Below are some pictures of Brent Foes’ bikes. He has always made one of the best looking bikes… but I think he’s made his masterpiece. Check out the custom trike and the hottie modeling it! 
Long travel beaut!
check out the top tube
…and the custom stem/handlebar/gnurled grips combo
The baddest little trike – double clamp fork!!!
welding on the top tube…
check the axles…
Grrrr….
Popularity: 4% [?]
I’ve been testing the XCT 555 for a few months with an intention of using this bike for EVERY type of riding that I do.
Originally I asked KHS Bicycles for a frame, but when the big cheeses told me they had a complete bike, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ride it.
Before I go on with the details of how this bike performs, let’s talk about the meat and veggies of this ride. Below are the specs…and if you notice, this bike doesn’t skimp on quality components.
Specs:
Cost: $2299
Frame AL6061 4-bar Horst bearing linkage, 5.5″ Travel
Rear Shock Rock Shox Monarch 3.1, Solo Air, ext rebound adjust and floodgate dial
Fork Marzocchi 44 TST2 140mm w/15mm drop outs, air preload, TST2, Lock Out, Compression & rebound adjust
Headset Cane Creek ZST2 Threadless, Zero stack
Rims WTB Speed Disc doublewall, w/eyelets
Hubs Front: Alloy disc, Rear: Shimano disc, QR
Tires WTB Wolverine 26X2.2, folding, 60TPI
Spokes 14G black, 32°
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-9
Shifters SRAM X-7 Trigger
Chain KMCZ9000 w/Missing Link
Crankset Truvativ Firex 3.1, 44/32/22, Alloy CNC Outer ring
Bottom Bracket Truvativ GXP outboard cartridge bearing
Cassette SRAM PG-950 11-34 9-Speed
Pedals Shimano PD-M505 clipless (not included with my test model)
Seatpost Q2 Light alloy
Saddle WTB Silverado
Handlebar Truvativ XR, 31.8, Butted, 20mm rise
Stem Truvativ Team
Grips WTB Weirwolf
Brake Levers Hayes Stroker Ryde
Brakes Hayes Stroker Ryde, 7″ front/6″ rear
Color Afterburner Gray
Frame Size S, M, L
Photos courtesy of JS3 Images
Ok, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get movin’ on the ride details of this bike. If you’ve been keeping up with MtnBikeRiders.com, you’ve seen multiple articles, talking about the KHS XCT 555. One of the things I wanted to really find out was to see how versatile this bike was. KHS Bicycles designed their XCT line with the consumer in mind. They wanted a bike that someone could use for all their mountain biking needs. The intended customer for this bike would be a person that rides XC, fast single track, and even the occasional butt hole puckering gnarly and technical trails.
Photos courtesy of JS3 Images
With that in mind, my heart was focused on seeing if the intent of this bike could be fulfilled. One thing I am certain about the XCT 555, it is SUPER durable and after many…many crashes with it, the wheels are true, the bike still shifts like butter and it still shines as if was new.
Photos courtesy of JS3 Images
Let’s talk about the XC side of this bike. I weighed the the XCT 555 and it came in around 27lbs. Not bad, but it also isn’t anorexic. For XC riding this bike is light enough, but if you’re a weight weenie, it may not make it on your list of light bikes. For the weight that it is, the bike isn’t sluggish. It responds well, super quick, very nimble and can climb like a billy goat. I’ve taken this bike through various trails in Southern California and I gotta tell you this bike knows XC riding like a favorite uncle.
Since we’re done talking about XC, let’s get into the real fun stuff…Downhill. Yes I said downhill. Believe it or not, but the XCT 555 makes an EXCELLENT downhill bike. Trust me on this…in fact, the KHS Factory Team often use the XCT 555 on certain downhill courses when racing…its true, I’ve seen them! Anyhow, I’ve taken the 555 to Fontana many times and I LOVE how this bike handles. I can pedal up the hill, then lower my saddle and bomb down just as fast…or faster than some guys with 8″ travel DH bikes. Oh and get this…the bike LOVES it when you take it through technical courses. The Horst Link in the rear makes for some awesome riding. The Rock Shox Monarch is buttery smooth and it has never failed on me. The Marzocchi 44 TST2 140mm fork does a great job in soaking up rock gardens, drops and single track. I almost forgot to mention that the XCT 555 comes with a 13.1″ bottom bracket clearance, which is great when needing to clear a rock garden or a log on the trail.
I know what you’re thinking…”The KHS XCT 555 only has 5.5″ of travel, how can you take that thing downhilling?” Well to answer that question, I just do and guess what… you can and its SUPER FUN! There’s nothing like riding a short travel, DH bike…I feel that you get more control and response from a little bike than you would on a big bike.
On one of the downhill shuttle runs we did, we drove to Top of the World in Orange County and dropped into Telonics. This trail is super steep and very fast. Parts of the single track is carved out like a chute. This was the first real time that I was able to test the Hayes Stroker Ryde, with the 7″ rotor in the front and 6″ rear. In previous rides, the brakes stopped me like a bad habit. No issues whatso ever. But during the ride through Telonics, I experienced brake fade. At one point, we’re going so fast that when I grabbed a fist full of brake, I’d started to slow down, but then the rotors got too hot and then the power went out. I had to feather them on the way down just so I wouldn’t over heat them again. It seems like the faster I go on this bike, the better it performs. I kid you not, the KHS XCT 555 is one serious bike!
