Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from FT. Stewart, GA Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Frame up build
Strengths:
Great short travel XC ride. Built from frame up, can't comment on stock parts, nimble, light, fast. If you want a racer or fast XC machine look no farther.
Weaknesses:
Short rear travel. This is no free ride or trail bike by any means, you get what you want out of it.
Similar Products Used:
Wolf Creek ti hardtail C-dale F600 Trek fuel's
Bike Setup:
Razorback team frame SID race fork XT drive train Race face crank Hayes hydro Spin disc wheel set Thompson post Sella Itella seat Race face xc stem Answer carbon flat bar
Bottom Line:
I picked up the frame from a grass-roots factory ride at a race in CT and built it from there. Great XC race machine. The bike is most at home on flat to slightly hilly, smooth trails. The small amount of travel is best at sucking up small roots/rocks and great in the turns. Rode bike at snowshoe and blew away brother on trails pointing down, (he made up a lot on the paved rode back up the mountain on his hard tail. If you are looking for a used, affordable racer check it out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Stafford UK Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Betsw y coed - Wales
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Maclanines, Wolverhampton
Strengths:
Super composure in tricky situations lets you exceed your previous limits. Forgives even bad riding(useful for me).
Weaknesses:
Reliabiltiy of rear shock, forks generally. Original brakes.
Main problem is that the product is not supported in the uk, even after 2 years. So they are rare. This gave me a problem when the rear shock failed - twice- K2 have a warranty company who repair the shock well but it is not the same as factory support. Cant understand why they want to miss the UK market . All triers like the bike.
Noleen forks poor for me (a leightweight), either solid or blow through travel. Bushing wrecked after 12 months, bottom bracket lasted even shorter time. Marzocchis reveal the bike at its best. Now has more uk (mud!) suitable BB and Hope disc brakes(XC4).
A vastly under-rated and (here at least)little known machine. Good enough to race XC I think, great for epics and fantastic for those much needed blasts!
From reading the other reviews, the number of warranty problems worries me. It must be a great ride for people to stick with it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Road & Trail Cyclery
Strengths:
Superb frame shock, fairly light for the class, great components
Weaknesses:
Fork setup a bit touchy
Bike Setup:
Stock -- and I'm always passing the guys with the fancy stuff
Bottom Line:
This bike is exactly what I had in mind for my first full suspension. It soaks up the big hits without much action otherwise -- almost rides like a hardtail. Plus, when the air fitting stripped out of the right fork cap recently and I e-mailed K2, there was no "when did you buy it, where's your receipt, we think you overtightened it" -- they just Fed-Exed me TWO complete new caps, AND the tool to install them! Fantastic!
If you're looking at full suspension and want a great deal, check out this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vchenzo
a Cross Country Rider
from anch. ak. Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
Awesome CROSS COUNTRY machine, super smooth!! verry responsive in corners with not a lot of whip. I am a big rider and this frameset eats it up!!k2 customer service is tops...
Weaknesses:
NOLEEN FORK ...blew the slider tube of the fork through the steerer crown..world class bottom bracket was toast after 800 miles.k2 customer service is awesome they replaced the noleen fork unit with a FAR superior rock shox duke and ever since its been ...super
Similar Products Used:
fat city fat chance (not really similar..oh well) santa cruz super light.. a buddys ..too much $$$ for the bang!!!!!!
Bike Setup:
xt xtr mix.. flite saddle a must...rock shox duke great for BIG boys doin xc
Bottom Line:
great frameset, awesome ride ,lose the fork and your set!!!!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian mills
a Cross Country Rider
from west virginia Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
valley falls
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
very little bob, super light
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Xt components
Bottom Line:
The frame is all that I purchase off of ebay and I swapped components. The frame has been awesome. There is very little bob on the climbs and just enough give for the downhills. I suppose that I could make it even better with a shock upgrade. It is the 21" way big frame that has had some complaints about fractures at the junction of the seat and top tube but I have had no problems and I weigh around 200. This is a good buy! Not really for downhilling, more for cross-country which is clearly stated by the product specs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Al
a Cross Country Rider
from Aberdeen, UK Date Reviewed: December 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
St. Andrews Street Cyclery
Strengths:
Light, stiff quick! Well balanced front & rear suspension action.
