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Submitted by
Old Proflexer
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the one to my fridge - | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | various places - | | Strengths: | Carbon fiber components up front, main frame and swngarm can't be beat | | Weaknesses: | Can't get them anymore | | Similar Products Used: | Not much else out there like it - | | Bike Setup: | Front and rear disc brakes (yes even on a carbon crosslink) XT, Bontrager, Koobi, misc. Shimano stuff | | Bottom Line: | The best cross country frame ever built - including xlink fork that tracks like a bloodhound.
See my site for fun things to make for your K2 bikes and visit our tech forum for K2 / Proflex bikes:
http://home.pacbell.net/nph/k2aftermarketproducts.html
http://cynosure.homedns.org/proflex/forum/ | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter L.
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Rapids, MN
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any singletrack or urban | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | looks awesome
good balance
tracks very well
laterally stiff
HANDMADE in AMERICA!!
| | Weaknesses: | no disk mounts
thermoplastic finish isn't that great
front derailleur is a pain to get to
lots of places to develop creaks
| | Similar Products Used: | Pro~Flex Beast, Pro~Flex 756, Trek 930shx | | Bike Setup: | Magura rim, grip shift, xt derailleurs, ZuZu platforms, front/rear Smarts, Hell-bent riser, Truvative cranks, Mavic 217s | | Bottom Line: | Purchased frame as an upgrade from my Beast and transferred parts to it.
First thing when you notice when you see it is it looks like very little else on the market. And it rides as well as it looks.
I've put this through a lot of crap while I've had it and I have yet to have a frame related problem. As a trail bike this is an excellent ride. Beefy enough to ride hard and light enough so that climbing isn't more of a chore than it should be.
If you are a big hit rider, or weight fanatical racer, look elsewhere. However, if you want to dabble in a little bit of both while not going crazy, then this is a great bike for you. Too bad you won't be able to get them anymore.
Ratings based on my price and component build-up. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from GA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Great all round bike. frame still like new after 4000+ on it. Weight | | Weaknesses: | None except they are not made any more. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 2, Mountain cycles san andres. Santa cruz superlight | | Bike Setup: | LP bars with braid jr and LP post, Crosslink fork, Thomson stem, Gripshift 9.0 with woody derailer. Avid Mag brakes. Raceface cranks. Nitrox saddle Chris king hubs(the best) with ritchey wcs rims and maxxis tires, Ritchey Ti pedal, King headset | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the bomb. Tipping the scales at 26 lbs. I've ridding this bike though thick and thin. Can take a hit and keep going. Real point and shoot bike. You can't beat the shock absorbtion of a all carbon full suspension bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Vesco
a Cross Country Rider
from Stafford Springs,CT
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Soap Stone Mnt. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Unlimited, Greenfield, Ma. | | Strengths: | Light, Very, Very Stong. You can't break this bike. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing major on the bike frame. Blew out the front Noleen shock twice on the Cross-link. I weigh 230 lbs. My shop took care of me and put a stronger spring in it. No problems since. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | K2 5500, Spinergy Spox Wheels set | | Bottom Line: | A great bike that takes a beating and comes back for more. Takes bumps and drop offs with ease. I wouldn't know if I ever broke this frame, because I'd be in intensive care or dead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from UT
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | wasatch front | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Sweet frame, fantastic fork, cool & unique looks.
| | Bottom Line: | After two and a half years I still ride it. That should tell you a lot--it lasts a long time, it's still worth riding a lot, the technology on it is still unparalleled even by lefties and other linkages.
