Submitted by
zach.scofield
a Cross Country Rider
from Plattsurgh, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2009
Strengths: Lightweight, excellent design, low cost, vertically compliant, super Fast
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
This frame has met my expectations completely. My last 2 bikes have been full suspension rigs and when I decided to build another bike I wanted a hardtail again.
This frame is Fast! This thing is a rocket, when you get up and go, it goes. Lateral flex is minimal which helps a lot. If you like power transfer this frame delivers.
Climbing has always been something I've judged bikes hard on. This frame climbs with the best of them. It hooks very well and really sticks the power to the ground. If you want to stand and climb the steeps - no problem there.
This frame is light. Mine weighs in at just under 3 lbs(size small).
Buy It! Ride It. I haven't been disappointed by it yet. If youre looking for a light, fast, race ready frame that truly delivers than this is for you!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: hardtails: stumpy, giants, treks, cannondale f1000
Bike Setup: 06 KHS 4k team, sram x7, easton ea70 cockpit, Manitou R7 platinum, michelin xc at 2.0 f+r
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Submitted by
rellie
a Cross Country Rider
from Iloilo City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008
Strengths: very light for an aluminum frame but very stiff, inspires confidence on the rider to go even faster...its so insane!!!
Weaknesses: you would have a hard time finding it in bikeshops nowadays, but its worth the effort of finding it...trust me on this!!!
Bottom Line:
being a leisure biker would probably be the closest i can describe myself, just wanna go around seeing nice sceneries...and guimaras and iloilo has some of the best places for a mountainbikers both expert and novice like me...recently we tried a 10 hour guimaras trip and my bike did better than I expected...it never failed me so far so if you could get your hands on this frame your making the best buy of your life...and its cheaper than other frames in its level...BUY,BUY,BUYYYYYYY
Submitted by
ian
a Cross Country Rider
from cagayan de oro, philippines
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Strengths: verrry light..beats its more expensive counterparts in terms of quality, sturdiness, looks and most importantly, price... very humble in appearance (and so most tend to underrate it) but performs just as well as(even better than)its boastful competitors! alite 4k is a very smart buy and by far khs' most important achievement in bike designing technology in its recent years of mundane existence..(hehehe)...i even traded my 2k6 jamis dragon pro for ds 2k5 team issue!!
Weaknesses: in terms of its ability to perform, none at all.... its only weakness is that, u might have a problem finding it in any mtb store...
Bottom Line:
OUTSTANDING!!! ANY SERIOUS HARDTAIL biker should have it, if he cud still find it in any bike store... in terms of lightness, i doubt if the latest khs team issue edition frames could ever come lighter than the alite 4k... i like the gray coating, though, as mostly comented on, it does chip off quite easily...but every bike comes off the factory wd inherent weaknesses, big or small...this "little problem", though, is something that cud easily be ignored, what with how the bike suits ur every performance needs!
Similar Products Used: i've used jamis ranger, jamis dragon pro and giant (2005) xtc..alite 2k5 is my best mtb frame ever!
Bike Setup: xt rapid fire shifters (2006), truvative stylo (hollowtech, 2k7), turbolite seatpost and selle saddle, xt hubs and v-brakes, fsa stem and handle bar, serfas clipless pedals, kenda 1.95, mavic wheels
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Submitted by
Junaid Hassan
a Cross Country Rider
from Clarksville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007
Strengths: Light, fast, great traction, stiff yet easy on the hard stuff, nimble...one of the best Hardtails out there if set up right
Weaknesses: none really...
Bottom Line:
Ok, you've gotta read this guys: IF YOU LIKE YOUR F'ING BIKE, GIVE IT 5 FLAMING CHILIS, if you don't like the paint, but still ride the bike and enjoy it: your bike doesn't deserve only 2 F'ING CHILIS...jeez, learn how to f'ing rate your products properly! _rant over
Very nice climber, I have only had experience with the frame since I'm swithching most of the stuff out, but I rode it for the first time (both the new trail and the bike) on Gambrill, one of the ROCKIEST trails by far in MD, and wow, did this think soak up the bumps; almost felt like a softtail. Very nimble bike and is capable of being built up to be under 21 lbs as a race bike for sure and still be a daily trail demon...
