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  • I like it a lot.

    Votes: 10 47.6%

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K2 Crush??? Need some insight.

95107 Views 122 Replies 54 Participants Last post by  fightnut, 
A
5
Yesterday I bought a K2 Crush from Sports Authority in Chicago. Bought it mainly because of the price and discount. Orig: $650, on sale for $487(25% off sale) and I had 25% off code for completing a survey after making a previous purchase. Bike came to be $365.62 and $398.53 with taxes.

I'm still not sure if I got a good deal (we all know Sport Authority is a rip-off on absolutely everything), since I couldn't find ANYTHING on the internet about k2 Crush. Since I couldn't info and after reading this thread, I'm even more curious about whether it's any good. Seems to be a very nice bike to me, as this is my first bike over $200. Rides very nicely, on the light side, shifts smooth, brakes suck though (maybe they need to be properly worn in and pads seated?).

Here is the quick display spec sheet:

  • K2's Active Link suspension results in a stiff, light-weight frame that absorbs bumps up to four inches tall
  • The Rock Shox J1 fork also offers four inches of travel for proper balance between front and rear suspension
  • Tektro Io mechanical disk brakes feature self-aligning pads for consistent braking power and low maintenance
  • The SRAM SX-4 / Truvativ drivetrain provides easy access to very low gears, making climbing easier

The department clerk assured me that it's a 2006 model, but spec sheet says 2005 at the bottom. Owner's manual didn't come in a sealed bag or anything, no registration card or other things. Owner's manual is generic for Razorback, Lithium, Attack and Tirade.

Some more specs I gathered from the bike itself:

- 18"-19" Frame size, for 5'10"-6'1" people.
- Made in China (on frame, front--for everyone to see, sadly).
- K2 saddle.
- Rock Shox J1 fork ("Powered by SRAM" on fork), 100mm/4" travel.
- ALEXRIMS 1019.
- Tektro IO front and rear mech disk brakes (all Tektro brake components).
- SRAM SX4 rrear derailleur and selectors/shifters.
- Shimano (that's all it says) front derailleur, FD-MC21 imprint on back of it. Clamped around the frame, not secured into the frame with a pin or screw, or anything.
- FD ToughShock fear suspension shock.
- ToughShock 700 rear suspension coil spring.
- Truvative Isoflow pedal arms.
- El Cheapo random brand plastic pedals.
- Sticker on frame: "Reflex Mountain, 7005 Aluminum Alloy Frame".
- Quick Release both front and rear wheels.
- Bottom of frame imprints: 1: BI-1410 2: A?45-4.
- Shimano Narrow chain.

What the hell did I buy? What could this model be identical to the actual K2 line? Looks like Attack model to me. Is it worth it? I'm a total newb, provide me with some helpful insight, please. Upgrades/replacements I should religiously go for (regardless of whether I'm a very avid biker or not)? (be gentle, I'm new) :D

Some pictures:

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H
you bought it already, so go out there and enjoy it! pound away, and when things begin breaking then you can consider whether or not to replace the parts or to save up for a better bike
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D
All the info you need is in that other thread you found, check The Kids response. The Crush is a special make up (SMU) for The Sports Authority & is pretty much a mix between a 2006 Atack 1.0 & 2.0, seems to lean more toward the 2.0. If you paid under $400 for it you got a fantastic deal. The 1.0 retails at REI for $629 & the 2.0 is $829.

I say, get out & enjoy your new ride!

Cheers,
DP

PS the breaks will start working good after a few good downhills
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S
Uh, Sports Authority you say...take that bike-IMMEDIATELY-to your Local Bike Shop and have a qualified mechanic take it apart and rebuild it (50-60 bucks).

Building up a bike and setting it up correctly IS NOT EASY-and requires skill, tools and some dedication--none of which the two greasy teenagers making 5.25 an hour had at 1:00 am in the morning when they assembled your bike armed with little more than some chinese diagrams and an ultra thin doobie!

It's not that the products are junk in big box stores--it's the help where they save money--and in the world of bike assembly/mechanics, that's the place the consumer can least afford it!
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thekid
A. Ovsi,

I assume that got my emailed reply and brought your questions and concerns about the K2 Bike Crush to the people here at MTBR.com.

