Weaknesses: a little flimsy in the rear off jumps and drops.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. over 4 years old now and its just starting to crack. I ovalized the headtube and bent the swingarm. during those 4 years this bike has gone through hell. 9' drops everyday, DH riding all season at Mountain Creek. GREAT BIKE!
Bike Setup: 2003 Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 2 in the front, fox vanilla RC in the rear, avid mech. 8", race face prodigy DH cranks...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jon-Michael
a Downhiller
from Gardnerville, NV
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003
Strengths: Well, it was a good bike for about two months, then things went downhill, not in a good way. The only good things (the ones that haven't been replaced) are the cranks and brakes. And the only other thing that has lasted two years is the frame, and hopefully it won't break this year.
Weaknesses: Just about everything on this bike. If you are into anything other than XC, DO NOT BUY THIS! The fork broke, same with the shock (twice), rims are destryoed, broken deraileur, seat clamp.
Bottom Line:
At first, I thought this was a great bike. But by my first light downhill ride the rear wheel was damaged, and after about six months the rear shock blew up, then after a month of my bike shop trying to get a hold of K2, they sent another shock. Within a few months, this shock blew up too. Then came the fork's crown, and seat clamp. I don't even ride that hard. My drops are usually only a few feet, and in the catalog it shows some guy doing a 10+ drop to flat. I replaced the fork with a Jr.T last summer, I also put on a Blackspire chainguide, and replaced the Noleen shock with a Stratos, so I now have 7" in front, and 6" in back. It rides pretty well now, except for the rear wheels that are dented from a 2' high jump. It is a decent bike for cross-country, and very light downhills, but not for any downhill trails. Also, K2's customer service is horrible, a few months for them to answer a call, followed by two weeks of waiting for the shock that would break after less than a year. After riding this bike and putting over $2000 dollars into it, I can't wait 'til I order my Santa Cruz Bullit this summer.
Similar Products Used: K2 Freeride bike, basically the same design
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Jr. T, Stratos Helix shock, XT deraileur, Blackspire chainguide, Shimano DH clips (third set), IRC Tubes (haven't had a flat in two years), and hopefully, Sun DH wheels to replace the POS Vueltas
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Francisco Hung
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002
Strengths: I really love this bike, I really DO! (shhh! don't tell my fiance). It is one of the most fun to ride bikes I ever had. When you ride it and start treating her really bad it will aks for more. The Noleen fork reacts very well when executing jumps. A bicycle worthwhile buying, a great value! It rides like a Rolls with a hart of a Jeep...
Weaknesses: A litle heavy, which isn't totally a bad thing... depending on what tricks are you doing with this Beast!
Bottom Line:
If you ever come across one of these beasts; ride it and take it home for a fun ride, which depending on the terrain mood and your attitude, could turn into a very serious one...
Weaknesses: Still trying to find anything major. Except for the Real Ugly Decals !
Bottom Line:
I got to ride this all summer and winter. I am very happy with the way this has held up. I posted a review when I had the bike about a month and I am just as pleased with the bike. The upgrades were done for fun rather than for need. If you buy this bike try FAT tires. the 2.35 are great and the 2.6 up front is real sweet. I rode the Cannondale Gemini and for the record if I could afford that I would buy it in a heartbeat. In the meantime the Monkey is perfect for me.
Similar Products Used: 1999 EVO 2 / Sid XC non disc . Cannondale Gemini 2002
Bike Setup: Hayes 6 inch Disc, All Black SUN Ryno Lites XT Hubs 2.6 Kenda Front 2.35 Kenda rear , 2002 psylo xc, SramAttack Grip shift, XT Frt XT Rear, XT 8 speed cassette, Azonic Shorty Stem, Truvative cranks with Bashgard, Kore Lite Seatpost,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joel Arseneault
a Weekend Warrior
from Miramichi N.B Canada
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002
Strengths: Built tuogh!! loves to fly(and fall like me).BMX feel.Easy to set up shock(follow directions at K2 site)Single pivot is very easy to maintain.Looks Awsome!
