KHE Bikes

Who or what is KHEbikes?

KHEbikes is one of Germany's most established BMX brands, founded in 1988 by brothers Thomas and Wolfgang Göring in Karlsruhe. Thomas, who started riding BMX in 1981, began making his own BMX parts on a lathe with his brother during his apprenticeship as a precision mechanic, as the products available at the time often weren't durable enough.

What does the name KHE stand for?

KHE simply stands for Karlsruhe, the Göring brothers' hometown. The often-heard story that it stands for "Kinky Huge Elephant" was just a joke the brand printed on a T-shirt after being constantly asked about the meaning.

What is KHEbikes most famous for? (Innovations)

KHE is renowned for its countless innovations and patents that have revolutionized BMX, especially in flatland and lightweight construction. Key milestones include:

• The Freecoaster (1992): KHE introduced the first freecoaster hub to the market and was the first company to use it in a complete bike.
• First "Butted" Handlebars: The Sean Butler signature bar was the world's first BMX handlebar with varying wall thicknesses (butted) to increase strength and save weight.
• First Plastic Pedals: The "Stimulatorz" pedals (2006) were the first proper BMX plastic pedals, even available with titanium axles.
• First Folding Tire: The KHE "MAC" tire was the world's first 20-inch BMX freestyle folding tire (using Kevlar instead of a steel bead), making it a must-have for lightweight setups.
• Plastic Pegs: The "Alchemy" pegs (2008) were feather-light plastic pegs, initially intended for flatland, which paved the way for modern street plastic pegs.
• AFFIX Rotor: A lightweight, internal rotor system that offered a clean look and full functionality without the disadvantages of external rotors.

The KHEbikes History (Video)

The entire development, from the first "do-pegs" to modern innovations, is summarized in this brand history video:

Who rode/rides for KHE?

Over the years, KHE has sponsored some of the biggest legends in BMX, achieving an international breakthrough. The team included US flatland legend Jesse Puente, Matti Kuoppa, Effraim Catlow, and Chase Gouin. Even multiple X-Games winner and vert legend Jamie Bestwick became a World Champion on a KHE "Beater" bike.

What does KHEbikes primarily manufacture?

KHEbikes focuses on developing lightweight and innovative BMX parts, especially for Flatland, Park, and Street. They also offer a wide range of complete bikes, often equipped with their patented technologies like the AFFIX rotor or lightweight tires.

What was the "Dirty Buster" bike?

The "Dirty Buster" (1999) was a signature bike for the erotic actress Dolly Buster. Although she couldn't ride a bike herself, this was a clever marketing coup by Thomas Göring, which brought the brand enormous media attention (including on major TV stations and in national magazines) rarely seen in BMX.