Based on the price you report paying for your Crush, you can rest assured that in this transaction, you made out very well and TSA made very little, if any profit.

Large-format sporting goods retailers like TSA help us spread the word that, yes, K2 indeed makes bikes. They are especially helpful in reaching consumers who know the K2 brand name through skis, skates and snowboards - products that are also sold in the same retail channel.

We do create Special Make Up models like the Crush to meet their needs, while ensuring relative price stability for the catalog models sold at our specialty bike retailers. What we avoid is making special K2 Bike models for these retailers that fall below the quality level of our catalog models.

The level of bicycle assembly quality at sporting goods stores is somewhat of an "X" factor. I've dealt with some well-trained and informed bike techs at TSA stores who I'd gladly refer my family and friends to. Of course, as SuperbMan notes, your mileage may vary to the other extreme at times.

Your long-term satisfaction with any new bike will be greater if you bring it to a trusted mechanic for what the bike industry calls a "30 day tune-up." After a few rides, the spokes will likely settle in, the cable housings compress a bit, and bearings that may have been tight at first spin more freely. A good mechanic will adjust for these factors, and check to make sure that there were no problems during the initial assembly that weren't obvious until the bike was ridden a few times.

The Sports Authority should have offered you this "30 day tune-up" at no extra charge when you bought the bike. If they didn't, or if you're not convinced that their techs' expertise is adequate, then be ready to spend a portion of the money you saved at the initial purchase with a specialty bicycle retailer on this service. They won't necessarily be happy that you bought a bike from TSA, but the best bike shops will take the opportunity to prove to you how valuable the service and advice they provide can be.

Happy Riding,
T.K. Malone
K2 Bike
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thekid said:
A. Ovsi,

I assume that got my emailed reply and brought your questions and concerns about the K2 Bike Crush to the people here at MTBR.com.

Based on the price you report paying for your Crush, you can rest assured that in this transaction, you made out very well and TSA made very little, if any profit.

Large-format sporting goods retailers like TSA help us spread the word that, yes, K2 indeed makes bikes. They are especially helpful in reaching consumers who know the K2 brand name through skis, skates and snowboards - products that are also sold in the same retail channel.

We do create Special Make Up models like the Crush to meet their needs, while ensuring relative price stability for the catalog models sold at our specialty bike retailers. What we avoid is making special K2 Bike models for these retailers that fall below the quality level of our catalog models.

The level of bicycle assembly quality at sporting goods stores is somewhat of an "X" factor. I've dealt with some well-trained and informed bike techs at TSA stores who I'd gladly refer my family and friends to. Of course, as SuperbMan notes, your mileage may vary to the other extreme at times.

Your long-term satisfaction with any new bike will be greater if you bring it to a trusted mechanic for what the bike industry calls a "30 day tune-up." After a few rides, the spokes will likely settle in, the cable housings compress a bit, and bearings that may have been tight at first spin more freely. A good mechanic will adjust for these factors, and check to make sure that there were no problems during the initial assembly that weren't obvious until the bike was ridden a few times.

The Sports Authority should have offered you this "30 day tune-up" at no extra charge when you bought the bike. If they didn't, or if you're not convinced that their techs' expertise is adequate, then be ready to spend a portion of the money you saved at the initial purchase with a specialty bicycle retailer on this service. They won't necessarily be happy that you bought a bike from TSA, but the best bike shops will take the opportunity to prove to you how valuable the service and advice they provide can be.

Happy Riding,
T.K. Malone
K2 Bike
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply and e-mail. I appreciate the info very much, found it very helpful! Obviously the bike is a keeper. Can't go wrong with it for $365+tax. :D

SuperbMan said:
Uh, Sports Authority you say...take that bike-IMMEDIATELY-to your Local Bike Shop and have a qualified mechanic take it apart and rebuild it (50-60 bucks).

Building up a bike and setting it up correctly IS NOT EASY-and requires skill, tools and some dedication--none of which the two greasy teenagers making 5.25 an hour had at 1:00 am in the morning when they assembled your bike armed with little more than some chinese diagrams and an ultra thin doobie!