Weaknesses: Single piviot suspnetion is not as active as a launch 5.0 or a GT i-drive.(but that can be a good thing)
Bottom Line:
This bike is a lot of fun!!!! It is great for everything! Trail,free ride and Urban.This bike even goes on de pave!(inside joke)But seriously,I drive this bike every where,and I'm never way behind.I also have more fun than anyone.As I said above,the single piviot isin't as active as some 4-bar designs,but it trys to lock under hard pedeling which makes it climb very well for a 5.25" travel bike.The best thing about this single piviot is it's tough and easy to service.(You even get a special tool with the feame)Parts are also cheep and come with special tool! Hey,if you got the cash just buy this bike.If you don,t there is a Bumpy Monkey for 2002(same frame and shock)Still don,t got it.Check out the Norco Atomic or the Giant Warp DS 1. As for value.K2 builds their monkey better and I could have bought it for less cash. If they had a fun rating this thing would be off the chart! Buy this bike if you like to play in the dirt or on de pave(urban)Don't buy if you want to race.Especialy on de pave.:o)
Bike Setup: 2001 K2 Disco Monkey frame,Marzochi Z5 100mm,Ryno Lite,Deore hubs,2.35 Kenda,Hussefelt w/bash guard,Monkey Lite,Locking grips(Get some if you ride hard)Race Face Real seal head set,Race Face prodigy post,Bontereger stem and all Deore(V) brakes and shifting
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington, Wv
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001
Strengths: K2 bikes a tough K2 customer service is the best Price is competitive
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
YO YO YO !!! I just wanted to drop you boys a line and let you kow that you can icrease the travel of your EVO suspenson K2 to over 6" and get a plusher ride with a Stratos Helix rear shock. I would recomend a 400- 600 lb. shock but ask the seller and see what best suits you. Check out the Stratos Helix reviews, 4.3 of 5. I switched the rear out shock and cannot believe the diference it makes---PLUSH!!. I am very pleased with my 1999 K2 and with general mainance of the bushings and bearings of your K2 frame I think the bike will last for-ever. Custer service at K2 is beyond excellent and if you are thinking of purchasing a K2 new or used I highly recomend it. Just wanted to let you all know and thank K2 for the service they provided me.
Bike Setup: I have a 1999 K2 900 with a 200 Marzocchi Z.1, Michillen 2.2 DH tires, STRATOS HELIX EXPERT (which I am filling this review to tell yall about), and Hayes Cable HMX 1
Strengths: It's endless travel. It is a hit lover a mondo drop sucker, freekin blast to ride.
Weaknesses: weight, weight, weight.
Bottom Line:
THis bike is a smooth ride. It is a balls out bomb ride. It climbs very well for the weight. It outperforms any of the other bikes I have owned hands down. The price is right. It is for the novice and the expert. If you get the chance to pick one of these up. DO IT. This bike has everything you need to show off and to drop out or off what ever you would like. I am 200# and this bike says abuse me all the time. I would'nt change a thing about the setup axcept maybe changing a few components to make it lighter. GET THIS BIKE!
Similar Products Used: GT LTS-1, Schwinn HomeGrown
Bike Setup: Stock, Except for a Lighter Seat WTB, And Shimano clipless pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DISCO BREAKIN'
a Downhiller
from Minden, Nevada
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2001
Strengths: Everything!!!
Weaknesses: Rims are weaker than I thougth, deraileur and shifters broke.
Bottom Line:
GREAT bike, rims are a little weak, but you just have to make sure your air pressure's right. Weight is no problem. You can go down stair cases easily, stable chassis. The weight isn't that much of a problem, because I can easily escape pitbulls chasing me down the trail.
Submitted by
Kurt Robbins
a Cross Country Rider
from Cloverdale, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001
Strengths: I love this bike! the frame is strong and durable, no problems thus far. lots of suspension, never bottomed out. the tires are awesome!
