Please give me some advice- KHS or Specialized

machewa

Hello all, I hope some of you can help me make a decision on a full sus bike for under a grand.

After lots of reading I think I have finally narrowed the choice down to either a KHS XC 604 (09) or a Specialized FSR XC Comp (09).

Both have similar spec, review wise the KHS seems to come out top. I’m assuming the Specialized frame is better than the KHS so it would give me room for upgrading the kit if I decided to take the sport more seriously, but it seems the KHS also won reviews for it’s design.

For some reason I’m drawn towards the KHS, can anyone think of good reason to go for the Specialized?


On a side topic I’ve been given the option to upgrade the shifters to SLX instead of Deore, I’m fairly new to the mountain biking scene and would appreciate advice on the difference between the SLX and Deore shifters and also why is very rare to see SLX shifters on 09 bikes?


Appreciate all your comments

Matt

Tank-slapper

Although I have never ridden the XC 604, I can vouch for KHS frames being excellent in both design and manufacture.

machewa

Thanks for the reply, I've a friend who rode KHS before building a custom build and absolutly loved it.


Another thing I forgot to mention is the KHS 604 max frame size is 19". I'm pretty tall, just under 6-2. I emailed KHS UK with this concern and their reply was "that they had sold to people of my hight before and the bike has a nice long top tube so doesn't feel cramped." I understand that there is alot more to a bike fitting than this one measurement, I'd love to hear from anyone tall who has riden the 19". Thanks!

pastasauce

The XC604 looks ace, and I still ride my KHS Montana Comp as a commuter.

The frame still feels good to ride and has outlasted 2 replacement component groups.

I bought it in 1993 so its well made.

If it were me, i'd lump for the KHS.

robminimal

Both are excellent bikes, I don't know the full KHS warranty details but I have dealt with Specialized quite a bit and I do know their warranty is bulletproof. Lifetime warranty on all frames regardless of material and they have a crash replacement scheme which i think is unique to them. Other than that its also a 2yr warranty on componentry.
I never used to bother with warranty's etc but after three mates almost simultaeneosly ruined three lapierre frames and lapierre wouldnt touch them that it became an issue

machewa

Thanks for your reply guys.

Tank-slapper

I'm 6'1" and my KHS hardtail is 19". It needed a 110mm stem to make it feel right, but that isn't much of a problem to sort. The XC604 has a longer top tube anyway.

s works ron

hi mate my son bought ,an s works on e bay (not a good idea) he found some damage
specialized bent over backwards to help him he got a brand new s works 09 stump..all he had to pay was 500 pouds not bad as he only pay,d 520 for the frist one ie 09 s works stump,y for a grand...not bad days work

LoUiS1985

having ridden both personally i would say the spesh is a better ride. i found the KHS a little heavy and sluggish. the spesh was a great, well blalnced ride IMO. Having said that i do own a spesh so maybe am a little biased but do like the KHS range (the flagstaff and XC team are both terrific rides, although a fair bit more expensive)

lane ranger

Yeah i agree with Robminimal, you have to take aftercare into consideration. Spoke to the guy on the KHS stand at Bike radar live, and at present they have no dealers as yet. Its all internet sales at present. So if you end up with a big problem you will have all the hassle of packing, sending back etc. With Specialized there is always a dealer reasonably close, and there aftercare is spot on.