It's not that the products are junk in big box stores--it's the help where they save money--and in the world of bike assembly/mechanics, that's the place the consumer can least afford it!
Click to expand...
Sports Authority hire an outside company specifically to build their bikes (for liability purposes I'm sure, but they can't be that incompetent if they're hired just to assemble bikes and such). The department clerk that helped me with the bike knew quit a bit about bikes in general and he did a check up before he allowed me to take it away.

People don't work at 1 a.m. for $5.25 an hour at Sports Authority.

They do offer 30-day tune-up and I plan on taking advantage of it after I take it to some trails. :D
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S
An outside company--you think there's some 'company' that goes around a builds bikes for big box sporting goods stores???

What they do (I know because while working in a bike shop I've been asked to do it)-is get local mechanics to come-in off hours and put together bikes (and yeah it is usually after hours) the pay is generally piecemeal--and they figure it on building 4-5 bikes an hour---which, to do it right is dang near impossible (and it ends up being less then you would imagine). Most of the better mechanics don't waste their time-but the few that do are generally shop kids just learning the trade --if they do at all. Yeah they out source the work--but not to some 'bike mechanic assembly company' (like such a thing exists!).

Now the one exception that I've found to this is EMS-who actually builds full service bike shops and staff it with qualified mechanics and usually a manager who has a legitimate bike credentials (often a retired ex-bike store proprietor I've found). However-as you might expect--they don't carry the department store lines-but the acual serious equipment products and they stay withing the corporate price controls on those products (the one's in my region carry K2 and Rocky Mountain--prices are generally similar to bike shops but EMS does tend to have a larger stock of discounted past year models and closeouts). I'd imagine REI has a similar set up.

If you get serious about this fine sport--do yourself a favor, honestly, start a relationship with a good local bike shop and get your mechanical work, advivce there. Starting with-I'd forgo the 'free' tune up at Sports authority (heck you saved enough money on your purchase) and find out where the better local shop is and kick them the 30 bucks for the full tune up. A word to the wise-- if the 'knowledgeable' salesman openly admits they haven't the on-site skills to assemble the bike you bought--who the heck is doing the tune-up?

Oh-I'm not anti-Sports Authority et al btw--Just bought a nice new easton Bat there for my son, got myself some shorts and new running shoes. Can't beat those places for stuff like that--of course, all those products require is stocking and display.

Good luck.

Liam
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doug4sail
Enjoy the ride

I have a 2000 K2 3.0 Basically the same series of frame you have although older. I have jumped and ridden this thing as hard as I could I have a all mountain bike with a fox rlc 125. You scored a really good deal I also own a specialized hardrock pro (hardtail). It is not a full suspension and it weighs about 7 pounds more than my K2 and costs the same as your bike. Ride the hell out of it. 5 year frame warrenty from K2 should apply. Bottom line hell of a deal.
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M
Hey I just was at sports authority and bought some roller blades and was checking out that same bike!!! I live in Chicago area myself and want to pickup a new bike I have a Trek 7000 and it doesn't have suspension and I have been wanting to get something suspension.

Where did you get that coupon to get another 25% off? I'm going to search for sports authority coupons but I think I'm going to pickup this bike myself.

I'm 5'8 but I think I would like the Large frame I don't like bikes that are cramped. Anyway I'm new to the mountain bike scene but ride pro motocross so 2 wheels are in my blood.

Anyway let me know if you like that bike and about that coupon because I really think I want that bike! I was looking for something under $500 with disc brakes and suspension so this might be it!

Mountain biking is just for training, heres a video and what I'm really into MX Video

THANKS BRO!

MikeWendricks.com
MXWEBSITES.com
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MXwebsitesDOTcom said:
Hey I just was at sports authority and bought some roller blades and was checking out that same bike!!! I live in Chicago area myself and want to pickup a new bike I have a Trek 7000 and it doesn't have suspension and I have been wanting to get something suspension.

Where did you get that coupon to get another 25% off? I'm going to search for sports authority coupons but I think I'm going to pickup this bike myself.

I'm 5'8 but I think I would like the Large frame I don't like bikes that are cramped. Anyway I'm new to the mountain bike scene but ride pro motocross so 2 wheels are in my blood.

Anyway let me know if you like that bike and about that coupon because I really think I want that bike! I was looking for something under $500 with disc brakes and suspension so this might be it!

