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Submitted by
Oldschoolride
a Cross Country Rider
from Sanford, NC
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The Bog, Bangor, ME | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Laterally stiff, no stiction, neat looks, light weight. | | Weaknesses: | No disc tabs, no longer available (but bushing kits are still available). | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Magnum, Manitou Black | | Bottom Line: | Super sweet fork. There is a slight amount of adjustment in ride height depending upon how you shim it when installing. The "correct" measurement is something like 140mm, but you can go a mm or two in either direction to increase or decrease rake, trial, ride height and weight distribution. As this is essentially a 4 bar linkage in the front, you have to be careful when setting up to make sure that there is no interference when stroking through the travel.
Holds a line very well compared with a cheap telescoping fork. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Therrien
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | County Park Loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$149.00 | | Purchased At: | ediscountbikes.com | | Strengths: | Almost no vertical flex | | Weaknesses: | Mechanically complex | | Similar Products Used: | There is nothing like it | | Bike Setup: | DeVinci alum hardtail MTB | | Bottom Line: | This bike originally came with a factory RockShox OEM elastomer shock but it got sticky, as they do, and wasn't that great from the beginning. I was going to look for a shiny new one, but then I remembered my trusty crosslink mounted to a retired frame. I swapped it over to my DeVinci and instantly recalled why I love this fork!
I agree with everthing else on this review people have stated, but also wanted to say that K2 needs to re-engineer these for disc brakes and bring them back!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonathan spanswick
a Weekend Warrior
from Thailand
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | where I am at the time | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | UK | | Strengths: | Plush, sturdy, reliable, low maintenance, just keeps goining on and on and on. Also, you realy stand out in a crowd! | | Weaknesses: | None so far! well maybe slightly increased wheel base makes bike a bit less responsive on tight single track | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shock Reba (not so similar) | | Bike Setup: | Ancient Marin Eldridge Grade (95) with mongrel replacemants - where me and this bike have been its normally what you can get rather than what you want. | | Bottom Line: | Forks went on in 98 and have been dragged around the world ever since - mainly Africa and SE Asia but also seen some action in UK. Only maintenance they ever had is a wash down and spray lube but I still don't find any play in them. Mostly used on mixture of road/jeep track and single track with some reasonably techy stuff at times. Not surprised that they are not made anymore, any company that make something that lasts for ever looses repeat business - not a good plan.
The old girl, along with the forks, has now been demoted to a daily road hack and replaced with a gleaming Giant Anthem 1 which I'm still trying to make perform as well on a local XC course as the Marin did but perhaps that's just a reflection of the aging power pack.
If you can still find a pair you can't go wrong for general trail/XC use but don't expect to find miles of travel if your skill level is no more than 'ride over it' | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Lemoore, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Too Many | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$115.00 | | Purchased At: | E-Bay | | Strengths: | Easy set up, plush, tracks like a slot car!
Lighter then rigid, looks cool!
Easy to maintain! | | Weaknesses: | ??Huh??
Not sold new anymore! Wake up K2! These forks rock!
