K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: kdhitt on February 19, 2007, 03:25:11 am
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Ever heard of a Sidewinder? I bought the frame for a little of nothing and stripped it of all the low grade components and have almost finished the rebuild. I think it is an EVO(7005) frame with a different swingarm, but I'm not sure. If anyone has any info, please let me know.
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Got any pictures?
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Can't seem to get the pic to upload. When I go to help I get a hacker message. I'll post one as soon as possible.
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Hmmmm.....Not sure, but IMHO a Sidewinder is not an Evo (even with a different swing-arm)
The swing-arm is definitely different, it's a single piece rear triangle with just one pivot (I think) probably behind the bottom bracket rather than on the down tube.
The frame itself bears a little resemblance to an Evo/4000 but I think it's fundamentally different.
Strangely enough K2 do not have a frame diagram of it on their website for 2004 or any year............
http://www.k2bike.com/tech_library/2004products.asp
Maybe it's a one night stand love-child?
But they also make a K2 Sidewinder Snowboard boot if that's any help?
"K2 just introduced the Sidewinder, a hybrid backcountry snowboarding boot that accepts standard crampons and has a rigid sole for kicking steps, but still snaps onto Ascent skis and Clicker boards. The Sidewinder combines a synthetic-leather-and-nylon upper with a stiff, plastic back for support when carving turns. The boots also adjust from touring to riding modes. The Downside? At 9 pounds, 12 ounces per pair, you need quads like Hermann Maier."
here's a picture of the bike if you can see it:
http://gallery.mtbr.com/showphoto.php/photo/7729/cat/2/si/sidewinder/perpage/10/limit/all
(server was down when I tried.............)
These have been discussed on the forum before:
http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/YaBB_K2/YaBB.pl?board=news;action=display;num=1113293956
when we were less than complimentary, but come on! Prove us wrong!
Come on KDHITT lets see some piccies of it....!
Col.
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Thanks for the help. It dose sound like the same bike. The rims were not on the frame when when I got it, so I don't know about plastic. The frame and triangle welds seem good and it really is not heavy at all. I finished the bike yesterday and it seemed great around the yard. I actually liked it better than the Razorback and Attack that I have ridden(only 2 K2's I've been on). I put SID air up front and Helix rear and it feels great. I have always been a Trek guy and this thing seems like it might be a better XC/freerider then my fuel. If my wife doesn't take it from me(aready threaten she wants it) I will let you know after I get it out. Still can't upload pic.
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Excellent!
Good to see someone on the forum with something a bit different.
i.e. this century..............<grin>
Col.
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Ever heard of a Sidewinder? I bought the frame for a little of nothing and stripped it of all the low grade components and have almost finished the rebuild. I think it is an EVO(7005) frame with a different swingarm, but I'm not sure. If anyone has any info, please let me know.
The Sidewinder is a special make up (SMU) bike specifically manufactured forThe Sports Authority,a large (big box) retail chain sporting goods store in the US. Its basically an entry level full suspension bike along the lines of the entry level K2 Attack 1.0. Some of the earlier frames had alum front triangles with steel swingarm/seat stay. The more recent are full aluminum. The pivots on these low end frames have a tendency to loosen up over time & there are no replacement parts available either. Sorry to rain on your parade. :(
DP
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Oh well, I knew it wasn't anything hi-end but with the upgraded components it feels pretty good. It did have some low grade junk hung on it which makes sense with what you said. I quess it is a later model because it has an aluminum triangle. I only gave $50 bucks for it and got to use some parts I had laying around, plus I love building stuff. I don't feel disappointed. Can't wait to really try it out.
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In case anyone was still curious about the sidewinder...
http://cgi.ebay.com/K2-Mountain-Bike-21-speed_W0QQitemZ130088314168QQcategoryZ98083QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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sorry, it reminds me of a kmart or target type bike
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That is not the same Sidewinder that I have. The swingarm is not the same and the pivot point on the frame is different. Maybe they change them at somepoint.
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That is not the same Sidewinder that I have. The swingarm is not the same and the pivot point on the frame is different. Maybe they change them at somepoint.
set up an account at http://photobucket.com/ and then link a photo so we can see your frame
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sorry, it reminds me of a kmart or target type bike
I agree, but in kdhitt's defense i did see one on ebay once that was a lot more "evo" looking than that one. The seller lists the retail at $1,200US i cant imagine anyone paying that kind of money for something spec'd with shimano tourney mechs and promax discs but thats just me.
Cheers all, Matt B
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http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/kdhitt/?action=view¤t=mexico07048-1.jpg
Here is a pic before I finished it. The tubing looks much heavier on this one than the one on ebay. I also saw a thread that some guys purchased these at Sports Authority for $350. I think $1200 is crazy for the components that came on these. Not sure if they were ones like mine or the one on ebay, either way thats crazy. Don't worry about coments, I just wonder what the heck it is.
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http://www.k2bike.com/tech_library/pdfs2/01/01evoframeassembly.pdf
I found this and it looks close to my untrained K2 eye. See what you guys think. Swingarm is totally different and there is an extra reinforcement piece at the neck and on the down tube insertion, but close.
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the EVO frame main pivot location is on the down tube at about big ring level where the canti-swingarm attached.
yours seems to be at/behind/near the BB.
it looks like an inbred cousin to an old Trek
Good luck with finding out more about it. Let us know how it rides and handles, too.
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Your right Carbon, the pivot is directly above the bottom bracket. I am not sure about the old style single pivot suspension, is one pivot point better than another?
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My friend has a sidewinder fram as well, and on another forum someone told him that there was a section of K2 that would make "custom" production runs for companies such as department stores that wanted their own bike but with the K2 brand name. And the Sidewinder is one of those bikes. I may be a bit off on the details but that's the gist of it.
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Yes, go ride and give a report.
One upgrade that may really turn your sidewinder into a jewel could be a used Manitou Swinger, 5th element, or Fox stable platform shock.
Many companies have been abandoning proven swingarm geometry royalties in favor of lesser designs that are saved by infinataly adjustable stable platform air shocks. I got a new 7 7/8" i2i x 2 1/4" stroke Swinger for my Oz that gives me 6 inches travel on the rear for $99. Got it from a Santa Cruz Factory online inventory sale. I am sold on them.
I have gotten used air swingers for as little as $50.
Just a thought.
Terry