Mountain biking is just for training, heres a video and what I'm really into MX Video

THANKS BRO!

MikeWendricks.com
MXWEBSITES.com
Click to expand...
I made a purchase previously and got additional printout with the receipt. It said to go to a certain web address and complete the survey (to get the discount validation code) to get the 25% off any single item in the store, no restrictions, but must be IN store purchase, not online. Offer expires after 30 days of purchase, so I had to take advantage of it, plus I was looking for a bike. Came at the right time. =D Just keep shopping at Sports Authority and you might get one (I can't promise you that). This is the first time ever I got one of these discounts, and I've been shopping at TSA since... forever. .
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M
gotcha, so how do you like the bike? do the gears shift smoothly and quietly? Drop me some details!
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D
I got one a week ago

I just bought a crush i got it for $487 i have only had it out a few times but i am impressed with it so far. the brakes suck, alot, i spent awhile getting them centered and adjusted right which helped but i still feel that i could get about 10 times the stopping power with rim brakes. it seems like a good frame with lower end components, which is good for beginners like me because it's relativly cheap so if i loose my intrest it's not a huge loss but if i really get into it i can drop some cash on some better parts and have a very nice bike. my first upgrade is going to be the brakes for sure, the rear is fine but the front is pathetic, then i think that 5 pound rock shox j1 POS has to go.

as far as assembly quality goes, after my first ride i found that the crank was quit loose, and the brake calipers were badly missaligned with the rotors. i would deffinitly recomend getting it looked over buy a real pro, i am taking mine in on the 5th to have it gone thru and tuned up.
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MXwebsitesDOTcom said:
gotcha, so how do you like the bike? do the gears shift smoothly and quietly? Drop me some details!
Click to expand...
Took the bike on trails twice now. All I did was five miles each time. Rear gears seem to shift smoothly, on command, precisely and pretty quietly so far, love it. Front derailleur sucks, as I supposed it does on all bikes--every bike I owned had a sucky front derailleur, hate it, even managed to lose the chain off a few times.

The ride is damn good over huge roots, downed tree trunks, turns, 20+mph downhills over roots, rocks, etc. Front fork bottomed out a few times over bigger bumps/jumps (big CLUNK), at least 15mph downhill over roots/etc, sounded scary, but never lost control--not even slightly. Nice rear derailleur gear action was VERY helpful on trails. These were all packed dirt trails with exposed roots, some rocks in places, no gravel. The trails are located in forest preserves, near Bullfrog Lake, outside Chicago. I'd have to make a quick video for better idea.

I'm not sure if the disk front and rear brakes suck or are good. They don't rub, seem to have more stopping power now, but still won't let me lock up the front wheel on pavement (unless I put in a lot of effort, leaning on the front too). Don't ask why, but I want to be able to lock up the front wheel instantly if I feel like it. Rear wheel still takes too much effort to lock up. I've put on about 20 miles on the bike now. 10 on the city streets and 10 on trails.

The only real complaints I have at this time is brakes, front derailleur and fork bottoming out with a nasty clunk (perhaps I should tighten the adjustment, but that would make it too harsh on some trail areas). Had no problems going uphill.

THE SPORTS AUTHORITY HAS 30% OFF CLEARANCE ON A L L K2 and Columbia bikes in stock, from July 16th to July 22nd! This is an advertisement in Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune.
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doug4sail
Its good to hear you got out on the trails. New Bikes go through a break in period where the cables stretch a bit that is most likely the problem with the front derailer. It can happen you should be able to adjust that at the Handle bar adjust knob. I have a friend interested in that bike for his son so I went and looked at it at S A. I was very impressed with the weight and the price. Fairly light considering the heavy front and back shock. Way lighter than my Specialized Hardrock Sport which is a hardtail with disc brakes I estimate the K2 to be 5 to 8 pounds lighter. The shocks seem to work well minor stiction in the front and the rear seem to rebound smoothly. The stiction in the front will go away however for now just use some tri flow from your lbs.
I read in a magazine you need to break in your pads on your disk breaks by riding down a good sized hill about 15 times and you should be good. I did this with my Magura Hydros and they have great stopping power now. When I first started they had no stopping power.