| | Similar Products Used: | Zokes Zone, Rock Shox Judy | | Bike Setup: | Old ass 95' Haro escape, Ritchey cranks, Crank Bro. Mallet C pedals, Shimano XT drive train, Avid 7 brakes, Deore XT shifters, Zak-19 rims w/XT hubs, titanium skewers, Jagwire cables and covers, FSA headset and BB, Power tools stem, old ass Velo "Bull Horn" style bars. | | Bottom Line: | I bought these brand new old stock on E-Bay, look for them and buy them, hell buy two, one for you and one for later when you can't find them at all! There is nothing bad about these forks if you use them for their intended purpose, XC. I ride everyday to work and back, and weekend warrior stuff on my days off. I'm 240 lbs and have yet to bottom out these forks! I don't take the big drops, 3-4 feet is all, and at my weight these forks take it without flinching! I'm going to buy another set so I can install them on a future bike. K2 really did themselves a disservice by discontinuing these forks. Technology way ahead of its time. K2 should bring the product line back, go to 4-5" travel, and make a DH and FR set. Five flamin' turds all around! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
glen
a Cross Country Rider
from wa, USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | green mt beaver pond, kitsap | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | super go | | Strengths: | smart shock is fantastic, great "no Bob" on hills. excellent customer support from K2 | | Weaknesses: | carbon fiber fork legs are a little flexy. when the fork moves through its travel, it moves the front wheel back as well as up causing a endo feeling on steep decents. | | Similar Products Used: | rox shocks triple crown (bob city), manitou ti 80mm, | | Bike Setup: | K2 proflex carbon fiber OZ frame/w smart shock. Noleen cross link carbon fork/w smart shock, shimano XT/XTR, sun rhino lite rims | | Bottom Line: | these forks are awesome for cross country, their is no bob, just a nice level ride. even when pushin uphill. the smart shock is way before its time technology that gives a magical feel to the fork. when its on, you can roll through small chatter terrain and literaly not feel a thing (magic). when its off it feels like a regular fork, you can feel the chatter. the shock uses a sensor that reads the shock piston speed, it stays soft for small hits giving a smooth ride, then when you hit a big bump causing the shock piston to speed the sensor picks that up and automatically stiffens the compression damping so you dont blow through the travel or bottom out too soon. my only fault with the fork is on steep decents. because of the crosslink design the fork leg moves up(like a regular fork)and back. the back part gives the rider a some of the endo (over the bars )sensation. I blew the rear smart shock out with less then 6 months on it, k2 repaired it free and sent the shock back w/in a week. great customer realtions. I would strongly reccomend for cross country, downhillers and free riders look at other forks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | poison spider/portal trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | solid fork, not difficult to work on. Takes hits from front (such as curbs or large tree roots) well. 5 years of use without failure | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy compared to forks in it's class. Smart shock doesn't seem to make much difference. Made prior to disk brake revolution | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox Judy XC, Sid | | Bike Setup: | '98 K2 5000, LX throughout | | Bottom Line: | Strong, reliable fork for those not needing much travel. Broke my Rockshox within 1 year, never a problem with this shock. Smart shock doesn't seem worthwile, took out the battery 3 years ago and does well. I love super-technical downhills and moderate drop-offs(3-5 ft.)and I have never had a problem with this shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DiRT
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Similar Products Used: | several rockshox, and the 03 manitou skareb super (just bought) | | Bike Setup: | Four Xlinks on four bikes: K2 Oz w/ CS xlink, Kestrel CSX w/ CS xlink, old hardtail with ELT, and son's hardtail with special 75lbs spring on a 97 short leg carbon xlink. | | Bottom Line: | The Xlink has done me well over the years. I wanted to post a bit of info, to dispel a rumor I may have started incorrectly.
The approximate weights (+/-5g) of the noleen crosslink are as follows:
Carbon legs:
1998 w/ smart shock .... 1750g
1998 xlink w/o shock .... 1300g
1998 xlink w/ 98 NR2 .... 1640g
1998 xlink w/ 97 NR2 .... 1600g
1997 short leg w/ 97 NR2 ....1550g
1998 ELT Aluminum legs (add ~70g to above combos)
Risse Genesis shock for the xlink ... 190g
Adding a Risse genesis will not bring the weight of the fork below 3 lbs. It will put it right around 3.2 lbs at best (1300+190 = 1490g). (Unless you're using the 1997 xlink, which is only 50g lighter). Considering that 3.2 lbs is the weight of the uncut manitou skareb super or a SID with lockout priced each at $450 or higher, and that the Xlink is still stiffer and more controlled than either, I still rate it as high as these top weighweeny forks.
On the other hand, the noleen with the genesis is probably not quite as plush as the skareb. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Yohanson
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseville, CA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | clementine loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | On line | | Strengths: | Really stiff with none of that flexing that goes on with other light forks. Light. Minimal bobbing with pedal strokes. Looks cool! Good factory support! | | Weaknesses: | No longer made! no disc tabs. Steering height is a bit higer than I like. | | Similar Products Used: | Sid, X-fly, Z2 atom, Manitou crap | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper M4 Hardtail with XTR EVERYTHING. Ceramic rims. Race Face post/flat bar - don't need a riser with this fork. | | Bottom Line: | Too bad you have to buy used ones not that they're no longer made. But I just ordered a new set of bushings from K2 and good as new. I'm also waiting for my Risse Genesis to get here. I guess a few people on this site have tried it and like it. And supposedly the total weight is less than a Sid (which model?).