Too bad K2 no longer makes this or the OZ frame, nor the linkage fork anymore. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Huber
a Cross Country Rider
from Pottsville, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Burma@ St Clair, PA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Fantastic frame, tough wheels, great for climbing and descending, smart shocks(for the most part)work well
| | Weaknesses: | smart shocks go through batteries at an unbelievable rate, front shock blew after only a few months of riding | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 930 | | Bike Setup: | Full xtr group except for brakes which are xt's, rear easton carbon fiber swing arm, front carbon fiber girvin crosslink fork, smart shocks on both ends, easton riser bar, sun iv rims | | Bottom Line: | This is a fantastic bike. The frame is as tough as they come. I have been riding hard x country for the past 6 months and this bike has taken a beating, from some awesome spills to rough rock strewn paths. It keeps coming back for more. I am a 220lb ex bodybuilder, so I am not on the light side either. I dont really do anything on the freeride side such as big drops, but we do take some ugly downhills that give the bike a work out. Everything holds up well. The frame though is extraordinary. It has seen its fair share of air time also from either me falling or me being angry and sending it on its way. No nicks or holes of any type to be found. With the set up it has, it follows single track like a rail train. Plus this bike gets its share of lookers. As far as weight, it comes in at a fairly light 26lbs. Could probably be made lighter, but I would have to spend some big bucks to do it. Plus at my weight, is it really going to help me, I doubt it. Everyone looks at this bike. My friends ride some top end stuff, but the 5500c gets the attention. Buy one if you can find one, you will not be sorry you did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Hoffine
a Weekend Warrior
from Yakima,Wa. USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesport.com | | Strengths: | I love everything about this bike. The only upgrade I have made is LP Carbon bars. | | Weaknesses: | After 2 years the frame has a slightly annoying creak. But still rides like a dream. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR. LP bars & seatpost. Sun rims. K2 stem. Giro Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | If they still made them, I would buy another one today. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niles Harper
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | I can't add a whole lot more to what has already been said about this frameset. It's bloody fantastic. Too bad K2 has dumped carbon. They had a good thing going. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from texas
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Bike Rocks I raced my first year in Beginner Class XC and won the race series. Many people laughed at the bike and couldn't believe that I won on a such a "clunker". The bike held up well I replaced the Rock Shock on the front with a K2 Elite fork and man it really corners well. I've got an inexpensive Truvative crank set that works really well. | | Weaknesses: | I thought I was having a problem with the front derailler post but it turned out I had the wrong crank set on the front (changed to Truvative) The bike takes a little tweaking on the rear derailler because of the Active Suspension but it's just a matter of adjustment. I haven't had any problem with the ELT front fork either. | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike had problems with shifting intially only to find out I had mismatched Crank Set and rear sprocket. Very comfortable corners great, climbs great, descends like a full fledged DownHiller. Buy one if you can find. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from TX
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shore Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price if You can find one. Paid $700 for the frame with some extra's. I've seen frames for $500. Light-Thermo Plastic Frame and Carbon Fiber swing arm. Climbs very well comes back down under control handles anything you can throw at it. Rear Smart Shock does work and works well there is a big difference with it turned on. The single pivot swing arm design works and it works well. NO SIDE TO SIDE SLOSH in the back. I can't say that for some of the multi-pivot bikes I've tried. Proflex and K2 were wise to keep that basic design. Take a look at any Motorcross bike why don't they have multiple pivot points ? I like the riding position has a long top tube distributes my weight well. Bike handles well on the Texas single tracks. I looked long and hard on the internet for the right bike. I'm convinced it's the best bike for the money. I can take it on any kind track and it kicks. I plan on racing it in the beginner class this fall. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing I can really say but I'm not sure it's an issue with the bike is the shifting. I do occasionally get some ghost shifting. My local mechanic is adamant about the frame design causing the problem and was trying steer me toward Specialized.I'm not convinced I might try another mechanic. | | Similar Products Used: | Barracuda Av2, Proflex Animal | | Bike Setup: | Pre Indy Rock Shock fork, xt shifter, xt derailler, xt BB, xt brakes, Carambra Cranks, wellgo pedals, Mavic 517 Wheels, Lx front hub, 517 Ceramic rear with WTB hub, Ringle Moby post, Specialized Seat V designed (heavy). The bike weighed 27.5 with the old LX rear wheel. 26.5 without the post and seat. Right now I'm thinking it's under 27 pounds and I'm going for 25 ultimately. I don't think it will be hard to get. | | Bottom Line: | Don't believe the hype about multiple pivot design. If you stand up and crank on them guess what ? They bob. Guess what else... they don't have the travel and those little pivots wear out and instead of replacing one you have to replace 4 or 5. I tried one of the most famous multi-pivot bikes (I won't mention brand)and it just seemed to have some side to side slosh. I've heard all the hoopla about losing power to the rear wheel and I will agree, you just don't get the power transfer that you do on an HT. However, I'll take the trade off for being able to stay in control over the Texas sized rocks. I must not be losing too much power to the rear because I'm going faster and faster. I'm no expert all I know is that I'm going fast over bumps and turns and up the hills. Best all around bike I've ever ridden. I got a give it 5 Chili Peppers for that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DiRT
a
from Midwest
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | just an update. I took this bike to Moab this year and it performed admirably. It took a licking with only minor problems (cable housing and decals falling off). I love this bike!
