Big wheels roll better on things. Full suspension helps with the tough stuff. So how does it work when you put them together? The KHS Flagstaff is a full suspension bike with 29 “wheels for trails and endurance racing. KHS is known for having great value bikes and they tend to catch up with new trends fairly quickly. 29” wheeled mountain bikes are one of those trends that they have. I got in and did a good job. It started with a stiff tail and then they added Flagstaff.
With 3.5 “of rear wheel travel, the Flagstaff is designed for off-road driving, but is rugged enough for rougher trails. The original construction is an intermediate mix of road parts that have more durability than a Light weight changes, especially to the wheels, you can bring it down to the 25 pound range, but the bike comes in stock around 30 pounds.
The frame is aluminum with a horst-link pivot with a rocker-activated rear shock. This makes for a good pedaling design that, when set up correctly, will put the power to the ground, with no pedal-induced jolt. Because 29 “wheels tend to soften small bumps, you can tune the suspension a bit firmer for a faster machine without sacrificing comfort. All pivots have medium to large sealed cartridge bearings, increasing ride lateral stiffness and improves pivot durability. This adds a bit of weight, but it’s worth it as the rear of the frame won’t flex excessively, leading to phantom shifts and chainline issues. The Rockshox Reba fork and the Monarch rear shock blends well with the suspension design. Both are tuned -Suitable for various riding conditions. The Reba is my favorite 29 “fork. It is easy to adjust and is very low maintenance. The fork weight is reasonable and the stiffness is good for most riders.
The geometry is balanced, making for a fast-handling bike that doesn’t wobble. 29 “are known for the stability that comes from larger wheels and a longer wheelbase. The Flagstaff inspires confidence on technical terrain and steep slopes, but is still a capable climber. The biggest drawback when it comes to handling is that it is not a fast accelerating bike but part of that is the heavy stock wheels. A light set of race wheels and tires will go a long way towards improving that flaw. As it stands, the bike requires a bit more effort to get up to speed, but it requires less effort to keep it there, especially on ground with roots or loose climbs.
The complete bike is a good value out-of-the-box, with a SRAM drivetrain, Hayes Stroker Ryde disc brakes, and Truvativ trim kit. With a few improvements this can go from a good trail bike to a fast endurance racing machine.