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Submitted by
Darrin Stein
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Everything, so far is great. Still learning the fine tuning of the rear shock. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is an amazing bike. I finally went from a hardtail to a full suspension and did alot of research, tried lots of different rides. I like this one due to it's set up, weight was very important to me and this is one of the lightest I found (around 24 lbs). It's definatly not a free ride bike, but will take alot of abuse. I know...I am in Ohio, but I am a veteran rider from Colorado and understand whats going on with this bike. Retail price is a bit high and I got smoking deal on this NEW bike (with full warranty in place) on eBay. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Pike
a Cross Country Rider
from Pretoria, South Africa
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sabie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Morningside Cycles | | Strengths: | Good value for money. Lightweight and responsive | | Weaknesses: | Frame quality is the worst | | Similar Products Used: | Kona | | Bike Setup: | XT groupset, Avid brakes, Syncross wheels, Sid race front and rear. | | Bottom Line: | I managed to do about 1700km on this bike in the 2 months I had it, before the seat tube snapped clean off. I am a light cross country rider (140lbs) and do not even jump off the pavement. Bike developed a creaking sound which I attributed to bottom bracket before breaking in spectacular fashion. Everyone I know who owns a 2003/2004 KHS has managed to break at least 1 frame. The worst is that after more than 3 months I am still without my replament frame. KHS have no problem replacing their frames because they know what rubbish they are selling. Avoid this bike at all costs!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Downhill Danny
a Racer
from Johannesburg, South Africa
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sabie mountain areas | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | Morning Side Cycles | | Strengths: | Fair priced product package. Comefortable frame, good suspension design, once rear shock is dialed in properly. Great Support from KHS | | Weaknesses: | Frame Stength | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX870 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi MXC ECC, SID Race rear shock, XT shifters & derailleurs, Truvative FireX crank, Richey WCS seatpost, XSIV hydro brakes, XTR rims & hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, been very happy with the bike and setup. Components have lasted reasonably well, given that I race XC and marathon races. SID rear shock needs careful preasurre setting to minimise suspension bob, and careful attention to pedalling style, especially at higher cadence.
I weigh 140 pounds and do not take jumps / drops higher than knee height, pure XC jeep track / single track terrain. After 2.5 years of faithfull service a crack developed on the bracket that ties the bottom end of the rear shock to the downtube. I had it welded and continued racing the bike for 3 months, where after another crack developed on the left hand side of the frame, just below the rear shock weld on the seat tube. Contacted LBS where the bike was bought originally, and they have arranged for a 2004 replacement frame. No questions asked, so full marks there to KHS. A fair number of other riders in the club with same model / newer 904 frames (silver ones) have experienced the same problem on their frames, especially along the seat tube. Given that all broken frames have been replaced everytime says something about KHS's support, but is still annoying when it happens due to loss of riding time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Cross Country Rider
from La
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review of the bike. Mine cracked on the lower mount for the rear shock. To my knowledge this is the only weak point. The medal here is very thin, esp. compared to other fames. KHS was great, they warrantied the frame and sent me a new 05. The paint job rocks on this thing. Just thought it was worth mentioning. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott oakley
a Cross Country Rider
from cornelius, nc
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Norman | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Nice components for the price
World Cup SID w/ Remote Lock Out
Fox AVA R w/Remote Lock Out
| | Weaknesses: | Weighs 1.7lbs more than advertised. It has all original components and it weighs in at 26lbs. Still light enough, though.
