KHS Inc. Flite 700

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2002

Favorite Ride:
Mt Baldy via Glendora Mtn Road

Bike Setup:
105 all around w/velomax circuit wheels. upgraded to wcs os stem and fsa wing pro bar. also put a specialized pave' post w/an avatar saddle on to mellow it out a bit. ultegra spd sl pedals.

Summary:
I got the previous, straight tubed version with 105 and velomax circuits. The frame quickly developed 2 cracks in the head tube after a few hundred miles. They switched it out for the newer, all AL shaped-tube frame and I've been replacing dérailleur hangers ever since

Strengths:
great value. snappy feel. great wheelset for the $.

Weaknesses:
No name seat post, stem. Sheaper saddle. Pedals aren't well designed.

also, the newer 3-bolt derailleur hanger sucks. I've literally torn one into 3 pieces on the beginning of a climb, 20 miles from home. Luckily I already learned my lesson and always carry a spare hanger. I haven't wrecked to mess anything up, it's just a bad design.

Similar Products Used:
First Road bike

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Goodly's-Richmond

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
road anywhere

Bike Setup:
2007 KHS Flite 700
Shimano 105 10 speed shifters,Front derailleur and cassette.Ultegra 53/39 crank,chain,rear derailleur.Mavic Open Pro wheels with ultegra hubs,Easton bar,Ritchey WCS stem and carbon fiber post

Summary:
This is really a great bike for the money and with a few upgrades you can have a whole lotta bike at a really good price.I sold off the things i didn't want and shopped around for the best prices on what i did want.the end result was an awesome bike for 1150.00 total price.a similar spec'ed Cannondale,Giant,Trek etc would cost 2000.00 or more easy

Strengths:
This bike has a great ride and has very crisp handling.Well balanced and the wheels roll forever.Great frame

Weaknesses:
Unknown crank(samox)although it was lighter than the Ultegra i replaced it with.probably not a bad crank...just never heard of it.
Stem,seatpost,bar and wheels are kinda heavy...replacing those alone lightened up the bike almost 2 lbs

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Six13,Synapse
Giant OCR A1,TCR A1
The OCR A1 had the best ride by FAR over anything i tested with the TCR A1 being the most fun. Both Cannondales were kinda uncomfortable...Lots of road buzz etc. All bikes above were in the 1400.00 range

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at LBS/Atlanta Metro

Model Year:
2005

Summary:
I took a chance on a KHS because a friend raved about their MTB quality.

This is a solid bike period. I now have about 8,000 miles on it (200 lbs) and the only negative I've found is that it's developed a mysterious creak somewhere in the front end.

The Campy Mirage/Xenon that came with it is okay at best. I recently had it overhauled and went to all Campy Chorus components and Campy Proton wheelset.

You can spend a lot more money on a bike that doesn't hold a candle to this one. I'll ride it until it falls apart.

Strengths:
Solid bike for the money. Responsive and solid in a climb.

Weaknesses:
Mirage/Xenon components...but it's a entry level bike.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2005

Summary:
Good entry level bike. Mine was Al with carbon fork and seat stays, with campy mirage. The bike is stiff, I never had any problems in that department, but still comfortable for long rides. I did a 167 miler on it along with a few centuries without getting beat up by the bike.

Strengths:
Good looking, durable, stiff, campy (even if it's just mirage)

Weaknesses:
Came with a triple, but I replaced that.

Similar Products Used:
1980's trek (aluminum)

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Houston bicycle

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
stock for that model, added look pedals

Summary:
This is my first road bike and it rides vey nice. It came with the campy components and they work well. I've put about 400 miles on this bike riding once or twice a week. On a rough road it can be a little uncomfortable. This bike was priced lower than everything else I saw with a similar setup except everything else had shimano 105 or lower. I am really pleased with campy. I think they changed this setup for 2006.

Strengths:
campy components

Weaknesses:
none yet