-Deluxe alloy 4-bar pivot frame with sealed bearings and a Rock Shox Bar-Adjust rear shock
-Rock Shox Pilot SL 100mm front suspension
-27 speed drivetrain with Sram X9 shifters, rear derailleurs and chain
-Truvativ FireX crankset
-Kenda Karma 26 x 2.0" folding tir
-Kore riser bar and stem
-Hayes cable actuated disc brakes
Submitted by
mnigro
a Weekend Warrior
from c-bus, oh
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2009
Strengths: nice and strong, not too heavy. cheap and stable ride. no pedal bob & FSR design.
Weaknesses: paint kobs on KHS are really bland. they need to get some colors going.
Bottom Line:
This bike does more than the job. Climbs very well and bombs downhill. No pedal bob and the Specialized FSR suspension is on point.
I built up this frame and I'm happy with what I got for about $1500, all-in. The Manitou shock has a harsh platform but I think once the shock dies and is replaced this bike will be even better.
I'd highly recommend thisbike and KHS to others.
Weaknesses: the rear shock i got with theme (rock shox ??? 2.1)
is not so good, not soft at all
Bottom Line:
who wants to enjoy both side of the mountain-buy this bycicle in single they great an when you climb you get to the top of the mountain first
bottom line - recomended
Submitted by
George B
a Cross Country Rider
from Goshen, Kentucky, US
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2008
Strengths: The bike does everything I want it to and some. Will climb anything.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I went with the 2005 KHS XC-604 frame because of the lightweight for 7005 aluminum.(same as the team bike)The setup of the bike does everything perfect for me after a few adjustments on the suspension. The bike is still rock solid after 2 years of beatings.
Bike Setup: Frame 2005 KHS XC-604
Suspension 2009 RockShox Tora Race, RockShox Bar
Drivetrain All Shimano LX
Brakes Shimano Lx Hydrulic
Wheels Mavic 325 XT hubs
Pedels XT
Bontrager RaceLite seatpost, Bars, and Stem
Tres Mountain King 2.2
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Mecreyes
a Cross Country Rider
from Brampton, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2007
Strengths: Soft and Plush, tracks well, quite enjoyable to throw around on the trails. Frame feels "soft" but no flexing is felt.
Weaknesses: Odd sized Head tube had me scrambling to find a decent headset. I think its a 1.5" but reduced it to 1 1/8". Nothing innovative in the frame design, but utilizes Specialized FSR platform.
Bottom Line:
Overall, its a KHS 604 Frame with some considerable upgrades and transfers from my Spec. Stumpjumper comp. Its my first full suspension, and what a difference. I have no complaints about the bike, but some of the components are definitely due for an upgrade. The crankset, chain and cassette are where most of my problems are. I'm close to achieving a Shimano free bike, but couldn't pass up some deals online. If you are in the market for a move to full suspension and are on a budget, the list specs for the XC-204 and 604 are definitely worth the look. I was fortunate enough to have a great LBS for service. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the bike, and feel confident that the tried, tested and true design will last for the 5 years I plan to use it. Highly upgradeable, its worth a look. BTW, I really wanted a Santa Cruz Blur to customize but hell is it ever expensive...
Strengths: Awesome for smoothing out the trail but climbs like a friggon billy goat.
Weaknesses: pivots need greased often if you clean the bike with a hose.
Bottom Line:
I bought the frame from my LBS and put a fox float on rearend over the manitou & 100mm Rockshox up front. I built the bike myself so the cost of the complete build was Close to $3000. The bike friggon rocks and I get complements on it all the time. Once you get the suspension setup properly it works as good as it gets.
I can't say how well a store bought complete KHS604 works but I know the custom build I did will stay in my garage for years to come.
I race XC in KY and will go scream downhills and rarely fool with the pro pedal knob on my rear shock as it climbs great no matter what setting. This bike is severly underated by the masses.
Weaknesses: Brakes, rear shock, handling, rubbish stickers on front fork
Bottom Line:
Coming from a long line of kona hardtails I have to say that this KHS feels very bland and boring to ride. It seems to be quite a short bike so it turns fast but it is a bit unpredictable in its handling. It isnt that nice to slide. I've looked after it but at 800km the bottom bracket bearings are worn out. The brakes have no power, which is interesting because others don't have a probem with these brakes. The stickers are pealing off the forks,which I think makes them look cheap. The rear shock lacks adjustment, I cant get it set just right. I'd say that this is an entry level full suspension, you could get a lot better. At the end of the day you get what you pay for and I probably should have spent more.
Similar Products Used: This is my first full suspension.
