Khs flite 300 vs Trek 1.1

[Ankit Chhabra]

Hey Guys,

I am planning to buy a roadie soon and really need to know ur reviews on KHS Flite 300 and Trek 1.1.
I am utterly confused.
I plan to do long distance on my bike and so will need to put thicker tires, full length Mudguards, possibly a carrier etc.
I also want to know if its possible to do these changes to the bikes?
Pls help me out here..

Sincerely,
Ankit Chhabra

[NFL-Newfoundlove]

Hi Ankit,

My personal opinion :: You pay more for the brand value for a Trek.
configuration wise both are in the similar. KHS fares a little better
with carbon fork and seatpost. The stock tyres are 26c whereas the
1.1. has 23c. And I don't think you should increase beyond this on a
roadbike. If you are looking to upgrade the tyres then you're better
off with a hybrid bike which is road focussed. Having said this I'm
not against trek. Price wise KHS wins by a big margin. But all of
this comes from a KHS owner :-)
Trek 1.1 (2011)>> INR 32230 (Courtesy BOTS) http://www.flickr.com/photos/rohan_kini/6417633879/
KHS Flite (2011) >> Should be less than 30k But there is a supergood
deal on the 2010 model, 26k from Wheelsports. (Wheelsports.in)

[Narsi]

Hi Ankit,

Have you made your roadbike purchase yet?

I recently was in the same dilemma of the 300 vs. 1.1 and eventually ended up buying the Flite 300 2011 model from wheelsports for 26k. Venky was kind enuff to throw in a Cateye Velo 8 cyclocomp as a free add on. My choice was mainly based on the facts that 

1. both the bikes have the same groupsets 
   
2. Flite 300 is cheaper by 6 grand
3. Flite 300 comes with carbon fork and seatpost which make it lighter than the all aluminum 1.1

From your perspective of doing long distance rides:

1. The Flite 300 comes with 700x26 tires while 1.1 comes with 700x23. Roadbikes can be upgraded to a max of 700x28 beyond which they creep into hybrid territory. I think for use on tarmac 700x26 is more than sufficient.
2. most roadbikes dont support mudguards and i dont think either of these do. While they do have eyelets for adding a rack. IMHO for riding in the rain or carrying loads on a rack, you would want to look at hybrids or touring bikes. There is a reason roadbikes are designed without these add ons - they are meant to be as light as possible. 

Hope this was helpful, Good luck with choosing your ride!

Narsi