KHS Inc. urban-Xpress

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Cylce Solutions

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
To the office

Bike Setup:
Stock, added rear fender, customary bell and blinker lights removed the wheel reflectors.

Summary:
Recently purchased a 2009 Urban Xpress at a bike store that I pass when I ride into the office. I was using a no name mountain bike to commute in and the ride was uncomfortable and not enjoyable. I was looking for a commuter bike that was steel and had a large chain ring and under $1000. The steel bike would help absorb the horrible road I have to endure on my route compared to my old aluminum garage sale bike. I get a downhiller on the way in and my legs just couldn't keep up the smaller chain ring on the Mtb. I tested a Lemond street bike with flat bars, a Kona dr. Dew with hydraulic brakes and a Jamis Coda - all good bikes. You just can't beat the value that this bike brings, the components are decent on a stiff frame, the comfort level is much more correct versus my mtb and it's much much faster. No need to modify this bike it's a get up and go.

Strengths:
Steel frame, value. Double wall rims.

Weaknesses:
Nothing yet.

Similar Products Used:
Kona, jamis, lemond.

Price Paid:  $349.00

Summary:
I'm loving my new 2008 KHS Urban Xpress. Previous reviewers rate it as heavy. I was skeptical of getting a steel frame, but actually it weighs the same (27 lbs) as the Marin aluminum hybrid I was comparing to, and cost less. The steel frame is very light and the bike just wants to GO. Very quick and shifting is a breeze. Excellent hybrid adventure/commuter bike.

Strengths:
Sturdy, speedy, smooth, without fancy suspension gear.

Weaknesses:
No women's frame models

Similar Products Used:
Marin Kentfield (tested)

Price Paid:  $410.00 at Houston Bicycle Comp

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
KHS Urban-Xpress

Summary:
I ride a 2008 KHS Urban-Xpress that I purchased in mid-March. I don't own a car so it's my main transport, beside my feet and the bus. Considering it's all steel I find the Urban-Xpress to be an agile and comfortable ride. Since I purchased it I replaced the seat with a Serfa sprung saddle, added a Topeak rack and Road Morph G pump, Serfa front and Cateye rear lights, Delta trunk with retractable panniers, Banjo Brothers grocery bags, two bottle cages with a Cage Rocket, and Kryptonite U-lock, cable and chain. Fully loaded it weighs in at a hefty 40lbs., but the wide gear range makes it easy to run errands, and street ride or run the trails along Buffalo Bayou. I had never heard of KHS until I bought this bike, but I'm seriously considering a second purchase of a KHS Flight 500 or 720 road bike. I highly recommend the Urban-Xpress for anyone who wants an inexpensive, but well appointed bike. I looked at Bianchi, Trek, and Raleigh before I made the decision to buy the KHS. I think I made the right choice, and the guys at Houston Bicycle Company were great to work with, and help me choose most of the accessories.

Strengths:
Solid frame and well appointed with excellent components for the price.

Weaknesses:
Heavy, 28lbs. stripped before adding accessoires, but it's steel. The water bottle sets are too close to the crankshaft. I couldn't attach my Road Morph pump to the downtube because it infringed on the seatpost cage, and the seatpost cage it too low for the pump to fit in it's supplied bracket because the pump is too long and won't fit because of the crankshaft. The frame geometry is a bit weird I guess. After much trial and error I finally attached the pump to the upper, outside, of the downtube near the head.

Price Paid:  $370.00 at Pace Cycles, Redmond

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Bontrager racelite saddle.

Summary:
It is a 2008 Urban Express and it is a great bike for the money. I used it 3-4 times a week for a fast paced ride along the paved bike path along the rive by my home. The bike is not light (27lbs for large) but very smooth and being steel it really softens the bumps and high freq. vibrations common to alu bikes. The parts are basic, but work nicely, so far. The left side crack did loosen one on a ride something that I heard about the Isoflow cranks. I'll watch that, but other wise it feels very bombproof. For what I paid it is great. Steel is real. Coming from freeride bikes, this thing is a bullet.

Strengths:
Price and nice components (Truvativ crank, Shimano rear hub and derailleurs, weinemann rims). Smooth soft ride

Weaknesses:
Weight (27lbs for large with Plant bike fenders)

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