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The KHS XCT535 has arrived at the MtnBikeRiders HQ and the review process has been initiated.

The XCT 535 is KHS’ line up in the world of XC/Trail bikes. The MSRP for this bike is $1599 and its equipped with some choice componentry, great geometry and outstanding performance.

Here’s the tale of the tape (specs):

Frame
New Trail Design AL6061, 4-bar Horst bearing linkage 5.5″ Travel
Rear Shock Rock Shox Bar 2.1, air w/rebound adjust
Fork Marzocchi MX Lo, 120mm, variable compression lockout
Headset Tioga ZST2,Threadless,zero Stack
Rims WTB Speed Disc doublewall, w/eyelets
Hubs Front: Alloy disc, Rear: Shimano disc, QR
Tires John Thomac Nevegal 26×2.1
Spokes 14G black, 32°
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow
Shifters Shimano Deore
Chain KMCZ9000
Crankset FSA Moto MegaExo 2-piece, 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket FSA MegaExo outboard catridge bearing
Cassette Shimano HG50 11-34 9-Speed
Pedals Wellgo M919 clipless
Seatpost Alloy Micro-adjust
Saddle WTB Silverado
Handlebar FSA XC-280B, 31.8, Alloy, 40mm rise
Stem FSA Alloy
Grips WTB Weirwolf
Brake Levers Avid FR5
Brakes Avid BB5 cable disc, 7″ front/6″ rear
Color Flat Brown-Gray
Frame Size S, M, L

The first thing I noticed on this bike was the sweet horst link suspension. I’ve ridden many Specialized bikes equipped with this magic suspension setup and I was always impressed with it. Knowing this, I knew the XCT 535 would be very responsive on the trail.

Licensed by Specialized.

Our test bike weighed in around 30.5lbs…that’s a bit lighter than some trail bikes we’ve tested. The Ibex Ignition is at 33lbs, my Giant Warp is at 34lbs, the Woodstock 707 came in around 33lbs.

I’ll get down to the nitty gritty about what I thought about the KHS XCT 535 on its maiden voyage. The bike is super plush. It handles really well on technical sections, climbs ok…but the fork has a lock out so that helps. Shifting was like butter…that’s a good thing! Oh man, the XT rear derailleur combined with the Deore shifters makes this bike easy to deal with. It never mis shifted or jumped gears while I was riding it.

The XCT 535 really shows its true colors on descents. The John Thomac Nevegal 26×2.1 tires gripped the trail as if it they were claws. I’ve mentioned this already, but the bike really is super plush. The suspension responds really well to what the trail dishes and not once did I feel insecure of the bike’s integrity. I had a great time on it today.

But I’ll be doing more test rides on it to get a better feel on how this bike handles various terrains. In fact tomorrow we’ll be riding a trail that is going to allow me to ride the bike harder.

Popularity: 9% [?]

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I’m returning to my higher volume lower psi days on the rigid 29er. With no upcoming races to train for and just fun riding on the horizon I’ve decided to go with increased comfort and grip at the expense of more weight, more rolling resistance and more noise.

For the last few months, the 29er has been set-up with a Maxxis Ignitors and a front suspension fork. I consider the Ignitor to be a mid-volume sized tire at 2.1 inches wide and a claimed weight of 705 grams which is neither light nor heavy in the 29er tire world. This setup has worked as a great race front tire in So. Cal. conditions with, in my opinion, an ideal blend of volume, low rolling resistance, grip and weight.

But since I’ve gone back to rigid and I’m not racing anytime soon I’ve decided that I’d like to add a little more comfort to the equation. Because of this I slapped on a Panaracer Rampage 29 up front. The Rampage is definitely a high volume tire. At a claimed weight of 800 grams the Rampage is getting a bit portly for my normal type of riding (think XC / light AM) but because I’m going rigid I’m willing to take the weight penalty for the ability to run a lower PSI and gain the comfort of the higher volume.

Panaracer Rampage 2.35″ of rubber = high volume

I was running my Ignitor at about the 35-ish psi for the races and fast training rides prior to the race but for the Rampage I set it at just under 25 psi which feels so much better. I’d like to run it even lower but changing tires on the WTB Laserdisc wheels are a HUGE hassle so I’m careful not to run it too low and be prone to pinch flats.

I was able to get in a quick shake down ride of the Rampage / eXotic carbon 29er fork setup with Moe & RL this morning. We rode a quick 7 miles which had only 1 half mile descent. Once I got on the trail I could instantly tell the new setup would be more comfortable than the Ignitor + eXotic carbon fork setup but I really knew this to be true on that mild descent. The eXotic carbon fork does a great job muting the tiny bumps on the trail. The Rampage does a great job of muting slightly bigger bumps. Combining them together meant more comfort for my hands. I can’t wait to ride some more on it.

Click here for info on the Panaracer Rampage.
Click here for info on the eXotic carbon 29er fork, which has been awesome under my 215 lbs.

Popularity: 6% [?]

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The Fat Tire Classic XC race is less than a month away, since I’m not in any ‘racing shape’ and my lightest bike weighs 29.5 lbs, I decided to build an XC rig.

I decided to go with a KHS Team Alite frame, at 3.0lbs, my 6-yr old daughter had no trouble holding the frame. Why a KHS frame?, (no, it was not free) after testing over 6 KHS bikes and owning 3, I’m convinced that KHS produces awesome quality stuff. (Not to mention that Melissa Buhl scored a championship on a KHS frame)

Here’s my spec list:

2008 XT Cranks, Shifters, F & R derailleurs
2007 RockShox Reba Race Dual Air Fork
2007 Vuelta StarLite AL Wheels with Michelin Tires
Answer ProTaper CF Bar
Thomson Elite seatpost
Hayes Nine Brakes (from another bike)
I still haven’t decided on the stem and the pedals (most likely Crank Bros).

My goal is to be at around 20lbs and be done by the 20th. Come back for the updates!

Popularity: 2% [?]

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