K2 Bike Enemy

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Pro Deal thru K2

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
K2 Enemy

Bike Setup:
Easton EA70 stem, FSA carbon post, old skool Flite saddle, Ritchey WCS carbon fork, Ultegra derailleurs, 105 shift/brake, AVit Shorty 4's, Truvativ Elita crank, Mavic Cosmos wheels

Summary:
Actually a 2004, no option in list. Put on fenders and used as commuter for 3yrs while mending an injury; worked great. Still use it almost everyday as such. Finally able to race cross this year and it did especially well. It's also done very well as a back-up road bike for nasty road days or when dealing with flats. Putting on a good set of road wheels really wakes the frame up. The fork upgrade really makes the difference in cross races. This bike is the do-it-all and makes me smile in all conditions.

Strengths:
Responsive, but comfortable frame. Quick, but not twitchy. Builds pretty light.

Weaknesses:
none really. Will upgrade brakes for this season just for more power and better feel.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis, Redline, Ventana

Price Paid:  $850.00 at REI

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anything outdoors

Bike Setup:
Stock except for saddle, bar tape, front brake pads (changed to kool stop all conditions) and rear brakes are a set of anodized dia compes fromt he 80s because they look super cool. Tires change depending on condition, but they stock WTBs are pretty nice tires for what they are.

Summary:
Great race bike for the money, and surprisingly light considering it's ull Tiagra With light tires and no other modifications (well, a diferent sadle, but it's as heavy as the stock WTB) mine is right under 20 pounds. Good handling, decent tire/mud clearance.

No fancy parts but K2 didn't skimp anywhere either. Just solid stuff that works.

Strengths:
Weight, handling (very neutral, goes where you want it but not twitchy, great on and off road), flattened top tube makes shouldering comfortable.

Weaknesses:
Carbon seatpost makes me a little nervous on a cross bike, especially one like the Enemy with a compact frame, which equals a lot of post showing. So far it's been solid. I only weigh 150 pounds though. Also the compact geometry makes ordering the right size easy, and is nice on techy trails, but makes it a little harder to pick up the bike in a race.

Similar Products Used:
Kona Jake, Jamis Aurora, a few other borrowed bikes.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
Ultergra componets, ritchey bars, stem, seatpost.

Summary:
Bought this bike off of ebay. Rode it for 2 years, and notice to today that there is 4-5 crack in the headtube. The bike said that it is material failure. I never rode this bike off. I was using it as my winter bike.

Strengths:
Light, resposive, stiff.

Weaknesses:
Frame material

Similar Products Used:
None, first cross bike. Going to buy a Redline now.

Price Paid:  $300.00

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
any CX race

Bike Setup:
Full dura ace

Summary:
Bought a frame set and built it up for cyclocross racing. Price, geometry, and past experience with other K2 frames led me to choose the Enemy.

Strengths:
Just the right amount of flex to keep it comfortable on the road. After a season of cyclocross I am impressed with how tough the frame is. It is a nuetral geometry and has good trail manners, also good on single track.

Weaknesses:
XL frame is a bit small for someone 6'-3' and over. Aluminum fork is harsh on the road but nice for CX racing.

Similar Products Used:
K2 MOD5

Price Paid:  $950.00 at REI

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
K2 Enemy

Bike Setup:
105 rear, Tiagra front, 105 STI Shifters, Avid Shorty Brakes. Truvativ GXP Elita Cranks. Crank Bros. Egg Beater pedals. Salsa Delgado Cross rims for XC, Mavic Open Pro's for pavement.

Summary:
My Enemy has held up well in it's first 2200 miles. (May-Oct of 1st year of ownership)Components haven't needed babying and all have performed as expected.

Strengths:
Decent component group, good value, reliable.

Weaknesses:
OEM rims (Alex R1.0) did not hold up to a heavier weight rider (220 lbs). After replacing them, everything has held up well.

Similar Products Used:
Previous ride was a CrMoly Schwinn 1988 Traveler. Work horse solid, completely relable.