KHS Inc. Flite 800

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Action Sports - Cort

Favorite Ride:
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge

Bike Setup:
Reynold's 853 steel frame/Full Dura Ace drivetrain/Ultegra brake calipers/Reynold's Ouzo Comp Carbon Fiber Fork/3TTT Forgie XL bar and stem/Profile design cork wrap/Performance Forte seatpost (in black - 183 gms)/Koobi SI saddle/Velomax Circuit Comp wheelset/Panaracer Stradius Pro tires/LOOK PP357 pedals

Summary:
This is an absolutely unbelievable value in a nearly full Dura-Ace bike. I was riding an entry level Aluminum frame (an upgraded Trek 1000) and the Flite 800's 853 steel ride is a world different. Sadly, KHS has changed the Flite 800 a great deal for 2003. If you are looking for a good value Dura-Ace bike and can still find one of these from 2002, buy it today!

Strengths:
Velomax Circuit Comp Wheels. The very best wheels I have seen for the money. A unique straight pull and threaded design make broken spokes virtually impossible. I have more than 1000 miles on these and they have never seen my truing stand. The braze on front derailleur is a sweet touch. Dura Ace shifts like a dream with nearly infinite trim. It's no wonder it has graced the bike of L.A. and been under the Maillot Jaune for the last 4 TDF's! Panaracer Stradius Pro's are great tires with one of the lowest rolling resistances out there. Once again, over 1000 miles on these with not one flat. The 3TTT Forgie XL bar and stem provide a very stable feel in the cockpit. The Reynold's Ouzo Comp is a remarkably nice fork for the price range of this bike. It's responsive and dampening but not too dead feeling up front. Finally, the graphics from KHS are tasteful and well placed, offering a refined finish. I really love the somewhat subdued but subtly luxurious sheen of the metallic chip "slate blue" color

Weaknesses:
If there is any weakness I notice when riding this beauty, it's me. I did swap out the Selle Italia SLR saddle for my trusted and true Koobi SI. The only other switch I made was the pedals. I would have gladly ridden the Shimano pedals, but my LOOK shoes do not accept the cleats.

Similar Products Used:
There are no other similar products. I challenge anyone to find another bike of this caliber for under 2000 bucks and I spent no time trying the far more expensive bikes that had the same components.

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Price Paid:  $1899.00 at Bicycle Blowout

Favorite Ride:
A1A Boca to Palm Beach

Bike Setup:
853 Frame, Dura Ace deraillers, brake levers, bottom bracket, cogset, chain, cranks, Ultegra brakes,

Summary:
I got a 52cm through mail order and have ridden about 200 miles so far. The verdict? This bike is absolutely the best road bike value out there. Nothing that I've ridden comes remotely close at this price. So smooth and quiet you forget you're on a bike, but when its time to peddle hard, it takes off like a rocket. No flex at all and the steel frame smooths out road bumps and gravel like it has air suspension. I agree with the other reviews. Wow.

Strengths:
Lightweight, incredibly smooth, quiet, great Reynolds 853 frame and Dura Ace components, great Velomax rims.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, 1200. Habanero Ti. Motobecane. Cannondale.

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Bikeswholesale.com

Bike Setup:
Deda Magic Bar/Stem, Chorus 10sp, Rolf Sestriere wheels, Flite Trans Am saddle, XTR Seatpost

Summary:
First off I'm reviewing the Flite 800 frame only. There's no listing in the frames section so I'm posting here. I have Chorus, but I'm sure the DA/Ult bike will exhibit all the same great ride characteristics. I decided my old LS Ti frame was too damn flexy in sprints and climbs. So I road everything under the sun. This bike is the best kept secret out there. Mine is the only one I've passed on the road in this area, I do pass a lot of Sevens and Serottas on a frame that cost an order of magnitude less. I found it to be Indistinguishable from an Indy Fab Crown Jewel I rode the same day. Well, not entirely, the extra $1000 I still have sitting in my bank account is a very noticeable difference. What can I say, your not going to impress anyone with the grey/black muted paint job or taiwanese lineage. It's a function over form machine. It feels as stiff and quick as the Cannondale CAAD5 (crit bike of choice 'round here) when sprinting/climbing but rides nicer in the saddle. Beefy no name CF fork is great, whole front end feels rock solid, no flex. I mated the 1 1/8 steerer to OS Deda magic stem and bars as I have a bit too much Upper body for a cyclist and can really torque the bars when I'm out of the saddle. If you want raceable steel this is as good as anything out there. I have a Landshark (normally goes against my frugal, minimalist nature, but I got an unbelievable deal), with Dedacciai Zero Uno, and the KHS is right there. I got the frame/fork, with a headset installation and shipping for $350 from Bikeswholesale. Really nice on the phone, seemed knowledgeable, frame arrived in like 3 days. I was built up and ready to go within 1 week of having placed the order. Highly recommend them. The bottom line is there are a lot of great frames out there. If you want steel this as good as any high end steel I've been on, just not as flashy, but also way less cashy. I personally like the unassuming nature of my KHS with its Grey on Black thing going on. If you're reading this that means you're entertaining it as a possibility, just get it, you won't be sorry.

Strengths:
Top level steel, top level performance, entry level price

Weaknesses:
Ummm... none!

Similar Products Used:
CAAD5, IF Crown Jewel, Landshark track frame, Colnago Masterlight, De Bernardi something or other... blah, blah, blah

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
all

Bike Setup:
STock except for terry saddle and look-style pedals.

Summary:
Fantastic bike. Great, smooth-riding, stiff, light frame. Top-of-the line components and sweet wheels (haven't had to true them yet). I've put a few thousand miles on this beauty and it just keeps getting better. Great on anything from centuries to crits. I think it would be hard to get more performance for the money and at most you would drop just over 1/2 pound with a lighter aluminum frame. It isn't flashy, but then that's a personal a thing. I like the color and the paint scheme. Some bikes give me a headache just looking at them. I got the 60cm and there is very little flex (I haven't noticed any, really) when I stand and hammer - never had chain rub or anything. Overall, it doesn't get better than this.

Strengths:
Light, strong, smooth frame. Fantastic components and marvelous wheels.

Weaknesses:
None with bike itself. My left shifter went bad but Shimano replaced it. Also, rear wheel would sometimes shift under pressure and rub against frame - rear skewer just has to be really tight.

Similar Products Used:
2000 KHS flite 500

Price Paid:  $865.00 at BikesWholesale.com

Favorite Ride:
White Mountains, NH

Summary:
Great bike at a great price. Definitely worth every penny spent. Comfortable on long rides (Reynolds 853 Steel frame) & Carbon forks. Lightweight & explosive(17 lbs.). Great tires (Panaracer Stradius).
Stock bike is a great setup

Strengths:
See above

Weaknesses:
Clipless pedals were somewhat cheesy (but definitely usable) Out of personal preference I upgraded to a larger beefier clipless pedal

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Peugot