If you're the type of rider who burns with the fire to travel deep into the wilds of the world and you need to go down as speedily as you go up, consider the Cadabra, one of the most adaptable dual-suspension bicycles ever made. The Cadabra has up to 160mm of plush rear travel and features new Scandium 6069 tubing, ISCG tabs, cable stops for adjustable seatposts, stiff 142x12 rear axle, and a spec package that strikes the perfect balance between value and performance. Whether you race enduro or love massive mountain epics, the Cadabra is all magic, all the time.
Submitted by
scallene
a Cross Country Rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2011
Strengths: Very light, love the geometry, brakes and suspension
are very easy to tunes. Menuverable. It controls very well down hill. The active geometry actually changes the bike from an XC uphill to a DH downhill
Weaknesses: Brakes screech, too light to have the best menuverability downhill
Bottom Line:
Very nice bike goes up nice comes down nice. Only problem is the screeching.
Buy this bIke if you like to be able to go up and down very well.
Submitted by
toxicparadigm
a Cross Country Rider
from nederlands
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2011
Strengths: Climbs like a lightweigth frame and goes down like a downhiller!!! the change in the geometry of the bike is amazing feels at home on every track.even if it isn't a downhill bike i have thrown allot of abusive jumps at it and it did just fine
Weaknesses: The shimano m575 brakes just don't cut it and the mavic crossride's are weak they have to much flex in them causing your brakes to make noise (shin shin shin noise) i have changed those and the noise was gone but still changed the brakes afterwards
Bottom Line:
great bike no complaints love it won't change it for anything else(maybe newer model) and great costumer support at the bike shop knows everthing about their product,lifetime warranty on the frame!!!!
Similar Products Used: specialized lefty,giant,cube.
Bike Setup: Hope m4 brakes hope hubs with dt swiss spokes and dt swiss hoops noby nic tires
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
melv40
a Weekend Warrior
from South Wales .. U.K
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2011
Strengths: Great climber brilliant descender , very stiff and plush.
Weaknesses: takes a little longer to set up suspension.
Bottom Line:
I have been looking to buy a new bike for a while and took quite a few out on demo`s EG Orange 5 commencal meta santa cruz nickel and blur, mondc giraker foxy all nice bikes and all had good and bad points . Never really considered a Kona cadabra as Kona has not realy got a good following over here in the U.K . After seeing price in local bike shop decided to try as it looked a steal. And I was very surprised how well it climbed and it descended like a down hill bike. the magic link works like a dream and after 3 months of use loving it more and more . highly recommend
Submitted by
pedalitup
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2010
Strengths: The red and polished metal Cadabra frame. Suspension is amazing. Set it up in one afternoon and thats it. Propedal on 1, fork locked for goin up. Fork unlocked in the twisties. Propedal off, goin down. Couldn't be easier. Herein lies the magic: It feels four pounds lighter than it weighs going uphill and six pounds heavier than it is going down. The control due to front end stiffness is incredible. This is a hardtail holdouts dream come true. I will NEVER go back to sketchy punishment.
Weaknesses: Waited till it was on closeout leaving only two months to ride up high before winter, It doesnt fit in the hatchback as easily as the hardtail. Can't find anything to blame the bike for when I screw up. Gotta be something else? Can't think of it right now. ..
Bottom Line:
Cadabra does everything I need it to. Not just well, but very well. Any extra time spent climbing is more than offset by the ease at which this lets me fly back down the mountain. Thus the magic of abracadabra. I skeptically listened to the same reaction from a podium level DH and also an XC racer who rode it extensively. So I took it out and tried it. Being a lightweight climber, I've finally found the perfect tool. I'm strong enough to power 27lbs to the top of Super D, then the bike gets my unskilled ass to the bottom in one piece with ear to ear grin intact. It compensates for weak descending perfectly, Hell, its even a blast to crash on this thing. This is the closest I've ridden to an affordable all mountain, do it all bike.
Similar Products Used: Finally after 30 plus years of ho hum, I own a mountain bike.
Theres not much to compare this to for less than twice the price. Next year maybe. .
