K2 Bike T:Nine Alliance

I’m significantly smaller than most women. Why isn’t there a T:Nine size that fits me?

We are very aware that not all women riders fall between 5’ and 5’10” in height, and that some riders at the bottom of this range and beyond may not find optimal fit and performance on our smallest current T:Nine size, which we call Extra Small.  Here’s what we are doing to address the unique fit requirements of smaller women going forward.

Making an authentic T:Nine bike smaller than our current sizing range isn't easy, but we are closely investigating this possibility.  Many bike brands use smaller wheels on some of their women’s-specific models.  Instead, we've carefully designed our current T:Nine bikes so that they all use standard-sized wheels.  Why?

• Many women told us that they prefer the looks of bikes with standard wheels, and that considering bikes with smaller wheels made them feel as if they were riding a children’s bike.
• Bikes that use the most common wheel sizes are far easier to source replacement parts for.  A road rider using a smaller 650c wheel will find it much more difficult to find appropriate tubes, tires and wheels if they experience a flat, accident or stolen wheel.
• Using smaller wheels often involves accepting compromises in function.  For instance, smaller wheels require bigger front gears to cover the same ground as standard sized wheels.  Larger front gears on a mountain bike compromises ground clearance, and larger chain rings on a road bike may exceed the design parameters of the shifting system, reducing shifting ease and reliability.
• The overall number of small-wheeled adult bikes is relatively small.  As a result, the selection of components in the smaller sizes is limited, and the available parts are often more expensive than parts built in far greater numbers for standard wheels.

With these concepts in mind, we worked hard with our vendors to design complete bikes for a wide range of women riders that use standard-sized wheels.  But what about riders at or below the limits of our current XSM size, at about 5’ tall or less?

We are looking into developing an even smaller size for selected T:Nine models in the future, using smaller-sized wheels to achieve this goal.  However, the limitations described above make it unlikely that we will offer this new size across every model in the collection.

I’m significantly taller than most women. Why isn’t there a T:Nine size that fits me?

We are very aware that not all women riders fall between 5’ and 5’10” in height, and that some riders at the top of this range and beyond may not find optimal fit and performance from our largest current T:Nine size, which we call Medium.  Here’s what we are doing to properly address the fit requirements of taller women in the future.

We are currently developing an additional size that should better meet the fit requirements of women from 5’10” to 6 feet tall.  In order to make sure that you can trust that this size will work if you are significantly taller than the average woman, we are thoroughly testing the fit-related data and resulting bike designs before adding this size to our collection.

Once we are convinced that we have the fit dimensions and performance characteristics of this new, taller size correct, it should eventually be offered in all T:Nine bicycle models.  We hope to introduce this new size during the 2007 model year.  Thank you for your patience!

How does our sizing science behind the scenes helps most women find proper fit and comfort?

Many women are intimidated and confused by the charts, drawings and terms traditionally used to describe how bikes are sized.  However, finding a bike that fits properly can dramatically improve the cycling experience through enhanced comfort, confidence and efficiency.

Through scientific sizing research and a dash of common sense, we’ve pushed the confusing figures into the background of the bike buying experience.  As a result, most women can easily and accurately detemine the correct sized T:Nine bicycle at a glance.

The K2 Bike Fit System for T:Nine currently includes three frame size ranges, based on a dimension that every woman is familiar with – her height.  You'll find a sticker on the seat tube of every T:Nine bike that indicates which of the following three height ranges it best addresses.

• XSM sized T:Nine bikes are designed to fit women between 5’0” and 5’3”.
• SML sized T:Nine bikes are designed to fit women between 5’3” and 5’6”.
• MED sized T:Nine bikes are designed to fit women between 5’6” and 5’10”.

We developed this sizing system based on custom fit sessions with women of many heights, proportions, riding styles and ability levels.  Once we had accumulated enough data, we sized our bikes to perfectly fit the average rider in the middle of each size range.  What does this mean to you?