I use my Stumpjumper to race and this is a perfect match for full fork stroke use, none of that wobbly feeling and low maintanence. Compared to my sid, it's worlds better. Lighter than my Marzocchi's and stiffer in certain ways. Definitely a different quality of ride though. Better for me.
I'll post a follow up when my Risse gets here!!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roger
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacto
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pioneer trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ediscountbikes.com | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, efficient, cool to look at | | Weaknesses: | J-travel, no disc tabs, poor factory damper (smart shock?) | | Similar Products Used: | My old Noleen Crosslink | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy with SRAM 9.0 SL, race face drive train, Avid Arch rival V's, XTR-mustang ceramic wheels | | Bottom Line: | found a BRAND NEW Crosslink ELT about a month ago and bought it from ediscount bikes. Now all they seem to have (on ebay) are the "long" forks - I guess I got their last "short" steerer fork. Anyway, I forgot how tight the fork was when new until I just switched to my new one. After 2 yrs my old crosslink could use an over haul. An upgrade that's well worth it is the Risse Genesis air/oil shock to replace the smart shock. I think the shock is easier to tune and a good side effect is it drops the fork to sub 3 lbs. Weighing 200 lbs, gram counting is never an issue but I think sub 3 lbs is impressive. When I bought the new fork a month ago, it was a toss up, a White Brothers fork which I've lusted after for years or this. I chose the cross link with the risse ($400 total). Call me stupid but that's how good this fork is. Keep looking, there are still some new ones lying around. Or if you feel like buying an overhaul kit from K2, you're welcome to buy my old one!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | NO lateral flex. Low maintenance. Light. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | K2 Razorback "Way Big", XT, XTR, Sun 0 lights, Easton | | Bottom Line: | I've had this fork for a couple of years now and I still love it. I agree with all the posts below that if you are using it for cross country and not taking big drops (over 3 feet), it's unbelieveable. Any other fork I ride now feels so flexy! I weigh around 200 and this baby truly has "no leen". I haven't had the maintenance issues that others have. I mean how much is there to maintain with one spring and a couple of pivots? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Brea, CA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | Tracks straight, laterally-stiff (no wobbles), predictable steering, looks really cool, and it's pretty light. | | Weaknesses: | No longer being made. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Rock Shox and Manitou models, AMP link fork, Head shock | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 with a mix of old parts | | Bottom Line: | The ideal buyer for this fork was someone who values precise steering, but didn't need 6" of travel. This is a great trail rider's fork: comfortable, soaking-up medium bumps and stutters, yet light, and active, but not bouncy on climbs
This is not the fork for a down-hiller, or someone who rides heavy–hitting every rock and obstacle on their way down the mountain.
If you can find one in good condition, or new (in the basement, or back of some bikeshop) buy it. I'd buy mine again, and am glad that K2 keeps maintenance parts in stock as I plan to keep riding it for a long time.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Smokee
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | NO VERTICAL FLEX! | | Weaknesses: | Maintenance | | Similar Products Used: | Girvin ALU | | Bike Setup: | Yes it is. | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding this type of fork since I bought the Girvin ALU in 96. What can I say...if you want a fork that has zero vertical flex, get one (if you can find one). It does have limited travel, but I have become used to it. I'm still not sure if the Smart Shock feature actually does anything, but it has a nice feel regardless. I guess that I am pretty much screwed when it is time for a new fork because after riding one of these for so long, everything else makes the bike feel like riding a chopper. BRING IT BACK!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Cross Country Rider
from san jose
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | non flexy | | Weaknesses: | too much high speed compression damping | | Similar Products Used: | Z2 atom 80 | | Bike Setup: | razorback FS | | Bottom Line: | well i caved and bought a Z2 atom 80 for better small bump absorbtion. i rode with it for some time however i couldn't stand the flex so i put my crosslink back on. i appreciate the crosslink even more now. if you want to slice and dice there's no comparison | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Webster, NY
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | depends ... | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Quick steering, good feedback, less to maintain | | Weaknesses: | Greaseports, damping options | | Similar Products Used: | Similar to the CrossLink? Hard to find. | | Bike Setup: | K2/Proflex 3000 | | Bottom Line: | I'm reviewing this in retrospect since I've replaced this fork a few months back. Not that it was bad, but I needed something to suck up bigger hits and I starting riding more aggressive stuff. This fork is very good for what it's designed -- XC riding. Steering is quick through very tight, twisty singletrack, it feels stiff, and gives you good trail feedback via the legs (which could be considered a weakness in the plush department).
