K2’s year 2000 bikes are split into several distinct niches. The bike we’re most excited about is the KZ Razorback range, which this year feature brand new air shock technology, built by K2 suspension arm Noleen. Using large capacity air shocks both front and rear, the bikes have a plush ride but with far less weight than their 1999 bikes. Additionally, clever trickery within the shocks gives them plush damping allowing bump control which surpasses the level you’d expect for a bike with only 3in of travel.Short travel and air shocks means that the weight of the top line Razorback is around 23lbs. Cheaper bikes are available, but all
share the same frame and shock unit, giving the quality ride we experienced down to a £1400 price point.Call us stupid, but we’ve lost the bit of paper with the exact details of this bike on. We can remember that it’s called the Razorback RS, priced around £2.5k and comes with everything you’d expect.The bike uses an air pull shock and a single pivot point mounted on the seattube to keep things simple and sweet.

Though we were expecting a somewhat stiff, jarring ride from the bike, it was trail-comfortable. Lateral rigidity and tracking were superb – this appears to be lightweight done right, with none of the whippiness that you might expect. So far we’ve only spent a couple of hours thrashing them round the woods surrounding Harrogate with MMB editor Guy Kesteven, but if the bikes hold up well then we think they’re onto a winner. The main pivot features four needle bearings which shouldn’t produce slop when wear takes hold.Yes folks, this is one that despite our best efforts, we’d actually like to own!