www.geocities.com/k2bike_files/bikepicts/bike.html | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Racer
from Virginia Beach
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Fast, Light, beautiful, durable | | Weaknesses: | costly, clear coat | | Similar Products Used: | Klein, GT, Trek. Many HT and FS bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + rear shock warrantied. | | Bottom Line: | The only complaint I have is that the clear coat seems dull (even when I bought it new, but I didn't notice then) compared to some other carbon frames I've ridden by cannondale.
The geometry and handling of this bike surpasses most other exotic frames I've ridden. It's not too exotic but not too plain either. Just right.
The rear shock blew on a 5-foot drop I made last year, but K2 warrantied it through my dealer. And fast. I've heard of people having problems with speedy warranty--all bike producers have their complainers. None here yet. cross fingers.
Great bike all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a
from Northville, mich
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Poto | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Where to start. Well, it is just nice to look at. But even funner to ride. Smooth and lithe and pretty light with Hugi/Bontrager wheels. (Mine went from almost 27 lbs to 24.5lbs with wheels, RF cranks and lighter post) I could kill another two pounds from this thing with lighter shocks, BB, Stem, and a smaller fork. I don't want to change the fork, though, because it is so nice. | | Weaknesses: | Golly, with the upgrades I've done, there is nothing I don't like. Stock, it was expensive (but it sound like it went down in price. Too bad for me now. | | Similar Products Used: | I demoed a lot of friend's full suspension bikes, l;ike specialized FSR (heavy and ugly), Cannondale V and Raven (pretty darn good, but still not this good), Schwinn sweet spot and homegrown and their other full--not even close. GT--pretty g. Um, (it was a long time ago) and trek's Y frames. No way. Y frames don't work on a trail for me. | | Bike Setup: | I think I said that above, but again, stock, with wheel and crank and postand saddle changes. | | Bottom Line: | It's easier to pull up hills than any other full I've ridden. But it is very fun to haul down again. I like the frame, something about it seems so light, even if it still weighs close to 25. I hear the new one by K2 is 23 lbs and is so sweet (the razor edge or something).
Too bad you can't buy these today. I'm glad I got one before they quit making them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from America
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Moab this summer | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | It's just a great bike all around. The frame best of all. Next the fork w/ smart shock. | | Bottom Line: | I went to the link below, (DiRT) and found a link to the manufacturing of this frame. It was made at Vashon, WA USA and is an incredible technological feat. They used three thermoplastic CF sheets and laid them on steel molds to build the shells and backbone. They pressed them at 10,000 PSI (no internal voids or bubbles or what not here). The backbone is the same material, making for a better bond than using metal for the backbone. Everything was bonded perfectly, etc. Go see the link to the tech details from the guys URL below.
Essentially, from the perspective of an engineer in an injection moldingplant, I can tell you that overmolding the side pieces with the same material as the spine is a smart idea for items like bike frames. Makes a good strong bond. You can use metals for the backbone, like cannondale raven's al spine, but you have to use dovetail joints, pins and holes, and/or completely molding over for a solid bond--never as good as this frame and adds weight.. With the high pressure, they need that elaborate flash trimming operation (higher PSI, more flash).
Ive read that an early version of this bike is in the Smithsonian or a similar museum because of it's unique design, (according to either MB or Popular Mechanics last year). This design is better than traditional CF bikes because the thick body is just more bomb proof.
The 3 body sections also reduce the material from sinking during molding - molding sections in plastic too thick often sink and sometimes cause other features to warp or bend. Splitting it up in three pieces was a very cool idea.
What can I say, it's really fantatstic. Look at the K2 1999 Oz M bike reviews--as they are the exact same frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DiRT
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Price was fantastic (few hundred for the frame/fork), but you can only get them used now.
Thermoplastic Carbon is very durable on this bike.
Climbs and handles much better than aluminum frames I've owned.
Smart front shock actually does make a difference.
Looks real fine. | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy for a carbon frame, but not bad enough to worry for the price.
