KHS Inc. 2000 Flite 300

Price Paid:  $379.00 at BikesWholesale.com

Favorite Ride:
Route 9 (2400' climb)

Bike Setup:
Replaced the stock strap-on pedals with “Look”-like clipless pedals from Nashbar. Added a computer and bottle cage. Replaced damaged saddle with a gel-based saddle after a crash.

Summary:
This is a good entry-level bike for someone who is trying to test the water of road biking and/or triathlon. The bike is fairly solid and held together very well despite several crashes, having suffered only cosmetic damages (the rider, however, was not as solid). The KHS Flite 300 was sturdy as a tank and just about as heavy as a tank. At 25-pounds, it is definitely on the heavier-end of road bikes but the granny gear helps grinding up the tough hills.

Brakes (Shimano Sora) sometimes make a loud screeching sound at high speed. The rims on the wheelset seem to have somewhat higher than usual wall height. This made changing tubes extremely difficult as the wall impeded the tires from coming on and off.

Despite the minor flaws that lead to some occasional nuisance, the KHS Flite 300 is a solid entry-level bike at a very affordable price point. It enables the newbies to try out the sport (road biking/triathlon) without shelling out a big initial investment. After about 18 months on the KHS Flite 300, I graduated to a Trek 5200 OCLV in order to be more competitive in the pace line.

Strengths:
Sturdy.
Affordable.
Excellent value.
Great first bike.

Weaknesses:
Tires have a hard time coming off rims.
On the heavier side.
Loud brakes.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200 OCLV (after 18 months on the KHS Flite 300)

Price Paid:  $580.00 at Veloplus (Estonia)

Favorite Ride:
Tartu Rattamaraton

Bike Setup:
Stock + clipless pedals,POLAR computer, 2 bottle cages.

Summary:
Strong frame. Perfect for entry level rider. Normally riding 40 miles per day and 80 by weekend.. After changing tires I never had any trouble on the road.

Strengths:
Surprisingly good response from SORA group. Reliable.

Weaknesses:
Tires - I changed them after 40 miles to NOKIA (they still last!). Planning to have a new saddle.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Tri-Sport

Favorite Ride:
Lighthouse Century

Bike Setup:
I added a Cateye computer, bottle cages, tool kit, and clipless pedals

Summary:
Very nice entry level bike. I have fallen in love with sport and plan on getting something like a De Rosa very soon. I recommend the bike to anyone who wants to try out cycling without having to spend a lot of money up front. I commute 25 miles a day on this bike and have grown to trust the bike and it feels very good underneath me. Great job KHS!!

Strengths:
really nice paint and the Sora group is suprisingly responsive. Very comfortable frame for any type of rider.

Weaknesses:
Very cheap front tires. I replaced after 2 days of riding with a good set of Continnetals. I also had trouble fine tuning the rear derailer.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $409.00 at bikeswholesale.com

Bike Setup:
stock + fat 28mm tires, clipless

Summary:
Great alternative to Bianchi Volpe. Similar superplush CroMo 520 frame/fork, nice paint job, 1/2 price.

Yes KHS cut corners where could to make this bike affordable. Sun MZ14 rims are pinned/no machined sidewalls, which is not a big deal, mostly Sora components, cheapo tires (you can replace them for 20-30$, no big deal).

My biggest complain so far was Quando hubs /Volpe used to come with those too!/. Rough, no seals, use low grade bearings. Impossible to adjust without being too tight or too much woble unless you replace loose bearings with higher grade. Front hub failed in less then a week (~300mi), freehub skips and there's less then 500mi on it, donno.. I guess still would be good for recreational rider

Bottom line:
Great choice for riding centuries, commute and occational touring, brakes clear 28mm tires (possibly 32mm).

Strengths:
Lovely CroMo frame, mainstream geometry, killer price
Good bike for touring, centuries, brevets etc.

Weaknesses:
Quando Hubs

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR, Cdale R600, etc

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Bargain Basement

Favorite Ride:
Freeman Rd

Bike Setup:
Nice setup except for tires. I added Specialized Armadillo tires front & back. I hate changing tires.

Summary:
Good bike for the money. As I get better at riding, I would look into a lighter bike. AS of now, I ride with friends that have Trek 5200s or Cannondales & stay with them.

Strengths:
Great bike for the money. I ride up Freeman Rd now almost every day, which is 4 miles up. Holds up great. I've also done a couple races 50mile & 58miles & it definitly meets my needs. I plan to do 111 miles in November on this bike.

Weaknesses:
A little on the rough side on bumpy roads

Similar Products Used:
None, 1st bike