Strengths: Computer really adds to the how soft it is when you hit... really rides well
Weaknesses: there were none, till the computer doesn't work anymore...my guess it got wet when submerging when taking out by a current crossing a creek
Bottom Line:
was awesome till the computer busted... now its just really good. really can't tell the difference... its still a great shock without the computer... sometimes id forget to turn it on and i couldn't tell...its great for a beginner rider who wants to upgrade to bettter suspension... thats what i did... really worked out well
Similar Products Used: cheap shop thing that i broke riding
Bike Setup: 2000 univega 500 alpina... upgraded to avid mechanical disc brakes
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Submitted by
J
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002
Strengths: Solid/stiff Works well, even turned off Works better turned on
Weaknesses: Relys on a 9v battery for top performance Not exactly light
Bottom Line:
Lasted me a bit over 3 years. Snapped the steerer 2 days ago, and according to K2, I need a totally new fork. It was a great ride, while it lasted, though. I'd reccommend it to anyone who wants a fork that tracks well - this thing was rock solid, no flexing at all. Point it where you want it to go, and it'll go there (unless your tire slides out sideways on a loose trail, propelling you into a steambed and causing you to snap the #$%@ steerer tube!)
Submitted by
Bruce Tate
a Cross Country Rider
from 12708 McNelly Trail
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002
Strengths: The computer controlled dampening was a plus, when it worked
Weaknesses: Turned quickly into a dumb shock. At that point, it's not worth the extra weight.
Bottom Line:
When it worked, the ride was pretty good. It didn't work for long. My computer broke twice on me. A good shock shouldn't need electronics...too much extra weight. The computer is notoriously unreliable. Mine lasted for three rides. All in all, it's not bad as a dumb shock, but it's not a $400 shock either.
Two flaming turds for two nice rides.
I got a maintenance free SX-R. Heavy, but very affordable and maintenance free. You set it and forget it.
Submitted by
Clayton
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynchburg, Va, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002
Strengths: The computer controlled dampering is a plus.
Weaknesses: Inherent design flaw in bottom of shock hitting tire.
Bottom Line:
Damn light fork that will let you get the front end soaring like a damn eagle. I like this fork. It will severely change the angle of your bike when you install it. The geometry is really weird when you move the front fork out from under the handle bars. As far as waterproofing...mine is fine. Just dab some silicone caulking around the seams of the battery housing. This shock rides great and the electronic dampering is nice, but on hard landings where the front comes down especially hard, you will feel the shock strike the tire (which will slam your front end to a stop). Never crashed due to this, but it is disconserting. Aside from the jumping limitation, the geometry makes it very difficult to ride UP stairs. I am very happy with this fork, but my recent riding style change to freeride is making this fork into a severe limiting factor. Make no mistake, this is a super nice xc fork. No extreme freeriding should be done on it though. Other than that it is tough and a pleasure to own. Make sure you have long cables before getting this thing installed.
Bike Setup: Extremely modded Warp Ds3 on 3rd frame after warrantee. Noleen elite-s fork w/ smart shock, shimano el-crapo cranko to replace burnt out truvativ 4d, xt front derailer, xt rear cassette, deore rear derailer, hv rear shock, and salsa chainring bash guard.
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Submitted by
Monroe
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Strengths: It's Tuff I've thrown everything at it from large drops to big roots at speed. It eats everything up and tracks straight. Never bottoms out hard. There have been no problems with the computer or water getting inside.
Weaknesses: Little sticky but you never feel it while riding. Slightly heavy for you gram pinchers
Bottom Line:
I like it and would recomended to anyone wanting a good srong fork that doesn't break your wrists on big landings and hard hits.
Bike Setup: K2 Zed Frame XT componets Riser bars Race Face next Lp cranks. FLAT PEDALS
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Submitted by
Lucas Mucas
a Weekend Warrior
from knoxville
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002
Strengths: STRONG, tracks stright
Weaknesses: Not smooth. Electronic
Bottom Line:
These are on a playbike of mine. I use it only for jumping/drops, so I can't comment on XC performance other than it is VERY heavey for a 80mm fork and not very responsive/plush.
As far as the drop thing is concerned, im really happy with it. It takes the edge off of drops and its damped hard enogh to stick landings. Also, it is really really laterally stiff, which is a definite plus when you drift your launch and land off-camber.
