KHS ALITE 1000 Review
- Price: $709
- Frame: Aluminum
- Wheels: 26″ Aluminum
- Gear: 2×10
What we like about it: Good for newbies, low maintenance costs.
What we don’t like about it: It’s heavier and slower.
Rating (4.4/5)
KHS bicycles are a well-known American bike brand with over 45 years of history in the industry. The company began as a small bike shop in California and quickly evolved into a leading manufacturer of high-quality bicycles. Over the years, KHS has produced a range of bikes suitable for different types of riding, from road bikes to mountain bikes. One of their popular mountain bike series is the ALITE 1000, which has undergone several changes and upgrades since its inception. The ALITE 1000 series is renowned for its reliable performance and versatile design, making it a popular choice among mountain bike enthusiasts.
The KHS ALITE 1000 is a hardtail mountain bike designed specifically for off-road and cross-country riding. It is suitable for riders who enjoy off-road adventures on various terrains, including gravel, rock, and dirt roads. With its 100mm front suspension fork, the ALITE 1000 can easily handle bumpy and rough terrain, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. The bike’s lightweight aluminum frame makes it easy to handle on technical trails. Additionally, the ALITE 1000 is equipped with high-quality components, such as Shimano Deore shifters and hydraulic disc brakes, ensuring reliable performance in any riding situation.
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Riding Experience
As a mountain bike enthusiast with over a decade of experience, I’ve owned and ridden several bikes over the years. But my KHS ALITE 1000 hardtail mountain bike has always been my go-to choice for commuting in the city and weekend leisure rides. In many rides, it has been a reliable and durable partner, and I have some unforgettable experiences to share. I easily booked accommodation on Skyscanner to ensure I can adequately prepare.
Mountain Riding
On a beautiful summer day, I decided to take my ALITE 1000 to Griffith Park in Los Angeles for a ride. The park has several trails that offer scenic views of the city, and I was eager to explore. Starting from my home in Burbank, the bike’s lightweight aluminum frame made it easy to ride on city streets. The 100mm front suspension fork provided enough cushioning to absorb bumps and potholes on the road, making the ride comfortable. The bike’s nimble handling also made it easy to navigate through traffic.
Once I reached Griffith Park, I headed to the Fern Canyon Trail. It’s a beginner-friendly trail that winds through the park’s scenic hills. The ALITE 1000’s versatile design made it well-suited for this trail. Most of the trail was flat with some gentle inclines. The 2×10-speed drivetrain allowed me to smoothly shift gears to maintain a comfortable pace. The trail’s terrain was a mix of dirt and rocks, but the bike’s 29-inch wheels provided good traction. Additionally, the front suspension fork absorbed bumps and vibrations, making the ride enjoyable.
As I rode deeper into the park, I encountered the Mineral Wells Trail. It’s a more challenging trail popular among experienced riders. The trail mixes steep climbs, technical descents, and rocky sections that require skill and precision. The ALITE 1000’s durable frame quality and reliable components gave me the confidence to tackle this trail. The bike’s hydraulic disc brakes provided excellent stopping power, and the 100mm front suspension fork provided enough cushioning to handle the rocky terrain, even on steep descents.
Ending the Ride
After several hours of riding, I decided to take a break and admire the city view from Griffith Observatory. The observatory offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and was a perfect spot to rest and recharge before heading home. The bike’s lightweight design made it easy to carry up the stairs to the observatory, and I could lock it outside while enjoying the scenery.
Overall, my experience with the KHS ALITE 1000 was positive. Its versatile design makes it suitable for both city commuting and weekend leisure off-road riding. Its maintenance cost is also low, meaning I don’t have to spend a lot of time and money on repairs and upkeep. Over the years, the bike’s durable frame quality has held up well and has remained reliable on every ride. I look forward to more adventures with my trustworthy ALITE 1000.
Specification
The KHS ALITE 1000 is undoubtedly an impressive hardtail mountain bike in the series. Its comprehensive high-end mountain bike components provide highly efficient transmission and braking qualities, delivering an excellent riding experience. The lightweight 6061 aluminum alloy frame provides sufficient lightness while maintaining frame rigidity. Similar to traditional frames, this bike uses replaceable derailleur hangers and seat post clamps, greatly reducing maintenance costs. The external cable routing design of this bike may not be aesthetically pleasing to many people, but it does make changing cables much simpler.
