The K2 Lithium is a solid choice for someone looking for a lightweight, long-travel, XC-oriented rig that won’t break the bank. The bike’s tried-and-true rocker-link rear end coupled with a Manitou Swinger 3-way rear shock with SPV damping delivers 4 to 5 inches of travel on a bike that climbs well.
It’s long, 23-inch top tube and 70.5-degree headtube create a roomy cockpit and helps the bike carve through tight turns. The 7000-series-aluminum frame boasts exceptionally clean welds, especially around the gussets near the headtube, and the bike comes with quality parts.
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On the downside, the flexy frame and snappy geometry turn skittish on steep and fast downhills. And the bike’s relatively high, 31.5-inch stand-over height (on a medium bike) didn’t make any friends on technical trails.
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