• If you are within 1 inch of the middle of one of our size ranges, there’s a very strong chance you’ll fit well on all T:Nine bikes in that size with no modifications.
• If you’re within 2 inches of the middle of a T:Nine size range, you’ll probably still find an appropriate fit, but may need to make some minor changes.  Working with your K2 Bike dealer to select a stem length up to 15mm  shorter or longer might improve your fit and comfort, while maintaining proper performance and stable handling.
• If your height falls near the transition height between two of our size ranges, try both of them and go with the one that you feel more comfortable and confident while riding.  As a generalization, riders at the transition heights with longer legs and shorter torsos than average may feel more at home on the smaller size, while riders with shorter legs and longer torsos may appreciate the longer reach of the larger size.

Of course, since our fit system is based on averages, there will be a few exceptional women for whom our sizing assumptions don’t hold true.  However, we’ve found that most women between 5’ and 5’10” find an appropriate sized T:Nine bike much easier and more accurately than with bicycles from other brands – women’s specific or otherwise.

It doesn’t seem like there’s a T:Nine bicycle that sells for more than $2,000. Why don’t you offer any high-end models for real cycling enthusiasts?

The accomplished cyclists that make up our T:Nine Alliance Team own many other brands of bikes, including Trek, Hampsten, Bianchi, Seven and many others.  While we do outfit them with K2 T:Nine bikes at reduced or no cost, we do not pay them to ride our bicycles, nor do we prevent them from riding other brands for any reason.

Despite the high-end hardware that graces their garages, our Alliance Team chooses their T:Nine bikes more often than not.  Why?

Even for serious cycling enthusiasts, not every ride is a race to be run at ten-tenths effort.  When you own a T:Nine road bike that’s noticeably more relaxing and rewarding to ride than a $5,000 race-day rocket, yet weighs only about 5% more, then you simply end up riding it more often than your other bikes.

Also, who says that cycling enthusiasts can’t enjoy less serious bicycles?  Have you ever come home with less than an hour left before dark and decided to skip today’s ride because it will take you too long to get dressed and geared up for a “serious” ride?  Why not just jump on a T:Nine Breeze that’s comfortable and convenient to ride in street clothes and explore your neighborhood?  Owning a more accessible bike helps even the most die-hard cycling enthusiast enjoy riding more often.

Does this mean that we will never offer a T:Nine bicycle model more expensive than $2,000?  Eventually we may.  However, we will only do so when our Alliance Team feels that we can offer unique and compelling T:Nine technology that provides distinctly higher performance specifically for women riders.  We won't simply specify more expensive parts on our existing frame designs to create a marginally higher performance, yet significantly more expensive model.

At K2 Bike, while we all love the feeling of speed on two wheels, we prefer to measure performance in smiles per hour.  We feel that in this regard, our T:Nine bikes are the highest performance women’s-specific models available at any price.

Nokia L'Amour Mobile Phone Collection

Hello, T:Nine Alliance!

My wife, Anya, is always on the lookout for new women's specific products that break the mold of traditional "pink it and shrink it" design, and more closely approach our core T:Nine design values.

On a recent trip home to Russia to visit her family, she discovered an interesting new series of mobile phones by Nokia.  Their L'Amour collection of phones is beautifully detailed, with subtle color accents, non-traditional textures and size/shape combinations unique to this series.

Some of the graphic elements on the phones are related in theme to those developed by our Alliance Team for our 2006 T:Nine bicycles.  The color scheme, with the exception of their added orange accent color, is strikingly similar to one we selected for the 2006 T:Nine Twister road bike.

In addition to offering these distinctly different phones (including an entry-level model not available in the USA) their matching web site design is equally flowing, organic and interesting in its own right.  Explore it on your own, and let us know what you think.

http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/fashion/lamour/1,8514,,00.html

Best Regards,

T.K. Malone

3-6-06

still in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

Question authenticity! We do it every day when developing new T:Nine designs

Dictionaries define the word authentic as meaning true, genuine, valid, dependable, faithful and real.  Authentic products are often promised by brands in today’s world, but it’s all too common to see these promises broken in the relentless pursuit of profits.