The wheelset uses Weinmann U-28 full aluminum alloy rims paired with 26″×2.10″ wider tires, greatly improving the stability of the entire bike. It doesn’t compromise too much on speed and can make me ride comfortably even on bumpy roads. The drivetrain system uses Shimano Deore components, with an advanced 2×10-speed configuration. Although this may seem outdated on a mountain bike, it is still suitable for cyclists pursuing speed.
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What do we like about it?
- Versatile design: The Alite 1000 is designed for urban commuting and light weekend trail riding, making it a versatile choice for riders.
- Front Suspension: The 100mm front suspension fork provides good cushioning and absorbs bumps on the mountain trails, making the ride comfortable.
- Durable frame quality: The Alite 1000’s frame is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use.
- 2×10-Speed Drivetrain: Shimano Deore shifters and derailleurs provide smooth and reliable shifting on the trails, allowing the rider to maintain a comfortable pace.
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable braking ability and a sense of safety and control for the rider, even on steep downhill trails.
- 29-inch wheels: The 29-inch wheels provide good traction on varied terrain and make for a stable ride.
- Low Maintenance: The Alite 1000 requires minimal maintenance, making it a low-cost option for riders who don’t want to spend a lot of time and money on maintenance.
- Flexible handling: The bike’s agile handling makes it easy to get through traffic and tight turns, providing the rider with a sense of control.
- Comfortable saddle: The comfortable saddle allows the rider to sit for long periods without discomfort, making it ideal for long rides.
What don’t we like about it?
- Speed: Higher weight and slower speed.
FAQs
- Is the Alite 1000 suitable for beginners?
Yes, the Alite 1000 is a good choice for beginners. Its versatile design and 100mm front suspension make it suitable for all terrain and skill levels.
- How does the Alite 1000 perform on the technical route?
The Alite 1000’s durable frame quality, 100mm front suspension, and hydraulic disc brakes make it a reliable choice for technical trails. The bike’s agile handling also provides good control on tricky terrain.
- Can Alite 1000 handle jumps and drops?
While Alite 1000 is not specifically designed for jumps and drops, its 100mm front suspension and durable frame quality can handle small to medium jumps and drops.
- What is the weight limit for Alite 1000?
The weight limit for Alite 1000 is around 250 pounds. However, it is best to consult the manufacturer for specific weight limit recommendations.
- Is the Alite 1000 easy to assemble?
The Alite 1000 is partially assembled and most riders can complete the assembly process with some basic tools and knowledge. However, if you are unsure, it is recommended to have a professional mechanic assemble the bike to ensure proper fitment and safety.
KHS ALITE 1000 Specs
Build
| Frame | Alloy, Double Butted, rear end with disc brake mount, Taper head tube Colors: Matte Black; White |
| Fork | RST FIRST, w/ alloy Taper steerer, 15mm Thru-axle, 100mm Travel |
| Rear Shock | n/a |
| Bottom Bracket | Outboard Cartridge Bearing |
| Headset | FSA Orbit 1.5E Zero Stack |
| Stem | KHS, Alloy, A-HEAD EX, 7DEG 31.8, S: 70, M: 80, L: 90, XL: 100 |
| Handlebar | Alloy, 720x15mm, 9 Degree |
| Saddle | WTB Volt Sport |
| Seatpost | KHS, Alloy, micro-adj, 31.6 x 350mm |
| Pedals | Wellgo, 9/16″ |
| Grips | Power Tools, Kraton |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore, M-615 |
| Front Derailleur | Shimanp Deore, FD-M615-B, 34.9mm High Clamp |
| Crank | Alloy, 24x38T, S: 170, M-XL: 175 |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore, SL-M610, Trigger |
| Cassette | Shimano, CS-HG50-10, 11-36, 10-Speed |
| Chain | KMC X10, w/MissingLink |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-M396 Hydraulic Disc, 160mm Rotors |
| Brake Levers | Shimano BL-M396 |
Wheels
| Rims | Weinmann U-28, Alloy, Doublewall, w/eyelets |
| Spokes | 14G Steel, w/ Alloy silver nipples |
| Tires | Kenda K-1047 26 “x2.10”, 60TPI wire |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click view | Drivetrain | Frame material | Groupset |
| Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2 | Click View | 3×7 | Aluminum alloy | Shimano Tourney |
| Specialized Rockhopper 26 | Click View | 2×8 | Aluminum alloy | microSHIFT Mezzo, microSHIFT Marvo |
| Giant Talon 4 | Click View | 1×8 | Aluminum alloy | microSHIFT Advent |
| Cannondale Trail 8 | Click View | 2×7 | Aluminum alloy | microSHIFT |
KHS ALITE 1000 vs Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2
The KHS Alite 1000 features a 20-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, one gear less than the Trek Marlin 4’s 21-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain. However, the Alite 1000’s drivetrain is more advanced, providing riders with more precise and smoother shifting, making it more suitable for advanced riders.
