Submitted by
alpez96
a Weekend Warrior
from palmetto fl
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009
Strengths: nice strong frame color
Weaknesses: none so far and i got this bike 3yrs ago
Bottom Line:
i have had this bike for 3 years its the best bike i've had very light great climing and racing bike i ride with freind who has a fisher and he cant keep up and im not trying to leave him behind im just peddiling normal i strongly recomend this bike to anyone who loves to ride bikes
Similar Products Used: gary fisher specilized rockhopper
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brutis Block
a Downhiller
from Gorst, Wa
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002
Strengths: What? Is this a joke. Sure its rideable, but c'mon folks who really wants to be seen riding a bike with the smart fork? But hey, the frame didn't brake!!
Weaknesses: THis bike is a joke, I broke many a component during my rocky relationship with this beast. First, I snapped the K2 brand handle bar going off a smooth seven-footer. Then the wheel-set gave out, tacoing the front, and snapping three spokes in the rear. By this time, I was afraid even to leave the house, much less ride the bike. Everything was solved when I purchased a Joker with a Monster T. Oh wait, I've forgotten to mention the Smart Fork, but I'll limit myself to saying it is real bad because if I were to unleash my true emotions I would probably get arrested by First Admendment hunters sent out by Ashcroft.
Bottom Line:
Ifyou are looking for a bike to handle mad drops, you've come to the wrong place my friend. However, if used for its intended purpose (Light duty trailrider/XC) I would guess the bike would be fine. But based upon my experiences, it gets no soup.
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Strengths: Frame and suspension. I had no probs
Weaknesses: Seat Just didn't do well. Going to get rid of it ASAP
Bottom Line:
It handled Moad a hell of a lot better than I. I punished as hard as I could and I was very impressed. The seat was shagged but as a whole. Excellent. I think anyone who picks this up can get it to perform, with some slight adjustments to a very good level.
Submitted by
Ben C
a Racer
from Barrington, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: The rear derailleur hanger bends WAY to easily. ive had it for a year and a half and ive had to replace it 6 times ($15 each time). and the point of a rear derailleur hanger is so that the frame does not bend- my dropout is bent and im buying a new frame.
Bottom Line:
this bike was great before i started riding six days a week. this is a great bike for someone who wants to do off-road riding and maybe a couple races but if youre a serious biker and you ride hard and more than several times a week, invest another 300 or 400 bucks for a better more durable bike. might i suggest a klein attitude ($1200).
Similar Products Used: haro vector- that worked terrible too.
Bike Setup: totally custom- full 00-01 XT/XTR, 00 RockShox SID XC, Avid brakes, thomson seatpost and stem, selle italia SLR saddle, rolf wheels, kenda and WTB tires, and easton handlebar.
Weaknesses: LIGHT ON FORK DIDN'T COME ON BUT THATS OK I COULDN'T NOTICE A DIFFERENCE ANYWAY.
Bottom Line:
THIS IS A GREAT BIKE IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN FIND ONE USED LIKE I DID, IT IS A GREAT BIKE AND THE SHOCK WORKS JUST AS GOOD WITH OR WITHOUT THE LIGHT, GREAT BIKE!!!!! BUY ONE!!!!!
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Lewisville, TX
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001
Strengths: Overall this is a great bike, but, like everyonew else the price is right! Great frame.
Weaknesses: Seat, tires and over time the brakes.. Did I mention the seat? I also had some popping and cracking in the cranks, but did aq little maintenance and it wwas gone. Icould never tell if the smart fork worked or not, plus, the battery died and I never replaced it.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is I would buy another and actually am considering that. I traded this bike in today for a Cannondale Super V 700sx I wanted full suspension. So if anyone hase a Zed X frame laying around.... Let me know
Similar Products Used: Specialized, Trek, Kona, Marin
Bike Setup: It was pretty much stock. Kenda tires, LX all around.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids MI
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001
Strengths: Great do it all frame, handles, tracks, light, no complaints whatsoever, cant beat the price. even the stock K2 components work well.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Outstanding value. Ive raced it, beat it, maintained it and have no complaints. no failures K2 deserves credit for a great line of bikes, Buy it if you want a competent ride for little dollars. dont but it if you a big name poser
Submitted by
Byron Williams
a Racer
from Bismarck,Arkansas USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001
Strengths: light but strong frameset,decent fork,good technical trail bike.
Weaknesses: lousy tires and seat.Lose the riser stem for a 0 degree unit.
Bottom Line:
My bike tips the scales at a light 24#.The fork did short out after two rides but I could not tell the difference anyway. After replacement of stem/handlebar,seat/post and real tires,it came alive.I have less than 1,000 bucks in it and I believe it will carry me into the sport divison. Cannot be beat for the money.Worth upgrading on.
