KHS Inc. Flite 800

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
looks good, but since i tested a Medium sized frame with my 5'5" height, i kind of not feeling comfortable with the ride. probably a Small sized frame will do better for me?

Strengths:
very good cornering

Weaknesses:
paintjob

Similar Products Used:
specialized bike (road)

Price Paid:  $1650.00 at Chain Reaction, Prat

Favorite Ride:
KHS Flite 800

Bike Setup:
Winwood Enthusiast Carbon fork.
Shimano 105 brakes, STI shifters, derailleurs, hubs. Ultegra 12- 27 9s cassette. FSA Gossamer 50/34 crankset. Bontrager Race Xlite carbon handlebar. Cane Creek S3 headset, Ritchey WSC stem. Carbon seatpost, Saddleco Flo seat. Look 247 pedals. Wipperman stainless chain. Matrix Aurora Wheels. S

Summary:
I wanted a sure cornering, road smoothing, lightweight bike. KHS offers a TIG welded Reynolds 853 frame for about 25% to 30% less than some other brands selling essentially the same bike. I've seen this frame as low as 1395 with Tiagra gear on it and as high as 2,195 with Dura Ace. I custom ordered mine with lots of carbon (The handlebar alone lists for $280)
and a mid price 105 gear change set up. Advertised stripped down weight of 18.1 lb. My bike scales at 20.6, with all accessories attached. The bike is very smmoth and stabel, with a wide gear range for climbing most inclines. The short wheelbase makes it quick, the carbon fork bars and seat dampen any buzz that makes it past the Reynolds frame. Corners well, under a firm hand. Good BB clearance when cornering hard.

Strengths:
Lightweight, easily customized. Clean design with braze ons and integrated seat clamp. Buzz free ride.

Weaknesses:
Paint job is thin and fragile. Aluminum bottle mount screws strip easily. Lacks cable lugs on headtube, causes cable rub. Head angle is 71.5, makes turns a little slow responding.

Similar Products Used:
Trek Pro 560, Waterford 1100

Price Paid:  $400.00 at www.bicycleblowout.c

Favorite Ride:
Riding near the CT beaches on LI Sound.

Bike Setup:
2003 58 cm KHS Flite 800 frame, Shimano Ultegra BB, Shimano Ultegra 9 speed cassette (12-25), Shimano 105 derailleurs, Shimano 105 crank (triple-175mm), Shimano 105 dual pivot brakes, 105 STI shifters/brake levers, Terry Tri Fly saddle, NEUVATION M28 Aero 700c Wheels, Shimano HG-73 Chain, Yellow Cork Tape, Shimano 105 SPD-SL Pedals, Weyless R4 Oversized 31.8 7075 AL Butted Road Bar (44cm), Weyless R-23 Carbon 31.8 Road Stem, two Black Supergo Alloy Bottle Cages, Weyless Carbon Headset Spacers, FSA Orbit XL Headset, Ritchey Pro Plus Seatpost 27.0, Nashbar Dropbar Endplug Lights, Michelin Axial Carbon Road Tires 23 / 700, Slime Lite Self Healing Road Tubes, and Shimano Flite Deck Computer with wireless pickup.

Summary:
Found this closeout at www.bicycleblowout.com. Built it up over this past winter and really enjoying what a sweet ride this frame/fork provides. Am 6'2" and 265# and this bike can handle anything I do.

Strengths:
Price and performance. Just try and find another Tig welded Reynold 853 frame with full cabon fork for this price!

Weaknesses:
Paint will scratch from cables rubbing. Use some clear tape to protect it.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Sunrise Commutes

Bike Setup:
Ultegra/Dura Ace Combo

Summary:
As other reviews have noted--this is a great bike for the price. First of all, for those of us who would prefer the 683 over an aluminum frame, I found there to be very few choices available. I just about bought this bike in a bike shop, when I was lucky enough to find it on ebay with some upgraded components and wheel set for about $800 cheaper--3000 miles later I am still thrilled. KHS may not be "the" cool brand to own, but their high end bikes are definately a nice ride. As a person who is long in the legs, but short in the torso, I found the fit of this frame incredibly comfortable without swaping stems, etc.

Strengths:
Great ride for the price--In the land of aluminum bikes...the lightweight steel was worth the search.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Getaway Bikes

Favorite Ride:
KHS

Bike Setup:
Shimano Ultegra throughout, carbon seatpost and front fork.

Summary:
This is a great bike for the money. I have great components - Ultegra throughout. It weighs in at 18 lbs before my accessories. The 853 steel frame is forgiving and helps out on the long ride.

There are a lot of bikes out there which are more recognizable - Trek, Specialized. They make great bikes, but you are paying for a lot of the marketing. If you don't need the image boost, this bike will serve you better for a fraction of the cost. I couldn't find a bike with matching components for under $1900.00 in Tulsa.

This is my first road bike, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Strengths:
all of the above. I can beat all my friends in a downhill race. I need to work on my hill climbing legs to do anything else!

Weaknesses:
I replaced the seat. You have to ride something a while to find out what you need like a seat replacement. I got this mail-order and need to be fitted with probably a new stem also. I replaced the back cassette for one with more teeth (for the hills!)

Similar Products Used:
This my first road bike.