People passionate about their beliefs know true authenticity when they see it.  To these folks, no amount of marketing can substitute for trust that's been earned through offering reliable products that remain consistent with their core values over time.  K2 Bike’s organization and our Alliance Team are such passionate people, dedicated to improving the cycling experience for women through our actions.

While other bike brands had produced women’s-specific models before us, our development group and Alliance Team agreed that we could provide a uniquely different, completely separate and naturally authentic women’s line that embodies the following key concepts:

• Select unique names for our distinctive women’s bicycles, not just recycle traditional names from men’s or unisex models and call them women’s-specific
• Choose new, vibrant colors which women felt strongly about, not fall back on hues that had traditionally sold well on step-through framed versions of existing bikes marketed as ladies' designs
• Design stand-alone aesthetics with gradual color transitions and subtle graphic elements that break the bike industry clichés of hard-edged, high-contrast, blocky, billboard style colors and graphics
• Offer a wide range of bicycles that suit many womens’ budgets, riding styles, abilities and ambitions, not just a few models at high price points for elite riders
• Develop new, exceptional frame designs that offer high-performance features appropriate to women instead of accepting design elements from existing men's or unisex models
• Design proprietary women's fit-related dimensions according to a library of data from custom fitting sessions with a group of cyclists of many ages, heights and riding styles
• Pick specific components in coordination with the frame design process to properly suit lighter, smaller riders, not just add "women's" parts arbitrarily after the fact
• Make conscious choices to ensure that our bikes are more fun to choose, ride and own, and that safety and convenience are not compromised to achieve these goals
• Reserve the T:Nine brand name exclusively for bicycles that fulfill all of the closely held values of the Alliance, including every one of the above concepts

We want our Alliance to grow into a diverse community of women cyclists that fosters spirited discussions, sponsors incredible events and creates inspiring products that both enhance the cycling experience and make it accessible to more women around the world.

In order to succeed in this goal, it’s important that you understand what we feel is appropriate for women’s bicycles, and can trust that we’ll always act consistently with these beliefs.  That’s what authenticity means to us, and why we’re so serious about your fun!

Where did the K2 Bike T:Nine Alliance concept come from?

Five years ago, the K2 Ski group gave birth to an idea that has changed the way that women’s sporting goods are developed.  Right from the start, K2 T:Nine products delivered on the promise of outdoor sporting goods that are:

• Designed specifically to fit women, engendering a better sense of confidence and control
• Tuned to provide more performance and comfort for female athletes, helping them build skills and progress in their sport
• Styled to excite the senses with distinctly different shapes, colors, textures and evocative names

How did they manage to achieve these goals from the start, build upon their successes in every year since, and continue to stay true to the T:Nine concept's core values even today?

They carefully selected a K2 Ski Alliance Team – five unique female personalities from a wide variety of ages, sizes, backgrounds, abilities and interests with two key traits in common: they were all women who truly love the sport of skiing.  These women both drive the product development process and help communicate the T:Nine story to the public.

In the years since, the K2 T:Nine ski collection has grown into the best-selling line of women's products in the fastest growing market segment in their industry.  Skiing enthusiasts around the world now enjoy the benefits of T:Nine skis, bindings, poles, goggles and helmets that are faithfully developed by women, for women.

Inspired by their achievements, in 2004 K2 Bike started our own T:Nine initiative to develop a completely separate line of bicycles for women outdoor enthusiasts.  We brought together our own Alliance Team to help us foster the growth of this new venture, and got right to work.

Later that year, we introduced the very first T:Nine bicycle collection, a complete and separate line of women's K2 bicycles for 2005 that honored the high standards established before us by our skiing sisters.

What does T:Nine stand for, anyway?