Bike Setup: Manitou slate fork, manitou radium rear shock, juicy 3 brakes, sram x9 rear,x7 shifters, sun rims. Factory set up
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Submitted by
Petrelli
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007
Strengths: Stiff rear end. Very responsive rear suspension. Excellent top tube clearance.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
This is a review for 2007 KHS XC604. I bought the frame bcoz I like the horst-link setup. I build the bike as the above setup. It weigh 25.2 pounds.
My friends laughed at me when I bought KHS. But after riding it for 8 months now, I'm very happy with the bike. The only thing I changed was the Radium L to MC3.3 shock bcoz I sold it to my friend who wanted to replace his broken Radium.
It climbed aggresively while seated. If I started to stand up during climb, I didn't feel any bob, unlike the Mojo and Trance that I tested before. Now I'm laughing at my friends when I arrived at the top of the hill faster.
The beautiful part was I'm able to go downhill with a lot more confidence and faster due to its stiff rear end. It just felt so natural. Braking performance during downhill was also smooth and rhythmic to the terrain.. no feeling of locking. Downhill switchbacks were rode like on rails.
The best part was sprinting. I just love that instantaneous feel of the rear suspension. Probably also due to the light Mavic ST wheelset.
Generally it is a great bike with quality frame and suspension. Cheap and for the price that I build the bike, I can only get the Titus Motolite and Reba fork.
Submitted by
Gordon
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2007
Strengths: Solid frame & shock, decent brakes
Weaknesses: Weak stock forks, dreadful oem spd pedals, drivetrain definitely not Clydeproof
Bottom Line:
This is a good entry level full suspension rig for regular builds, but as a clydesdale the stock components proved to be too lightweight - this is a Clyde specific review and the ratings are purely from a clyde perspective, this is not the bike for you.
I broke the stock pedals after about 2 miles (props to Ericson at Bike Attack for loaning me a set of XTRs), but they're pretty obviously supposed to be replaced at time of purchase, I don't even know why the bike comes with them.
The frame itself is solid, and common to the 204, the shock and components are the difference in the 604. There is a fair bit of pedal bob, but it's not BAD, the shock WILL take a good 270 psi without blowing, unlike the forks.
The forks (rockshox pilot SL - hall of shame member) are very poor, I blew the seals on the first set and the second set fell apart shortly after getting replaced. I've since upgraded to a TALAS RLC and the ride is great.
The rims/spokes are also pretty weak, I popped spokes very soon after getting it and had Rhynolite XLs laced up to the stock hubs, these have gone thousands of miles without hitch.
I have no doubt that this bike will serve regular riders well for most trail work, but clydesdales would be better off buying a 204 frame and building up from there, don't waste your money on the 604 components because you will need to replace them.
i built this bike up to race and have had a suspention rig before. it was cheap and thats why i bought it. i won some races but i felt that it didn't handle or pedle efficiant enough for me however a rider just going to a dual suspintion bike it will work well. i just want a more hard tail ride
Favorite Trail: anything at pischah i sore its speelled wrong
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At: dive tech sports
Similar Products Used: gary fisher sugar
Bike Setup: fox rlt fork, bontrager race wheels,bontrager bigsweet bar, rock sock sid dual air, shimano XT disk breakes, xt cranck, xt cassette, wtb saddle, 9.0 half pipe grip shift shifters, sram x9 rear, XT fornt
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Submitted by
Mike Ross
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnpeg, MB, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2006
Strengths: Brakes and index capabilities, feels like the bike was built for you.
Weaknesses: Should have atleast a 400mm seatpost, I'm 6'4 and the spec seatpost is not quite enough, had to list another post.
Bottom Line:
Being able to customize the suspension has added a new dynamic to riding. Gone are the days of chainstay divots and rattling, this bike will take it all in!!! Been nothing but a pleasure to ride, I hope I never grow old!!!
To all the riders who just like to ride wherever their hearts desire, consider this ride, you'll thank me and be pleased you did.
Bike Setup: bought just the frame used some parts that I had
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Submitted by
Bryan Mouton
a Racer
from Winder, georgia, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2005
Strengths: Awesome Bike, Handles great, Nice Paint, Excellent brakes and shifting. Lightweight, Overall a Beautiful bike. So far no chain suck.
Weaknesses: Offset seat post makes for too much reach to the handlebars. Otherwise nothing.
Bottom Line:
Although this is my first full-suspension, it feels like my old hardtail but rides smooth. The adjustability of the suspension is a nice feature. I should have got one sooner. KHS has a nice dependable setup for a price that won't leave you broke. I don't believe there will be any major problems with this bike.
Similar Products Used: Trek 4900 Hardtail, Caloi Comp
Bike Setup: Stock except seatpost, Sun rims, SRAM shifters and derailers IRC tires, 7in disc brake in front and 6in in back, Avid 5 calipers, Truvativ firex cranks, stem and bars, Rockshox Pilot sl Fork and Rockshox Bar rear shock.
