Submitted by
ashland82391
a Cross Country Rider
from mesa, az
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2010
Strengths: frame is super strong, great geometry, and desent frame weight(6.5lbs).
Weaknesses: if you are someone who rides every now and then its great stock, but if you want to race, all the parts have to go. the rear derailluer shifts like a grandma, the forks are stiffer then a rock, rear shock feels like a pogo, crankset weights like 3 pounds, handlebar/stem feel like there about to brake off, and the shifters are a joke.
Bottom Line:
This is a great FRAME! all the components suck. after about a 1000$ in upgrades its the sh*t. Make sure you replace the rear shock with somthing that has either a lockout or propedal other wise youll have bobing like no other when your climbing hills.
Bike Setup: fork- fox vanilla 125r
shock- fox float rp2
shifter/brake levers- shimano xtr
crankset- shimano xt
rear derailluer- shimano xtr
front derailluer- shimano stx
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
IslandRock78
a Cross Country Rider
from Rocky Point, NY
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2009
Strengths: Everything...I'm coming up on 10 years owning this bike and I've never looked back. I got it in 2000 as a leftover display and it kicks ass.
Weaknesses: ok...maybe one. the tires suck. I NEVER got a flat, but just spend a couple bucks for better traction and control. I got panaracer smoke and dart for a total of $30 at nashbar and can climb over anything.
Bottom Line:
if you don't get this bike, just get a k2...they kick ass. I would kill for a k2 4500. It came out the same year as this one and it is just a sick, insane bike.
To be honest, I've used this bike strictly for cross country. I'm not into downhill or freeriding. You may want to ask more specific questions about this bike's capabilities in those areas. But even in cross country, I've taken some 4 - 5 foot drops off rock ledges and this thing has the stregnth of a tank with the weight of a feather. If you're ever in Rocky Point, NY, you'll be amazed at how easily this thing gets up the steep hills on the "SHORTY" section.
Similar Products Used: no other full suspensions...I had one other mountain bike in my teens -- a hardtail Diamonback Traverse.
Bike Setup: nothing big. I think the tires and the seat is all I've done. oh, and the pedals. I switched to platforms with toe clips, but I'm thinking about putting my clipless back on.
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Submitted by
aaron kipp
a Cross Country Rider
from scotts,az
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2007
Strengths: killer frame dimensions
Weaknesses: rear suspension
Bottom Line:
good ride worth every dollar paid&some.totally satisified.will continue to ride k2 for a while.
Submitted by
James Flynn
a Downhiller
from Huntington, Wv.
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Strengths: Strong frame, Durable rear shock along with good shock position, Great K2 customer sevice, Like the handling performance and frame geometry, Good looking frame
Weaknesses: Componets were easily worn(expected for a $500 bike), Tires did'nt suit an agressive riding style(very thin casing and alot of pinch flats), Front fork bottomed out easily
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! From the first day I got it I could not believe the diference it made riding a full suspension bike on a rough trail compared to riding a hardtail. I severly wore out my components after about 1 year riding from using extreem gear combinations which I was unaware of causing premateur componet failure. After changing componets it ran better and I was back on the trails. The RST fork was light and worked alright but decided to put the Terrex z-6 fork on it with 6" of travel(adding 3.5 lbs.) and also put DH Maxxis 2.5 Highroller tires on it(adding @ 2 lbs.) and I felt I could run over a building with that thing. I am a freerider and do not have any downhill trails around here and soon found out a @38 lb. bike was very hard to pedal up hills, and sometimes impossible. I then switched to the 2.2 tires and the Z-1 fork with 5" travel and now have no trouble going up hill as well as handling steep rough hills. I added the Hayes HMX-1 mechanical disk brakes and they really stop extreemly well making a big difference in overall performance. I am expecting a Stratos Helix rear shock amd it should increase the real travel to slightly over 6"! With a good component setup this bike is a exelent overall performer! A 32lb. bike is not too heavy for me although a little ligher bike might make a little better ride.
Similar Products Used: 1986 Cylclepro BMX bike, 1993 Mongoose Manuever, 2001 Trek Bruiser (freeride hardtail)
Bike Setup: Had an ATC Terrex z-6 dual cr. fork, and currently have a 2000 Marzocchi Z-1, Full XT components, Michillen 2.2 DH tires, Hayes Mech. Disks, Truvativ Fire Ex cranks, Have on order Stratos Helix Pro rear shock with 2" stroke
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Submitted by
paddy wade
a Cross Country Rider
from minneapolis, Mn
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2000
Strengths: Great value. The frame & its geometry. Downhill suspension.
Weaknesses: yes it's heavy, but this isnot a racing bike. Components are weak, but it was just $600 2 years ago.
