K2 Bike
2346
Member
1243 days
Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
The REI Brand and K2 frame are liekly made by the saem company. K2 used to make some top notch stuff across all the sports, but I think they got bought out at some point- theyre not quite the power house they once were.
That said, there's likely nothing WRONG with either one of those bikes. Just make sure you visit a LBS and ride everything they have to offer in your price range, too. Different brand bikes feel and handle differently, so go to several shop that carry different brands and ride em all.
Have fun with the test rides!
Out of curiosity, what was the one thing that didnt feel right on the bike you tested?
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
64
Member
883 days
blonde_lawyer posted 1 year ago.
Thanks for the advice. For what felt "wrong" (forgive my inartfull explanation), it was the space between the handlebars and brake levers--to far apart for my hands. The bike shop guy said that it can be adjusted by adding a spacer.
2346
Member
1243 days
Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
A spacer would be a cheap, possibly ineffective method to fix that gap. I would have them swap something like this instead:
http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Components/Handlebars/24336.php Much nicer, cleaner way to solve the small hands situation.
If they cant get a women's specific bar, or wont substitute item without giving you credit for the item substituted for, I would taek my business elsewhere.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
64
Member
883 days
blonde_lawyer posted 1 year ago.
I did some more shopping around and bought a bike this weekend:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23530
I ended up spending more money, but got a bike with better components, etc. The only concern that I have is that it is a 53/39 crankset which another cyclist described as "challenging."
2346
Member
1243 days
Triguy98 posted 1 year ago.
Awesome. It is a good bike, it gets great reviews.
As for the other wimpy cyclist, a 53/ 39 is standard gearing. A compact would be easier, but see if you can push this first.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
64
Member
883 days
blonde_lawyer posted 1 year ago.
Thanks for the encouragement. I get 30 days to try the bike, so I will take it on some hills and make sure that it works. The way I see it, it will just make me a better cyclist, right? :)
Triguy98;65509 wrote:
Awesome. It is a good bike, it gets great reviews.As for the other wimpy cyclist, a 53/ 39 is standard gearing. A compact would be easier, but see if you can push this first.
1125
Member
897 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
blonde_lawyer;65511 wrote:
Thanks for the encouragement. I get 30 days to try the bike, so I will take it on some hills and make sure that it works. The way I see it, it will just make me a better cyclist, right? :)
Pushing high gears is the cyclists' version of lifting weights (maybe that's why they're so puny!). It'll only make you stronger!
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
Hey there. I found myself wondering the bike section at REI yesterday and found a bike that I liked that was a good price (about $600, down from $830). I resisted the urge for an impulse buy, and decided to do some research and looking around. Here is the bike:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48096479&parent_category_rn=4500865&vcat=searchrefine
I road the bike around the parking lot and it felt pretty good--with one exception, but the bike guy said that it could be adjusted...
There was also a REI brand bike there with a similar price:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48074942&parent_category_rn=4500865
Any experience with either of these bikes or brands? About me, last season was my first triathlon season--did 2 sprint triathlons--am now hooked. I did both of those on a Trek 7200 Hybrid. I am very very slow, and not looking to win anything...just going work on increasing my time, etc. I think that long term I will be more "competitve" and do longer distances, but not right now. I had initially decided that I would do this season (2007) on my current bike, focus on losing weight and just improving things like form, etc., and then buy a road bike for the next season (2008). But, now I keep seeing bikes, etc. and am wondering if I should just get one now. The other wrinkle is that I decided to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride this summer (204 miles). So....any advice?
Price range, I my husband (a non-triathlete) wants me to cap at around $1000 :)
Thanks for your help!
Lisa