Bike Setup: Cadabra frame, Fox 32 RL 150 fork. Shimano 575 brakes. 2x10 drivetrain with FSA KFL 42-29 crank, Shimano XT shifters, M773-GS rear derailleur. 11-36 cassette. Speed Dream White Industries M-16 hubs with ZTR355/ZTR arch wheelset. Mutano 2.4 rear and Nevegal front tires. Thomson elite X4 stem and post, Monkeylite xc hi riser bar. WTB silverado saddle. <27.5lbs
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Submitted by
luisonsa
a Weekend Warrior
from Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2010
Strengths: Rigidity, infinity travel feeling, comfortable, seems lighter than it is, attractive looking
Weaknesses: Not available until june. Needs a components upgrade. Maxxis Aspen tires are weak in loose rocky terrain
Bottom Line:
After waiting more than 9 months, I am very satisfied with its behaviour. Front ridigity is impressive with tappered headset and 15 QR. Initially seems taller but once you are riding on it is stable and ease to use.
Uphill is similar to my old friend Kona Dawg 2004 with 100mm rear susp (good). Downhill, crossfire road (very good), twisted rocky trail with telescopic seatpost (outstanding).
Two bikes at the same time, Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde
Bike Setup: I have changed original Mavic Crossride Wheelset by XM 819 UST mavic rims and Shimano XT hubs (FH 778 in front) and also I have changed to Shimano SLX brakes instead of Deore units.
Seatpost Gravity dropper classic with remote control.
The rest of equipment is exactly equal original specifications.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
spadmike
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2010
Strengths: Price, fork, shock, crank, fun factor, scandium frame
Weaknesses: brakes,bar too narrow
Bottom Line:
This is a great fun bike. I own a Turner DW Spot, the fabled, best bike in the world, and I am really enjoying Kona's approach to the suspension. It handles great and climbs better than my Turner...honest! You have to try it out. It descends really well too. Considering the complete bike was less than my Turner frame, it is a great bargain. For some reason, probably marketing and crap people spew on the web, Kona's get little respect around here. It is easy to fall into the if is a Dw link, Maestro, FSR, blah, blah blah... it can't be good. I was very pleasantly surprised!
Submitted by
denn
a Weekend Warrior
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2010
Strengths: I think this is truly the definition of a do-it-all bike. Pedals fast and responsive, and climbs about as fast as my old hardtail. For a near 30lb bike it climbs fast and steady, while keeping the rear wheel planted for optimal traction. Pointed downhill this thing is a monster, it gobbles up both the small chatter and the big hits with ease, providing both a supple feel over the smaller stuff, and a comforting bottom-less feel over the big stuff. The cadabra encourages you to push over some good size drops and jumps with a balanced and confidence inspiring feel.
Coupled with a adjustable post I think this may be the perfect AM Trailbike.
Weaknesses: The slide on grips are lame, and the Shimano brakes aren't as powerful as the Hayes offering I've come to love.
Bottom Line:
Great riding bike, with a solid component spec, and Kona's legendary durability. Recommended as a long travel do-it-all.
Bike Setup: Crank Bros Smarty pedals, Lizard Skin Lock-On grips, otherwise as delivered
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
RelentlessRider
a Weekend Warrior
from West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2010
Strengths: Solid build, gorgeous looks
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This bike in incredible. It gobbles up technical features like they are not even on the trail. Its geometry is such that you are just as comfortable climbing as you are descending - the Magic Link really lives up to its name in that the engagement/disengagement of the secondary rear shock is totally seamless. The components work together to create a machine that functions easily and reliably. Did I mention that it looks as good as it rides? As a rider transitioning from a hardtail trail bike (and wanting an all mountain ride that could handle anything I put it through - no matter where I travel to), I can definitely say that the upgrade is a welcome improvement. I highly recommend the Cadabra to anyone that is interested in a do-it-all ride that performs beautifully.
Submitted by
oldGoose
a Weekend Warrior
from bestchester, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2010
Strengths: weight, climbing and descending, geometry
Weaknesses: saddle
Bottom Line:
bottom line is i was blown away w/ the bike on a 2 hour demo ride. As a natural born skeptic, and horst link purist, I was pretty sure the "magic link" was a gimmick. Definitely not. This bike really was the best of both worlds: climbed like my 26# AMP, and ate up everything on the descents (compared to what i've ridden). Geometry was always perfect for the situation and the bike felt very nimble considering the travel. Rad!
Here is the deal.
Surfing on the net i found out about Kona and Magic Link. I got impress with the Abra Cadabra model, so I'm Thinking on buying one.
I Have a Ellsworth Epip Read More »
I will buy an all mountain soon.I am from Greece and i need your help.I am between those two which one do you sudjest for AM but i would like to make some pedal on the uphills.What Read More »
