thewalrus

Can anyone tell me how much KHS 100 are selling for? I know the Bianchi Pista has a MSRP of $550, it looks like a slightly nicer frame and components. Maybe it's just the chrome finish

CafeRacer

Me giving pricing is kinda dumb since I work in a Canadian shop. But in my experience the KHS is nicer anways. The 2006 espessialy. It comes with almost an identical budget wheelset, reynolds frame, a true lugged track fork not a unicrown cheapo. Neither come with a 1/8th drivetrain or an overly stiff bar either. Both come with cheap rubber, bar, stem, saddle etc. Plus next years KHS is red, the fastest color.

Specialized is also offering a track orriented version of the Langster I want to order one spite just building a bike up, but too bad the ******* at Specialized Canada only bring the curiour version in!

Hope that helps ya.

baxtefer

the MSRP of the KHS is about $600 (US).
I bought mine lightly used for much less than that.

or if you wanted, you could look at the Mercier track bike that sells on ebay. It's the exact same frame/fork/complonents as the KHS, but sells for $350.

walrus, you thinking about hitting the Burnaby velodrome this winter? maybe i'll see you there...

thewalrus

Yeah, I'm thinking about it... when the weather turns nasty I'm not sure I want to put fenders on my 'good' bike and ride around in the slime. I was considering buying a trainer and setting it up in front of a fan in my apartment, but that would get really boring fast, unless I spend a few hundred bucks on cycling DVDs!

I've never ridden on the burnaby track before - is there a good time to rent a bike when nobody else is around? I don't want to be a hazard to others while learning.

baxtefer

the nasty weather is the perfect time to build yourself a beater/fixed gear commuter.

take the intro course. I'm a newbie too. This winter will be my first full season.

thewalrus

I found a shop in Chicago that sells KHS 100 on ebay at great prices...

I didn't win this auction, but whoever did got a heck of a deal on a bike (this one was my size, too)

$405 + $50 shipping to anywhere in the 48 states.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

jslopez

the 2006 pista come in the Gang Green color...

WTf were they thinking?

eyefloater

Buying a basic Bianchi, KHS, Norco, etc. and upgrading will of course cost you the same as a higher end bike in the end (assuming you upgrade / replace parts as they go). However, that's the only option available for a lot of people (myself included at times). If I were you, I'd go with the KHS / Mercier option ... it's a nice frame that's worth putting the effort into adding nice components.

- eyefloater

trackfanatic

forget all that try to buy something used with good parts allready. unless using credit card then have no choice

letsagogo

check out the fuji track too, it's 500. not bad and i've seen them take some heavy abuse. last time i looked the bianchi pista had some ****ty thin stamped steel dropouts... weak.

naisme

Anything new match the stiffness of an old GTB aluminum frame?

ZappCatt

Are any of these frames besides the Pista "track" geometry? KHS/Mercier/Windsor

I thought the Mercier was just a road frame with track dropouts and FG parts on it?

The Motobecane site actually has the Messenger geometry link to the "Le Champion -Century Series" geometry page.

baxtefer

KHS geometry (2005). Same frame as the Mercier.
it's "track"-ish. moreseo in the larger sizes. the BB is a bit lower than a "true" track bike, but still higher than a road frame.
https://www.khsbicycles.com/PDF/KHS_F...etry_Track.pdf

it looks like they've updated the frame for 2006. no more rack braze-ons in the rear.

the windsor is the same frame as the Fuji track.

ZappCatt

Thanks for the info..just want to make sure I understand what everyone is saying.

The windsor and fuji(same frame) are both track raceable...maybe not as "tight" as a bianchi or other track frames.

The KHS and Mercier 2005(same frame) is also track raceable.. maybe not as "tight" as a true track bike.

People are racing on tracks with these bikes with no issues, correct?

The KHS geometry page mentions that their fork is 28 deg, does anyone know if the Mercier uses the same fork, or is that part different...

Thanks again for all the info(yes, money is a serious concern for this bike)

baxtefer

the KHS 2006 geometry chart links to their road frames, not the track frame.

there's no such thing as a "true" track bike (i'm probably going to get flamed for this)
there are plenty of people racing "road"-like track bikes. fuji, cannondale, BMC, IRO...
all you really need are fork ends, and a slightly higher BB - unless you're looking for a sprint or pursuit-specific bike.

i like my KHS.

[edit]as far as i know the Mercier is the exact same bike (both parts + frameset) as the pre-2006 KHS.
the parts aren't too great. but it's a decent base for upgrades later
if you want the frame only, spicer sells it too for $275
https://www.spicercycles.com/index.cg...cat_desc=Track
[/edit]

ZappCatt

Awesome, first hand knowledge..Thanks!

Now I just have to try to find that cheap Mercier that was talked about.

baxtefer

take my recommendation with a grain of salt.
the only parts I kept were the frame, fork, headset and lockring.

and the headset aint too hot.

ZappCatt

I am just looking to get into track racing as cheap as SAFELY possible.. If the parts wear fast...just lets me get better replacement parts earlier..

If i dont like racing track(in other words..if i suck at it) I can sell it for a tiny loss...or maybe a profit if I part it out and put it on ebay... ;-)

spud

baxtefer, i'm not questioning whether is right or wrong, but where did you read that the spicer track frame is the same as the KHS 100?

baxtefer

its an unconfirmed rumor perpetuated by this forum. same reasons why the mercier was said to be the same as the KHS.
the evidence is pretty clear:
same sizing, same geometry, same weird-ass rack brazeons on the seatstays.
same fork crown too.

spud

okay

ultraman6970

HI... im new here but i think i can share my experience as ex track racer... I test the khs 1000 bike a few weeks ago in a track... and the frame is quite flimsy... is ok for the street but if somebody wants to get into serious racing isnt the frame to go for.

THe geometry is 100% road, isnt a fast machine... im not saying the bike is bad OK?... the bike built is ok... apparently only the 2 main tubes are reynolds.. the others i have no clue where they came from but the sound when u tap over them isnt reynolds... nor tange, columbus or true temper... Some old racers or builders know what im talking about.

The frame is ok for the street or for somebody who needs an entry level track bike, I realy dont know why and I include bianchi and fuji in this comment... but all of them build entry level bikes that are suppuse tobe for track or track reacing but the bike is not even near to the real deal... dunno... the geometry do like 70% of the trick so why they do not build a frame with the right geometry then?? well im only an ex racer and i dont concieve a street track bike... is a sacriledge hehehe

Again... the KHS is an ok bike if u are into the street stuff or like an entry level bike... but if somebody is looking into the real stuff maybe it would be better go to ebay and get sometihng like a lecroc, tesch.. or a japanese keirin frame...

THanks...

Serendipper 

The Bianchi Pista is an excellent starter bike, and holds it's value exceptionally well.
It's pretty and chrome, like those old cappuchino makers you see in a Paris cafe'.
But, you gotta ride and let your ass decide!

pistaboy

go pista. I love it and and its got great feel to it

IchbinJay

You tell 'em Pistaboy!