Riding a new Zed

[k2biker]

Ok, so the K2 folks sent me a new Zed 4.0 (see K2 Warranty thread) and let me just say one thing -- I'm in love!

I built the frame up last Saturday and raced it Sunday morning.  Since I've logged a few miles and I love the way it handles, climbs, etc.  

I have been riding a '98 Beast since '99 and as much as I love how the Beast can rail a turn like none other, the Zed handles extremely well at speed.  I know most of the guys here love the bouncy bikes, but I've been looking for an efficient XC racer.  Yea, the change from 5" travel to aluminum HT is severe, but well worth it.  

Once I get a few more dollars, I'll be building up the '99 Evo frame I have lying in the attic as my backup racing bike for the 24 hour races.  It's nice to have a fully for those night laps to help make up for your less than perfect riding when the brain is nothing more than soup splashing around in your cranium  [smiley=blankstare.gif]

Tomorrow the Zed and I are going for our first epic.  Clemson, South Carolina.  ~40 miles of singletrack with some schweeeeet downhill runs  [smiley=laughing.gif]  The Beast is officially retired after providing me countless miles of XC pleasure all over the Eastern US and Ontario, as well as Texas and even Illinois and Wisconsin.  She's been great, but deserves a rest.  Maybe later this year she'll get a single chainring with bashguard, some beefy wheels, disc brakes, a shock overhaul, and a new fork.  Until then, I am the Zed-meister!

Happy trails my friends!

[Simon]

Sounds to me that you now have the best of both worlds ,what a result,enjoy [smiley=nod.gif]Simon.