Submitted by
dlinnell
a Racer
from Whistler, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2010
Strengths: Quick, nimble and light.
Weaknesses: Haven't found one... yet.
Bottom Line:
First of all, this is a review of the new for 2010 swoopy carbon tubed KHS Alite. This is probably the first review on MTBR of this newest version of the KHS Alite. I have owned every kind of bike all the way from an Intense 6.6 to an Intense Spyder to a Norco Carbon Hardtail to a Santa Cruz Blur to a Giant Anthem Advanced to a Giant Reign X1... you name it. I ride and race a lot and I live in Whistler. Nuff said. This year I decided to go a bit more minimalist for my ride and I ordered a KHS Alite carbon. The KHS brand is pretty much non-existent in British Columbia but the new KHS rep for BC just moved into the house next door to me so voila! A hookup was created!! Long story short - I got the bike built up today which happened to coincide with the first day of the Whistler Loonie Race Series. Tonight's race was a bit of a greasy, rooty affair with lots of climbing and baby-head rock mixed with some twisty rock-dropping singletrack descents. This thing was so nimble and well balanced I could hardly believe I was on a hardtail. Well, I could believe it because it was a rough ride but if you've got bike skills you can ride a hardtail anywhere. Accelerations were like nothing I've ever felt short of my road bike. After a nasty rooty corner I would just step on the gas and zoom right up to the rider up ahead for the pass. Incredible! Fun! Buy one!! You won't regret it. Riding this thing is like living in a video game. Do it!
Similar Products Used: I've owned so many bikes over the years - where do I start?!
Bike Setup: It's stock with XT all around including the wheelset. Truvativ Noir carbon XC riser bar, Q2 carbon post, white WTB Devo saddle, Hayes Stroker Carbon brakes, Truvativ Stylo crankset.
Strengths: 1. Weight 2.Price ---Where can you get a 250 frame that weights under 3lbs. that looks good and handles better than most high end bikes. I've race for years off an on, in super sport and expert classes against lightweight full susp. bikes and bikes that cost thousands more and spanked them. My current race bike is a Jamis Dragon pro, but since I got the KHS frame and built it up as a single speed, after two rides, I realized how great of a handler and climber it is. Needless to say, this will be my new race bike and the old Dragon will be my single.
Weaknesses: None so far, I've heard people complaint about cheap paint. But all my mikes are scratched up. Just pay attention to guys with clean bikes and how they ride.
Bottom Line:
Best hardtail for the money period. Light, climbs like a goat, forgiving, handles anything, what else is there. DON'T HESITATE!!!
Strengths: Stiff, 100% power transfer without any give. Quick handling Super frame. KHS hit it out of the park with this xc race bike.
Weaknesses: None at all
Bottom Line:
The Bottom line on this frame is: KHS hit it out of the park with this frame and it's intended use. It's a pure XC race frame that stands up to heavy training and is as lite as anything on the market; carbon, scandium, Ti etc...
KHS is an AWESOME company and will will work with you on any issue(even though those are few and far between). they're a true family bike company and have my loyalty forever now. SUPER bike and SUPER company. go spend $6000.00 for another brand if you'd like, but you can get one of the best for next to nothing comparably with KHS.
I bought this frame on ebay and built it up myself - 22 pounds. I was riding an Epic. This thing can run circles around my old Epic. Is is so freakin fast and responsive. Every bit of energy you put into pedaling is transferred to forward momentum. I can absolutely fly up the mountains and have developed a new love for mountain biking. The geometry is perfect and I can rip around short corners. On downhills, I'm just as fast as my Epic. I do have to pick my lines a little bit better and may be slightly slower in rough rock gardens, but I can accelerate out of corners and get back up to speed much faster. I have a standard "TT" loop that I use to gauge fitness - it takes just over an hour and has lots of climbing. On just my second ride with this bike, I beat my old best time by 5 minutes.
If you race or just like to beat all your friends, get this frame. It is cheap, light, fast. It'll be a long time before I ever go back to a full suspension rig.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, Titus Racer X
Bike Setup: Full Sram X.0, Truvativ stylo cranks, BB7 brakes with G3 rotors, Chris King headset, Chris King hubs (pewter) laced with ZTR 355 rims, Thompson, Fox fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dondon
a Cross Country Rider
from philippines
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2008
Strengths: probably the lightest aluminum frame... very light yet sturdy..
Weaknesses: hard to find in any bike stores.... derailleur hanger somewhat plushy, anyway its replaceable, no big deal at all...
Bottom Line:
probably the best frame ever.. it's very light yet very strong frame and the geometry is perfect as well, just like you're hitting 2 birds in one stone. I assure if u do have this kind of frame, it increases you're speed in every quality ride u made.. In a long run, u go faster and save alot of energy, especially when you are in a race...
In much further adieu this is the best frame i ever had. so, why don't u take your chances? Grab it... I recommend this frame for every riders, so u can see the difference.....
