KHS Inc. 1999 Aero Comp

Price Paid:  $0.00 at BlueBonnet Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
KOW King of Wednesday

Bike Setup:
Ultegra STI, Race XLITE rims with XLITE Silica racing tires. Sella seat. SHimano Look 6401 pedals.

Summary:
Man, I bought this Frame early 2003 it is a 99 Aero Comp that has been hanging unused and un built. I had it built up with my old Ultegra group and then added some TRICK 2003 Bontrager RACE X LITES.. yes the ones that have been pulled from the shelf due to Mavics Lawsuit. This bike ROCKS it STIFF and just feels like a well balanced machine. Mine is a 53cm and fits like a glove.

Strengths:
Strengths are the stiff steel BUILT frame and carbon fork.

Weaknesses:
Seems like the clear coat chips easy.

Similar Products Used:
TEAM Fuji and an old Beatis.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at UCD Bike Barn

Favorite Ride:
18 mile sprint loop around Merced

Bike Setup:
58cm, Carbon Fiber fork, Mavic MA2 wheels, 105 Groupo

Summary:
I bought the bike new in 1999, stored it like a fine wine for 3 years while I road my other bike. When I finally started riding her, it was great until out on a group ride one night. I was involved in a crash and cracked my 853 Reynolds in two spots. I was surprised that steel could break so easily. Until then though, the bike was a great ride. Obviously stiff and very tight.

Strengths:
Handeled well and had great geometry that fit me like a glove. 6'1 with long arms and legs.

Weaknesses:
Steel that breaks and bad paint.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez, Cannondale CAAD 3, Miyata

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at gvhbikes

Bike Setup:
stock except changed saddle and pedals. and added a triple (rarely used)

Summary:
After less than 18 months I have ridden my KHS over 10,000 miles from the flats of FL to the hills of PA and it has been a comfortable ride. The carbon fork is a gig improvement over my old steel fork. Can still feel goos after a century.
Only nagging problem is the STIs are starting to stick.

Strengths:
smooth ride in all conditions, whether climbing hills or riding the flats. Ultegra is a good compromise between top of the line and everything below. Shifting is precise and confident. The 11-23 cassette gives a good selection for being in the right gear and the added triple allows the climbing of the occasional 'real hill'.

Weaknesses:
paint is poor, chips and rubs off easily
Headset comes loose

Similar Products Used:
schwinn, performance

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Blackwood Velo-city

Favorite Ride:
"Back Valley"

Bike Setup:
No name wheels, 105 hubs, 105 brakes, Ultegra cluster, rear/front derailiers, Ultegra STI's, Stelle seat, unknown bars, seatpost, headstem.

Summary:
Bike weighs just under 10Kg's, which is just great for
training. I did use it for racing 2 twice, in hills and still scored results, but I did have my Ksyriums on
however, :-). The bike is fantastic for its role, training
bike, almost as good as the Klein in a corner, and I spend
about about 16hours/week in the saddle, 48 weeks of the
year. Great value for money, but I'll stick to Alloy
for racing.

KHS is a good entry level racing bike their 2001 Flite 1000
with DuraACE is a fantastic top level racing bike, and
yes I have ridden one. Good value for money.

Strengths:
Great bike. While I was waiting for my Klein to be
rebuilt I actually raced on it.
It is my training bike, purchased in that roll due to "comfort of steel" and value for money.

Weaknesses:
Paint job, very thin and stratches easily, also rubs easily so need to be careful with cables. I put some pre-glued patches on frame where cables touch.(steerer head, top tube where brake casing touches.

Similar Products Used:
Klein, my current racing bike

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
the last one I went on

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
I Love this bike. It's my first road bike, so I dont have anything to compare it to except the bikes I test road, but it blew them all away, especially when you look at the full ultegra components, even the seat post and hubs. I don't know why people are complaining about the saddle, Mine came with a Sella Italia Flight. Iv'e done centuries on this bike and it is very comfortable on long rides. It's also very light and stiff when cornering and sprinting. It is not the kind of bike that turns heads with a fancy paint job or name recognation, but if you are looking for a great bike for the money, this is it.

Strengths:
Value, Ride Quality

Weaknesses:
None that I've found

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Treck, Specialized & LeMond