Weaknesses: Headset constantly comes loose and the noleen mega airs get really still when hot.
Bottom Line:
Ive been riding this bike constantly since i bought it and i love it! its perfect for the price, my stepdad has the XCS-1 which he paid about the same for and my disco blows it away. the selling point with this bike was the frame, i am around 190lbs and 6'2" so i need something that wont snap and this is working so far. id like to put a triple clamp on the front just for the travel and to avoid the stiffining when the get hot. ive had this on whistler mountain and it was a blast to ride. no problems except the headset which is minor.
Submitted by
Craig Leoni
a Weekend Warrior
from Pinon Hills, California, USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Strengths: great climber for a freeride, avid discs stock, plush light feel(even at 30lbs+), creek-free landings, tracks straight in the roughest conditions, upright riding position(comfy)
Weaknesses: stock bars don't feel right, not sure why. BIG cushy seat that may be too big for long xc rides, platform pedals not for me(took the clipless off of my Beast before selling)
Bottom Line:
I got this bike instead of upgrading the Beast to discs, and after ordering it I wasn't sure I did the right thing. The Beast had more travel in the front by 1 inch, and I don't like giving up any travel. Now that I have some time on the Disco, I love it! No shortage of travel here! It is also more comfortable than my Beast, but I think it is only because of the stem length and angle on the dangle. I also saved enough cash over similar bikes to almost buy two of them(but...ah...my wife didn't see it that way). K2 bikes have to be the ultimate freerides for the money! 5 flattened smelly-cats for value, 5 overall!
This bike works well for street and trail riding. dont expect to get on it and have a quick climber. the bike loves getting into the air. you can do all the drops and 20 foot gaps you want with confidence.
Bike Setup: Stock with Z1 QR 20, race face bar and Titec stem. QR 20 hub and rhyno lite front wheel
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bucho
a Cross Country Rider
from Moab
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001
Strengths: This bike is dope, I beat it up really bad, the way I ride. It can really stand up to hardcore material. This bike is worth every dollar. I love the tires, they handle great, and the Avid come through, the Noleen fork is awsome.
Weaknesses: LX components could be upgraded to XT, XTR if you want to race, wieght.
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike, you won't buy anything this fun for the price, this is a tough bike,I get huge air on it and it's ready to go the next day, if it wasn't for the wieght I would give it five chillies for Overal Rating, I would give six chillis for the Value ratig if I could.
Submitted by
darrell
a Weekend Warrior
from phx ax
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001
Strengths: the component selection is so well balanced , the crank set up is smart , brakes seem very cool , very very very solid bike you will able to abuse it on cross country trails and never bend it
Weaknesses: its got none , thats why i bought it
Bottom Line:
i been wanting a bike made like this scince i bought my first specialized stumpjumper in 1983 , if your the type of rider who has upgraded every single bike you have ever had than this is the biotch you need , solid parts , crawls like a happy rhino , every time i ride this thing its talks to me 100% + says i'll do that , great bike if you crave sequrity at 30 mph and a bike thats going to stay striaght AFTER you smack the ground with it , its heavy tho 36.2 lbs
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from RockHill SC
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Strengths: Very strong wheelset, noleen shock is super strong n stiff, rear shock is easy to adjust, lx-deore drivetrain w/hussefelt downhill cranks-really tuff, just about everything
Weaknesses: kinda sketchy about the hubs, tires work really well for urban assault but kinda iffy offroad(pretty much made for taking big hits) nothing else
Bottom Line:
Great bike!! Can't get enough of it. Bought it primarily for urban assault and freeride but lately ive found myself iding this bike more than my cross country bike. Handles great, im about 6'5 175, and i bought the large and am extremely comfortable on it!! Looks crazy kewl. Would recomend this bike to someone who is just starting off too the most experienced riders its a friggin blast to ride. Buy one!!
