khs folder
 

The KHS 20inch folder has arrived. My friend bought it and I got a Dahon SPeed8 (which I really like - although it is a little too long for me -5"2 height, and I am having trouble with flat tires). The KHS - which lbs recommended, is not as well made and probably more comparable to the Dahon Boardwalk than the model I have. No quick releases on tires, set handlebar stem height, and 6 speed. KHS folds fairly easily and fairly compactly. The Dahon seem to be sturdier - KHS creaks a bit and feels a bit flimsy. My friend liked the way KHS folds and wants to keep it in her apartment to ride around local park - no major riding on city streets or anything. IT seems to be about the same weight as the Dahon - and it came with fenders and a little bell. Friend is changing the handlebars so she can sit more upright - she did not like leaning over the straight bar that came on it. I will update again when she gets it home and we have a chance to ride around the park together.

Thanks for the update. I've been curious about the KHS bikes.

Also - it cost $329 plus tax (although no shipping) and does not have anything that holds it together - needs a bungee cord or something to keep it tightly folded.

Which model of KHS folder did you get?

My 2003 KHS Westwood 20" folder came with a long section of velcro with a plastic piece for looping it back on itself. I tried it once and chucked it. ;)

It does have wheel quick releases though - the rear one lines up with the kick-stand when it's folded.

If you undo the rear quick-release, fold the bike and *carefully* flip the quick-release closed, you can get the release & kick-stand to hold the bike together!

Did yours come with a kick stand? Wondering if adding a rear QR would let you clip it together that way.

Oh whoops - got that bass-ackwards. It's the *front* QR that clips around the kick stand. Durrrr. ;)

It is a KHS F20A. The handlebar was changed for one that would allow for a more upright ride. It does have a kickstand. Actually, folding tightly is not a big priority so we aren't that worried about that part. so far the bike has done well on 8-9 mile rides. THe seat is a lot more comfortable than my 05 dahon speed 8 and has not needed the adjustments that my folder has needed. ALso no flat tires on the KHS so far. The shifting is not as smooth as on my dahon, but I have had to have mine adjusted a couple of times because of gear and chain slipping.

The KHS F20a is a 2005, hard-tail, 20" aluminum frame folder, correct?

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised when you commented the KHS wasn't as well built as the Dahon.

While I was VERY impressed with the Dahon Impulse I tried (2004 D6 alloy) and had the option of that, the Giant Halfway or a 2003 KHS... I opted for the KHS.

I heard KHS tried to get the cost down in 2004/2005 KHS models by omitting suspension but I figured they were all pretty high end folders...? Any idea what MFG sug.retail $ on the F20a and the Speed P8 are?

The folding mechanism on the aluminum Dahon I tried was "like butter, baby..." I'm sure they've patented that. (it was sort of a parallelogram... looked like a Transformer Robot when folding)

The KHS and others have that simple hinged double plate. (functional, not sexy like the Dahon ;) The Giant hinge was kind of unique too.

I think the seat on the 2003 f20 Westwood is the same as the 2005 - made by Velo specifically for KHS... it's plush. Never had a stock seat that comfy.

Thanks for the updates! Look forward to more.

Chris

KHS was $329 before tax (from lbs) (after tax and handlebar changed and some stuff added - it was around $380)(maybe it isn't the 2005 f20IVa - maybe it is the 2004 model -sales slip only says f20 and it is a grey color) and the speed 8 was $422(including shipping from internet store). The two bikes feel different from each other - the speed 8 - to me - feels better - but is much more sensitive and has required more trips to lbs because of little troubles (I am no mechanic) - the khs has not - but it hasn't been ridden as much and does not feel as "sleek" to me and it is creakier- highly subjective information, I know. I looked at the giant halfway -but it seemed too long for my short body.