Smart shock on the back doesn't make much difference (except to kill bob), and adds weight. (I replaced it with an air shock and it is lighter and has no bob.) | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Schwinn, Trek. Alum, steel frames (all hard tail), and a PF alum full susp. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic cross wheels, Dean ti post, Kore stem, Selle flite, zoom brahma bar, Truv stylo cranks, XT/XTR, gore teflon cables, etc | | Bottom Line: | It was K2's best in 1998. I'm sold. I bought the frame cheap and added everything else according to my budget. All together, I believe this works as well as other name-brand $2500-$3000 bikes. The smart shock is marvellous up front, even with the weight hit. Mine is a large and with the beefier wheels, it weighs in at a real-world 26.8lbs. I could shave 2 lbs more if I wanted to spend a grand, but why? This is full susp beefy enough for some DHing.
The rear design is great with an air/oil shock. The precision of the single-pivot and shock angle removes bob and allows for solid climbing. I compared it with my lighter rigid bike. It is just a tad harder to pull up steep hills, but easier than a specialized FSR or trek V, at least for in the saddle climbing.
Granted, some schwinn and Trek V designs only suspend the rear when you are in the saddle, and that makes out of the saddle climbing easier. But I can put a $100 suspension post on my HT and get the same effect. The K2 rear swing arm really locks on hills, so even though it suspends in/out of saddle on DH, it locks well on the climbs.
The crosslink fork is years ahead of telescoping forks for XC riding. You aim it, it goes instantly where you want. Most Rockshox, manitou and other name brand forks I've tried have that lag feeling--when you steer, the fork lags a little. Not the crosslink. The rigid fork legs are bound on both ends of the head tube and with a single shock all make for tight control, better than I've seen (even on heavier triple crown telescope designs). Two shocks in the two legs create lag. I have yet to measure any J-path in the true 3-3.5 inch travel on this fork.
Lastly, the looks. Well, got to
www.geocities.com/k2bike_files/bikepicts/bike.html
for a view.
Would I do it again? Yes, at the sellout price I got. At $4k, no way. I rate it given what I paid for it, not the retail price (which would have a 2-value rating and still a 5-performance rating) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl
a Racer
from Tolland, Ct, US
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | fern | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Its very light for a fs. I can climb just as if i were on a hard tail butt my butt is saved on the downhills. | | Weaknesses: | i have no need for the smart shocks | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex 957,trek, gt | | Bike Setup: | I bought the frame and fork from super go.i then built it up from therte with raceface cranks,easton ct2 bars,control tech seatpost,wtb seat,gripshift 9.0sl, and mavic 517 sups | | Bottom Line: | this bike climbs great. i can go almost as fast as everyone else on the hardtail. i Just harden the rear shock up. i cna get it almost as stiff as a hard tail. i would suggest this bike to anyone who likes to go really fast but save your ass in the rough stuff.it weighs in at about 25lbs which is really lite for a fs with 4" of travel | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Kotz
a Racer
from Seattle WA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very strong, climbs like a scalded dog, goes on technical downhills quite nice for a xc bike, looks bad ass | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Similar Products Used: | D-Back Pro-link Carbon/ Trek Carbon hardtail 9900 | | Bike Setup: | Kooka cranks and rings, Magura HS-33's, IRC Mythos on Sun-Ringle RPM lites, Syncros post and stem, Easton carbon bar, 2 smart shocks, Titec Berserker DH ti seat | | Bottom Line: | This bike rips technical singletrack and will climb most any logjump in Washington. Easy to point, shoot and just go scary fast over anything. Climbs surprisingly well.Weighs 28 lbs with both smart shocks and Magura brakes which are heavy but worth it in the Washington mud which is constant.This is a bad ass mother. I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Old Proflexer
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Bought a new closeout 98 4500C for well under a grand
Noleen Crosslink carbon front suspension, carbon frame with very little flex. Price included an upgrade to the Pro Carbon S front end with Smart Shock. Newer design in the rear swing arm allows (according to K2) 4.7 inches rear travel. Very plush feel but could tighten the feel a bit by adjusting the dampening on the shocks and/or moving up in spring strength. | | Weaknesses: | Sub 4 rims no where near the caliber of basic Mavics - junk em - aluminum nighmare. The standard rubber is sub par and needed to upgrade after the first ride.
LX componentry - once i chucked the Sub 4's and installed XTR shifter/levers and calipers - it made a world of difference.
