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Submitted by
marnediv
a Cross Country Rider
from Erding, Bavaria, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Deggendorf Bike Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Has a very stable feel to it, the frame has withstood falls and drops tha busted 2 of my ligaments on my ankle. The angle of the rear suspension seems to be optimal for climbing because there is almost no "bobbing or bounce" when doing long climbs. Wide stance of rear fork allows you to install a tire up to a 2.4, but the problem with that is that when you go mudding, the mud accumilates on the fork therefor clogging the tire, optimum tire seems to be a 2.1 or less. The frame and front fork are able to ignore the small bumps on the general ride but are also well able to take big hits. Also if you have an infant, you can mount the child seat on the seatpost and it provides a comfotable plush ride for the riders. The bike is set up for a 210 mm suspension which allows for greater travel on the suspension. | | Weaknesses: | The stock Noleen suspensions that come with the bike are at best suitable. Although they can take some punishment their adjustment is a pain in the rear. The front Noleen NR2 seems to have what I call a dead area, which means that it does not always return to a static or predefined position when you hit a bump, also if you set the front suspension to the maximum damping position, it still dips down too much and if you are not prepared for it you will flip over the front of your bike. When going down steep hills 20% or greater you really need to lean back, meaning having your butt off the seat hanging over the rear to avoid flipping. I suggest replacing the Noleen shocks with either an Avalacnche Shock or a DMN, depending on your budget. Also I found it quite difficult to find shock companies that offer a 210 mm shock. The water bottle holder is placed too far forward so it is difficult to get the water bottle in or out. I have noticed that this bike seems to be made for people that are over 5´9, because I let a friend of mine that is 5 foot 4 in ride it and he found it uncomfortable, and he did look kind of funny on it. | | Similar Products Used: | Peugeot Altitude 21 Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | K2 Proflex 4000 Frame
K2 Parallel suspension Fork
XTR Rear and Front derailler
XT Front crank and Sprocket
Rear Suspension = Avalanche DHS-2.50 Downhill Racing Shock
Front Suspension = Vanilla Coil R
Rear Tire = IRC "El Gato" 2.1(Awsome tire)
Front Tire = IRC "Mythos" 1.95
Brakes = XT V-Brakes
Rims = Ritchie Rock??? 38 Spoke
And the rest is Misc... | | Bottom Line: | This bike for me is a definate solid bike, every year I ride approximately 6,000 km, I sometimes ride in the Swiss Alps, sometime in the German Alps, and I hace done 2 Transcontinental (riding from Germany through Austria into Italy)rides with this bike and it has Never ever let me down. I am NOT a profesional rider, but I do love to ride, and this bike (for tall people) is comfortable, stable, and allows you to do some serious climbing, great XC, and moderate Downhilling. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G bomber
a
from UK Northants
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hub in the forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Dales | | Strengths: | Smooth over hard trails, fast climber. | | Weaknesses: | extra long stem on mine, may need to change. LX front mech. Smart Shock electrics seem to eat batteries. No auto cut off so if you forget to switch it off.... | | Similar Products Used: | Scott | | Bike Setup: | XT, LX, Vbrake | | Bottom Line: | Great ride, if a little gimmicky with the Smart Shock. I cannot complain about the ability of the suspension on this bike, Things are getting a bit spongey now after about 1200 miles. Reckon a service is in order and some set up attention. Would like some more advice on the use of the electrics and would like to try other front suspension on the bike to determine effectiveness. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mikey k
a Cross Country Rider
from hawaii
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | aiea loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | price, weight,durability | | Weaknesses: | swingarm pivot noise and a little flex | | Similar Products Used: | ridden everything | | Bike Setup: | xt-xtr components | | Bottom Line: | had it for 4 yrs put 5000 miles on it and have no major complaints,looking for another bike now but so happy with this bike im keeping it for a commuter...good job k2 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bag
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Chek | | Strengths: | Great frame and good components. Pretty light for a full-suspension. $1100 (canadian dollars) was a great deal. | | Weaknesses: | Original brake pads were hard as a rock and didn't stop well at all. Didn't like the long stem and straight handle bars that came with it. Frame is not disc brake compatible.
