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KHS DH 650B Downhill Mountain Bike Headed for Production

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KHS 650B downhill mountain bike headed for production

KHS’ new (and unoriginally named) DH 650B downhill bike is planned for production with a late release in 2013 if the parts are available. At the latest, it’ll absolutely be in their 2014 catalog.

The holdup is parts. But, according to them, Fox is working on a 180mm 650B fork, and we’ve seen Intense Cycles make a Boxxer work on their test bike. With Schwalbe, Maxxis, Vee Rubber and Kenda working on beefy DH tires, it could be sooner rather than later.

Their designers say its easier to make a well functioning 650B bike than a 26″ bike. Indeed, while its not official, chances are you won’t see any new 26″ bikes from KHS by 2014.

KHS 650B downhill mountain bike headed for production

This bike’s getting a full 8″ of travel with a Manitou Dorado fork and 8.3″ in the rear.

KHS 650B downhill mountain bike headed for production

It borrows their Neutral Link concentric lower BB pivot location, not the Horst Link on their shorter travel bikes.

Overall, the entire bike was made longer. Not just because of the larger wheels, but because they wanted to really push the front wheel out in front of the rider. Front center is 2″ longer, which keeps the bike well in front on the steep stuff without affecting steering by making a slacker head angle. ETT on the large is 26″!

KHS 650B downhill mountain bike headed for production

Rear center is 0.5″ longer, which gave them a better leverage ratio and let them soften the spring rate. This makes it a bit more supple.

There will be three sizes, Small through Large.

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G...
G...
12 years ago

“KHS’ new (and unoriginally named) DH 650B”

KHS DH650B… works for me. Simple and to the point rather than some stupid pointless name no one remembers.

Bobo
Bobo
12 years ago

Why not! It looks great!

Moe
Moe
12 years ago

What ever happened with shimano’s direct mount rear derailleur? It seems like it started off hot, but has since piddled down to nothing.

vulgar bulgar
vulgar bulgar
12 years ago

Is it just me or does that wheelbase look MASSIVE? Especially considering 650B wheels. ETT 26″ is nutso long, better call up Fabien Barel and get some of those zero length stems. This bike looks awesome though.

Erich
12 years ago

I’m with vulgar bulgar up there. It looks like a great bike, but it has the most land-yacht looking wheelbase of any DH bike I’m familiar with. Mostly, I’m confused as to how they bumped the front center out 2(!!!) inches without altering head angle. I guess the huge TT length on the LRG answers that in part, but I’m curious to know more.

Jonathan
Jonathan
12 years ago

Cool-looking bike. But why would it be easier to design a 650b bike versus a 26er. That comment in the article could stand some explanation.

Primoz
Primoz
12 years ago

Their designers? Who, graphical designers? These are just Astro frames…

ccolagio
ccolagio
12 years ago

vulgar – yeah….just look at the distance from the BB to the rear axle – that is going to be one boat of a bike. i hope the rider of this frame doesnt ride switchbacks!

holysmokes
12 years ago

That is one goofy -looking (and I’m sure goofy-riding) bike. Holy wheelbase.

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