Mountain Biking - K-2 bikes

I have never heard of them b4 untill it was being recommended to my friend. What's your opinion on them?

The higher end Zed series hardtails as well as the Razorback full suspension frames are well regarded, great value. I just scored a Razorback SL on ebay and let me tell you, this thing is the bomb. The frame is a work of art between the welds, gussets and the incorporation of the carbon seat/shock stays. Mine is pimped out with XTR and discs and weighs about 26lbs full suspension. K2 is a real sleeper bike company IMO. I have a road bike(Mod 4) and it is equipped well and also a great value.

K2's bike division has been around a long time (for MTB companies that is) and were pioneers in the full-suspension arena. They started out as ProFlex in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They marketted the first successful mass-produced full-suspension bike. ProFlex then purchased Noleen only later to be purchased as a whole by K2 in the late 1990s. While they've generally focused on the XC market, they have produced some pretty good FR and a couple of DH designs. Their bikes tend to behave on the more nimble side of handling... some might even call them twitchy but they are a blast to ride and they inspire speed. I agree that they're a sleeper company and very much underrated but I also think they're pretty innovative. They just need a better marketting department.

I have a K2 Beast & Flyin' Monkey.... Both DH racers. Both Killer bikes. Both have Magura Hydro's. I was actually planning on a 3rd new K2, but I chose a HARO Xtreme X2 from my LBS instead...

I'd buy another K2 in a second, if the $$$ was right.

Their new Lithium line is pretty impressive. The Tirade's are very good bikes for the money.

K2, definitely a sleeper company as someone else mentioned.

Kinda like Haro. Good bikes, great prices, not a lot of recognition.

L8R

Some of you may already know about it but I thought I'd mention The K2/ProFlex Rider's Group (http://idriders.com/proflex/) that has an invaluable amount of information specific to K2s and ProFlex bikes.

K2 does offer a disc brake "adapter" to retro-fit a post 2000 disc brake to their pre 2000 EVO frames. It costs about $45. I'm thinking about ordering one for my '99 Flyin' Monkey...

K2 does offer a disc brake "adapter" to retro-fit a post 2000 disc brake to their pre 2000 EVO frames. It costs about $45. I'm thinking about ordering one for my '99 Flyin' Monkey...

Many people make their own or use the Hammerhead adapter. Also, some people go for the ultimate solution and pop for the Brake Therapy floating disk conversion. I don't run discs because I find that my Vs work well enough for what I want to do but if I ever decide to make the switch, I'd go for the floating calipers.

I often tell co-workers that I have a degree in Afro-Engineering because of some of the inventions I come up with, but when it comes to my bikes, I just hate the idea. I decided to buy a new bike rather than adapt one to the disc's system.

It's like keeping your 1994 PC, and upgrading it over & over & over. At some point I think it's better just to buy a new one....

Ok, so my friend finally bought the K-2 Attack 1.0, but the frame is way too big for mw, so I can't test ride it.

I went from a Zed to a Razorback. Love 'em. My g/f recently got a Zed 4.0- lighter than many bikes in it's class and a great price. Nice details, too, like kevlar cable housing. One big complaint I've heard is that many K2 bikes come with pedal cages instead of clipless. I wouldn't rule out a bike on that issue, though.

One big complaint I've heard is that many K2 bikes come with pedal cages instead of clipless. I wouldn't rule out a bike on that issue, though.

I find that to be a bonus and not an issue. I would rather K2 not cut corners in other areas and just supply the cheapest pedals. Most people would replace pedals anyways as they are generally a personal thing. Most bike shops offer around a 20% discount on accessories with purchase of a new bike and I would rather buy my pedals of preference rather than rely on some product manager to second-guess me. FWIW, my K2 OzM did come with K2 house-brand clipless pedals... they were PD-M737 knockoffs with a magnesium body and titanium spindles... essentially rebadged Wellgos but they were more than decent pedals. I only rode them a few months before switching to Time ATACs.

Their new Lithium line is pretty impressive. The Tirade's are very good bikes for the money.

K2, definitely a sleeper company as someone else mentioned.

Kinda like Haro. Good bikes, great prices, not a lot of recognition.

L8R
That Lithium that your cutomer was demoing at Alafia last time was pretty sweet.