Weaknesses:
Standard brakes not up to the job.
Bike Setup:
Standard + XT discs, Hope hubs, Monkeylite bar, Prodigy ISIS crankset, Crud Catcher!
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this bike for over a year, and it's been fantastic. I can do rides on this bike that would have left me battered and bruised on my old hardtail and still feel fairly fresh at the end. But there are few penalties to pay for this - the bike climbs well and absolutely flies over all but the roughest singletrack. Downhill speeds are far too high for the standard brakes to cope with - changed these first to XTR Vs and then to the XT discs. Only use the lockout on road sections, otherwise there is no need as the bike doesn't suffer from bobbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO, USA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
colorado trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Mountain Side sports
Strengths:
K2s customer service
Weaknesses:
cracked frame pinch bolt around rear shock and both barrels lost seals in Noleen front shock/
Bike Setup:
stock except for Cane Creek spuds.
Bottom Line:
I've only had the bike for 6 weeks, but have had a cracked frame and the fork gave out. K2 customer service was fantastic. They told me to take it to REI, who tore it down and had it shipped out the next day, K2 had it diagnosed and and shipped back to me in a total of 4 days-total down time 7 days. It appears that the two bolts that clamp the frame to the rear shock were overtorqued somehow (not necessarily a frame failure). Then just 5 days later i lost air in both tubes of fork. I sent it back to them two days ago. we'll see what happens. Other than that!- the ride is tremendous. I am a road racer who is trying out mountain biking and was worried i would spend a lot of money and not be happy with my first bike. It turns out i got lucky with the razorback team. It's a quality machine backed by a quality company- very difficult to find in the bike business anymore. (i.e. try Ritchie's customer service sometime for an exercise in futility)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Wendling
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas,Tx,USA Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001
Stock for now(LX derailers,WTB Wheels,hubs,decent cranks and brake components)
Bottom Line:
The bike is sweet and the weight rocks, my hardtail weighs more than the K2. This is almost the perfect bike to race with, only needs a few possible upgrades(advance up to XT or XTR if you choose). I am partial to Geax tires, but I will soon find out how these bad boys work out. Once you get the bike broke in and set specifically for you, you need no other bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
callum wilson
a Racer
from London Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anywhere in the alps
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
direct (dealer)
Strengths:
this is the next generation design taken from the stinger - but has been matured and sensible moderations and alterations to the stinger design have been made to make this a very light frame to build a FS bike on. The shock is really plush making the ride feel like it has 4+ inches of travel when it only has 3.
Mud clearance is good and it is fully disk brake compatible including spare guides for your hydraulic cables.
Weaknesses:
The paint job is not brilliant and it scratches quite easily. Or maybe I just ride into stuff? :-)
Similar Products Used:
All K2 and profex bikes back to 1995. driven a few Cannondales at races and other manufacturers. Have a Kona Sex 3 with a long travel kit and some other proflex bikes
Bike Setup:
Fork: Marzocchi X-fly Chainset: FSA Afterburner cranks, SRAM PC81 chain, SRAM 9.0sl with carbon shifters BB and Headset: FullSpeedAhead Ultimax and Orbit RD (FSA) Wheels: Mavic x517 built up on SRAM 9.0sl disk enabled hubs Tyres: Panaracer FireXC Pedals: by Ritchey Brakes: Formula B4 disk brakes
riser bar and long stem.
Bottom Line:
this is an amazing bike. It is pretty much my dream bike and it never ceases to amaze me how this bike handles XC and DH trails.
It is very light. I haven't measured the weight recently with the B4's - but it is under 11 kg which is not bad at all. Disk brakes are a serious upgrade to this bike and should be considered. I removed the frame enabled brake booster for more mud clearance and the frame still feels stiff yet plush...
amazing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Dalton
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, New Zealand Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Redwoods, Rotorua
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
Rear shock packed up after less than 100km Price in New Zealand Not enough rebound damping adjustment available.
Similar Products Used:
Marin East Peak
Bike Setup:
2001 Razorback Team, Rond O24U FS, Shimano Disks, XTR, Raceface
Bottom Line:
I like this bike. My previous bike was a Marin East Peak with Noleen cross link FS. The K2 has a much plusher ride, climbs fantastically. When climbing the Marin would behave like a hard tail under power i.e. the rear suspension would not move if riding over a rock or tree root. The K2 has a more active rear suspension set up and simply soaks up the impact without compromising the traction.
