Submitted by
Joey Martin
a Racer
from Richmond, VA, USA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
any of them
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Goodly's bicycle
Strengths:
Everything really. It's got a smart front shock that give extra support when hitting something hard. The brakes are V brakes and are very grippy. It's got plenty of travel up front. the shifting is extremely fast. its very balanced when being carried. the rear shock design is a 1 pivot, incredible design. it takes the bump out of anything and doesnt wash out very much. very strong frame, ive had it for 8 years and raced it for 3. keep it tuned and it won't dissapoint!
Weaknesses:
it's got a few rattles but its 8 years old!
Similar Products Used:
Marin bolinas ridge hardtail. a P.O.S. from walmart. and a Motobecane 700 DS full suspension
Bike Setup:
full suspension
Bottom Line:
This thing is awsome, no doubt about it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Kenter Roller Coaster
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
Price. The other FS bikes were much more, with less quality comonents. All LX, solid rear suspension, proven proflex design. Avid Brakes.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy, I'm used to my GT hardtail so this isn't a fair comparison. Tires (only 1.8's! - I read so many reviews that these were bad, so I immediately put on Panaracer Fire XC Pros.) Rims.
I was shopping for a quality full suspension bike and came across the K2 1000. For $699 it was a no brainer! I replaced the tires, stem & bars right away. I had to replace the wheels due to a bad jump I took last weekend. It wasn't so much the bikes fault as mine. I landed akward, on the side and taco'd the front rim. I suffered a concussion!
I replaced the wheels with Spinergy Spox, and have yet to try these out. Once I recover from my battle wounds I will! The bikes a little heavy, but it's a full suspension. The comfort riding down bumpy downhills is awesome. I don't even have a battery in the front Smart Fork, and it works really well. Very plush travel.
Down the road I'll upgrade the seatpost,& seat. That might save me some grams...? I'm happy I bought this bike, it was priced right with a proven full suspension/swingarm.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe D.
a Cross Country Rider
from West Virginia Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Temple Mountain loop UT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bothell (Bikesale.com)
Strengths:
Aluminum, strong, solid, tough. Simple proven rear suspension design. GREAT bike for the price.....Rides like a dream. Still two water bottle mounts. I'm in love....
Weaknesses:
LX/Weinemann wheelset would not be my choice. Avid 1.0 brakes low end but OK for the price. Watch the spring weight on the rear shock
Similar Products Used:
GT XCR3000, Trek VRX300.
Bike Setup:
Swapped Smart Fork for Marzocchi Z3 Flylight 100 mm travel. Swapped LX shifters for 99 Grip Shift 9.0, standard grip. Coil rear shock, Noleen NR-1. Components LX except for Rear Derailleur and Avid 1.0 brakes. With swapped components, this is more comparable to the 99 Flying Monkey, am also listing a review there
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet sweet FSR for technical XC riding. I compared it to carefully to Trek VXR, Specialized Enduro, and GT XCR lines. I prefer it to all three because of the dead-simple Proflex rear suspension design (proven 5 years). It works >. Formerly brutal hardtail rides are now pleasure cruises. My ride times have gone down 10% even though it is 2-3 pounds heavier than my Cannondale CADD3. Simpler and lighter than the GT. No annoying bob at all, provided you get the right rear spring (the NR-1 came 2 sizes too light for me -- check the Noleen manual and decrease their recommended weights by 10 pounds). Frame is disc ready, I will upgrade as it becomes important. Bought from bikesale.com as there are no K2 dealers within 100 miles. Bothell has been absolutely great. Buying an eBike is not for everyone, but I like to take care of my own gear and don't need a bikeshop to help (except shock, got that locally). If you are set to care for your own bike, you won't do wrong by Bothell.
The K2 is a > bike and economically priced. Some heavier components (bars, seatpost) but built to last
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Gee
a Cross Country Rider
from U.S. Date Reviewed: August 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Rail Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The Frame and rear pivot arm. Also it handles well cross-country and off road. It also does well on the local bike trails. It also has plenty of travel.
Weaknesses:
The Smart Shock S~U~X. I had it less than a month and it went dead! It also needs a lot of adjustments, and the front derealur is in a very bad spot.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shock Indy
Bike Setup:
Standard
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike and I would recomend it to my friends. It is a nice cross-country bike and off road bike. I really love this bike. I try to ride my bike at least 4,500 miles a year,so I needed a good bike.This is the one.It may not be a pro bike,bt is a darn good start up bike. Maybe even a novice bike.I have this trail near my house desighned for Hummers, needless to say it was HARD!The bike handled great. I did loose one of my front brake pads [it fell right off]. Oh well. I will give this bike a good review.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Lesslie
a Weekend Warrior
from Neuchatel, Switzerland Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Jura and Alps
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
I wrote the first review on thsi bike just over a year ago- it's right at the bottom of this section.