By the way, the XCT 555 is an awesome 4x bike. I’ve spent many occasions practicing the 4x track at Fontana. All I can say is that this bike is pretty much the perfect bike…It can do just about anything you want it to do…well except make you breakfast.
Did you know that there are other brands of bikes out there that have the same amount of travel as the 555, but their frame alone cost as much as the complete KHS. Crazy eh? What’s cool about the XCT 555 is that you get a boutique quality bike but at generic prices…Plus you only need one bike to do everything you want to do on a mountain bike.
As I’ve mentioned, the KHS XCT 555 is the best bang for your buck, why? It’s simple really. The way the bike is spec’d, there’s no need to change anything out when you get it from the bike shop. The bike is ready to roll! Take it XC riding, or go to your favorite downhill trail, once your done with all that, take it to the BMX or 4X track and have some fun. This bike literally can do anything you would want a mountain bike to do, its light, fast, very flickable, and its ultra durable. You also have to consider that for the price of the KHS XCT 555…around $2300, you’re getting 3 bikes in one…a fast XC bike, 4X Machine and Downhill Rig…and that’s exactly why the KHS XCT 555 is the best bang for YOUR Buck!
Don’t waste your money on “brand name bikes” get yourself the KHS XCT 555, you won’t regret it…trust me.
Popularity: 15% [?]
The good folks at Kona, makers of some sweet bikes, have a bike naming contest for their newest bike that has yet to be revealed. 1st prize winner gets a new Kona 6″ travel AM rig. Here’s the info:
“We’re Seriously Stumped” Name our New Bike Contest:
Over the last few months, our team of designers and engineers here at Kona have been hard at work developing a new, super light long travel all-mountain bike that incorporates our revolutionary 2-bikes-in-1 Magic Link Technology.
Imagine a six-inch travel bicycle that weighs less than 30 pounds. One that climbs comfortably and efficiently, but then—when all things start to get bumpy and quick—that same bike morphs into a wicked descender, with slacker geometry, better tracking and an additional inch of travel. No switches necessary.
…
Just submit your five favorite model names to us by April 15, 2009. Our currently-creatively-challenged-crew will then pick the top five entries. From there we’ll eliminate one name every four days by allowing the public to vote a name off the list. We’ll announce the winner and remaining four runner-up entries May 1st, 2009.
Click here for Official Contest page.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Gary Fisher Roscoe III
Round number 2 was on the Gary Fisher Roscoe. I had to wait a little while for this one as some dude drove from Vegas to test ride it. That’d be 4 plus hours of driving each way!
Before we get going on the review, I have to preface my thoughts on the Gary Fisher Roscoe with this statement: My riding style is not the one that is being targeted by the Roscoe. I am definitely more of a XC/Trail type rider while the Roscoe with its five and a half inches of travel is definitely shooting for the All Mountain crowd. I have ridden AM type bikes but I am just too timid to really get the best out of them, the Roscoe included. Also, the Fullerton Loop is not an AM type trail so I’d definitely read my thoughts with this information in mind.
Wide hydroformed top tube makes for a much stiffer frame
On our second run, we hooked up with John from Jax Fullerton. He jumped on the Superfly I was riding while Full Squish Randall got on HiFi 29er and I got some seat time on the Roscoe. John, by the way, is a great mechanic and happens to be a very good road racer as well.
My first thought when I got on the Roscoe is that this baby is stout. The hydroformed tubing is thick. The first tube you notice is the top tube which is much wider than any other top tube I’ve ridden. This definitely lent a bit of stiffness to the whole bike that I’m sure is useful when you’re hucking off 6 foot drops. You really can’t tell the thickness in the pictures on Gary Fisher’s website but the top & down tube are wide. The tapered headtube is also different going from 1 1/8 inch to 1 1/2 inch at the crown of the fork. This design is supposed to increase the strength between the headtube and fork, but nothing on the loop was gnarly enough to test this.
Proprietary Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) shock made things plush
Coming off the hardtail Superfly I also immediately noticed how plush the suspension travel was. It was almost like night and day and rightfully so going from the racey Superfly to the AM Roscoe. The proprietary Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) was smooth and felt good on all the extra credit stuff I threw at it. I also got some time on the HiFi 29er later on and the 4 inches of travel on the HiFi doesn’t have nearly the plushness of the Roscoe’s DRCV shock. Not even close.
The Roscoe does not like for the rider to stand up and hammer out climbs. Every time I tried to stand and climb I immediately felt like the Roscoe telling me to sit back down. The bike is definitely more of a spin, spin, spin type climber which I think is fine and lends itself well to this style of mountain biking.
