Kona KULA DELUXE 2-9 29er Hardtail

4.5/5 (2 Reviews)


Product Description

  • Frame tubing: Kona Race Light Scandium Butted
  • Fork: RockShox Reba SL 29er 80mm
  • Headset: FSA Orbit DL
  • Shifters: Shimano XT
  • Handlebar: FSA XC-282A OS
  • Stem: FSA OS 150LX
  • Grips: Kona Race Light


Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Reviews 1 - 2 (2 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Jon Lamb a Cross Country Rider from Santa Rosa, CA, USA

Date Reviewed: May 11, 2008

Strengths:    Climbing, descending, great components out of the box

Weaknesses:    Shimano Hubset

Bottom Line:   
I'm 5' 5" and am riding the 16" frame. Even at this small size the bike has great geometry. The 16" has a 69 degree headtube angle which you wouldn't expect on a cross country hardtail. It climbs like crazy and also descends great. Really easy to throw around and maneuvers fine in tight technical single track. The bike feels very solid and balanced. In some rough sections i felt like i was moving faster and smoother than on my 5" full suspension maybe even picking up speed where I'm usually being slowed down. Kona made a really awesome bike, I'm impressed.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   singletrack

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2200.00

Purchased At:   Breakaway Bikes

Similar Products Used:   Orbea Alma 29er

Bike Setup:   Stock. 16" Frame. Converted to Single Speed. Spot 32t front chainring paired to Niner 20t rear cog. Surly single speed conversion kit.

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Aaron Ochsner a Weekend Warrior from Portland, OR, USA

Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008

Strengths:    Handles great, lightweight, climbs/descends really well, just a very FUN bike to ride. I did a 2hr demo ride on my favorite local trail system, and it was just a firkin blast. My regular ride is a 5yr old 31-32 lb FS Kona Bear (a.k.a. Dawg) - it could have just been the weight difference, or the new bike factor, but I still think Kona got somethin right here. The Hayes Stroker hydraulic brakes are so much better (modulation, noise, etc) than the Avid BB mech's I ride normally. The Maxxis Ignitors did really well in the slippery slop.

Weaknesses:    Don't care for the latest XT thumb shifters - too positive/notchy + too much force required for shifting (no, I don't have weak thumbs). I likes 'em smoother (2002 XT's mo betta).

Bottom Line:   
Big wheels are more fun. Scandium is rides smooth and light. Bike demos on real trails are the only way to go.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   Tested or demo'ed only

Purchased At:   (n/a - demo ride)

Similar Products Used:   Redline Monocog Flight 29er.

Bike Setup:   Stock, w/ Candy pedals.

Reviews 1 - 2 (2 Reviews Total)

Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

 




Interbike - Trade Show Booths

 

Videos



 

MTBR on Facebook