Since then I've put in over 12,000 off road kilometers on the bike, yep about 30k a day, every day for 14 months.
So how has it been?
The 'Smart fork' went Dumb fairly early on in life and eventually K2 changed it for the Noleen Mega Air, which was nice! The Mega Air is an awesome fork, extremely tuneable and very light- a definite improvement, so thanks to K2.
Other than that the reliability and durability of the bike has been truly excellent. It's not in the K2 range any more, but the nearest equivalent is the Evo2.
I've had to have the rims re-trued every couple of months (this is normal, don't mark any bike down for this if you ride it hard), so I'm about to replace the wheels with Mavic 521s and go for the Hope Open hub & disk set-up while I'm at it- I've been through sooo many sets of those XT style brake pads!!
I've replaced the cables a couple of times. The cable runs (gear & brake) over the bottom bracket catch water- K2, please take note and re-route them with no 'low spot' so they drain OK.
Oh- and a new chain. Not broken, just worn.
Mostly I run this bike in foolin' about mode, with kujos, bmx pedals, riser bar, short stem, saddle back & low, suspension soft- you get the picture.
But I've also a couple of times converted to semi slicks, flat bars, stubbies, short stem, saddle up and forward, suspension set hard and XC raced it- and it rips at that too, the Evo frame is really light and responsive.
The bike's up to it, even if I can't get into that spirtual, climbing trance that the real XC guys describe. But they don't get to that, high speed, down hill 'empty mind' state where there's just no brain capacity left to do anything other than aim the bike down the trail and set up the line to negotiate the next turn / drop / rider in front or whatever.
So, bottom line- an excellent bike, the best I've ever owned and enjoyed, very versatile and it hasn't broken the bank to run it either.
Thanks to K2 for making it and to Frenetic Bikes, my local dealer for their excellent after sales service and great advice on keeping it running sweet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, Arizona, USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Trail 100
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Almost everything.
Weaknesses:
The Noleen Smart fork has gone wrong twice with my friends, could use Xtr component group, tires suck.
Awesome bike loved it my friend owns one it works beautifully. The noleen smart fork downright sux it keeps getting screwed up i suggest setting it up with a marzocchi bomber z1 x-fly. Get one!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: May 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Rapaki
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Love the colours! I bought this 2nd hand but almost new. Some awsome upgrades and at half the price
Weaknesses:
The weight is a factor, but provides stability downhill. Had big problems with the smart fork. Once wet, it won't work. Also bottom bracket squeeks no matter how I fix it.
Similar Products Used:
Used to have a hart tail giant, Trek Y-11 and KHS.
Bike Setup:
Raceface bars, headset, cranks and bottom bracket and Rolf Dolmite rims.
Bottom Line:
Not light enough to race, especially compared to hard tails, but an awsome, forgiving, solid bike that brings so much fun when riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MaryLou Ramirez
a Weekend Warrior
from Live Oak, FL, USA Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Big Shoals, Little Shoals and Camp Branch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Smart Fork suspension and overall frame design as well as gear components are very durable. I have had only minor adjustments on components.
Weaknesses:
Sedona tires were not up to standard with the quality of bike itself. Seat was very uncomfortable. The paint job is not as durable as expected considering the punishment the bike takes on various Florida trails.
Similar Products Used:
I spent 3 months testing several different brands, finally dwindled down to a choice between the K2 flying monkey and the 1000 model. For the price and quality of components, I chose the 1000.
Bike Setup:
The only changes made were in the pedals, swapped out those on bike for the odyssey tripletraps, the seat and tires, opting for a more rugged (sand friendly) Continental "competition pros".
Bottom Line:
This blue beastie is one sweet ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Irby
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse NY Date Reviewed: April 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Main pivot, simple design, Smart Fork
Weaknesses:
For the price I paid (600.00 new) there are none.
Similar Products Used:
Proflex 756 for the last 3 years
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
This bike is a wonderful piece. It works much better than the older proflex bikes. Although a bit heavy, I really love this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL Date Reviewed: February 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Bellview (Ocala)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
handles well, nice component pkg for the money, smart fork
Weaknesses:
smart fork, wide bars, tires, terrible paint job, practically rub it off with fingers.