White bikes with white forks always look good to me. The beefy tires were a bit too aired up for excellent grip
The steering was not as slack as I remember other AM rigs I’ve ridden. The last time I rode an AM rig I distinctly remember that the steering was very slow which is great on the descents as it made things a bit more stable. The flipside to this is that it slowed things down too much for me on the switchbacks and tricky sections that require more finesse and less of a plow through mentality. The G2 steering on the Roscoe, however, seemed to give the best of both worlds as it still had some pep through the tight stuff but retained its stability for the downhill.
As you can probably tell I am a little high on the Roscoe. I think this is mainly because 1. the bike is really good and 2. the 10 mile Fullerton Loop is too short to shake out the bike entirely. More time on the bike is definitely needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Not many people know this but along with selling bike frames, which we have extensively tested (Reken) or are testing (Razzo), Sette also sells fully built up bikes. Many times fully built bikes are a good deal because of the manufacturer’s buying power. When a big manufacturer can buy 1,000 Mavic wheelsets, the vendor is going to give them a deal compared to when we purchase the exact same wheelset. When you think about all the components on the bike being purchased in this fashion it makes some sense to consider buying a complete bike versus building up bikes piece by piece.
Sette’s mountain bike lineup includes 4 full suspensions and one hardtail. The fs bikes include a XC oriented bike called the Sette Ace to a durable X-7, Monarch 3.1 all mountain bike with 6″ of travel aptly named the Sette Flite.
Sette Ace, XC full suspension for $1,399.98
Sette Ace Specs:
Frame Aluminum 7005
Size(s) Small (16.5″)/Medium (18.5″)/Large (20.5″)
Fork Rock Shox Tora 302 Air (4.72″/120mm)
Rear Shock Rock Shox Monarch 2.1 (4″/101mm)
Shifters SRAM X7, 9-Speed Trigger
Front Derailleur SRAM X7, Low Clamp, Blk, ø 30.9 Top Pull
Rear Derailleur SRAM X7 Black Long Cage
Shifter Cable/Housing Jagwire Slick
Brake Levers Avid Juicy 3
Front Brake Avid 160mm Rotor
Rear Brake Avid 160mm Rotor
Hoses Avid Hydraulic Hose
Crankset Truvativ Firex 3.3, 175mm, Black, 44/32/22t
Bottom Bracket Truvativ Giga Pipe XR, 68mm
Cassette SRAM PG-970, 11-34
Chain SRAM PC-971
Headset FSA 1-1/8″ Standard – Black
Handlebar Lightweight Alloy – Black
Grips Durable Ergo Grips – Black
Stem Lightweight Alloy – Black
Saddle High Performance Saddle – Black
Seatpost Lightweight 6061 Alloy – Black, 31.6 x 350mm
Rims Mavic XM719 32H Black, Presta Valve
Front Hub Shimano XT M756, 6-bolt Disc Brake, 32H black, QR
Rear Hub Shimano XT M756, 6-bolt Disc Brake, 32H black, QR
Spokes 14/15 Gauge Double-Butted, Stainless Steel, Black
Front Tire Kenda Krusher 26″ x 2.1, 60 TPI
Rear Tire Kenda Krusher 26″ x 2.1, 60 TPI
Color(s) White
Warranty 5 Years
Weight 29.8lbs/13.5kg (Medium w/Pedals)
Sette Flite, 6″ of travel at $1,599.98
Sette Flite Specs:
Frame Aluminum 6061
Size(s) Small (17″)/Medium(18″)/Large(19″
Fork Rock Shox Domain 318 Coil (4.5-6.3″/115-160mm)
Rear Shock Rock Shox Monarch 3.1 (6″/152.4mm)
Shifters SRAM X7, 9-Speed Trigger
Front Derailleur SRAM X7, Low Clamp, Blk, ø 34.9 Top Pull
Rear Derailleur SRAM X7
Shifter Cable/Housing Jagwire Slick
Brake Levers Avid Juicy 3
Front Brake Avid 185mm Rotor
Rear Brake Avid 185mm Rotor
Hoses Avid Hydraulic Hose
Crankset Truvativ Stylo 3.3, 175mm, Black, 44/32/22t
Bottom Bracket Truvativ Stylo 3.3, 68mm
Cassette SRAM PG-970, 11-34
Chain SRAM PC-971
Headset FSA 1-1/8″ Semi-Integrated Zero Stack – Black
Handlebar Lightweight Alloy – Black
Grips Durable Ergo Grips – Black
Stem Lightweight Alloy – Black
Saddle High Performance Saddle – Black
Seatpost Lightweight 6061 Alloy – Black, 31.6 x 350mm
Rims Mavic EX729 32H Black, Presta Valve
Front Hub Sette 20mm Thru Axle, 6-bolt Disc Brake, 32H black, heavy-duty cartridge sealed bearings
Rear Hub Shimano XT M756, 6-bolt Disc Brake, 32H black, QR
Spokes Straight 14 Gauge, Stainless Steel, Black
Front Tire Kenda Nevegal 26″ X 2.35, 60 TPI, DTC
Rear Tire Kenda Nevegal 26″ X 2.35, 60 TPI, DTC
Color(s) White
Warranty 5 Years
Weight 34.8 lbs/15.8kg (Medium w/Pedals)
For more info on Sette’s bikes, click here.
Popularity: 11% [?]
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