The FS is a revelation. Compared to the Noleen cross link FS I had before, the Ronds are like comparing a Rolls Royce with a F1 racing car. The Ronds simply absorb any impact whereas the Noleens wouldn't move unless the hit was a big one. I don't know how the Noleen Mega Air FS compares to the Ronds but as they are both air shocks I presume the performance would be similar.
I now have a bike that currently can out-perform its rider. I find myself going faster than I used to, so much so that the brakes get a fair bit of use.
The only problem so far has been the rear shock. It stopped holding air on the third ride (less then 100km). However, this was replaced (not repaired) by the K2 agent in a couple of days and the new one performs better than the original. Good service here in NZ.
The other thing that could do with improvement is the range of rebound damping adjustment could be greater. Even with the rebound full on there does not feel like enough. This applies to both FS and RS. A heavier grade of oil would do the trick and while this is a relatively simple job to do on the FS, the rear shock won't be so easy. This will be a job to do when the shocks need servicing.
One last thing. The K2 Razorback Team has a very cool paintjob - much nicer than the bare aluminium on my old Marin.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Hoffman
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden Utah 84404 Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
supergo
Strengths:
Great bike, climbs like a hardtail, quick handling
Weaknesses:
bottom bracket height
Bike Setup:
stock except for Rolf Propel wheelset
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my review of a year ago. Great bike for x-country. Customer service from K2 is exceptional. I recently discovered a crack in my frame 2 days before an out of town bike ride. After talking to K2 customer service and warranty people on Wednesday afternoon explaining my problem they had a new frame next day shipped to me. There was none of the usual B.S. regarding a warranty claim, they just wanted to make it right. You can't go wrong with this bike and K2 as a company has been a pleasure to work with.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hans
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland Date Reviewed: February 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Houffalize or Malmedy Belgium
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
The best k2 dealer in Holland
Strengths:
The suspension is the best around. It got the stiffness of Marzocchi and the weight of a Sid. Verry good balance between the front and rear suspension.
Weaknesses:
The low bottom bracket, the pedals hit rocks and dirt at difficult tracks. There is also a bit of wear out of paint caused by the cables from the brakes and gears.
Similar Products Used:
Kona King Kikapu, Specialized enduro, Rocky mountain, Steppenwolf
Bike Setup:
I´ve got the weight down to 10,5 kilogramms, totally SRAM 9.0 sl,Swalbe extra light tubes, easton seatpost and bar.
Bottom Line:
I´am a large and heavy biker (100 kilogramms) and its hard to find a bike with suspension that performs well (not to jumpy or fluffy). This bike kicks ass and gave me super powers (like kryptonite). It´s a competition bike (easy climbing and acceleration) and not a very comfortable bike (like a KLEIN or a proflex). I love it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Owens
a Cross Country Rider
from Whitby Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
3 Rocks / Walker Property
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Purchased At:
The Motorcycle Shop,Alaska
Strengths:
Stif and fast frame and great geometry the Noleen shock and fork are performing flawlessly. Great value in components right out of the box-and Light !