Similar Products Used:
Trek vrx500
Bike Setup:
stock except swapped out the handlebar with a carbon CT2 flatbar
Bottom Line:
Smart shock dumb after 1 month, do not get it wet!! The good thing, K2 will fix it for free, the bad thing, have to send it to Washington, NO Riding :( That said, I like the way it rides much better than the trek, better frame geometry, a lot stiffer, great climber, jumper ect... Will be a great bike when the stock components wear out and I replace them with high end parts. Shed some of the weight too. I rode a Trek OCLV hardtail prior so it feels like a tank. I'll add to this after I get the fork fixed; turn around time, reliability ect... Supposed to be an awesome fork, remains to be seen!!! Aside from the lousy paint, I really like this bike. Checked out a lot of others, GT3000 being very similar. Great for a first full suspension, or a bike you plan to keep long enough to upgrade.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Casey
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tapeworm
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Full LX package, Made in the U.S.,Good specs for the $
Weaknesses:
No shock boots,cheap brake pads, tires are no good in wet climate, wide bars
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock, I chopped down the bars and I replaced the K2 pedals with shimano 636's
Bottom Line:
This bike is pretty decent for the price. You will probably have to cut down the bars if you ride tight technical stuff. A bike made in the northwest should come standard with shock boots, and with better wet weather tires. The tires rock in dry or hardpack conditions though. All in all it's a good bike for the price when compared to other bikes in the same price range.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross-Country Rider
from NC Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bike Post
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Cantilever swingarm plushness
Weaknesses:
None with my setup. Paint could be better. It rubs off rather easily from cables.
Similar Products Used:
GF Joshua, Kona Manomano, Cannondale F-ride, GT LTS?
Bike Setup:
NR-2, Chubby (custom sprung), Full LX incl crank and hubs(except for Sachs twist shifters, Kore stem/post, Black Sun CR-18 rims, Cane Creek headset, Titec Hellbent riser bar, Specialized body geometry saddle, Wellgo 800 pedals
Bottom Line:
Purchased brand new frame from someone who decided they wanted more travel. Put my own parts on it and now it is one bad shredder. Highly recommended! I ride hard and like to catch air and it has handled everything I've thrown at it so far.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randall Adams
a Cross-Country Rider
from Alpine, UT Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Sliding Rock Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Smart Shock, rear shock, swingarm, very plush ride yet awesome climber. It looks good too. Good mix of components.
Weaknesses:
Little heavy, but not very much.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR
Bottom Line:
This one kick butt bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Carpenter
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert, AZ Date Reviewed: November 22, 1999
Stock -- except replaced tires with Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! I've ridden it hard for 3 months now on downhill, technical single track and cross-country. As a sub-$1000 bike, it has performed better-than-expected in all conditions. Good balance on technical trails, great suspension -- smart fork and rear shock give good travel and relatively plush ride, great components/price mix, pivot design on rear swing-arm provides fantastic traction in low gear on steep ups, disc-brake ready front/rear, good looks and good price -- I got mine for $850 at an REI sale. If you're looking for bike for around $1000, do yourself a favor and test-ride this bike...you can't go wrong!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
K2Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: November 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Catawba Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Excellent ride on the rugged conditions in NC. Great value. Good components. Good bike to upgrade as parts wear out.
Weaknesses:
Tires. Negotiate a tire change before you leave the shop, unless you are in an area with dry conditions.
Similar Products Used:
GT 3000, Specialzed FSR-XC, Trek, Cannondales, Gary Fishers . Just about any bike available for under $1600.
Bike Setup:
Full LX component package and the Smart Shock.
Bottom Line:
I have been extremely happy with the performance of this bike. I have logged in a lot of miles in about 1 month in a area with a tons of rocks, roots and ruts and the suspension has worked great. So much faster downhill than with my hardtail cannondale and it climbs better. I strongly recommend this bike for someone who wants a very solid bike for the money.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: September 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Swiss Jura & Alps
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
This is an update as I've now owned my K2 1000 for just over 6 moths and done 2,000 km on it.It's running like a dream, my dealer showed me how to look after the fork and nothing, repeat nothing has broken or gone wrong with this bike at all
Weaknesses:
This isn't a weakness, but a suggestion.I^m so impressed with the Smart Fork that I borrowed a Smart Shock and fitted it to the rear for a few rides- truly awesome to have the same active suspension feel front & rear.
Similar Products Used:
nothing comes close for the money- see my previous post
Bike Setup:
Azonic risers, dx clipless pedals, Panaracer DH magic front tyre and Hutcheson Coyote rear.
Bottom Line:
Just stoked.I've never ridden a bike this hard for 2,000km and not had anything go wrong.This is a great freerider, enduro, toast your buddies bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crash Corbin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Dull Center, WY Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good Design
Weaknesses:
Weight, over 30lbs Handlebars mighty wide
Bottom Line:
The bike is well designed, looks good, has a decent component group. The fork is a bit on noisy side. Rear feels good. If you are used to a light bike, this one will feel like a tank. Sorry guys, but it only rates 4 of those hot peppers.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Fenton
a Racer
from Clinton CT Date Reviewed: July 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Te one in my back yard
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Awsome Bike for the buck! Great Climber.My Best friend bought a GT XCR 4000 (or something)for $1100 and it wayed twice as much and had STX and Alivio parts.
