KHS Bicycles continues to up their cyclocross game with the CX550 carbon team bike, attractively painted electric blue and black and fully outfitted with SRAM Force1 Hydro, and American Classic Hurricane tubeless ready wheels. The wheels were equipped with less-than-tubeless ready Challenge Chicane open tubular tires.
Several years ago we favorably reviewed the Aluminum KHS CX300 as an affordable, versatile, well-thought racer, and noted it as KHS’ first serious entry into the cyclocross category. In 2014, KHS introduced the CX300 with disc brakes that we reviewed in Issue 24. We liked it for its long, low geometry and wide tire clearance. Most of all, we liked it as an affordable ’cross racer. For 2015, KHS stepped it up again by adding to the ’cross category with the Carbon CX500 and Grit 440 that share the same T700 carbon frame, and the CX550 that boasts a T800 carbon frame. The new electric blue and black paint scheme for the CX 550 Team is new for 2016.
The Grit gravel category is new for KHS in 2015, and for the carbon Grit 440, it differs from the CX500 only with the build, utilizing compact road gearing instead, as well as being of lower Shimano Tiagra spec with mechanical Avid BB5 brakes, compared the the CX500’s Shimano 105 with hydraulic R785 brakes. The Grit is also available in an aluminum version, the Grit 220 with the same Tiagra build.
The 2016 bike is coming on-shore in a few weeks and Cyclocross Magazine certainly has a CX550 Team earmarked for review. More info: khsbicycles.com.
The Chainstay mounted rear caliper includes internal routing for the brake line. © Clifford Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