Weaknesses:
none found yet
Similar Products Used:
Klein Mantra jeckyl
Bike Setup:
Spinergy Spox, raceface next LP, Carbon monkey lite bar and Thompson post, WTB saddle
Bottom Line:
I loved this bike the moment I sat on it ! I called all over North America to find one because they sold out, but I found my baby in Anchorage Alaska of all places--3 days later she arrived-sweet ! We just rode for 10 days in Chile on punishing gruelling trails with huge 1000 plus m. climbs and wicked full on downhills that lasted for miles and miles and this bike was amazing. The suspension design was perfect for the conditions--The Bike was punished and came up smiling and so did I--AWSOME !!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from plymouth ,england Date Reviewed: January 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anywhere off road
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$5500.00
Purchased At:
alltrax
Strengths:
stiff/lightweight/durable/FAST
Weaknesses:
short travel needs 4" not 3"
Similar Products Used:
if its on two wheels
Bike Setup:
total custom build from frame XTR , MIDDLEBURN , HOPE XC4 , RINGLE , USE , CARBON MONKEYLITE , SID XC , NO LOCK OUT ,SPECALIZED TIRES
Bottom Line:
I USE THIS BIKE FOR ENDURO AND XC RACING AND IT IS PERFECT I GET ON THE BIKE AND IT FEELS LIKE I CAN DO ANYTHING. EXCELENT IN SINGLE TRACK SMOOTH CLIMBER COMPETANT DOWNHILL THIS IS ONE SORTED BIKE IF YOU DONT HAVE ONE WHY NOT! ONLY QUIBLE IT NEEDS AND EXTRA INCH OF TRAVEL
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Irish Mud
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacto, Cally Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anything Sierra
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
blah blah
Strengths:
After 6+ months of riding, the performance has been flawless. I have changed quite a few things, but not because I really had to. The bike is strong and K2 is below the mass marketed radar for this model. Kudos.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Most
Bike Setup:
See description below...
Bottom Line:
I do most of my riding in the Sierra, so I found that I don't need the large chainring at all. Also, I have been getting good enough to not need my granny ring either. Therefore, I put 180mm Race Face cranks on with a 32T chainring and a rock ring. I used a chain guide on the inside from Jump-Stop, and the whole setup kicks ass. Get this! I use the old front der. shifters to lockout the rear shock! Talk about flying up hills! If you do this you will need to be mechanically inclined enough to fashion a cam, or a spring to take up the slack in the cable (the shifting used much more cable than the lockout requires).
Best damn bike I have ever had, 23-24 lbs. TRUE lockout on the fly, and well balanced!
Still impressed.
OUT
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Trail Boss
a Racer
from Birmingham, AL Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Crestline Cycle
Strengths:
Very stiff, climbs great(hardly any pedal wash), weight, value compared to other bikes in its class.
Weaknesses:
After 1500 intense, off-road miles, I have a slow air leak in the rear shock. Also, you may want to change the rear shock lock-out cable to a slick cable that doesn't rust.
Similar Products Used:
Tried numerous demo bikes including Litespeed Unicoi, Trek STP, Cannondale Jeckyl, Gary Fisher Sugar.
Bike Setup:
Basically stock setup except for Thompson seatpost, Speedplay Frog pedals, Hutchinson Air Light tires with green tubes, Mavic Crosslink wheelset, Kore 3D Lite stem, XTR cassette and chain.
Bottom Line:
I am a strong, expert racer who can promise you that this is one of the most efficient bikes you can find. The Noleen rear shock is smooth and easy to tune and clearly outperforms the Fox and Sid over roots and small to medium size rocks. The Noleen front fork is much more stout and stable than a Sid without much weight compromise - you still can't beat a Marzocchi for performance, but this Noleen weighs less. When you perform your first scheduled maintenance on the front fork, try changing the grease to "Slick Honey"... it makes a world of difference! I recommend this bike for cross country riders who enjoy advanced trails. A hard tail will outperform this bike in the very tight and twisty trails, but you will kill them in the bumpy, technical spots. As full-suspension bikes go, the Razorback performs much better on the climbs than any bike out there (outperforming hardtails on bumpy climbs) and shows less dominance on the big-hit downhill rides. Overall, you can't buy a better bike for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Racer
from Las Vegas, N.M. USA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Road Apple Rally
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Bike & Sport
Strengths:
Noleen Air suspension, very smooth, adjustable and tough. Good mix of componets.
Weaknesses:
None at this time but will let you know when I incounter one.
Similar Products Used:
None, but tested many.
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock- added a carbon Monkey-lite bar, longer stem, and bar ends.