Obviously, the fork is a filed design, or else noleed would continue making them. Im tinkering around with some ideas to put 100mm Judy/boxxer/DHO internals into it, making it infinitely more plush, light, and adjustable. For the asking price its a complete ripp off. But for the 30-100 bucks you find them on ebay for, its worth it depending on your application.
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Lewisville, TX.
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001
Strengths: Never bottomed out, will function as a normal shock when electronics rendered useless, comparable stanchion tube size to most XC shocks, when electronics functional it eats up a flat rock garden trail, great concept....but....
Weaknesses: Electronic housing design...or lack of design should I say. Spring already squeaky after 2nd ride out. Must have K2 experienced technician for any nitrogen work that may be needed in future...means big time labor cost.
Bottom Line:
Been riding serious for only about a year or so. Bought a decent beginner bike in the K2 Zed SE and recently have been upgrading a few components here and there. Really wanted to go with a RockShox SID, however wasn't a good time to be able to drop 300+ bucks for a good shock. Browsed Ebay and came across the SmartShock and went for it on a whim (since anything would be better than the RST 281 the bike came with). I actually even came out to mtbr to read the reviews on this shock, but me being the stubborn person I am and plus I got the shock for a mere 100 bucks I figured what the hell...take the chance, so I did. Two months later the electronics are blown. Pulled the circuit board out and sure enough I see an arc and evidence of water on the back of the board where the battery leads enter the ckt. board. Get this, I even attempted to waterproof this thing prior by running a bead of silicone alone the bottom where the stanchion tube support meets the electronic housing with the switch as well as wrap the top housing with a small piece of waterproof plumbing tape. So, how the hell did this happen? My best guess is that the moisture must enter from below somewhere....who the hell knows. I figure I'm screwed at this point. I doubt I've got any chance in hell for a warranty since it was an ebay purchase. I'm probably just going to continue to ride this thing until I come across a deal for a SID or a Judy. I'll give this thing a decent value rating since I didn't pay much for it and it worked like a charm for two months, however overall is going to be hacked on a bit.
Favorite Trail: Rockledge Park, BarH Ranch, Cedar Park
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: Ebay
Similar Products Used: A P.O.S. RST 281
Bike Setup: 2000 K2 Zed SE with original stock equip such as SRAM 5.0 grip shift/rear derail, Acera crank/front derail, Tektro V's, Weinmann ZAC9's, etc....low end quality.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rich T
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001
Strengths: Stiff... very rigid. COLOR... red! It takes big hits quite well. Fork still operates fine without working chip after one year.
Weaknesses: Second fork K2 had to send me since water had contaminated the chip. It is contaminated, again. Weight... to heavy for XC.
Bottom Line:
Like I said... the fork works well even without the chip but is frustrating that K2 designed it poorly so that the chip constantly get wet and shorts out. This is my second smart fork that K2 sent me and they claimed they remedied the problem... well, it did not help. So I continue to ride it until I have the time to remove it this month and return to K2 for the third time. I will be riding my new Giant XTC NRS 1 - 2001 model this summer so I will not have to be without a bike while I get the Smart Fork fixed.
I would recommend others to look into simple low maintenance forks like the SID XC if your looking into upgrading.
Bike Setup: I have two bikes: 1999 Mongoose NX 8.1, Upgraded components: Chris King Headset, K2 Smart Fork, Easton stem, Easton Monkey Lite CT2 Carbon Fiber riser bars, Shimano XTR Rapid Rise Rear Derail., XT Crankset, XT Bottom Bracket, XTR Rapidfire shifter/brake lever combo, XTR 8 spd cassette, Wellgo 505 clipless pedals (will upgrade soon to Time Atacs when wellgos die...hehe), Spinergy SPOX M1(RED)Wheel Set(SWEET!!!), Michelin Wildgripper Hot S (red), Selle Italia Flite Gel Titanium saddle.
I have a new second bike now (June 2001). The Giant XTC NRS 1 - Bike of the Year 2001. I will be placing my review on the bike soon. Only upgrades were the Easton Monkeylite low riser bar and XTR shifter pods. SWEEET!
Weaknesses: computor was broken before riding aftr the first rebuild. never worked right
Bottom Line:
I had mine warrantied once, and now it's broken again. only problem is the shop that carried k2 in my area has gone out of business. please help me if anyone knows a shop in the twin cities area that carries k2. thanks a lot, Mattk8588@hotmail.com
Weaknesses: smart fork, wires which break, battery, too complicated, prone to failure due to inevitable water and dirt contamination.