As far as maintenance, it's good and bad. It takes less to maintain than your typical telescopic fork, but the process itself can drive you crazy. When it works like it's supposed to, it's great, but more often than not, the holes that the grease should go into don't line up with the port holes, so you often have to take the fork apart anyway. Fortunately, there's not much to take apart. Also, trying to order a new bushing kit from K2 is a pain (customer service issues).
It'd be nice to have some control over rebound damping, but I guess Noleen wanted to make it affordable. This is a good fork to pick up to complement a 3"-or-less travel FS bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Plowboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Falls Creek Ranch | | Strengths: | Superior tracking, easy maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | No longer available. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z4 | | Bike Setup: | K2 4000, Easton CT2 bars, otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I was very dubious about this fork until I rode it. While it doesn't have the buttery smoothness of the Z4 on my old hardtail, the Crosslink tracks very precisely and is very forgiving of my frequent navigation errors. About every three months I do the relube drill (exellent manual is available on-line from K2)and have had no trouble but you really need a torque wrench. Ran a couple of experiments with the Smart-Shock on/off and discovered it really does work better turned on.
Too bad they don't make them anymore, but if you find a good deal on one, don't shy away just because it looks different. | | 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 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Unlimited, Greenfield, Ma. | | Strengths: | Zero Maintenance, Takes on rock gardens with ease. Very predictable and dependable on the down hills. | | Weaknesses: | Blew out the shock twice. My shop put a heavier spring in. No problems since. | | Bike Setup: | K2 5500 carbon | | Bottom Line: | I love this fork even though there isn't a huge amount of travel. Great for cross country riding. If your looking for big air, but something else. Very durable, dependable and no maintenance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
salah
a Cross Country Rider
from loma linda, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hotmail.com | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Cycle Tek | | Strengths: | awesome all around ride | | Weaknesses: | bottoms out pretty easily | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | K2 proflex 3000...azonic double wall...redline platforms | | Bottom Line: | Great cuz it's super plush, feels more like 4 inches than 3. However, it does bottom out quite easily. As long as you stay under 4 feet of air it's fine. Super acurate handling, even under braking. Easily adjustable also. Best of all it's maintenance free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Cross Country Rider
from san jose
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | demonstration forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | non flexy | | Weaknesses: | maybe the j path but only on bikes with steep rakes | | Similar Products Used: | white broths, zokes, | | Bike Setup: | k2 razorback rs bla bla | | Bottom Line: | well I think you can say goodby to these forks as I don't think k2 is making them anymore. i think it's a case of non acceptance due to the non mainstream look. it's a real shame because IMO nothing even comes close.
so thanks alot you bunch of lemmings. another superior technology bites the dust | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DiRT
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Precision. Maintenance is easier than tele | | Weaknesses: | limited to 3" travel | | Similar Products Used: | Many, many RS, Marz, etc | | Bottom Line: | Noleen Xlink forks are simply the best XC fork for the money. Precise steering is the best you can get for XC. Low maintenace compared to any telescoping fork I've ever owned. (You don't maintain the shock, just the links thru greaseports. And complete disassembly takes 1/2 hr (1 hr first time).)
You can save weight by switching out the shock for an air shock and go sub 3#.