Tires Panaracer Trail Blaster 1.95 should have used Panaracer XC Pro
WTB Laser Lite Wheelset should have used Mavic Crossmax SL
For the original MSRP should have came with Disc brakes
| | Similar Products Used: | Started out with a Giant DS2
Just put away DiamondBack DBR hardtail (23lbs) w/ Manitou Carbon fork, SRAM drivetrain, Titec package, etc. | | Bike Setup: | World Cup SID w/Remote Lock Out
Fox AVA R w/Remote Lock Out
Monkelite XC riser
EA70 Stem
XT Shifter
Avid Speed Dial 7
Avid Single Digit Ti
FSA Orbit headset
EC70 seat post
XT Fr Dr
XTR R Dr
Truvativ Stylo Team crank set
Time ATAC's Carbon
WTB Laser Lite Wheelsets
Panaracer TrailBlasters | | Bottom Line: | This was last year's model so the 45% discount (MSRP $3,300) makes it a great value. All of the components are above average. My old bike weighed 33lbs. The xc904r screams down the trails, it's like a dog tugging at the leash. I know it can go faster, I just don't know if I can. It's definitely a racing bike as the travel is only 3.75" front and back. When both ends are locked out, it's very rigid and sprints well. Compared to the DBR, it tracks much better and is more predictable, of course it's all because of the full suspension. The front end is lighter than I am used to and I find myself picking the wheel off the ground especially on climbs. The only weakness I have experienced is in the tires. The Trail Blasters have very little bite and spin easily on climbs. They are sketchy in corners. I have read some negative reviews on the wheelset. I don't think I will have a problem because I strictly do cross country and weigh 120lbs soaking wet. Needless to say, I am easy on all the components. The only change I plan to make is going with a EC90 flat bar. The DBR had a flat bar and I like it much better than a riser. Other than, that it's exactly what I wanted in a bike. Now the only thing left to do is find a race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Cross Country Rider
from la
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very Strong, Very Light, 4-bar linkage | | Weaknesses: | Stock rear air shock is horrible other than that none | | Bottom Line: | This bike is perfect for XC riding and light downhill. It can take abuse and is light for full suspension which works great. I recommend KHS to anyone. Just replace that air shock with coil. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Phillips
a Racer
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | One that goes up | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Team Discount | | Strengths: | Light, Responsive, Durable(kind of) | | Weaknesses: | Color Options | | Similar Products Used: | New to FS bike...Comverted from HT | | Bike Setup: | XT, DT/Hugi Wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Why buy the Ellsworth Truth, (although Supergo has the original Turner four bar on sale for $900) this is the same bike and it is alot cheaper....Maybe not as well made, but KHS takes care of you. And remember this is a XC bike, not freeride. I love this four bar design. I've ridden the Spyder....blah blah blah, four bar relieves pedal bob as well as any of them. The build kit on this bike is as good as any other bike out there and alot less expensive. I cracked the seat tube after about 6 mo's and KHS had a new frame out to me in less than 10 days. Only bummer, I had to pay for the rebuild($100) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim tidball
a
from medford oregon
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | wagner creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel world | | Strengths: | Great welds and craftsmanship, beautiful paint, excellant geometry, great SID rear shock. very happy with KHS customer service as well. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Fox vanilla 80-125,thompson post & stem, king hubs on mavic 317 disc wheelset, geax sedona 2.3 tires, king headset, avid mechanical brakes and levers, wtb vaser V saddle, LP carbon-fiber handlebar, you get the picture! | | Bottom Line: | Purchased as "frame only" and had bike custom built. I custom spec'd this bike from top to bottom, hand picking all components. I absolutely love it. After 5+ years of hardtail-ing, I was surprised how comfortable it felt the first time I hopped on it, very little learning curve!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronny Sterckx
a Racer
from Prevôst, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | MOC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2997.00 | | Purchased At: | RST Vélosports enr. | | Strengths: | rear suspension desing made by Giant
Incredible handling and killing traction. | | Weaknesses: | The Fox rear shock Float AVA lock-out handlebar mount is
not that convinient
| | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 1
| | Bike Setup: | Hayes disc, spinnergy cyclone disc wheels and rock shox
world cup fork. | | Bottom Line: | The XC 904r is one of the best bike I ever had and I'm
planning to get the new 2004 for next year even that they
didn't change it a lot exept the colors.This bike is really
made for racers and for those having an agressive riding
the rear suspension is working like a charm and there is no
cracking or creaking on the bushings or pivots after a muddy ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Romeo II
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hole in the Ground | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Dealer | | Strengths: | The components are top of the line. The SID world cup and rear float never cease to amaze me. Extremely light frame. | | Weaknesses: | Seat needs to be exchanged for something other than a rock. The pivots in the linkage needed locktite. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab II, Specialized Epic, K2 Razorback | | Bike Setup: | Stock; except for Italia seat addition. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is amazing. The combination of a light frame (24 lbs.) and XTR components make this bike a must have, especially considering it is a full suspension bike. The shocks provide comfort and yet maintain stability and control; lockouts are provided for both the front and rear shocks. I have ridden this bike throughout the Bay Area/Tahoe regions and it rides beautifully in soft and hard conditions.
If you are a racer, cross-country fanatic, or simply want an exceptional bike, this is the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Chua
a Cross Country Rider
from Surigao City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 90Kms Surigao del Sur | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | KHS Philippine Dealer | | Strengths: | a good rear shock (Fox AVA) with a large range of adjustment and there is a rear volume adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | The link near the front sprocket is covered and very hard to clean. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Competition Series, GT Avalanche, Specialized Hard Rock | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XTR, Rockshox SID, Avid Disk Brake, | | Bottom Line: | I like the performance of this bike, No pumping effect if you correctly adjust the pressure in the rear shock and I can also use my remote lock out if I want a hard tail effect. climbing and descending is so good that you want more!! im just practically satified with this bike...I recommend this bike to everyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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