US MTB brand KHS has been hovering around the fringes of the UK roadie industry for some time now - quietly releasing bikes that perform and spec out at a level that belies their relatively diminutive price tag.
The Flite 100 is their latest update to their fixed/ss offering and is squarely aimed at the increasingly crowded £500 mark, spec'd with a Reynolds 520 double-butted Chromoly frame, Wienmann rims, flip/flop hub and rather natty track style bars.
So far so normal, but what the 100 offers above its peers is a surprisingly low weight. In proper fixed setup with freewheel and rear brake removed (easy thanks to cable guides, not braze ons) we managed to get our Large size bike down to 20lbs with pedals. Combine that with the rookie-friendly 44/17 crank set resulting in 68 gear inches you have a machine that can take off and get up to speed quickly.
The steep track-style geometry and narrow curvy bars give excellent maneuverability through traffic, hampered only by some slight toe overlap with the front wheel upon your reviewer's amateur trackstand attempts. Thin springy steel tubes and well-wrapped drops take the worst out of road vibration and noise giving a surprisingly comfy ride on the KHS-branded saddle.
A relatively short top tube makes this bike far comfier than expected to ride in "traffic mode" - on the top of the bars, conveniently where the short top brake levers are located. The drops are fine for straight blasts but control does suffer.
The crankset, brakes and hubs are unbranded kit; however, quality seems sound and at the end of the test the drive chain was running smoothly and silently with minimal tinkering. More to the point, incremental upgrades are cheap and straightforward with no gearing to worry about.
The frame comes in unassuming black or gold in the UK - our gold model's looks were surprisingly understated; a refreshing change from the fluorescent monstrosities one sees (normally pushed) around London's East End.
If you've fixed gear curious and have around £500 at your disposal (and I wouldn't recommend spending much less) then this bike has a lot to recommend it. Sold complete with serviceable clips and straps it's fixed gear ready from the off , rookie-friendly and quick enough off the mark to beat all but the most seasoned roadie away from the lights.