The bottom line is, for under $300, there is no better XC fork than a noleen carbon crosslink. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
s.e. muller
a Cross Country Rider
from sac, ca
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | salmonfalls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | REI Warranty Exchange | | Strengths: | It's not a "Smart Fork", Ive had enough of the electronic wonders. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy compared to a SID. What Isn't? | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Indy C, Judy XC, Noleen Smart Fork. | | Bike Setup: | K2 OZX, XT & race face drive train, Avid brakes, Bontragger wheels | | Bottom Line: | I got this fork through REI on a warranty exchange from K2. This is a great cross country fork, this thing is rock steady on narrow trails. Good feedback from the front wheel, and it's getting more supple with every ride, I had to dial in more preload. No flex, and works better as the speed increases. (I keep the suspension set up a little firm) Loosen the fork bolts to grease, and retorque carefully, only disassemble to clean when necessary as there are a lot of spacers and shims that must be installed correctly or the suspension binds up or can get sloppy. If you are looking for a cross country fork, and have a little mechanical talent this is a good product. If you are mechanically inept, get a telescopic fork and have it serviced once a year at the shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Stiff Laterally, Tough to Break | | Weaknesses: | Not Plush | | Similar Products Used: | Judy, Sid XC | | Bike Setup: | Proflex 856, vastly upgraded | | Bottom Line: | Very stiff. I have hit large objects head on at high speeds with not problems.Easily maintained(use torque wrench).
Not plush enough. New bike I'm building will be Z2 Atom 80. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Racer
from Earth
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Smooth. Point-n-shoot. Smart. | | Weaknesses: | price. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox | | Bike Setup: | K2 bike | | Bottom Line: | Maintenance is not that bad. Try maintaining a telescope fork after hardcore riding. Taking the parts out of the stachions is no less painless. In fact, I find loosening a few bolts (not removing any part completely) a LOT easier than all the removing of springs, elastomers, cartridges of telescoping forks. What a pain to get back together!
This fork rides silky smooth on XC single track. It is NOT a DH fork, so don't buy it for that. linkage forks rule for precise control. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a
from Redmond, WA USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z1, Jr T., Manitou X-Vert DC | | Bike Setup: | '98 K2 4500 Carbon frame, NR4 rear shock, Hayes discs front and rear, Race Face and Shimano drivetrain, Easton carbon post and bar, Time pedals, Spin wheels.... | | Bottom Line: | For the year and thousands of miles I rode on my fork, I loved it... I think the majority of griping comes from people who expect this fork to take downhills in stride, when it is really setup for cross country... Being in that category, it is the absolute best on the market... Almost all XC-specific forks are flexy and most also dont have the adjustability range of the Smart Shock... The Noleen tracks a true line and has the stiffness of a downhill fork... I turned on the smart shock about twice in its lifetime for two reasons; The first being the fork performed flawlessly without the "brain" turned on, and secondly the shocks electronics interfered with my wireless computers transmitter... No biggie... The only thing that this fork lacks in my opinion is disc brake mounts and a wider rebound adjustment range... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Herder
a Racer
from Pittsfield, MA 01201
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Many | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Easy to adjust the ride as all adjustments (like pre-load, rebound) can be done without taking anything apart. It's all on the outside of the fork and "easy" to get at (well - it would help to have small/strong hands).
You can experiment during a ride and fine tune the feel.
Just turn the spring with your hands and make stiffer or softer. That's cool.
VERY VERY nice feel over small or big hits. | | Weaknesses: | Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance & Smart Shock
I have been unable to inject grease into two fittings for quite awhile. I took them apart, reamed the tiny little whole with a toothpick and still had trouble getting grease in after pushing the pieces back together.
On the two front grease fittings, there are these two TINY little screws that you need to buy a tiny screw driver for. When you get them out, you need to put them someplace where you can find them after you inject grease. You'll probably have a tough time getting the screws back in, especially the upper one as your brake/shifter cables are all in the way. And God forbid you ever drop one on the floor, which I do almost every time. It looks like a little black spec of dirt and is very hard to find. Last night, I had to sweep the floor and sort through the little specs of dirt until I found a little bit blacker spec of dirt which is the screw.