Bottom Line:
This fork came with my K2 3000 frame which is set up as a free-ride bike. Basically, the fork sucks, smart fork never worked, wire was severed where it entered the cartridge inside the left fork tube. I ripped out the smart fork components and put a cap over the hole in the left fork tube(a clear fuji type film cap fits perfectly). I don't think the smart fork technology makes a difference. The fork is also missing a bottom out bumper in one of the fork legs. There is a bumper in each fork leg in the technical diagram of the fork's internals on K2's website. Nevertheless, I haven't noticed a problem with bottoming out the fork. The fork is not plush and has a lot of stiction compaired to other brands. It does have a couple good points: its fairly stiff and I haven't bent or rendered it unuseable yet. When I do, I'll replace it with a good fork. I have crashed hard quite a few times and the fork shows no signs of damage from this.
Strengths: Lots ive reviewed this allready once and ive come back to say that the long haul on this fork is great. ive had no problems with any thing (mine always works)HA!
Weaknesses: weight...a little heavy but not bad
Bottom Line:
THIS SHOCK IS GREAT! I LOVE IT NEVER BOTTOMS OUT AND PLENTY OF TRAVEL! IF YOU FIND ONE BUY IT IF YOURS DOSNT WORK.....GET IT FIXED! DONT COMPLAIN!! OR IT SUXS TO BE YOU! ha!
Bike Setup: K2 Zed X All LX (stock) XT rear d avid brakes
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Submitted by
Joey Antrim
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001
Strengths: I like my fork. I've raced eco series races with it and have had no problems even with moisture and this thing has been just about submerged. I've damaged wheels from bottoming out in the past but not with this fork. It's sturdy. You won't hit bottom.
Weaknesses: The weight. I can't find a spec with the exact weight but my guess is 4.5lbs. Fine for down hills, jumping almost anything and short ups and downs but lousy for extended flat rides or extended climbing.
Bottom Line:
Wow, pretty scathing reviews. This is a good mi-range fork for all round free-riding. I like the clean look of no rubber boots. i always take-em off. They still allow dirt in if you ride hard enough. I can see how the battery can be a pain but it's never been a problem for me. maybe i got lucky.
Bike Setup: Wheeler Alum dual susp, cane creek rear shock, mavic crosslink wheels, irc mythos tires, xtr lever/shifters, deore brakes, race face riser bar. about 31lbs total
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Adam Schaeffer
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2000
Strengths: Thick and tough
Weaknesses: The fact that it has electronics inside! Anyone who has even a few brain cells should know that if you want to ride hard, you can't have anything that is delicate or breakable. This fork was a terrible idea to begin with,
Bottom Line:
The fork was defective after 4 rides. The electronics malfunctioned and would not shut off unless you removed the battery. Sweet deal though, the shop let me upgrade to the Mega Air fork for an even $100. Noleen makes for K2, so it was a clean swap. I love the Mega Air, smooth and tough.
THIS FORK SUCKS!! Do not buy this fork. I have had nothing but problems with it. The first time I got some rain the computer broke. The plastic preload mechanism broke when I hit a big rock and shot out the top on my 3rd ride. It took K2 5 weeks to get me a replacement. While adjusting the rebound dampening the screw broke off inside. Bottom line is that K2 is terrible to deal with and the fork is a mess. I have decided to just buy a SID and be done with the problems.
Submitted by
Rik Van Egdom
a Weekend Warrior
from Abbotsford BC Canada
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2000
Strengths: it's red
Weaknesses: everything, small crown, big stantions???? battery shorts, wires disconect, steer tube bent, bad seals, bought from caps
Bottom Line:
this fork is horrible, k2's service sucks and they have had my fork for 7 frikken months.. what the heck!!!! P.S. do not shop at any caps stores any where they are crooks and liers, if u make fun of them, they threaten to kill you and when u park your bikes, they break them, ie. ghost riding. if u know Rob from abbotsford caps, he is gay and can you please kick him in the nuts for rik, thanks a bundle my friends, just remember k2 and caps are gay, they are really pathetic and if you own one of their suspension products, you will only hurt yourself.
and what ever you do, don't buy the animal, the funky extendo shock bends in half... not cool, they all say it is great but that's cause they can only drop off curbs and 2 stairs
