K2 Bike Enemy

Price Paid:  $690.00 at Bicy.Unlim.,Greenfie

Favorite Ride:
anywhere w/o traffic

Bike Setup:
Stock everything, except for Vredestein Campo 28c tires and Selle Italia Mythos Trans Am saddle. Also had to install Profile cork tape because the OEM gel tape went south pretty quickly.

Summary:
After demoing the Enemy at a LBS, (Klarsfeld Cyclery in Albany, NY) I couldn't get them to give me a better price on it. They had this model overpriced to begin with at $1079., when I knew the MSRP was $980. So it looks like they start out 100 bucks higher, then maybe lower the price some later, making you feel like you got a "good deal". Yeah right! C'ya, Klarsfeld! :p

So I drove another hour or so to Bicycles Unlimited in Greenfield, MA. Bob and his wife there are excellent - definitely 'old school' which is just the way I like my LBS.

I told Bob that I had my own tires and saddle, and he had no problem giving me a price without the OEM Ritchey's and Selle Italia. Plus it was the end of the model-year and this was the last Medium. We liked Bob so much that my GF bought a K2 Mach S while we were there! So it all worked out well.

I tried the Redline Conquest against the Enemy. Great bike the Conquest, but the Enemy handled better off-road.

Been putting in lots of miles and haven't found much to complain about. Well, I need the next size wider handlebars, but it's no biggie, and I'd like a 12/27 cassette with the 39/48 chainrings, instead of the 12/25, but oh well.

This is overall a great, fun bike to ride. I give it 4.25 stars.

Strengths:
~ Geometry is comfortable on-road and easy to handle off-road. What more could you want?
~ Parts group for the price.

Weaknesses:
~ If I had to find fault, I'd agree with CEC below: something about the Enemy's geometry causes your toe to hit the back of the tire during certain manuvers. Doesn't happen too often, because your foot has to be at the 2 or 3 o'clock position and the wheel turned just so, but it happens. A minor nuisance. That's what you get for having size 12 feet!
~ Would've been nice if the weld beads were sanded smooth, but that takes labor and costs more $.

Similar Products Used:
Redline Conquest, Cannondale Road Warrior 800

Price Paid:  $0.00 at REI

Bike Setup:
Stock with new seat.

Summary:
Purchased a 2002, size M, on sale at REI for 20% off their price (don't remember exact price). Switching over from an old, heavier CroMoly bike, it's heaven!

I was also looking at Kona and Bianchi cyclocross, but this was less expensive and seemed the better value.

Strengths:
Not a hard-core rider, so for me the bike is a HUGE step up from my old one. Light, agile, sturdy.

Weaknesses:
1. Seat was too hard for me. Noticed that right away, but that's an easy fix.
2. HERE'S WHY I WROTE THIS: My size 12 shoes connect with the font tire at sharp angles, even with the shoe clips adjusted. Just something folks with large feet should consider when purchasing the bike. Move the tire full angles and make sure there's room (or be ready to deal with it). When negotiating tight corners at slow speeds, it gets a bit tricky when my toes bump the front tire. I'm considering purchasing smaller tires to see if it helps. In the meanwhile, I have learned to deal with, but wish I didn't have to.

Similar Products Used:
80's Nishiki road bike, 1989 Nishiki Colorado.

Price Paid:  $1079.00 at Klarsfeld Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere without traffic!

Bike Setup:
Sold my Tuscany over the winter :( so now I need a new ride!

Summary:
I just demo'ed this bike yesterday, the price above is the dealer's sticker price. Possibly they'll dicker?

Excellent bike! Handles very well, and doesn't feel like a boat like some frames I've ridden with this kind of geometry. I've been looking for a cyclo-X type of frame, but one that can also be used somewhat as an everyday commuter ride. With the more relaxed geometry of the "Enemy", I think I've found what I'm looking for.

Good parts selection for the price (Ultegra/105 mix, Ritchey stem/Biomax bars etc, Truvativ Elita 48/39 crank, Time ATAC Alium pedals). Only things I'd change right away is I'd put on my Vredestein Campo tires and Selle Italia Mythos Trans Am saddle. Later, I'd probably want to have the Velocity Spartacus Pro wheelset instead of the Ritchey Aero's, (never been that crazy about Ritchey's wheels), but I could live with them for now.

Great bike overall at a reasonable price. I may just buy this one!

Strengths:
* Handles well.
* Light for the $.
* Generally good parts selection.

Weaknesses:
* None for the price, unless you're a bit picky about certain components like me.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Tuscany, C'dale Road Warrior 800, several others...