I am recomending this bike to my friend. It is a incredible buy. At 649 dollars I dont think there is a better FS for the Money. When things wear out or you want to upgrade this frame is worth upgrading. Check out frame prices for Jamis. Same frame different name,
you will be surprised how expensive they can be.



Doug
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k2biker
I'd tend to agree with others notes about taking that bike to a LBS for a full rebuild. I've piddled on bikes in the Big Box stores (as bikers, who doesn't?) and always always always find something amiss with the build. The brakes on yours dont' work well? hmmm.....I'd also go to Price Point and invest in some Avid BB5 or BB7 brakes as replacements. I like to know that when I hit the brake levers, I stop! Yea, it's a bit more $$ but it'll save your butt -- and you'll still come out very well financially.

As Liam has noted above, EMS and REI do have very good wrenches working for them. I have (3) K2 steeds in the barn and REI always treats me right. There is a BIG HUGE difference between EMS, REI and TSA. EMS and REI are outdoor stores with folks working for them who have a passion about the sports they participate in. I've never been in an EMS where everyone in the store was not active in some woodsy sport -- climbing, mtn biking, paddling, hiking, etc. TSA tends to have average joes and janes just looking for their paycheck and don't excercise at all, much less spend hours on end each week doing it.

Definitely, go enjoy the bike. But please understand that the recommendations to have someone at a shop look it over are only for your safety and well being and we want you to enjoy the sport as much as we do. If you have a bad experience with this bike, you will not enjoy the sport of cycling in general and will end up steering clear of it. Please take these words of caution. My hope is that you are as responsible as you seem and if you are, then you'll fall head over heels in love with mtn biking!
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R
Additional 25% off the 30% off.

Base price 649.

- 30% off clearance. (7/16-7/22)

- 25% off coupon found here. => http://www.sportsauthority.com/friendsfamily/index.jsp (7/20-7/22)

------

Final price $ 341.24 + Tax.

Enjoy.
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rwliu2003 said:
Base price 649.

- 30% off clearance. (7/16-7/22)

- 25% off coupon found here. => https://www.sportsauthority.com/friendsfamily/index.jsp (7/20-7/22)

------

Final price $ 341.24 + Tax.

Enjoy.
Click to expand...
If you read the coupon IN-STORE restrictions/exclusions, the name "K2" is part of the list. ;) Same thing goes for ON-LINE restrictions/exclusions. Also says that it cannot be combined with any other offer, which usually means "sale price." Sorry.
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S
Oh, I get the persistence of this thread now-it's clever spam.
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R
You didn't rain on my parade, Aovsi.

I paid 341.24 + tax.

The exclusion is for the K2 skies and snowboards, I didn't read that part about can't combine special offers. Luckily, neither did the people at TSA, or at least they didn't consider the 30% a special offer.

R.


-SuperbMan, if only we are that smart... :)
I just don't want it to turn into one of those arguing the finer points of coupon application threads. I found this thread initially because I've never heard of the K2 Crush before and wanted to know more before I buy it. I'd like to thank Aovsi for starting this tread.
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J
K2 Crush coupon debate settled

Hi Guys,
I am older mountain biker and in the last few years my back has been giving me fits on my hardtail bike.
I was hoping rear suspension would solve the back problem, but I didn't want to spend a fortune in the event I hated the extra weight of FS (full suspension) and the rear end movement when climbing.
I started looking for FS about a month ago and spotted the K2 Crush at Sports Authority
for 649.95. I didn't know anything about the brand or model so I googled it and found this board. I then read Aovsi's post 3 weeks ago and have been waiting for the Crush to go on sale. Today I checked this board and seen the 30% discount sale posted and also seen the 25% survey coupon. I went to the website, printed out the 25% survey coupon and headed for the local Sports Authority about an hour ago.
Guess what? Amazingly enough they honored both the 30% general discount on K2 bikes and the 25% survey coupon! Final price: $341.24 + 28.15 tax
Before I left the store, the service dept. checked and adjusted the bike's shifting, tire pressure, brakes,......etc...
Thanks guys for all the great posts on the discount and coupon, you just saved me $308.71.
After I have had a chance to ride it in the mountainous park I live near, I will let you know what I think of it.

Jeff Alvinson
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