I am looking to get a new bike mainly for fitness. I have tested several bikes from several dealers and like a couple by KHS (Specialized Sirrus was impressive too). The local store recommends the KHS Urban Xpress to me for its disc brakes and good components for 569. They also have the Vitamin B, which has a carbon fork. I am leaning toward the Urban Xpress but was wondering if I might be better off with the Vitamin B. It is not much more and will be lighter. I will be riding 100% on road.

Vitamin B:
https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2012-khs-models/vitamin-b/

Urban Xpress:
https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2012-kh.../urban-xpress/

There is not a whole lot of information and reviews on KHS, especially the Vitamin line. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I think that you're a bit confused on your Urban line models. According to the (newly redesigned!) site, the Xpress doesn't have disc brakes. The Urban Xcel and the Urban X have the disc brakes.

That's what the dealer told me at lunch today. Makes me think I should look at another dealer! Thanks.

We bought KHS Vitamin A and Vitamin B fitness bikes (2011 models) for my wife as they are one of the FEW mfg'ers. that have a 13 inch frame, that's NOT a mixte/womens step thru. After 700 miles they've both held up well and the wife really like them. The only upgrade we did was to replace the "JUNK" Shimano triple crankset on the "Vitamin B", with a Origin 8 Pro Trekking crankset, (all alloy and has replaceable chainrings) so that brought the bike up VERY close to the "KHS Vitamin C" (top of the line) version. As stated we've had no real problems and the bikes have run well, my wife uses the Vitamin A as her daily commuter so it being heavier with lower componets isn't a problem, they do the job. If we did it over, I'd NOW, just go ahead, add the extra money and buy her the "Vitamin C" over the " Vitamin B", FYI, YMMV. Between the two models, I think that you'd be better off with the Vitamin series for doing mostly road riding, JMHO.

White: Vitamin A commuter
Blue: Vitamin B Hybrid Road Bike

Thanks for the feedback. A local store has the Vitamin C in stock for 649. Not much of a discount but better than nothing...I have found that local bike places like to charge MSRP most of the time. The Vitamin B is only 70.00 cheaper there so I am sure I would go for the Vitamin C.

I tried some different hybrids today and now have am choosing between the KHS Vitamin C, Giant Escape 1 and the Cannondale Quick 4. I am leaning towards the Cannondale at this point mainly because I like the dealer the best. I honestly do not think I could go wrong with any of them.

Not many KHS owners around here based on the amount of feedback received!

I have a 1997 KHS Comp. Awesome steel MTB!!! Haven't ridden the new stuff.

Possibly the owners have better things to do than hang out on the innerwebz

You like the shop and the bike, get the Cannondale Quick 4 BUT make the LBS upgrade the "crankset" to one with "replaceable chainwheels" for a little more bucks and ENJOY!

FYI, KHS is not a "high volume" dealer like Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc. so you won't see as many owners comments, jmho, ymmv.

I have a Cannondale Quick 3, so I'm a big fan of the Quick series of bikes. With the 4 you'd be getting a carbon fork, which helps to absorb a great deal of road vibration. These are nice, well-made bikes for the money. I haven't tried any KHS to compare, though.

The Quick 4 will also handle light dirt and gravel just fine, if you find you want to ride rail trails and other MUPs.

Now down to the Quick 4 or the Giant Escape 0. A local dealer has the Escape 0 for 650. Probably will pick up the Escape but there are very few comments/reviews on the Escape 0...Not in too big of a hurry with the temp being right at 100 every day around here...

I ended up with a Giant Escape 1. A local shop had it for 440. No regrets at all...A great price at my favorite LBS...

Congrats and ENJOY!

I test rode the urban X and the ride was sooo smooth the smoothest out of 3 hybrids I rode. The only thing that held me back from buying was the terrible shifting between gears (mainly just on the 'left side' - sorry I don't know the proper bike lingo). I would grind and not transition smooth. The tech did try to tweak the wires a bit for me but I wasn't getting the hang of it. He claims he could shift much more easily and I believe him so that leads me to believe it was me (not the bike having issues). That said I'm a newbie so maybe I don't quite have the feel for what the tech called "micro gears". Either way that was my expereience on the KHS Urban X.

Thanks. I have not shopped for a bike in over 10 years. I must admit that the bike industry is a strange one based on my experiences. First, I am not used to getting quoted MSRP all the time. In most industries, you can easily find something less than MSRP. I realize that the markup is minimal. Every store in the Memphis area quoted me MSRP. You could ask for 10% off and pay with cash and they would not budge. The LBS I bought from is actually like 45 minutes from my home and outside of Memphis but I am in that area all the time. Second, many companies like Jamis and Marin as examples are out of their 2012 bikes for the most part now and do not have the 2013 bikes available yet. I find it odd that companies are willing to go a month or even 2 months a year with basically no product to sell.

I ended up with a new 2013 Jamis Coda Sport in black/silver. I picked it up yesterday and am thrilled. The Escape 1 was a special order and got delayed. In the meantime, I found out that my another LBS right down the road was a Jamis dealer and that made my decision easy.

Pics of the jamis?

Will try and post pics soon..It looks VERY similar to the black 2012 model.

ENJOY, I think you'll fall in love with the Coda Sport, too be honest I wish they'd left the "sport" off of the name, I don't think it fit's as bike to me is more of a Grand Tursimo touring type than a "sport", jmho, ymmv. Anyway, welcome to Jamis and RIDE!!

I have a 1989 KHS Montana Summit moumtain bike that I've updated for touring and commuting. Best bike I've ever had. Have not ridden the new KHS bikes.