Bottom Line:
"Solid". This bike has been a dream come true. I've been riding a hardtail for ever and have been looking for a full- suspension for the past two years. In these two years I've test and re-tested so many bikes I can't count them all. I'm a daily bike rider and have started to race the past two years all over the state of New Mexico. When I tested the RazorBack RS I new this bike was the one for me. I was so impressed with it's feel and power I bought the last one off the floor and have been very happy with it ever since. A true racing rocket. Climbs great, handles fantastic, and goes downhill extremly fast. I'm a 43 year old man and have had 2 surgeries on my lower back. Riding hardtails has always left my back feeling tight and sore. After riding my new Razorback these past 3 months I can honestly say, "What a dream to ride". But, if you get the chance to test one don't take my word for it, you be the judge. Later...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vinny LARGEandHARRY
a Weekend Warrior
from Jupiter, Florida, USA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mouse, Tsali
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Top Cycle
Strengths:
Frame Kicks major booty. K2's NOLEEN suspension is awsome! The pull shock is a great way to conserve weight. K2 has great customer service (had to call them already, I wrecked really badly cause i suck). THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS BIKE IS THE ON-THE-GO LOCK OUT ON THE HANDLE BARS FOR REAR SHOCK
Weaknesses:
Color scheme sucks...other than that...dream on! K2 RULES THE PENTAGRAM!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Mongoose (not!), GT, Santa Cruz (too damn expensive guys...can you tone that down Cruz?)
Bike Setup:
Full xt/xtr drive train (choo! choo!),panaracer firex tires, sun rino light rims, easton seatpost & handlebar, ummm......thats it....do you really need more? ok, maybe disc brakes! but disc's are too damn heavy!
Bottom Line:
K2 IS AN AWSOME COMPANY (WINK WINK) THAT IS STEMMED FROM PRO-FLEX CYCLES WHO ESTABLISHED A NAME SYNONYMOUS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, GREAT PRODUCTS, AND.....UMMM......AAAHH....YEAH!!!!! (A LITTLE DAB WILL DO YA) IF YOU CAN AFFORD A RAZORBACK BUY ONE NOW...IF YOU CAN'T....BUY ONE NOW ANYWAY (SCREW THAT STUDENT LOAN!!!)....IF YOU CAN AFFORD MORE THAN A RAZORBACK....BUY A SANTA CRUZ HECKLER NOW! WITH THAT SAID, I GIVE IT FIVE (5) FRIGGIN GNARLY CHILLIES (HOT TAMALE!) ---AND IN THE WORDS OF THE WISE WESLEY WILLIS "ROCK OVER LONDON...ROCK ON CHICAGO...MASSINGIL IS A NAME YOU CAN TRUST"---
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rip
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno NV. Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
All of em'.
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Simple, stiff, efficient Turner Stinger based rear end. Perfect front and rear suspension balance. Light, goes fast, looks cool.
Weaknesses:
Lockout lever doesn't.
Similar Products Used:
99' Razorback RS, Stumpjumer FSR/XC, Sugar, Heckler, lots o' hardtails.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for...SRAM Halfpipe shifters, Easton Monkey Lite low rise bar, WTB Velociraptor tires.
Bottom Line:
My 99' Razorback was ripped off this spring so I demoed every bike I could get my hands on. Just couldn't beat this bike. I love it. Nealy as fast uphill as my Ellsworth Sub22 hardtail and way faster and more comfy on the way down. Just can't beat the Turner rear end. Even after 1000 hard desert miles this summer still no flex or slop. Very impressed with the new Noleen air fork. Stiff, easy to adjust and (after some break in time) suprisingly plush.
Downsides? The lockout lever sucks. Doesn't seem to be burly enough to hold the the shock in its locked out position. After a couple of weeks of messing with it, I took it off. Haven't missed it. The bike climbs so well without a lockout makes me wonder why they had it on there at all.
Five flamin' doo doo's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Irish Mud Mailand
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Are you kidding? Pick one.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Weight, agility, stiffness, price (I had a special case), components
Weaknesses:
I will let them speak for themselves, when they do. None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Hardtails from "back in the day". I did 6 months of research, riding Santa Cruz, Rocky Mountain, Ventana, Fisher, Voodoo, etc. and I must say this bike worked the best for me (go figure it out for yourself). Something has definitely changed at K2, this bike (concept from Turner) is by far their best showing to date, someone new must have taken the reigns with the company, these guys look like they are going to get serious. They sure stepped up quality and engineering on this thing! Kudos K2.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for TIME pedals, Monkey Lite riser bar, different TITEC stem.