Noleen cross-link was too stif and only had 3.5 inches of travel. With 4.5 rear travel, it was weird to have more travel in the back than the front. I don't know what genius came up with that one. | | Similar Products Used: | Nishiki hardail, Gt hardtai | | Bike Setup: | Titec hellbent bars; titec lil' al stem; Marzocchi Z1 Drop-off fork, Avid mech disc(front only); XT v-brake in rear; Michelin Comp S tires; Sunrims Sub IV; XT derailleurs and shifters; Alivio brake levers; | | Bottom Line: | The bike is great, the frame kicks ass, but the original fork didn;t have the plush feel I was looking for. The Bombers transformed it into a whole different bike. The Noleens handled great, but were too stiff and didn't have much travel compared to the rear shock which is just wrong. The Avid mechanical disc on the front was a great upgrade, I just wish I could put one on the back as well. But the frame doesn't allow it without a 'Brake Therapy' device. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phillip Neill
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando, FL
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos at Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Great handling, strong frame, reasonable cost and weight. | | Weaknesses: | No status in K2 name. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin, Santa Cruz | | Bike Setup: | All XT, Judy SL, stock NR2 rear shock, Contniantal Explorer Pro tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a versatile design frame. It can be used for XC as well as freeride by changing components. I use mine for XC only and it provides great handling and a smooth ride. The swingarm pivot seems to be in the perfect location. Many other high quality builders use the same spot for their mono pivot designs. I also have the confidence that this frame and swingarm will never fail, check out the Kranked 3 video! After riding this bike for one year, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Clemson, SC USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Issaqueena and Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Noleen suspension
weight
handles like a goose on rails | | Weaknesses: | ummmmm...the color? | | Similar Products Used: | girvin suspension on a '94 Fisher | | Bike Setup: | pretty right out of the box, doesn't really need any changes. I put my trusty CODA 700 saddle on it and that's about it. Mostly XT some LX. Noleen Smart Shock in front and NR-4 on the back, Sun SUB IV rims and TITEC post and bars. | | Bottom Line: | Great CC bike, with or with the Fork "on". This bike really handles. The suspension is tuned, really eats the big stuff and nibbles ever so gracefuly on the small. I actually dig a little flex from the carbon swingarm, use it to your advantage. I'm a big Girvin fan so Noleen really has my vote. The linkage design is great, tough to bottom out if your dialed correctly. Good on climbs and great quick steering. Nice and Light. I highly recommend this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Presque Isle, ME, USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | My back yard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great for rough terrian, climbing and bombing hills. Easy suspension set-up that never seems to bottom out. The maintenance is not bad for those that do. | | Weaknesses: | The front derailer is tough to adjust and tends to experience chain suck. I broke the LX that came with it and upgraded. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Smart shock on the Noleen and XT on the rest of the bike | | Bottom Line: | If you like to ride crosscountry and never know where you may end up, this is the bike for you. I have put 1200 miles on the 99 season and this is the only bike I want to ride in the 2000 season. The ride and power transfer will make a better and stronger rider out of anybody | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | New Mexico backroads | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Plush ride, great value at closeout prices - paid $800 for 1998 K4000se from Claremont Cyclesport. Nice component group. | | Weaknesses: | Uncomfortable seat. The plastic covering the buttons on the Smart Shock didn't stick and needed some contact cement. | | Similar Products Used: | None, this is my first mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Smart Shock front. Replaced seat with a Terry Fly Mens Seat, and added Topeak rack and gear bag. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, a great bike that is fun to ride on or off road. Handles perfectly. After two months or riding, would still buy this one again! K2/Proflex bikes are amazing. K2 also makes great inline skates! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from Westlake
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | XC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | WOw! Its graet super plush eaisly tuned. Pretty dourable and really light | | Weaknesses: | Weakness ummmmm only the parts could be beteer but for 1000 not bad! | | Bike Setup: | All Xtr 98 Judy | | Bottom Line: | Its great for the price and like a dog it will never let you down | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JJ
a Cross-Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wales trails | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
light
well proven
ELT smart frks
versatility
price: £999 clear out | | Weaknesses: |
gimmick smartshock? too early to say.. | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialised X/C
Klein | | Bike Setup: |
standard 98 spec 4000
red XT/LX | | Bottom Line: | great cross country buy ...even if you do have to put a battery in it. A lot of well developed/proven technology that climbed superbly and downhilled fast. Parallelograms rule OK.. don't go with the masses - find one of these and buy it... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ROBERT
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
SKOOKUM FLATS, ENUMCLAW WA WA | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great overall spec for the buck. | | Weaknesses: |
Stock lx cranks and brakes | | Similar Products Used: |
K2 Proflex 2000 | | Bike Setup: |
k2 4000
RaceFace cranks
XTR Brakes
XTR cassette
all else stock | | Bottom Line: | Very quick, responsive bike. back-end is a little goosey around quick burmed corners (carbon flex?) Otherewise the thing handles great and climbs well. with the new cranks and brakes the thing is even tighter. Minimal bounce when climbing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikey G
a Cross-Country Rider
from Swan Valley, MT
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
plush
predictable handling
26lbs. | | Weaknesses: |
grips
saddle | | Similar Products Used: |
Schwinn Homegrown | | Bike Setup: |
Smart shock
XT/DX
Kooka cranks
Beebop pedals
Syncros seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I'm loving this bike. I got it on such a good clearance deal ($1,000) that I upgraded a bunch of the parts and lost another 3/4 lb. It's a lightweight, comfortable, fun ride. I'll never go back to hardtail.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Clorado
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
super plush
pretty stiff
comparitly light
nice for the price | | Weaknesses: |
I wish the carbon fiber swingarm didn't flex as much, but when your on a mountain it is not noticable | | Similar Products Used: |
just about evey K2/ProFlex bike over $1700 | | Bike Setup: |
ProFlex 857 NR-2 and Girvin Elite fork | | Bottom Line: | great bike for a great price. You would be hard pressed to find a better deal. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gator
a Cross-Country Rider
from central florida
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
puerco canyon in Malibu | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
pretty light
plussssh
bombproof | | Weaknesses: |
lx bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: |
I also have
97 B3 amp
96 856
98 LTS
97 Zaskar LE
Old Ritchey | | Bike Setup: |
switched to noleen elite fork and riser bars | | Bottom Line: | I like my LTS and 856 and bought this from Bennetts only because it was so cheap I couldnt resist. This is the ultimate cc bike. The suspension is smooth and the pivot placement is the best of any bike I have tried. In the small ring climbing is enhanced by chain pull. In the middle and big ring the thing is so plush I find myself hitting roots and rocks just for grins. If you ride recreational cc you owe it to yourself to try the K2 line...unbelievable | | Overall Rating: |
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