Both bikes use disc brakes, with the Alite 1000 using hydraulic disc brakes while the Trek Marlin 4 uses mechanical disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes offer more reliable braking performance and require less maintenance than mechanical disc brakes. Another key difference between the two bikes is their front suspension. The Alite 1000 has a 100mm front suspension fork, while the Trek Marlin 4 has an 80mm front suspension fork. The Alite 1000’s front suspension is more advanced, providing more cushioning and shock absorption on mountain trails.
In terms of frame materials, the Alite 1000 uses an aluminum frame while the Trek Marlin 4 uses an Alpha Silver Aluminum frame. Both are durable and lightweight materials, but the Alite 1000’s frame is slightly lighter.
Learn More: Is Trek Marlin 4 Worth Buying? [Trek Marlin 4 Review]
KHS ALITE 1000 vs Specialized Rockhopper 26
One of the main differences between the Alite 1000 and the Rockhopper 26 is the suspension travel. The Alite 1000 has 100mm of suspension travel, while the Rockhopper 26 has 80mm of suspension travel. The Alite 1000’s front suspension provides more cushioning and shock absorption on mountain trails, making it more suitable for riders who enjoy rough terrain.
Both bikes use disc brakes. The Alite 1000 uses hydraulic disc brakes, while the Rockhopper 26 uses mechanical disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are undoubtedly more reliable than mechanical disc brakes and require less maintenance.
Another key difference between these two bikes is their gearing system. The Alite 1000 has a 20-speed Shimano Deore gearing system. Compared to the Rockhopper 26’s 16-speed microSHIFT Mezzo gearing system, it is more advanced and provides more precise and smoother shifting.
In terms of frame materials, the Alite 1000 uses an aluminum frame, while the Rockhopper 26 uses an A1 premium aluminum frame. Both frame materials are durable lightweight materials, but the Alite 1000’s frame is slightly lighter.
KHS ALITE 1000 vs Giant Talon 4
Looking at the two bikes in comparison, you can see that the KHS ALITE 1000 has a higher price tag, which also means it has a nice configuration upgrade. In terms of the fork, there are some major differences between the two bikes. The former uses a 100mm cushioning stroke RST cushioning fork, while the latter uses an 80mm Suntour XCE28 fork.
In terms of brakes, the former uses more effective hydraulic disc brakes, which can provide very rapid braking even when going downhill at high speed. The latter uses mechanical disc brakes. Although they have decent braking performance compared to rim brakes, there will still be a significant difference in terms of feel.
Learn More: Is Giant Talon 4 Worth Buying? [Giant Talon 4 Review]
KHS ALITE 1000 vs Cannondale Trail 8
Alite 1000 and Trail 8 differ in several key ways. One of the main differences is their front suspension travel. The KHS Alite 1000 has 100mm of suspension travel, while the Trail 8 has 75mm of suspension travel. The longer suspension travel on the Alite 1000 provides more cushioning and shock absorption on mountain trails, making it better suited for riders who prefer more technical or rocky terrain.
Another key difference between these two bikes is their braking systems. The KHS Alite 1000 uses hydraulic disc brakes, while the Trail 8 uses mechanical disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes offer more reliable braking performance and require less maintenance compared to mechanical disc brakes.
The KHS Alite 1000 also offers more advanced shifting with a 20-speed Shimano Deore shifting system compared to the Trail 8’s 14-speed MicroSHIFT shifting system. The KHS Alite 1000’s shifting system offers more precise and smoother shifts, making it more suitable for intermediate and advanced riders.
In terms of frame material, both bikes have aluminum frames. However, the frame of the KHS Alite 1000 is slightly lighter than that of the Trail 8, making it easier to handle and maneuver on the trails.
Overall, the KHS Alite 1000 offers more advanced components and features than the Cannondale Trail 8, making it more suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. On the other hand, the Trail 8 is a more affordable option for beginners who want to try trail biking.
Summary
Above is our test of the KHS ALITE 1000, a great mountain trail bike for novice riders. It’s not too fast and super light, but the durable component configuration and low maintenance costs are what novices need most. Especially the more efficient hydraulic disc brakes. If you need a faster, higher-end ride quality, check out our higher-end bike reviews.
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