Favorite Trail: twisty rough trails with alot of switchbacks
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At: local shop
Bike Setup: LX components work fairly well,ditched the seat and post for a Selle Ti and a CT2 seat post,also replaced the stem and handlebar with a Titec Big AL and a CT2 flat bar. Also some real 2.1 tires really help.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff MacGowan
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, OH
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001
Strengths: This is an update from my original post back 11-99. Nice riding hardtail for the money. Frame specs and dimensions a great for single track.
Weaknesses: Stock brakes, wheels and tires, and fork until sent back to K2 for rebuild - series 3. Works flawless now.
Bottom Line:
I now have about $1100 in this bike, but I have loved making the upgrades. I can ride this bike so well now compared to when it was stock. I would definitely recommend investing in a good set of wheels and hubs. The bike feels 10x lighter. K2 makes a good product and stood behind the fork issues I had. I'm looking into the new K2 Razorback Team for my next purchase this summer.
I have been riding my K2 for 1 year and it has been up and down. The first down was the smart fork. I got a new one but it's light has since gone out as well. I couldn't tell the difference anyway. I have been hard on it for a year and the back rim has just not held up well at all. I've broken 5 spokes now and I think it is time for a new wheel. Also broken 3 teeth on my cogs which kind of sucks too. Other than that, the bike has been just fine. It has handled everything from single trak to the salty, winter streets of Chicago. I plan to do a bunch of racing this summer and I'm very up in the air about whether it is time for a new bike or a serious upgrade. I recommend this bike to someone looking for a decent ride at a good price that you can beat the heck out of. Is one year too long to complain to K2 about the fork?
Similar Products Used: Tested Cannondale, Trek and Specialized models at that price. K2 seemed to offer more for the $$$
Bike Setup: LX brakes, otherwise just as it came
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
chas
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001
Strengths: - geometry - most of the components
Weaknesses: - tires are a little weak in wet conditions
Bottom Line:
Since I haven't actually ridden the Zed X for a considerable amount of time, the primary reason I am giving 5 chilis for value is due to the extremely accomodating people at bikesale.com. Without getting into all the details, I was extremely impressed with the way in which they dealt with me. I give four chilis overall just because I need more ride time on the bike before I can accurately evaluate it.
Bike Setup: - replaced Smart Shock with Marzocchi Z2-BAM that I had - replaced brakes with LX
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from wattsburg,pa,usa
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2001
Strengths: bomb-proof frame
Weaknesses: rims,tires,chain
Bottom Line:
very good frame for 200+ lb. riders. the wheels aren't very good for 200+ lb. riders. kendas don't take the mud well. the 9 speed chain is thinner than the others, and im not sure if it is just a weak chain or if i am putting too much torque on it or a combination thereof. don't know about the smart fork. i can't bottom it out on or off. tektro brakes work fine for me. they would lock only when i wanted them too. rock hard saddle. excellent for the price.
I shopped around for a month before making my purchase, I also read a lot of reviews and decided to go with the ZED. I am very glad I did. I really love riding this hardtail. For the price there wasn't another bike in my area that could touch this K2! I have been riding this bike since august and I must say that I don't really know if I like the smart fork or not. I here a lot of bad things about it, but mine seems to be working fine. This week I did notice that the light isn't staying on while I ride so I am going to put a new battery in it. Hopefully that fixes it. I do true my rims almost after every single ride. The kenda tires had to go, they didn't even last 4 months and I didn't feel 'right' on them. I give it 5 for value and 4 for overall just because it is not perfect but for the price you will not find anything better! If anyone know how you can tell what generation smart fork is on your K2 please let me know.(growing weery)
Weaknesses: Tektro Brakes too heavy. Kenda Tires track poorly on trails with steep pitch.
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this bike hard for 6 months or so, and I have to say I've never owned anything so sure footed. The weight distribution of the frame is perfect for me. I ride single track with large elevation distributions, and numerous, sudden obstacles. This bike affords me a level of control I couldn't get with anything else. The ride is stiff, but that comes with aluminum. Despite all the snow on some trails here, I've actually had great luck with the smart fork, no problems at all. This is a "helluva" deal for the money. I WOuld recommend this bike to intermediate or advanced riders. I would recommend it for beginners as well once they've committed to the sport.
Bike Setup: Upgraded brakes to LX (They grip a little smoother). Replaced Kendas with WTB Velociraptors. Bike now climbs anything you can touch with a tire!
Weaknesses: the smart shock sux i broke mine after 2 weeks, the brakes are not great after a while, but with new cables and pads the work fine
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE RULES!!!! it is food for freeriding, trials, cross-country, jumping, EVERYTHING! i got mint last spring adn broke the smart shock, but now i have a noleen cross link, A SWEET FORK, i love it. for 6-700 this is ine of the best bikkes you can buy. most bikes in this range come with bad components like stx and alivio, but this one dosent. IT IS A SWEET BIKE! IF you can still find one, buy it and if you find one used, even better. this is a sweet bike!