Weaknesses:
Weight, and tires, but both can be changed
Similar Products Used:
Hard tails
Bike Setup:
Stock but with Ritchy Logic V2 pedals, XTR Brakes, deraliurs, and remote bar end shifters and the rest is stock or XT. Oh Yeah I'm no finneshed with upgrading it and I'm only Thirteen!!
Bottom Line:
Incredibal fork and suspension. I was racing my friends friend, he's on the U.S, MTB team and he was making fun of me because I had A full. Well he got hammerd on the downs and ups.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma City Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
The New Draper Trails
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Smart Fork is awsome, Well balanced, with good acceleration for its weight. LX components. Best value for a full suspension bike under $1000.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy (30 lbs.), but for the price it beats any hard tail under $1000. Also if you ride in any sand, or loose dirt/rocks dump the stock Geax Sedona's and put on a set of Panaracer Fire Pros 2.1's front and rear.
Similar Products Used:
several hard tails, and several $1200 and under FS bikes
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
If you don't have $1,300 to $2,500 to spend on a FS bike then the K2 1000 is about the only quality FS in the $1,000 to $1,200 range. It's equipped with good quality components, and although it's a bit heavy it makes a great starter bike while you save for a FS under 24#. I've logged over 100 miles in the past 2 weeks on this bike and love the ride/handeling. I plan to upgrade this winter to the K2 4000 for weight reduction but would not have considered it if the 1000 was not such a great ride. Also unless you ride in hard pack or muck all the time better budget for a new set of tires with your purchase.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr Guz
a Weekend Warrior
from Manassas VA Date Reviewed: July 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
The one I can get to
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
The Smart Fork ;-), smooth ride, full LX (except for brakes), well balaced front and rear suspension, four size options (you should be able to find your fit)
Weaknesses:
The seat = *ouch* (with all due respect to the previuos poster) Brakes could be better Avid 10 :-(
Similar Products Used:
Diamond Back DBR X-2, Marin Rocks Springs, Specialized FSR, Giant XTC-DS1, GT-XCR3000 and Trek VR300
Bike Setup:
Stock (So far...)
Bottom Line:
It is a great ride. Go ahead and try it, before you shell out some hard earned cash on something else. I am a big guy and the Way Big fits like a glove. Better feel (for me) than the others I tried. The Giant was sweet and the Trek came very close. The K2 Smart Forks feel amazing. No problems so far. I moved from a hard tail to this my first FS and there is no going back.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lars
a Weekend Warrior
from ann arbor, mi Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
whatever i can find
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
handles great LX compnents good value (paid $1150) good shocks nice frame it just feels right
Weaknesses:
handle grips heavy (30lbs)
Similar Products Used:
last bike - specialized rockhopper (no suspension)looked at trek, fisher, and diamondback bikes, liked this best...
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
im going downhill about 3 times as fast as i could with my non-suspension bike...very happy with it...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
my back yard- Swiss Jura & Alps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Just the best ride quality I've experience on the hard stony tracks I ride.
Weaknesses:
Heavy, 29 lbs ish, but I knew that when I chose it. And either get the dealer to swap the tyres for something with moe definite tread and more sidewall protection- those Sedona things are just too feeble.
Similar Products Used:
Before buying I put this up against the Marin B17, Haro EX3, Specialised FSR, the Cannondale somethingorotherand the K2 3000
Bike Setup:
Changed the bar for my Azonic, the pedals for my DXs and the tyres for panaracer DH Magic front and Hutchinson Coyote rear
Bottom Line:
This bike is a dream to ride fast over rough tracks. The line is very sure, the SmartFork is nearly as good as the K2 Crosslink and less harsh.This is a great freerider's bike. Enough travel to give immense descending confidence, but just not as heavy as a 'real' downhillling bike.I really like it- go try one!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Cole
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Forest, CA Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Whiting Ranch
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
All LX components Smart Fork 9 spd (easier uphills)
Weaknesses:
The saddle *ouch*
Similar Products Used:
K2 900 K2 Zed X, Zed V (front susp only) Kona Nunu, Lavadome (front susp only)
Bike Setup:
Stock, except for cages instead of the K2 clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
My first Mtn Bike, ever. I've ridden about 60-70 miles on it and I haven't experienced any of the problems that others have described (Smart fork battery dying or turning off). I didn't want to spend $1200 for a mountain bike but I'm glad I spent the extra $300 (difference btw the 900 and 1000) for the Smart Fork and LX components. This bike has been rock solid.
Overall Rating:
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