Strengths: Bombproof frame, excelent componentry straight from the box (minus the forks), and it's a looker - the bright colours definitely turn the appropriate heads (i.e the laydeez :p)
Weaknesses: The forks are the weakest part of the package. Makes sense, Kona had to cut some corners to keep the cost friendly to our wallets, and unfortunately, they chose one of the most important parts of the bike to do it to.
Bottom Line:
I tried the demo and the Stinky because I initially wanted a big huck/DH machine. But, seeing as I've been out of the saddle for a while, I decided against them, as they would have been too good for me, and I would have felt like I'd wasted the money.
I decded to get something with shorter travel - after a scour on the internet, the '07 howler seemed to be a very good choice - it was either that or the coiler, but after weighing things up, I would have changed almoast all the spec on the coiler, so it was pretty pointless.
The Howler's excelent. It feels beefy, but at the same time, it's very easy to control in tight, twisty singletrack. I changed the forks from the frankly rubbish DJ3's to the pikes - and I ahven't looked back since. 95mm for jump/4x duties, 140mm for north shore and drops. Super plush out of the box, and now they've bedded in, they've got even better. All the other componentry is excelent, a definite value for money winner. The fox shock is smooth and suple, the Sun rims are tough, and the Kona brand stuff hasn't broken yet, so it's got a big tick in my book. And the green/white/black paint job will get you noticed.... ;)
I would definitely recommend this to another rider. It's a brilliant machine, and Kona definitely deserve a pat on the back for this one. As another reviewer stated, it's a bit heavy for cycling uphills - but hey, it wasn't designed for that :p Get some pikes or fox forx on the front, and you'll be laughing all the way to the trails.
*quick note* I've heard that the coiler's shock linkage plates will fit on the howler, allowing 5 or even 6 inches of travel on the back. I have no idea if this is true, but judging by the fact that both sets of linkage plates look identical, it may be possible. Can anyone shed some light on that?
Favorite Trail: Anything with drops and some good north shore
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1459.00
Purchased At: Winstanleys bikes, UK
Similar Products Used: Commencal meta 4x, Kona Stinky, specialized demo 9, Marin attack trail (test/demo)
Bike Setup: as it came from the box, buth with a set of '07 RockShox pike 426's on the front. May upgrade to some 8" rotors front and rear (if the frame allows a rear disc upsize, I haven't checked yet).
Strengths: bombproof frame, awesome suspension platform, amazingly stable, low standover, quick on the 4x and easy to keep flow on the bmx tracks and some of the more "bmxier" style dirtjumps, it just feels great
Weaknesses: i didnt like some of the parts as soon as i saw them so i got em upgraded straight away, like the deraileur, i got a xt shadow rd, and the stem, i got a short raceface diablos, the forks sometimes ding out when i whip but i recently fixed this problem when i realised it has internal rebound adjust, there isnt really any weakness with the frame, but! the shock to seatstay linkage has been known to crack under pressure so ive been landing as smooth as humanly possible haha
Bottom Line:
this if ur bike if you want to race 4x, hit up some big djs and/or bomb light freeride and downhill trails, definately a winner from Kona
Similar Products Used: norco xxxx and kona cowan ds, very similar to both of them
Bike Setup: ive got it scock exept for a few minor upgrades, like shimano xt sharow rd deraileur, raceface diablos stem and slime tyres (which are 5X thicker then ur regular tyre)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2007
Strengths: Looks like a hardtail somewhat. Pivot close to BB. Chunky frame, not too heavy. Good amount of rear travel.
Weaknesses: Junk forks, componentry a little tired and needs replacing. Red, I hate red haha.
Bottom Line:
This is the first dual sus bike I have owned and I didn't want to go to 6" travel because I still want to climb to the top of the downs, jump and ride to work. It's an awesome frame so I will rebuild it with Lyrik 6" forks, Fox DHX out back and some new componentry. Oh and a paint job!
Don't know if it should be in the Downhill catagory, more of a freeride bike but it does have a pretty relaxed head angle compared to hardtail...
Really liked the Cowan DS but too hard to find here so this was a nice, cheap alternative. 4 chills for overall rating cause the forks are honestly junk. Throw them away.
Bike Setup: Pretty stock but a full rebuild on the way.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mason P
a Downhiller
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007
Strengths: The 2006 Kona Howler has better forks than the 2007 Howler, so that would definitely be a strength. The frame is boxy, so it's really strong. It's also surprisingly lighter than most downhill bikes in it's price range. I, personally, got a great deal on this bike, which of course makes me think better of it all around. Though, I have no stance on comparison, I've never really tried another downhill bike.
Weaknesses: It doesn't have as much suspension travel as some bikes. Only 4" rear travel and 4.5" front travel, but that can be good in some situations as well. Also, when I hit really big drops, sometimes the chain will pop off of the small sprocket that holds it onto the main sprocket, but then all you have to do is reach down and put it back on which takes all of 5 seconds.
Bottom Line:
I would definitely recommend this bike as a first step towards downhilling. For more experienced riders that have used Kona Stinkys, Santa Cruz v10's, etc., I would not recommend it.
Bike Setup: I have the rear shock set up as soft as possible, but I weigh 120 pounds. It works great for me.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
poo tanga
a Downhiller
from melbourne
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007
Strengths: nothing
Weaknesses: the whole frame, swing arm, forks rear shock
Bottom Line:
i landed a small gap and the bak wheel fuked and bent and the hub broke and spokes gone then i was doin a mono and the frame snapped in half its a peice of crap dun get one.
Submitted by
Matt Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View ca
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2006
Strengths: Versatile, and reliable piece of machinery. Ultra nice downhill freeride, dirtjump bike.
Weaknesses: Maybe not the bikes fault but it crushed my foot and I had surgery after jumping where their's overgrown trees that caused me to go off balance.
Bottom Line:
I wanted a great full suspension xc/dirtjumper, and it's solid. It gives you confindense on jumps and control it does got. however, It is harder on uphills than my old hardtail.
Bike Setup: stock but had to upgrade the rear derailer to xt to make it a done deal.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Downhiller
from Alpine, UT, United States
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2006
Strengths: it's a kona, therefore it is indestructable. it has amazing balance in the air and around corners. incredible dirt jumper/freeride frame, especially for the money. i have dropped 10+ feet on this frame with only 4" of travel and it likes it. it has very high quality travel and soaks up the small bumps and the big hits very well. rails around the corners and keeps the rider in good control.
Weaknesses: none that i can think of. if you only ride on the road and are scared of pot holes and curbs and leave your bike in your garage for years at a time. then it would suck.
Bottom Line:
buy this bike if you like to drop, jump, or downhill. it can do it all. i bought this frame and have liked every minute of it. by far the best frame out there for the price, i would have bought this frame for alot more money than i paid. and you will never have to worry about it breaking for any reason.
Favorite Trail: Moab Rim and local dirt jump trails
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: beyondbikes
Bike Setup: i bought only the frame. sherman flicks 130mm. singletrack wheelset. hussefelt bars, stem, and chainguide. sram x-7. hayes sole disc brakes.
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