Bottom Line:
All my new components were do to a broken frame. With these upgrades this truely is a great ride. It climbs up & over anything, & handles 4ft drops easily. Tight singletrack, rocks, ledges, bring-it-on. Excellent bike, don't EVEN think of racing it.
Similar Products Used: cannondale super-V. Previous proflex.
Bike Setup: Judy 4" coil sprung fork, upgraded piggy back noleen shock, LX front V's, grip shift, time pedals, 2.2" Bontrager tires, cane creek wam rims, Ti cassette, shorter Bontrager stem.
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Submitted by
Webby
a Downhiller
from Fort St John, B.C.
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000
Strengths: Frame, suspension travel, price
Weaknesses: Sedona tires, rims
Bottom Line:
My first full suspension bike purchase. I've rode everything from pavement, cross country to sphincter tightening extreme stuff with this bike. For the price it's a perfect entry level bike. If you are planning to do a lot of downhill action, give the rims and tires to your granny and get a set of sturdier ones. (I purchased Rhino Lite rims, and have had no problems riding Vancouver North Shore trails) Many areas to tinker with to make it a fairly bombproof bike.
Strengths: Price Decent Componentry Looks, if that really counts
Weaknesses: Fork Rear Shock Pivots Brakes
Bottom Line:
I got to ride this bike this past weekend at Stowe because my bike is currently in pieces. I must say that for a bike that is under 1 grand it is pretty decent. I can't really complain too much about the components because they all work pretty well. Given they aren't the strongest out there, but they got the job done for me. Anyways, my main complaint is about the suspension. I was easily able to bottom it out (front and rear) while simply jumping the bike no more than 3 feet in the air. Although this may have been due to the setting at which I had both shocks, it was annoying enough to notice. I also noticed a loud snapping noise from the rear pivot everytime I landed. Other than that the brakes were horrible and the tires were small - two things that can be easily and cheaply upgraded. I don't mind the weight because I prefer riding downhills and drops, so weight is not too high on my list of crucial aspects of a bike. Overall, a fairly decent ride.
Submitted by
John Barcenilla
a Cross Country Rider
from Lowell, AR, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2000
Strengths: Excellent aluminum frame and rear suspension Decent componentry Biggest bang for the buck Clipless pedals included Replaceable derailler hanger Nice looking bike
Weaknesses: A tad heavy...but then again, so am I (215 lbs.)
Bottom Line:
Nice plush ride...definitely a difference over my from '91 Giant Iguana. Use it also for an every other day commute to work on weekdays. The bike hardly pogos, but it will (slightly) if in lowest gear or doing hard out of the saddle climbs. Definitely the best bike for well under a $1000 (got mine for $599!!!). And, if you ask most dealers (that stock K2 along with other brands) the best bike in the price range, they will almost always recommend this one. Customer service department is very small, but very helpful.
Bike Setup: New elastomers from RST and 650 Noleen spring for my weight 230lbs. Panaracer Fire Pro tires (Red sidewalls match bike color). Mavic 222 rims. Double gel seat (ouch)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999
Strengths: Similar Frame and suspension to the more expensive bikes in the K2 line. It handles the same as the more expensive bikes in the lineup.
Weaknesses: If K2 was listening, I'd say - LOSE THE TIRES ! They are too weak. Spend 60 bucks or so and get a set of Panaracers. Had 4 flats in 1 week using the stock tires and chucked them out.
Front hub dust caps also tend to gather crud quickly, making them very noisy.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. Paid $600 for it on a '99 clearance sale. K2 gave me a new spring (for free) for the Noleen rear (I Weigh 225 lbs), and RST sent me new elastomers for the front.Rolls forever and a day downhill and is nice uphill, if you don't mind hauling a 30 pound bike uphill. Great bike for what I paid for it !
Bike Setup: Stock, except for the tires, new Noleen spring (to match my body weight), and new elastomers for the front RST fork (to also match my weight).
Strengths: price, same suspension and travel as more expensive models in the line
Weaknesses: heavy
Bottom Line:
This is a good bike for the money. The RST fork is an improvement over the over-sprung/underdamped offerings they had in previous seasons. The suspension is the same as the other K2 bikes in the series, so functionally, they all handle the same. It is a little heavy, but for $900, 30 lbs. is not so heavy if it keeps your wallet full. The frame material is different from that of the 3000 and 4000 in that you don't get Easton tubes. This bike presents a good upgrade oppurtunity to those who like to tinker.
Submitted by
Fred
a Cross-Country Rider
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have a friend who has this bike and I ride it from time to time. I like it a lot. Right off the bat you notice that the pedaling effort is very very smooth and effortless. The bike climbs well and is very pridictable and fast on rolling single track. Over all I have to say that you get excellent performance for the money with this bike.
