ummbnb

After a 6 year break I've just started shopping for a road bike. I used to ride nearly daily with long rides nearly every weekend....then I had a baby and it seemed like I'd never have a moment alone to ride so I sold my bike. Now, 6 years and another child later its time for me to hit the road again. I'd like to think that I'll be able to get in a few shorter rides each week with 1-2 day-long rides per month.

I've been shopping around and riding bikes this week and am anxious to buy something. I've ridden 6 bikes....Specialized, Trek and K2 ranging in price from $840 up to $1900. At this point the most comfortable bike by far has been the K2 T-9 Twister, and its also the least expensive. But I know nothing about K2 bikes nor am I having much luck finding reviews.

Anyone have any experience with them? Would anyone care to offer up some advice. I have a budget of about $1200 - $1500 total. I'll need pretty much everything - bike, pedals, shoes, helmet...the whole shebang. So this K9 certainly fits well in my budget.

Thanks for any and all input!
m

EGreen

Welcome back! I've no recommendations, but encourage you to keep asking and do your research, but most of all, test ride and go with the bike that feels best to you.

ummbnb

Thanks much. Anyone else?

v1k1ng1001

Isn't K2 an REI brand now?

mloywhite

Glad to have you back riding, get the bike that has the best fit, and just ride when you can. It will come back quickly. Good luck with it.

Spokes man

Shop for the right LBS as much as you shop for the right bike. See if the LBS that has the bike you like best will let you take one home for a weekend so you can get some real riding in on it, instead of the parking-lot test rides. Make sure the LBS is interested in fitting you correctly to the bike, and adjusting it accordingly for you to get you the most comfortable riding position.

Welcome back to riding, it will soon be like you never left. That's how it worked for me, but my break was more like 20 years.

ummbnb

Thanks folks! Both shops I went to, yes one is REI with a cycle shop, let me take the bikes out on the road for as long as I wanted...ended up riding each for 30m to an hour. I got to ride on a mixture of streets and bike trails. Both shops have a 30-day return if you aren't happy and both have professional fitting sessions with purchase as well as annual tune-up service for the life of your bike.

I sure wish I could find some info on K2 bikes because so far, it has felt far better than anything else.

celerystalksme

i have the bike for you! based on a few of the non-exhaustive dimensions and components i looked up between the k2 and the bike i have in mind, i think this is gonna work well. but you'll have to try it out to be sure. as for budget...the msrp of this bike is just out of your budget. HOWEVER...i've seen them on closeout prices right now for as low as $1000!

2007 Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD!

i hope this bike is a good fit for you! do whatever you can to find one and try it out! hopefully you can find a 2007 in your size at closeout prices!

v1k1ng1001

I honestly don't know too much about K2. Pros seem to be it fits you and it's in your budget. Cons might be that REI's shops are sometimes not the greatest and there's no way to tell where and how that frame was made.

Let me ask you this...what was comfortable about it?

ummbnb

Letseee....Everything! heh heh
The bike had an extremely smooth ride. I took it out for about 45m on a mixture of asphalt roads and a concrete bike trail. While on the trail I came in contact with a walk for charity so I was riding slow, easing in and out of people and getting off and on the bike a lot. When I bypassed them I was able to get some speed up and fly for a couple miles. Everything was smooth and comfy. Shifting was smooth, my back and shoulders were completely comfortable (which wasn't the case on any other bike although I'm sure could be made better after a full fitting).

I tried to just ride each bike at first, not paying attention to details but moreso just feeling the ride. Then on my way back to the shop each time I focused my attention on specifics.

I'm finding that its rather hard to find shops with small bikes in stock to try out. What's up with that? Short ppl like to ride too! I'm in Denver so its not like I'm in the sticks or anything. I have one more shop I'm going to try today and see if they have the Trek recommended above (thanks by the way). I've got the K2 on hold until Monday morning.

I wasn't even planning to go to REI but a couple of folks highly recommended the bike shop at one particular store so I decided to check it out since it was closest to home. They did seem quite knowledgable and were certainly helpful. I felt that the service and help I was getting from the two folks I worked with at REI was far superior to the other shops where I was feeling somewhat pressured to move up to the top, and over the top, of my budget. That's just annoying. My budget is what it is and I'd like you to help me get the most for my money, not try to convince me to overspend...even if it is with quality in mind.

Joe Dog

K2 is better known for skis, not bikes. REI carries them but I have not seen K2 at other bike shops. My wife got a K2 Astral this summer at REI. It was a flat bar road bike that seemed like a very good value. She rode if for a few days but ended up returning it because it did not fit her very well. I liked the bike quite a bit - it had decent components for her needs and the frame seemed to be well made. I think they are targeting the recreational market more than the "serious rider" market but they seem like a good deal if you can find one that suits your needs.

Here is a link to their bike site:

https://www.k2bikes.com/

ummbnb

Well I bought the K2 today. I went to another shop and rode another Specialized and the recommended Trek and bottom line, not a single bike felt as good as the K2. Now........to ride!

celerystalksme

glad you found the best fit for you!!!! now ride, woman, ride!!!!

ummbnb

Just thought I'd pop in with a little update. I'm so happy that I ultimately chose this bike. I've ridden about 50miles this week and it truly fits me perfectly. This is perhaps the most comfortable bike I've ever had. Even the saddle that came with it is comfy!!!

Thanks again to everyone for their input.

v1k1ng1001

ridethecliche

Yay!

It's good to have another rider back out on the road.

Laursen

That's what it's all about Congrats on the new bike and hopefully you'll get many great hours on the bike

CARBON4EVER

if you know your fit, go with a bike from bikesdirect.com for quality components at low price. I bought 5 bikes from them and most have been okay except for the bottom bracket problems on their sora equipped motobecanes I bought for my family. Their customer service sucks...but you trade that for the good components.

Anyways, just want to share a cheap source. Good luck finding a new bike.