You have to lock-tite all the bolts after each time you do any maintenance. I didn't do that once and within 3 miles, I could see the bolts were coming out - which is a huge SCARE to me - that the fork could just fall apart right underneath me if I don't lock-tite everything or if I get grease on the threads and the lock-tite doesn't take. I don't like that one bit. The owners manual tells you what to do and you better follow it or you could have the whole fork disappear right underneath you.
You really should buy a torque wrench and make sure you really tighten all the bolts down properly. I didn't and was just brute forcing things and managed to tighten it too much and messed up one of the clear plastic bushings that go between the metal parts.
You need to check all your bolts for tightness before every ride, especially the first few after doing any maintenance. It's a pain but the alternative is much worse.
SMART Shock keeps turing off - I wedged a piece of inner tube under the battery and it was staying on okay for awhile, but it's turing off again all by itself now. | | Similar Products Used: | None really. I had a Cannondale with a DD60 headshock which I wouldn't put in the same category really. That shock was maintenance free. About once every two years, you might need to have it rebuilt, but that's about it. The Cross-link does feel better than the DD60 though. | | Bike Setup: | Unfortunately, I have two bikes with these forks. A K2 4000 and a K2 Razorback. | | Bottom Line: | I love the ride / hate the maintenance.
If you're a good mechanic (and I'm not) and don't mind doing monthly maintenance - go for it!
Otherwise, I think many other forks perform almost as good and should require less routine maintenance. (But the yearly kind of maintenance on normal telescoping forks certainly is more difficult).
Sorry to write such a scathing review but I just spent a couple hours last night trying to do maintenance on this fork and I still don't have a couple fittings greased right and I buggered up one of the plastic donuts so I'm not in a good mood.... I wish I had a normal fork. Wonder if these would sell on ebay? :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler O
a Weekend Warrior
from Sandy, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Blowhard | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Looks the price with the carbon
Killer tracking
Smart shocks have yet to bottom out on me | | Weaknesses: | more lubing than I would like to do | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox
Manitou | | Bike Setup: | K2 5000, all stock | | Bottom Line: | Sick ride, very good tracking. Plush as ever
I've heard some people rip on these forks but I can't find any major faults... even minor ones.
I'm running the Smartshocks... one complaint is the battery connects, I had to wedge a piece of paper in there to keep the 9 volt in contact with the unit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Soderlund
a Weekend Warrior
from Mt. Dora ,FL USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Tracking | | Weaknesses: | Linkage to complicated. Breaks real easy.
carbon legs break
noisy | | Similar Products Used: | Judy, manitou | | Bike Setup: | Proflex 857 expert, Cross-link Carbon | | Bottom Line: | Great fork when it is not broken. I broke the linkage on my second ride. It took K2 three months to get their act together. They have the WORST customer service department. Linkage broke again later, but was able to fix without having to go through K2. About 5 weeks ago my fork leg snapped where the linkage is bolted in. Again K2 took three attempts to fix it and they are charging me an arm and a leg to have it fixed this time. Again, fork is only as good as when you get to ride it. I am definetly not buying another K2 product as long as they keeping treating their customer this way. They are not serious about the sport and probably bought Proflex to jump on the Mt.Bike craze in order to have another cash-cow. This saga is not over yet, because I am sending the broken leg to K2 for evaluation and I will update ones we figured out what went wrong this time.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rumbler
a Cross Country Rider
from Mi
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the milky way | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Tracking, tracking, tracking. And the smart shock mine came with. | | Weaknesses: | maintenance (but not much worse than most telescope forks) | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou, Rock shock | | Bike Setup: | K2 5500 | | Bottom Line: | A suspension fork needs at least two factors working well for it to be useable: Travel and Tracking.
Most forks now come with 3-4 inches travel. Few can track like the Cross link. You aim, it always hits. I've tracked on 5-inch wide single track without running off--a telescope would have put me off every five yards.
Travel is less than a downhill fork, but THIS IS NOT A DOWNHILL FORK. It is an XC fork. And a damn good one--the best one in all around performance.
Many of the telescoping forks I've owned don't track half as well. If you can afford this, get it. And if you can afford the Carbon Smart Cross Link, get that above all else. the smart shock on front REALLY does make a difference, and it feels more like 4-5 inches of travel, because of the active-smart dampening circuits.
