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
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Submitted by
Peter L.
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Rapids, MN
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002
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
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.
Strengths: Great all round bike. frame still like new after 4000+ on it. Weight
Weaknesses: None except they are not made any more.
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.
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
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Submitted by
Steve Vesco
a Cross Country Rider
from Stafford Springs,CT
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002
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.
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.
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.
Submitted by
Rick Huber
a Cross Country Rider
from Pottsville, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
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
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.
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
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Submitted by
Scott Hoffine
a Weekend Warrior
from Yakima,Wa. USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001
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.
Bottom Line:
If they still made them, I would buy another one today.
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.
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from texas
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from America
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000
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.
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.)
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)