If you're gonna get one of these things, you're gonna want your own wheels, brakes and goodies on it anyway.
Apparently no longer in production | | Similar Products Used: | Own a Proflex 856 and a 857 that I've ridden for years. These are the older models with struts to the swing arm. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded the standard LX components to XTR calipers, XTR shifter levers (8 speed), XT deraillers, LX crank/BB, Titec seat post, Velociraptors. | | Bottom Line: | Once you get past the weakness in the components, but what could I expect for the price, this is a very point and shoot type of bike. Good climber, my favorite crosslink front end is like an old friend, bike is light and responsive. K2 did give up stiffness in the back end when it moved away from the struts, mounting the nr-4 shock directly to the swingarm. I hope to keep the frame, swing arm and Pro Carbon S fork for many a year. Easy to maintain and service if you're familiar with the older model Proflex's
K2 is very good to work with from a customer service standpoint including a website with online tech advice and open comments forum at k2bikes.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
thesaint
a Cross-Country Rider
from mpls,mn
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
any and all | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
carbon, no flex, light, best rear sus design | | Weaknesses: |
lx brakes | | Similar Products Used: |
stumpy prestige classic, fsr xc | | Bike Setup: |
stock except for Specialized Team Dirt Control tires and XT brakes | | Bottom Line: | this thing is sweet. I got the 4500c. The only reason I can think of for K2 discontinuing this item is they are probably very expensive to produce. The 2000 aluminum models also use some very light Easton tubing which probably weighs similar to this carbon. Coming from a Stumpjumper steel hardtail, this bike has way more lateral stiffness. Grab the rear wheel and it won't budge. The Crosslink is also a very nice upgrade from my titanium FSX fork (2.8 lbs but a noodle). The new LX brakes work fine but are just plain ugly. I guess Stumpy will have to wear those now. All this biopacing and pogoing paranoi is very overrated. K2 originated the pivot point used by Santa Cruz, Aeon, and many others. It works well in all conditions and is strong as sin. The only thing I will be upgrading is the LX to an XT cassette to save weight. Everything else is perfect. God Bless 8 Speed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Cross-Country Rider
from Arcata
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
La Grange - Weaverville CA | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
carbon frame; smart shock; plush but good climber also | | Weaknesses: |
no longer in production | | Similar Products Used: |
Proflex 855 | | Bike Setup: |
Component upgrades include: Easton monkey-lite riser bar; Race Face crank set; SRAM gripshifts and rear derailluer; Avid brakes; Geax Sedona tires; Bontrager Valiant rims. | | Bottom Line: | If you have an opportunity to get your hands on one of these carbon frame beauties - don't pass it up. I recently purchased a 4500 model for a song ($1,000) from cyclesport.com.The 4500 is the 5500 with XT-LX components and a NR-4 shock in the rear instead of the smart shock. Up front, it has the cross-link fork with smart shock.This is a fun, fun bike to ride. The ideal rider is any aggressive trail rider who likes to take epic rides without getting beat-up. This bike climbs great, and actually makes you look forward to the bumps.With some component-changes, my bike is down to about 25.5 lbs. The frame is extremely light - so further weight reduction is possible - especially if you went with a Risse or Stratus air-oil shock in the rear. Personally, I'll take the weight penalty in exchange for the plushness of the coil-over Noleens.Great job K2-Proflex! Sorry to hear the carbon frame models are history. Five piles of flaming fecal matter..... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mudball
a Weekend Warrior
from GA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Laurel Mtn Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Xcellent components, balanced suspension, handling | | Weaknesses: |
not as light as expected, Difficult to tune to hit the smallest cog in the rear. Dork racing tires it came with don't perform in GA mtns. Had to get a new rack to hold it... | | Similar Products Used: |
855 proflex w/adjustable Stratos shock (lockout), FSRxc | | Bike Setup: |
Still own an 855 with Stratos. Same weight, less travel. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a work of art. The smart shocks really do work. I don't have a bike scale, but I pick it up and stand on my digital scale, and with the two 9volts, and new velociraptors front n rear, it adds 27.5 pounds to my weight. That aint 23 or 24 like some say, but it sure is a sweet ride. It climbs like a frickin mtn. goat. The suspension lets you blast the down hills. My experimentsw turning the shock off and on on the same downhills proved the smart shocks do smooth it out. I intentially hit small (3-4 inch) trees crossing the trail, and you feel it in the front, but they are barely perceptble in the rear. No bs.
