crap out there.
I really do need a little more time to ride before a real detailed review can be done, but from what I see so far this bike works great. I've only had the bike for three months, but I plan to use it for a long while. I would recommend this ride to any one that is looking for a fast x-country MTB. This is an excellent bike for racing, or hard core endurance riders.
Comfort might be best found in a cromo frame, or if you can afford it, titanium.
Similar Products Used: Marin, Pine Mountain, Cromo- hard tail, judy, grip shift
Bike Setup: White Bros. 70ul fork, sram 9.0sl shifter/derailer, Magura brakes, titec stem(ti),Titec bar(ti) and Titec post(ti), Mavic 517's on XT hubs, XT cranks, shimano chain, XTR ti cassette. I've got the wieght down to 22 pounds!
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Submitted by
Night Owl
a Cross-Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999
Strengths: good value, tough, responsive for singletrack
Weaknesses: lime/blue two tone paint job is useless, get the polished one
Bottom Line:
Pretty tough so far and very responsive on singletrack and fast downhills. Climbs well and the frame fits my 185 lb weight and 6 ft height. Changed to a 130 stem helped the fit well on downhills and the really steep climbs. Frame is light for a three maintube Easton, overall wt is approx 25.0 lbs although I am not really bothered too much weight wise. Front LX derailleur not good, will upgrade to XT when its trashed. Ride a lot on sharp gravel and lots of mud in rainy season and find the comfort good over normal 15 to 20 km rides.