4 chilies on value rating because it Costs. but I'd give it 6 on performance.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Hamlin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Millington, MI
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Pinkney, Poto | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Very stiff, legs do not flex | | Weaknesses: |
still looking | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy xc | | Bike Setup: |
98' K2 Proflex 3000, NR-2 rear shock. xt drivetrain, xtr shifters, avid breaks. | | Bottom Line: | Great fork. Easy maintnance. This fork can take huge hits at high speeds. climbs great. no complaints at all. Awsome fork | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Hardesty
a Cross-Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Katy | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Stability, strength, and quality. Light Easton aluminum construction. Easy to set-up (for me) and adjust. Does not stiffen up in cold weather like forks that use MCUs. | | Weaknesses: |
It can raise your stem heigth (not a problem for me). Cost is a little bit expensive ($365) but is is definetly worth it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Various 99 RST single crown forks, 99 Manitou SX (80mm), 97 Judy SL (63mm w/speed springs) | | Bike Setup: |
1997 Specialized Ground Control Aim w/Risse Genesis rear shock. Noleen Crosslink ELT fork. WTB Paradigm wheelset. 99 XT shifters, derailleurs, and cassette. Race Face bb, chainrings, and FSA crankset. FSA Orbit headset. | | Bottom Line: | I had given up on forks that used MCUs and did not want to spend the big bucks on an Englund Air modified Judy or Sid. I definetly wanted something relatively bulletproff in the longevity department (something that did not require frequent maintanance to sustain good performance). I decided to try one of these after test riding a K2 that had one installed on it. This is the best XC fork that I have ever had (and I have had quite a few). It is the most stable and best tracking fork that I have ever ridden (for XC use). It is not the lightest fork that I have ever had but it still weighs less than ANYTHING with a steel steerer and less than some forks with aluminum steerers. I got it three months back but did not get around to installing it on my bike until six weeks ago. I wish I would have installed it earlier! It is the last XC fork that I will ever buy/have. I highly recommend this fork to anyone who would rather ride their bike than work on it. Five chillies for this exceptionallly well performing and nearly maintanance free reliable fork! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bleeta
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mt Bold | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Very smooth travel. Takes bumps well. Smart shock is cool | | Weaknesses: |
I've bent two sets now from stacks. They bend at the lower pivot point. I'm 87 kg but I don't think that conventional forks would have bent so easy | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock Shocks Judys | | Bike Setup: |
K2 4000 | | Bottom Line: | I've now got Junior T's (mazzochis) which are stronger but a lot heavier. Oh well I'll have to get fitter | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus
Date Reviewed: November 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Paint Creek | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Weight, lateral rigidity, tracking | | Weaknesses: |
A bit of a paint to install, and does raise your stem height | | Similar Products Used: |
Girvin Pro Forx, Judy XC, Mag 21, Quadra, Indy SL | | Bike Setup: |
ProFlex 856 | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Proflex used with a Judy XC. I found a brand new CrossLink ELT, and had it installed by a K2 authorized rep. The difference is night and day!!!! This is the best fork I have EVER owned. It's tracks incredibly well, doesn't tuck under, and is very adjustable. If you buy one and aren't a math wizard, have someone install it for you or the pivots will not work correctly. I'm 225 and the light 200lb spring needs to be replaced. There is a little hissing when you hit bumps, but no biggie. This is by far the BEST FORK OUT THERE. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. K2
a Cross-Country Rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Rim Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
double crown strength
single crown weight
can you say plush?