It is a blast to ride. It is cushier than my 855, but I do miss the lockout in the rear.
Would I buy it again.... There are so many choices it's hard to say, but I personally have never ridden a bike that I like better. It is a long distance machine. You really don't get beatup on this bike.
1800 for full xtr aint bad | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Cross-Country Rider
from mt. dora, florida
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
bull mountain, georgia | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
weight, standard component group, cross-link fork, smart shocks | | Weaknesses: |
still trying to find one! | | Similar Products Used: |
specialized fsr | | Bike Setup: |
the bike is a carbon fiber frame/fork/swingarm. comes stock with full xtr component group, smart shocks front and rear, syncros bars, bar ends, seatpost, giro saddle, girvin mag-t pedals, panaracer tires. all excellent components | | Bottom Line: | this is my third mountain bike in approx six years of riding and the first that i bought new. THIS BIKE IS AWESOME! the smart shocks really suck up the bumps, both large and small. the bike handles like a dream. i got it as a closeout and got if for over half off retail! get one if you can find one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross-Country Rider
from New England
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
long, steep, and rocky | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
> Weight; for a full suspension rig of this quality it weighs in within grams of my hardtail.
> Acceleration; the bike is so fast, bobs a bit as expected on sprints, but on climbs out of saddle, the rear wheel does as advertised, and digs in
> Components; yes, the bike is a year old (I bought the 1998 model new from an LBS) but for the price, you won't find anything close
> Suspension performance. Both front and rear soak up bumps both large and small. The bike handles well in technical situations as well, after riding a hardtail for the last 12 years (with and w/o front suspension) I'm used to having precise control. I don't feel I've given up much of tht control with the K2 5500C, and on the contrary, as it gets more broken in, I expect to surpass the control I had with my hardtail | | Weaknesses: |
> From the shop I needed to raise the handlebars a bit for a more comfortable position (not really a weakness, but I had to write something)
> Spec tires. Definitely need to upgrade/swap if you plan on riding loose, stumpy, rocky, etc. | | Similar Products Used: |
> 1998 Specialized Ground Control FSR (A nice bike but not as nice as K2)
> 1997 Amp B4. A finesse bike, not meant for serious downhillers or Xcountry riders who ride hard. | | Bike Setup: |
> Carbon Fiber frame, swingarm, Noleen CS SmartShock
> Full XTR
> Syncros seatpost, headset, stem, handlebars
> XTR Rapid Fire (nice, F Grip Shifters!)
> Sun rims
> Bike came with cheapy cross country tires. I swapped them out for a pair of Michelin kevlar Wildgrippers that are okay, but still roll a bit in the turns in looses gravel. I think I'll be switching these for the tires on my hardtail which are the Kona Cleaner in rear and a Velocirapto in front. Best tires I've ever ridden!
> Room for one bottle cage, (I use a hydropak) | | Bottom Line: | After riding my hardtail ( a 1993 Paramount, full XT, Rock Shock Mag 21) for the last 5 years, I was ready for a FS. I have loved ProFlex since the first one came out, and had my mind set on purchasing one. I considered buying the bike mail order (last year's model) but didn't like the idea of buying a bike other than from an LBS. I found an LBS that was selling 1998 5500Cs for $1800, (it's a ~ $4200 bike new). I am very happy with the bike to say the least.
Very responsive, very fast
Light (for a FS, but in general, the bike weighs between 24-26 pounds)
No frame flex (I expected carbon fiber to flex, but nothing to speak of so far)
Not much bob in rear, especially on climbs, the rear wheel stays dug in.Overall, this bike is incredible!!! I would definitely reccomend it to riders who are serious, experieinced, enjoy cross country and downhilling, and don't want to pay $4000 + for a killer, top-of-the-line ride!
I plan on taking the bike to some ski resorts this summer and give it more of a downhill test, I'll update this later.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wallace
a cross-country rider
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: February 12, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this bike for a good deal, and it comes with full XTR, Sun IV rims, Syncros, Smart Shock, Noleen CS front suspension and other stuff (K2's specifications). This bike is really a joy to ride, especially when you ride at full speed over bumps and terrain. The shocks just suck them all up. The bike is also light (24.2IBS) and smooth as you turn the gears. Just try once and you will love it! | | Overall Rating: |
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