Bike Setup: R7 Platinum, Crossmax UST, XT/XTR Hollowtech drivetrain, carbon fiber seat post and bar, thomson stem, avid single digit brakes
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Submitted by
CenseSence
a Cross Country Rider
from KL, MAS
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2006
Strengths: not too rigid and not too flexi. Good traction on offroading. Strong frame. Lightweight which under 3lbs with s size. and alot more.
Weaknesses: pain chip off easily. derailleur hanger very costly.
Bottom Line:
This is a good frame. it just flex enought to remain it's traction on the trail. It is ver light and not too expensive. Not a superb branded stuff but superb performance stuff. Pain is abit junky, and easy to get scratches. but overall it do perform more than what it should be. For those who looking for a weight winner, this bike should be suit you. and this is not for stuning.
Bike Setup: KHS Alite 4k Frame, FoxFork 125R(100mm), SingleDigitTiBrake, carbon bar, Thompson seatpost, mostly Xt parts, Tank hubs + mavic rims...etc...
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Lala land, CA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2006
Strengths: Light, great geometry, good looks, not heavily branded, stiff, good cable routing
Weaknesses: derailleur hanger is a little bendy. a couple of times now, i've had to straighten it out. paint is chippy, but hey--what does it matter? it stays covered in dirt anyway.
Bottom Line:
I LOVE this bike! Before i bought the frame, i did lots of research and for the money this is the best frame you can buy... i think it is maybe the best secret in mountainbiking. It is incredibly light and strong, looks great, and is not something that everyone else rides. I read a review several months ago that suggested: "dont think about it-- buy it-- trust me on this." And that is now my suggestion to anyone considering this frame. I think we owe it to support the little companies that produce great products.
Similar Products Used: specialized hard rock, murray crap,
Bike Setup: easton ea70 flat bars, sram x9 drivetrain, lx hubs & crank, sun 0 degree rims, marzocchi marathon fork
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Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Somers Point, New Jersey
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2005
Strengths: Super light frame, very strong, has taken many crashes and has kept it's shape.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is, this is a great bike, the bike is a very light, well built bike. It's the best hardtail XC bike I've ever road. The bike has stood up to all types of punishment and bounces back.
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly, PA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2005
Strengths: Light strong frame.
Weaknesses: The paint wears off quickly when rubbed by cables. The steering becomes awful if you throw a 100mm travel fork up front.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't be happier with this frame. For the amount it weighs, I should have broken it long ago. I weigh 200 lbs. and ride hard, this frame has outlasted nearly every other component on my bike, including the seatpost and a wheel set.
Similar Products Used: trek hardtail frame, older khs frame
Bike Setup: xt and sram components, carbon bar, manitou skareb fork.
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Submitted by
Mark Mallahan
a Racer
from Bellingham Wa. USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2005
Strengths: FEATHER LIGHT, With the Fox 80X fork this bike is a rocket. I have ridden many other hardtails for racing and this one is byfar the best at only 20.4 lbs you will feel and be amazingly fast on this bike! The Cool color scheme and quality parts make for a great race bike!
Weaknesses: None at all! This bike is ment to be a XC racers best friend!!
Bottom Line:
If your a serious racer or just want the fastest hardtail bike around this bike is for you. The alite 4000 offers the most advanced material to make the bike extremely light. You wont find many hardtails that are even close to this light weight bike. The Fox 80X fork is not the lightest fork on the market but it is the most advanced, it has automatic lockout technology, which makes for an extremely fast ride going up hills or on the flats. If you can afford the 3100 MSRP and want a bike to race XC with this bike is for you!!!! Ride ON!!!!!
Similar Products Used: Specialiazed M series bikes and Rockhoppers
Bike Setup: XTR, with Rapid rise shifters, Carbon seat post and handle bars, Fox 80X automatic lockout fork! Maybe some FSA Carbon Cranks...possable comming soon!!! It would be under 20 LBS then!!!
