{"id":8497,"date":"2026-05-19T22:43:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T22:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/?p=8497"},"modified":"2026-05-20T01:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T01:04:58","slug":"khs-bicycles-a-farewell-a-legacy-and-a-thank-you-from-la-critical-mass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/khs-bicycles-a-farewell-a-legacy-and-a-thank-you-from-la-critical-mass\/","title":{"rendered":"KHS Bicycles: A Farewell, A Legacy, and a Thank You From LA Critical Mass"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For years, KHS Bicycles played a meaningful role in the growth of cycling throughout Los Angeles \u2014 supporting grassroots events, elevating competitive programs, and helping shape the identity of the cyclists who make up our city. <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Their influence extended far beyond equipment; it touched the culture, the movement, and the people who ride. As KHS concludes its chapter, we reflect on the history, innovation, and community impact that made the brand an essential part of Los Angeles cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more than two decades, KHS Bicycles<\/u><\/a><\/strong> has been woven into the fabric of Los Angeles cycling culture \u2014 and nowhere has that connection been more visible than within LA Critical Mass<\/strong>. As we say farewell to KHS Bicycles and the KHS Pro MTB Team<\/u><\/a><\/strong>, we honor a brand that shaped cyclists, built community, and helped define what cycling in Los Angeles looks like today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Brand That Grew With the Community<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

KHS wasn\u2019t just a bike company in LA \u2014 it was the<\/em> bike company many of us grew up with. Cyclists found their first real mountain bike, commuter, or road machine through KHS. For thousands of cyclists who rolled through the city with us, the KHS name became synonymous with reliability, accessibility, and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A champion powering forward on a KHS race road bike<\/strong> \u2014 a machine shaped by decades of racing heritage.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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With her national championship medal around her neck<\/strong>, a KHS cyclist<\/strong> honors the legacy of a brand that helped shape competitive cycling in the United States.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The KHS Elevate Race Team<\/strong> \u2014 a roster of top\u2011tier cyclists whose dedication and performance helped define KHS\u2019s presence in American racing.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me personally, it began with a 2013 KHS Winslow<\/strong> \u2014 a bike that carried me through the early years of my cycling journey and into the heart of this community. The Winslow took me all over the streets of Los Angeles and across the fire roads and singletracks throughout the LA and San Bernardino Mountains. That story isn\u2019t unique; it\u2019s shared by countless cyclists who discovered their love of cycling on a KHS bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Presence Felt at Every Ride<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, KHS bikes became a familiar sight at LA Critical Mass. From new cyclists showing up on their first KHS hybrid to seasoned cyclists rolling in on KHS road and mountain bikes, the brand became part of our visual identity. It represented the everyday cyclist \u2014 the commuter, the explorer, the weekend warrior, the person rediscovering cycling after years away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KHS helped make cycling accessible in a city where affordability and durability matter. That impact will be felt long after the brand\u2019s final chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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VP Jojo\u2019s KHS XC MTB<\/strong> \u2014 many years of crossing the LA and San Bernardino Mountains<\/strong>, riding from Los Angeles to the High Desert through the rugged Cajon Pass<\/strong>, climbing deep into Wrightwood\u2019s mountain trails<\/strong>, and making repeated ascents to Mt. Wilson<\/strong> and back.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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KHS bikes<\/strong> ridden by our staff, past staff, and the many cyclists who have brought the brand\u2019s presence to every LA Critical Mass<\/strong> ride.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Pioneer in Modern Mountain Bike Design<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

KHS wasn\u2019t just part of the industry \u2014 they helped shape<\/em> it. They were early innovators in geometry, suspension design, and wheel standards, setting benchmarks that other brands later followed. KHS was among the first to introduce 650B (27.5″) wheels<\/strong> long before they became mainstream, influencing the direction of modern trail and enduro bike development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were also early leaders in downhill race bike development<\/strong>, producing some of the fastest and most progressive downhill MTB platforms of their era. Their downhill bikes set the standard for speed, stability, and race\u2011ready performance \u2014 a direction many other brands would later follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KHS also set a new performance benchmark with their 29-inch MTB race bikes<\/strong>, proving that big\u2011wheel platforms could be fast, agile, and competitive at the highest levels. These innovations positioned KHS as a forward\u2011thinking brand that consistently pushed the sport ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The iconic KHS race mountain bikes<\/strong> that carried champions, shaped careers, and left a lasting mark on the world of competitive mountain biking.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Honoring the KHS Factory Racing Team<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The KHS Factory Racing Team<\/strong> stood as one of the most respected and accomplished mountain bike teams in the United States. They were widely recognized as the #1 MTB race team in America<\/strong>, a reputation earned through years of podium victories, national titles, and developing some of the fastest, most sought\u2011after champions in the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their team members pushed the limits of what was possible, representing the KHS name with pride, grit, and world\u2011class performance. Their success elevated the entire KHS brand and helped define what competitive American mountain biking looked like for more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their legacy \u2014 and the legacy of the brand behind them \u2014 deserves recognition from every corner of the cycling world, including ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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National champions of the KHS Pro MTB Race Team<\/strong>, representing years of excellence, leadership, and competitive success.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My Journey With KHS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

My connection to KHS began in 2013<\/strong>, when I joined the KHS Factory Racing and later the KHS Pro MTB program. I served as KHS Sr Full\u2011Stack Developer, Design, Media, and Digital Strategy & Development<\/strong>, working directly with leadership to maintain the team\u2019s digital infrastructure, support media and communications, and contribute to key transitions and initiatives across both programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Farewell, But Not an Ending<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Much love and respect to the people behind the brand \u2014 Wen and Susan<\/strong>, whose leadership and steady guidance shaped KHS for decades. Susan has always demonstrated exceptional professionalism and steady leadership, contributing significantly to the culture and long\u2011term success of the company. Wayne D<\/strong> and Vince<\/strong> played major roles not only in the company but in my own life and journey, leaving an impact I will always carry with me. And to our Chairman of the Board and my friend, Logan Binggeli<\/strong> \u2014 a true household name in the mountain bike world \u2014 thank you for carrying the KHS legacy with pride, professionalism, and unmatched dedication. His vision, leadership, and everything he brings to LA Critical Mass<\/strong> continue to elevate our movement and inspire the next generation of cyclists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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