2025 KHS Grit 55 Gravel Bike Review

I decided it was time to try out more of a pure gravel bike as my bikes have been old cyclocross or adventure type bikes.  Wanted something that would fit the wider gravel tires.  Being frugal I shopped around and came across a great deal for the KHS Grit 55, only $500.  These seem to be at a deep discount due to being the 2025 model.  Its an entry level bike, but what you get is really a great value for the price.  Here are some pics, I have already added a few accessories that don’t come with the bike:

Specs

Frame: Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly steel

Fork: Chromoly unicrown

Color: Cool gray

Drivetrain: Shimano Claris 2×8

Front Derailleur: Claris FD-R2000

Rear Derailleur: Claris RD-R2000-GS

Shifters/Brake levers: Claris STI

Crankset: 48×32 3-piece aluminum forged

Bottom Bracket: FSA cartridge

Cassette: Shimano HG318 11-34T

Chain: KMC Z8.3

Brakes: Bengal MB700T mechanical disc with 160mm rotors

Handlebar: Promax aluminum drop bar adventure compact bend

Stem: Promax aluminum 3D forged, 31.8 mm clamp

Headset: FSA threadless 1 1/8

Wheels: Weinmann U28 TL double wall tubeless ready

Spokes: 14G stainless steel

Hubs: KK alloy disc with QR skewer

Tires: Kenda K1152 Flintridge 700x40C

Saddle: KHS sport road

Weight: about 29 lbs

Build

I bought it from Random Bike Parts so it came in a box and was delivered on the porch.  Assembly was easy for me, but not super simple if you don’t know about bikes.  Here are some of the things I had to install:

Stem and handlebars

Shifters were already attached to shift cables and housing but needed mounting on bars and brake cables and housing installed.   Housings were cut to a good length for installation.

Front brake rotor.  This was a little odd as bolts had a hex head, but only tool that would fit was a T25.

Front wheel

Bar tape

Pedals

Good

Has nice components for an entry level gravel bike.  Basically, the minimum one would want in about every category.  I see a lot of entry gravel bikes in the this price range that use Tourney rather than Claris.  Rides nice and takes the bumps well.  I like steel bikes so made from Reynolds tubing is a plus for me.  Wide 40mm tires is another plus as they are great on gravel. 

Bad

A pretty heavy bike which must be due to the steel frame and fork.  Should make for a very durable frame however.  Trying to ride it fast on rougher gravel I also felt a little like I couldn’t find the right gearing.  When in the large chainring I’d be on larger cogs and if I switched to small chainring I’d be in smaller cogs.  Always seemed to have a little too much cross chaining.  But I think that is expected from a entry level bike.

I think this bike was a really great buy at the price I bought it at and really was a good deal for its original price. I’m going to try to not upgrade it at all and just keep it frugal for this one. I will put my money into accessories for it I think. Really want to add some top-mount brake levers and maybe a different mount for my computer and light. Should be a fun bike.