Bottom Line:
I just got this bike last night and I must admit that I bought a bike I wasn't even considering a month ago. The deal was just too good to pass up. I also got this ride with lots of upgrades. First, the bike store changed out the bar/bar ends for an Easton Monkey Lite riser bar, then they changed the grips, then we changed to a different TITEC stem, and finally I had them put on TIME ATAC pedals! Not only that, they took the price down from $2250 to $1650 with everything included! Thanks American River Bike, SWEET!
This bike is lightyears ahead of anything I have ever owned before (not saying much). I am kinda going out on a limb with the Noleen parts (at least that is what the 'main stream-mass marketing' seems to be telling me), but I have had experience with their stuff when I rode motorcycles in High School and they have been at it a while. The bike is completely air sprung, which would have turned me off, but then I rode it. Very little stiction, the fork is really stiff (I was surprised, better than a SID), and the suspension feels very balanced. Adjustability is tougher, but hey, ride it, don't just play with it contantly, right? It is also pretty damn light for a full sus, it weighs in at around 24 pounds (give or take, but who cares)! It will be a while before anything will need to be changed, I think I will let the bad parts speak for themselves, they should surface before too long.
The paint is a bit loud, it says "Hey, look at me, I am an AMERICAN!" I might blast and reshoot it someday (if I run out of things to do around the house).
I plan on reviewing this bike as time passes, so watch for subsequent reviews.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from Vernon,Ct, USA Date Reviewed: April 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Blue tail at case mt in Manchester,ct
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Well, first I have to say i have this bike down to 23 pounds for full suspension!! I have last years frame with this years shocks. It's the best full suspension I have ridden for cross country riding. It climbs really well as well. And handles quite nicely on the downhills as well. This is a nice balenced bike. Buy one if you can find one.
Weaknesses:
the only thing that they could have made better is switch to mytho's stock tires but that's something your bike shop can easily take care of
Similar Products Used:
Gary fisher suger- it's ok but doesn't handle as nice on climbs
cannondales, gt's i drive, go ahead name a bike i bet you i have had it on a test ride.
Bike Setup:
i have pretty much top of the line stuff everything form spinergy spox to esp besty 9.0sl der shifters
Bottom Line:
It's a sweet ride
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Hoffman
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden Utah Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim/Moab
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Sweet bike. Basically as advertised. Lightweight, good component mix. Rides like a hardtail.
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket height. Even with the way big frame cranks are easy to hit in technical terrain.
Bike Setup:
Basically stock. Added Onza barends
Bottom Line:
So far it seems to be the real deal. I got the bike for 1650.00 from supergo which is a great price fot this setup. Had a hard time finding a bike in my area. K2 has not been responsive to a couple of questions I had, no response to E mails or phone messages. Hope I don't have a problem and need to get a hold of a live persom from K2.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from New Brunswick, New Jersey Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Sandy Hook!!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light (24.5lbs) Mega Air fork, I like it better than SID Rear shock lock up!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Not yet, but i'll repost if i do find one in few month. maybe the tires. IRC Mythos XC would been a better set up.
I'm a die hard Cannondale fan. Or i should say, I WAS a C'dale fan. I'm sold to K2 now. I race XC and I needed a good bike for my upcoming season. I guess I found one.
Razorback rocks!! Great stock component, handles like butter and it climbs really well. Rear lockup gives me huge advantage on monster up hills. Although, even without the lock up it's pretty stiff. I'm actually faster with K2 than my C'dale F1000(front suspension). My biking buddies were shocked by how fast I was going up. Can't wait till the race season begins.... If you are looking for a fast bike test ride Razorback!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Green
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, New Zealand Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Karapoti
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Only had the bike for two weeks, is very nice !!. Is light (size is WayBig) and climbs very well. Downhill is a blast and very impressed with the smooth feel. Front shock is best ive ever ridden, very precise feel and very smooth action, I did get the 100mm upgrade kit added, well worth it for my size and weight (95Kg). This is an awsome looking bike too. This is my fourth mountain bike in 10 years riding and racing and is the best yet. No problems with the wheels to date, will see how they go as they feel a bit light spokked for me.
Weaknesses:
Im 6'5" and the Way Big size only comes with 175mm cranks and the easton seat post is too short. Ive got 180mm cranks comming and have put a Thomson post in.
$ 2249.00
Overall Rating:
