KHS Alite 150
The KHS Alite 150 is an entry level MTB that is very popular with new riders across India.
Can’t decide between a trail bike or a commuter? Getting onto the KHS Alite 150 would be a good choice – The light weight Aluminum frame, multiple frame sizes and quality components ensure a comfortable ride.
Ride Experience
The first impression of the Alite 150 is the quality of the contact points – pedals, saddle and grips. Not as comfortable as what we are used to at this price-point. The Microshift shifters are not common, hard to comfortably setup and need some getting used to. At the same time the thumb shifts on the microshift shifters free the fingers to feather the brakes and can be considered an advantage.
The bike is a tad heavy and feels less lively on the trail. The entry level Kenda tires come with a deep thread along the center unlike the Bontrager LT3’s which have a shallow center that lets it roll much better on the road where as the Kenda feel sluggish. The heavier Kenda tires are of a harder compound and don’t provide the confidence you need to take sharp corners at high speeds.
Good braking systems allow a rider to confidently stop. The Bengal mechanical disc brakes with the 160mm rotors do their job very well. We get all the advantages of having disc brakes – solid braking even when the rims are not true and in wet conditions. Once setup well, the brakes provide better braking power than most V-brake systems available on bikes at this price-point. The solidly built metal caliper body does end up adding weight to the bike. Solid, but heavy.
Going over the Bike
The bike comes with good Weinmann double walled rims, 14G spokes and brass nipples. We have seen these in other bikes and they hold up well and can take quite a bit of abuse.
The SR Suntour XCM V4 is a basic entry level front fork with dual sided preload adjust. The dual preload does add a tad more weight onto the front but can take a lot more load.
The 8 speed Shimano cassette allows you to have smaller cadence changes allowing you to keep your pedaling pretty regular. Not too many entry level bikes come with an 8 speed drive train and it’s a small advantage on trail or road. It also makes up for the higher number of teeth on the middle chainring allowing you to pedal in the 2nd chainring rather easily. The biggest advantage is that you don’t have to jump from the second cog to a massive first cog found in 7 speed mega-range cassettes.
The entry level Shimano Altus derailleurs do their job but are nothing to write home about. The derailleurs feel a lot less plasticky compared to the entry level Tourney derailleurs.
The pedals are entry level resin platforms that are comfortable but do not offer sufficient grip. Chances of slippage are high. Especially when combined with moisture and worn riding shoes.
The bike does justice to the price that it is available at. A good city ride as well as a decent trail bike – though we definitely recommend some upgrades if you would like to experience the trails better.
- Check out the KHS 150 at BumsOnTheSaddle
- Official Website – http://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2012-khs-models/alite-150/
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CYCLING
I love riding my bike. Whether it’s a simple commute, a high-intensity road race, a jaw-grinding brevet, fixie rides thru packed Indian city or a kick-ass technical single track – I love it all. Apart from riding bicycles, I love being all geeky and know everything there is to know about bicycles, technology, bike fit, and service.
I started BUMSONTHESADDLE to share this passion for cycling.
DISCIPLINE: Partial towards MOUNTAIN BIKING but love it all
CURRENT BIKE(S): Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized Tarmac, Pure Cycles Original
DREAM BIKE: S-Works Epic HT & S-Work Roubaix
OTHER PASSIONS: Technology, Photography, Baking, Travel, and Reading