In 1972, the United States Congress passed Title IX legislation that mandated equal funding for women’s athletics at this country’s colleges and universities.

Inspired by the eventual Title Nine law's spirit of “equal, but different” support for female athletes, K2 Sports introduced its first T:Nine alpine ski line in 2002.  Since then, this empowering women’s outdoor sports initiative has grown to also include telemark skis, ski poles, ski helmets, ski goggles, in-line skates, and bicycles.

Across the many products offered under the K2 brand, T:Nine more specifically stands for authentic sporting goods that meet the unique needs and desires of women.  This authenticity is ensured in each category by an Alliance Team of women that not only directly guides the development of the product line, but also actively participates in bringing their message to the public.

An interesting note: the K2 Snowboarding group also relies on an Alliance Team to guide their women's product development process, but chooses not to use the T:Nine name.  Many snowboarders apparently feel that Title IX’s connection with organized team athletics runs counter to the individual spirit of their sport.

To learn more about the wide variety of K2 products built to help women better enjoy their outdoor experiences, visit the K2 Women website using the following link.

http://www.k2women.com/default.asp

Welcome to the K2 Bike T:Nine Alliance!

Since we planted the seeds for our T:Nine women’s cycling initiative over two years ago, its growth has been nothing short of amazing.  We were open to hearing all of our Alliance Team’s ideas of what women wanted in their new bikes, and trusted them enough to follow through on the unique concepts they inspired.

Now, we’re ready to begin an exciting new chapter in the life of our Alliance, and we’d like to invite you to come along and enjoy the ride.  Within our expanded T:Nine Alliance community, we’ll continue to honor the spirit of openness and trust that has been the source of our group’s successes to date.  How, you might ask?

• Openness – Until now, the development of our T:Nine program has been rather exclusive, centered around K2 Bike’s development group and our five member T:Nine Alliance Team.  We now realize that in order to more completely achieve our goals and better reflect the desires of all women cyclists, we need to listen to everyone who feels passionately about women's cycling.  So, whether you own a K2 bicycle, one from another brand, have a collection of two-wheelers that has chased the cars out of your garage, or are simply interested in making sure that your first bike is the right one for you, you’re welcome to join our Alliance.
• Trust – In my very first message to you, I confess that I am a man, not a woman.  Whew, there, I said it!
• Openness – However, I suspect that the members of our T:Nine Alliance Team would tell you that I am passionately dedicated to improving the cycling experience for women, and that I really do listen to how they feel we can accomplish that goal.  I wouldn’t be asking for your help if I didn’t intend to treat you the same way.
• Trust – We highly respect your privacy.  You can trust that we will always keep any personal information you share personal – just between us – unless we have your express permission to share it with the greater Alliance group or other trusted partners.
• Openness – We are sincerely interested in listening to and learning from our Alliance members.  Not only will we not censor or delete discussion and possible recommendation of products that compete with ours, we will consider it an opportunity for us to learn how we can improve our bikes and the entire T:Nine initiative.
• Trust – Everyone and every organization makes mistakes.  We recognize that we’re not perfect, but we are committed to making good on every promise that we make.  If you feel that we aren’t living up to what we've said, I want to hear about it from you.
• Openness – If you feel strongly enough about any issue related to our T:Nine bicycles to make time within your busy life to write me an e-mail, I will personally read it.  I can't promise a reply to every email, but your feedback will be considered as we’re charting the future course of the K2 Bike T:Nine women's cycling initiative.  My work e-mail address is tkatworldwidecyclesupplydotcom.  Just substitute the appropriate “@” and “.” characters, and as a member of our Alliance, you’ll have the direct connection you need to effect positive change.

So, consider our little place on the Internet officially open.  We trust you’ll find the information shared within our group both educational and entertaining.  Join our Alliance today, and make yourself at home!

Thank you,

T.K. Malone

3-6-06

currently in Taipei, Taiwan ROC