5000 trivia

[BFG]

Been riding my k2 for years now, but new to forum.  It looks great!
I was wondering about my early '98 5000.  The sticker on the swing arm says omnium cycle works and american construction.  The serial # is OM-97-09087  It has the easton logo by the dropouts like the others, but I thought these arms were made in Mexico.
The other strange thing about my frame is that it was welded up with full length cable housing in mind and the rear derailuer "sp" cable runs on the left side of the frame with the rear brake cable, then there is a tight "S" bend  to get the cable over to the right side of the swing arm.
Any of you gurus have any ideas?
Thanks, Chad

[Matno]

Haven't heard of that particular cable routing. If you have pics, we'd love to see 'em!

[Old Proflexer]

did you but the bike new?

i was under the distinct impression that omnium made the 4500/5500 triangles and easton built the arms.  perhaps that sticker is/was from another frame.  one of my 4500's came with the omnium sticker where yours is on your 5000.

as for left side routing, does your aluminum frame have guides down the right side of the down tube and/or are there two guides (one for each cable) down the left?  how are the rear brake and derailler cables kept in place down the left side of the down tube?


OP

[Scott]

I think the frame's American and the arm's Mexican.  My 5000 doesn't have your type of stop placement-that's a strange one-but it does have those stickers of origin.

[BFG]

I guess that the swing arm could have come from a different frame.  I bought the frame used on mtbr a few years ago.  The sticker is on the bottom of the arm just above where the front derailuer post is.  I doubt that the sticker could be peeled off and moved, though.
The right side of the down tube has no cable guides at all.
The cable guides on the left side are just guides.  The cable housing goes right on through.  
The frame also does not have the water botle cage mounts on the rear of the seat tube.
Another small thing is that the front der. post has the top welded up with aluminum instead of the plastic cap that others have.
I'll try and get some pics up for you to look at.

[Scott]

With the description you give I think you have the K2 Grass Roots racing team frame.  They were custom and lighter than the stock frames in the tubing and swingarm.