KHS Bicycles

KHS Bicycles is a bicycle manufacturer founded in 1974 with main operations in the United States and Taiwan. Its bicycles are distributed in over 30 countries.[1] Although KHS' main focus has been in mountain bikes, it has offerings in road bikes, folding bikes, tandem bikes, cruiser bikes (under the Manhattan brand name), single speed bikes and BMX bikes (under the FreeAgent brand name). Some of its products have been favorably reviewed.[2][3][4]

Overview

KHS Bicycles, Inc. of Los Angeles, California, is the designer and U.S. distributor of KHS Bicycles, Manhattan Cruisers and Free Agent BMX Bicycles. KHS stands for Knowledge, Health, and Strength. Founded in 1974 by Wen Hsieh, the KHS bicycle brand is a part of the KHS Co. Ltd., and UEC (United Engineering Corporation) which manufactures bicycles, motorcycles and Yamaha musical instruments in wholly owned factories located in

Patents, awards and accomplishments

KHS was the first Taiwan-made road bike to enter U.S. market with Reynolds 531 tubing. Bicycling Magazine tested this model in 1979 and rated it as good as a similar, French-made Motobecane model.

KHS awarded the “Sears Partner in Progress” award in 1986

KHS remains the only brand to have a finalist in Mountain Biking Magazine's “Bike of the Year” award every year since the inception of the award in 1992

KHS Comp was awarded the “Bike of the Year” award by Mountain Biking Magazine in 1994 and 2001

Bicycling Magazine awards the 1997 KHS Fleetwood its “Editor’s Choice Award” for best bike at the 1996 Interbike International Bicycle show

In March 1998, the KHS FXT Sport is rated “Best Value” full suspension bike under $1000 by Mountain Bike Action Magazine

KHS introduces suspension seatposts and semi-slick tires on its 1998 mountain bike line, a full year ahead of most other brands

KHS is the first to introduce popularly priced Soft Tails to the market during 1999 giving Hard Tail and Full Suspension buyers a new alternative that incorporates the best of both designs

Preferred Bicycle & Parts Distributor in the U.S. voted by U.S. bicycle dealers in 2002

Consumers Digest Best Buy for the Urban Xpress bicycle in the July 2006 issue

Bicycling Magazine’s “Editor’s Choice” for the 2006 XC604

KHS introduces one of the first major production 650b wheel size mountain bike models in 2010

Delta Linear, U.S. patent 5,842,712 issued on 12/1/98. KHS developed its Delta Linear Downtube in order to decrease weight and to increase strength, rigidity and long term durability of its frames. The teardrop-shaped Delta Linear tube is drawn to a round shape at the bottom bracket in order to reduce flex under aggressive pedaling and ovalized on the vertical axis at the headtube in order to increase frame rigidity by over 30% over conventional round tubes.

Adjustable seat tower, patent pending. Found on the KHS LT3 frame, this seat tube Tower can be rotated via a cam to change the effective seat tube angle of the frame by four degrees. Ideal for downhill riders competing or riding in carried terrain.

Brake Booster leverage converter, U.S. patent 5,660,082 issued August 26, 1997. This unique converter allows use of road bike brake levers with linear pull, “V” brakes. Found on all KHS road tandems.[5]

KHS & FREE AGENT Racing

KHS Bicycles and its BMX brand Free Agent have long histories of racing victories, including numerous national and world championships. Here is a brief list of some of the brands' top racing victories, sponsored riders and sponsored teams.

type	Private
foundation	1974
location	Taoyuan, Taiwan
key people	Jack Cheng-Kuan Hsieh, Chairman
industry	Bicycles
products	Bicycles and related components
homepage	www.khsbicycles.com (U.S.)

Overview

History

Patents, awards and accomplishments

KHS & FREE AGENT Racing

External links

References