Designed specifically to be an excellent-value, entry-level mountain bike, the Mahuna ("green beans" in Croatian) is a 29-inch-wheel hardtail perfect for those with a curiosity for jumping on the big-wheel bandwagon. Built using Kona's sweet-riding 29er geometry and 7005 Aluminum Butted tubing, the Mahuna is all about keeping things simple and fun, with components selected to keep the Long Sweet Ride going for years.
Strengths: Great brakes, solid frame, firm and solid bike for the buck
Weaknesses: Seat; It is too hard
Front derailleur issues: The factory rear tire is just huge, so huge that the front derailleur will touch the tire when trying to adjust the lower position of the derailleur. So be ready to change the rear tire to a narrower one.
Suspension fork: It is just right for the price. On a bumpy trail it suffers a lot. next upgrade?????
I'm also having some issues with the chain sticking tho the chairing and not shifting gears properly.
I need to do my research on that.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike.
Best bike for the buck!
Entry level? I think it is more than that.
Strengths: Very LITE Kona 's race lite frame is really strong and stiff, really well put together . Had one problem with gears , guys over at Mock Orange Bikes took care of that . Overall for little over 700 dollars its worth the buy. Not to mention you get Avid Elixir 1 brakes,with are hydraulic hard to find on entry level bikes.
Submitted by
HappYbiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2012
Strengths: (This review is for the 2012 Kona Mahuna) Lightweight, Comfortable, Smooth, Good Brakes, Easy to ride.
Weaknesses: Squeaky forks
Bottom Line:
An entry level mountain bike that doesn't have top of the line components, but is very good. A good price for a 29er with hydraulic disk brakes. If you are a casual rider who bikes in the city and the trail, this bike is for you.
Submitted by
usstoledo
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2011
Strengths: Rock solid frame (my welder buddy was particularly impressed with the welds), great brakes and workman-like drive train--and wicked cool aesthetics to boot. And frankly, based on 3 solid months of leg work and research into the local market, you'd be hard pressed to beat the value.
Weaknesses: The seat wasn't terribly comfortable. Also, the forks are nothing to write home about. They are probably the first thing you'll want to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
If you're not willing or able to drop $1600 at one time for the next couple of levels up (The Big Kahuna), the Mahuna is a great way to get your foot in the 29er door.
A couple of notes: With a bit of breaking in and retuning, the Avid BB5s provide braking power that far outstrips the rim brakes on my Trek and will likely be fine for all but the most heavy downhill trails. Secondly, the Suntour fork will probably serve for a couple of years of commuting and light trail riding, but beyond that, I'd recommend putting three or four hundred bucks into a RockShox Tora TK 29 100mm or Recon TK Solo Air 100mm that comes standard on the 2011 Kahuna or Big Kahuna.
Similar Products Used: My last bike was a 2007 Trek 3700 (26 inch wheels, Rim brakes, 7 speed).
Bike Setup: Stock 2011.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
richard
a Cross Country Rider
from amarillo
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2011
Strengths: Smooth ride, like a cadillac after a VW bug. easy shifting,
easy traversing obsticals. 15% more effective than smaller tires. The gear shifters seem to need no continual fine adjustments. These are sram components.
Weaknesses: Came with tubes for thin valve (forgot the name). Had them drilled out for regular no-hassle stems. Extra heavy tubes and pleanty of slime. No flats at the far end of the trail.
Bottom Line:
8" disc breaks on front are the best. Ride is easy and natural. I do no extreme riding. If you do, then you may need another bike. Gotta say, the 29 " wheels have made my ride a fun workout but not the hard slog like the other bikes.
Love this bike
Similar Products Used: No 29er but had a trek 820 and a specialized hardrock pro. This bike is a pleasure. I have to find more trails as I finish my regular ones and am not yet tired.
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DanRobbinsNYC
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2011
Strengths: Stability, size and (of course) PRICE.
Also (and most importantly) it seems tough enough to handle midtown Manhattan during rush. No small feat.
Weaknesses: A little too "entry-level" for me component wise. Also, Kona's product photo shows components (SRAM X7 RD, crankset and pedals) NOT on the bike at the time of sale (the tech specs, however, were listed correctly).
Bottom Line:
I upgraded the drivetrain to SRAMs X7 9-speed (incl crankset). The pedals are upgraded to Tioga Spyders. I replaced the seat with a WTB Laber. I will prob. upgrade the fork and the brakes to hydraulic disc in the immediate future. I love my bike! I just couldn't stand to look at it with the stock pedals and crank. They looked like something on a bike I would have bought for $100 at KMart. After one ride home in the rain, the CS sounded like it was breaking apart with every pedal stroke. Agony!! Coming off a Fisher (imho the Cadillac of MTBs), it was as tough sell at first. I ventured into a different bike shop in NY (Zen). They were terrific and so customer service oriented that I trusted their vision for me and bought into the Kona. Glad I did ... and I will prolly stay with Kona for quite a while.
Bottom Line: the Mahuna really IS a great entry-level 29er bike. But if you are not entry-level with MTBs, aim a little higher in the Kahuna line. There is definitely something there for you!
Similar Products Used: 2003 GT, 2005 Gary Fisher Marlin
Bike Setup: Fork Suntour SF11 XCT V3 100mm
Crankarms FSA
Chainrings 42/32/22
B/B FSA
Pedals Wellgo LU-A9
Chain KMC HG40
Freewheel SRAM PG 820 11-32 8 spd
F/D Shimano Altus
R/D SRAM X4
Shifters SRAM X4
Brake Calipers Avid BB5
Front Brake Rotor Avid G2 185mm
Rear Brake Rotor Avid G2 160mm
Brake Levers Avid FR 5
Headset FSA
Handlebar Kona XC/BC Riser
Stem Kona XC/BC
Seatpost Kona Thumb Double Clamp
Seat Clamp Kona QR
Grips Kona Race Light LOG
Saddle Kona XC
Front Hub Formula Disc
Rear Hub Formula Disc
Spokes Stainless 14g
Rims Alex EN-24
Front Tire Maxxis Ignitor 29x2.1
Rear Tire Maxxis Ignitor 29x2.1
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
cashmore1985
a Weekend Warrior
from Oak Harbor, WA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2011
Bottom Line:
I took the bike on a 50 mile road trip after putting road tires on it. Also I have ridden it to work. It feels good in corners and and high speeds. Great entry level 29er