very little, if any, pedaling feedback | | Weaknesses: |
price
have to buy batteries every 20 riding hours | | Similar Products Used: |
judy xc ('98 and '99)
sid xc '99
x-vert-r '99 | | Bike Setup: |
K2 4500C | | Bottom Line: | I'm not sure what the guy below me is talking about, but the crosslink design includes resistance to brake dive. Theres hardly any. It's the most rigid fork I've ever ridden and tracks like its on rails. I love the flex free triple clamp strength, but at first sight thought it would have triple clamp weight. I was surprised to see that the top of the line crosslink with a Ti bolt kit weighs 3.2 pounds! Mine weighs 3.8, but I have a smart shock which is simply amazing. It's tuned for compression 1000 times a second and feels butter smooth over every sized bump. Also, I've never seen a design with less pedal feedback. If I'm pedaling smoothly in the saddle or not, I don't see any pogo. I can only get it to bob when I hammer as hard as I can leaning way forward. I also like the grease ports for quick lubing. I haven't dismantled it yet, but I'm pretty sure from the manual it only takes the loosening of two bolts to remove the steerer tube and thus the fork. Last, I like having one of the very few original designs in existance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shad Bendiak
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
-Tracks well
-Easy to keep up | | Weaknesses: |
-Dives heavely under
braking
-bulky
-ugly | | Similar Products Used: |
Marzocchi
Rock Shox
Manitou | | Bike Setup: |
K2 2000 | | Bottom Line: | This fork sucks. It dives so much under braking so when you go down steep DH's it tends to try to throw you over the bars. And it's so bulky and ugly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana Neikirk
a Cross-Country Rider
from Monterey, CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Soquel Demo Forest | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Tracks where you want it
Plush
Easy to maintain
It works | | Weaknesses: |
Price
other than that none | | Similar Products Used: |
Manatou
Various Rock Shox
Marzocchi | | Bike Setup: |
Ventana Mable Peak | | Bottom Line: | Its nice to have a fork you can trust. I was apprehensive about the Smart Shock but it really works well. Stutter bumps disappear and big hits are easily managed. Just point where you want to go and the fork will take you | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Yarmak
a Racer
from Anchorage, AK
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
24hours of Donner Pass | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Sweet, change of angle, weight | | Weaknesses: |
none, but maybe the cost. | | Similar Products Used: |
none like it | | Bike Setup: |
K2 3000. | | Bottom Line: | I just finnished the 24 hour of Alaska and it held up great. It was rain half the night and the trails were full of water. I had an indy on my old bike and it would get filled with a cup of water. This wont happen with this fork. SSSWWWEEEEEETT!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CG
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Easy to maintain
Rigid, precise | | Weaknesses: |
Cost | | Similar Products Used: |
Various telescopic | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized A1 Comp | | Bottom Line: | Now that I've got a few hundred KMs on this fork, I've got no doubt that this fork's the best I've ever sampled. It's as plush and stiction-free as any fork I've tried, with no binding at all under braking. I never realized how much my previous fork was flopping around until I tried the CrossLink. Another nice point considering the amount of mud locally is the 5-6 minutes it takes to lube the fork in comparison to the 40-45 minutes it took to get the grit out of telescopic forks.
For the overweight/engineering types, I was always worried about the bending loads on a single crown steerer tube. With the Noleen steerer apparently loaded in shear, it's gonna stay attached no matter what the pounding.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JON WOODMAN
a Weekend Warrior
from MYSTIC, CT
Date Reviewed: March 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
EXCELLENT STEERING PRECISION
PLUSH!!!
GOOD ADJUSTABILITY | | Weaknesses: |
AWKWARD TO ADJUST | | Similar Products Used: |
GIRVIN VECTOR 2 | | Bike Setup: |
PROFLEX 856 W/ NOLEEN NR2 REAR SHOCK | | Bottom Line: | THE REST OF THE WORLD NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND DISCOVER HOW GOOD NOLEEN CROSSLINK FORKS ARE! I LIVE IN EASTERN CT. WHERE ROOTS AND ROCKS REIGN SUPREME AND THIS FORK STEERS THROUG THEM LIKE A RIGID. I'VE TRIED MY BUDDIES JUDIES AND OLDER MANITOUS AND THEY LET THE FRONT WHEEL FLOP AROUND LIKE A FISH!! THIS THING IS FAR SUPERIOR (MORE ACTIVE, PLUSH, ADJUSTABLE) TO THE OLD VECTOR 2 SO DON'T EVEN TRY TO PUT THEM INTO THE SAME CATEGORY. I'M SOLD ON THESE THINGS- I WOULD'NT RIDE A SINGLE CROWN FORK IF YOU GAVE IT TO ME! IF ONLY THEY MADE A 4-5' TRAVEL VERSION!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
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