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.
Frugal Average Bicyclist 