As my name suggest, I'm more of a mountainbiker than a roadie.
However, through the years I have owned and ridden the odd carbon modern road bike.
And I find myself no longer enjoying muddy rides, so with the cold months coming, I want to ride on tarmac more often.
Last september, I caved when I saw an add selling this KHS bike (which I had never heard of) and a Raleigh Corsa 501 frame.
The - somewhat elderly - owner bought both bikes new 25-30 years ago, and after overpaying a bit, I took home the steel set.
My initial plan was to build up the Raleigh as a 650b wide tire steed, as I lace my own wheels, and the frame has plenty of clearance for 35x700c tires.
But when I started checking all the parts on the KHS, I came to the conclusion that that bike was built up using the Raleigh's original shimano parts from 1985. Even the bottlecage seems original to the Raleigh.
So after truing the wheels, greasing the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset, I built up the Raleigh and added some new brake pads, 23mm Conti 4season tires, a new 7 speed cassette, and white bar tape.
I rode that bike some 200km for fun, but downtube shifting will never be a joy for me.
The Raleigh is 126mm spacing, as is the rear wheel. It struck me as odd that the more modern KHS was built up with 8 year older parts, but then again, it has 128mm frame spacing so the wheel did fit. I believe the Bontrager saddle and the Kalloy seatpost were original to the KHS. Ironically, both frames use the rare 26.8mm size?
The handlebar is an Italmanubri ITM/mod europa 42cm
The frame paint and sickers aren't in great condition, and the bike will be sold. However it looks like no real buyer will present itself until spring.
The KHS has exactly the same seat tube and top tube measurements, go figure
With that frame, I had neo-retro plans. The bike is practically finished. The only changes left will be related to my riding position.
First iteration, with 100mm stem and brown bar tape. The initial plan was to use a brown saddle as well.
New handlebar with 80mm stem, pink bar tape, cables shortened.
It was a real pain getting the stem over the bar, so I just bought another handlebar for the new stem. The 100mm set will be reused on another build in the MTB section.
I really like the black stem/bar/seatpost look.
This was a budget build with a mix of used and new parts, often from Ali Express. I wanted to try a new Chinese group
vs a used shimano/campy
I documented everything on video for Youtube. This isn't my first build, and will definitely not be my last.
Got tons of photo's too if anyone's interested.
Frame: KHS Aero Team 54cm
Fork: KHS Aero Team
Front Derailleur: Ltwoo 2x
Rear Derailleur: Ltwoo 9x
Number of Gears: 22
Shifters: Ltwoo R9
Bracket: Campagnolo Ultra Torque
Crank: Campagnolo Ultra Torque
Chainrings: Campagnolo 39/52
Cassette: Shimano CS-R7000 11-28
Chain: Shimano Ultegra HG-601
Pedals: Ultegra SPD-sl / Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 (cold weather)
Brakes: Raceworks/ Ultegra pads
Handlebars: Ali express 38cm
Stem: Ali express 1" 80mm
Headset: Shimano 600
Bar tape: Ali express brown => pink
Wheelset: Shimano WH-RS500 (ultegra level)
Front Tire: Continental GP5000 S TR 25mm
Rear Tire: Continental GP5000 28mm
Saddle: Fizik Aliante Gamma
Seatpost: ZOOM black 26.8mm
Weight: <10 kg
I rather enjoy riding this bike, just need to get my riding position dialed in.
Next up is a GP5000 S TR 28mm rear tire (brown wall) and test fit on the front wheel. Then I'll setup tubeless and ride the wheels off... so to speak
Oh, and some nice bottle cages.
And a full polish and wax
However, through the years I have owned and ridden the odd carbon modern road bike.
And I find myself no longer enjoying muddy rides, so with the cold months coming, I want to ride on tarmac more often.
Last september, I caved when I saw an add selling this KHS bike (which I had never heard of) and a Raleigh Corsa 501 frame.
The - somewhat elderly - owner bought both bikes new 25-30 years ago, and after overpaying a bit, I took home the steel set.
My initial plan was to build up the Raleigh as a 650b wide tire steed, as I lace my own wheels, and the frame has plenty of clearance for 35x700c tires.
But when I started checking all the parts on the KHS, I came to the conclusion that that bike was built up using the Raleigh's original shimano parts from 1985. Even the bottlecage seems original to the Raleigh.
So after truing the wheels, greasing the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset, I built up the Raleigh and added some new brake pads, 23mm Conti 4season tires, a new 7 speed cassette, and white bar tape.
I rode that bike some 200km for fun, but downtube shifting will never be a joy for me.
The Raleigh is 126mm spacing, as is the rear wheel. It struck me as odd that the more modern KHS was built up with 8 year older parts, but then again, it has 128mm frame spacing so the wheel did fit. I believe the Bontrager saddle and the Kalloy seatpost were original to the KHS. Ironically, both frames use the rare 26.8mm size?
The handlebar is an Italmanubri ITM/mod europa 42cm
The frame paint and sickers aren't in great condition, and the bike will be sold. However it looks like no real buyer will present itself until spring.
The KHS has exactly the same seat tube and top tube measurements, go figure
With that frame, I had neo-retro plans. The bike is practically finished. The only changes left will be related to my riding position.
First iteration, with 100mm stem and brown bar tape. The initial plan was to use a brown saddle as well.
New handlebar with 80mm stem, pink bar tape, cables shortened.
It was a real pain getting the stem over the bar, so I just bought another handlebar for the new stem. The 100mm set will be reused on another build in the MTB section.
I really like the black stem/bar/seatpost look.This was a budget build with a mix of used and new parts, often from Ali Express. I wanted to try a new Chinese group
vs a used shimano/campyI documented everything on video for Youtube. This isn't my first build, and will definitely not be my last.
Got tons of photo's too if anyone's interested.Frame: KHS Aero Team 54cm
Fork: KHS Aero Team
Front Derailleur: Ltwoo 2x
Rear Derailleur: Ltwoo 9x
Number of Gears: 22
Shifters: Ltwoo R9
Bracket: Campagnolo Ultra Torque
Crank: Campagnolo Ultra Torque
Chainrings: Campagnolo 39/52
Cassette: Shimano CS-R7000 11-28
Chain: Shimano Ultegra HG-601
Pedals: Ultegra SPD-sl / Crankbrothers Eggbeater 3 (cold weather)
Brakes: Raceworks/ Ultegra pads
Handlebars: Ali express 38cm
Stem: Ali express 1" 80mm
Headset: Shimano 600
Bar tape: Ali express brown => pink
Wheelset: Shimano WH-RS500 (ultegra level)
Front Tire: Continental GP5000 S TR 25mm
Rear Tire: Continental GP5000 28mm
Saddle: Fizik Aliante Gamma
Seatpost: ZOOM black 26.8mm
Weight: <10 kg
I rather enjoy riding this bike, just need to get my riding position dialed in.
Next up is a GP5000 S TR 28mm rear tire (brown wall) and test fit on the front wheel. Then I'll setup tubeless and ride the wheels off... so to speak
Oh, and some nice bottle cages.
And a full polish and wax
